So, we've heard that the "theme" of the Expansion is going to have something to do with the Sky. Final Fantasy is no stranger to floating continents, and having recently been playing Final Fantasy III -- a game which has clearly been a large inspiration for FFXIV -- I think I might have a couple of ideas what might be happening.

In a recent trailer, we saw what appeared to be a "Crystal of Darkness". In FFIII, it was commonly stated that the Crystals would choose Warriors of Light when the powers of Darkness began to grow too powerful; another fairly common theme in the series. However, there is a single line of text in FFIII that indicated that, long ago, the Crystals actually chose a group of "Warriors of Darkness", for when the powers of Light were beginning to flourish, indicating that Crystals were neither good nor evil, but would maintain a balance at any cost.

So, my thinking is that, because of our "Warriors of Light" are kicking too much ass, Hydaelyn (or another Crystal) is forced to manifest "Warriors of Darkness" in order to maintain the balance. This, I believe, will be our first encounter with any sort of "Dark Knight" characters.

Now, how a floating continent might play into this, I simply don't know. My knowledge of the world surrounding Eorzea is fairly limited, and I would've suspected Ishgard would be our next Expansion, but that hardly meshes with the "Sky" theme we've been told of the Expansion.

My thinking? We will encounter these "Warriors of Darkness" in Patch 2.4 or 2.5, just as we, the players, earn the right to visit Ishgard. Just as we show up, we'll find the Warriors of Darkness manipulating the Archbishop of the Holy See, playing to his paranoia and convincing him that we're a threat to them, ushering in a direct conflict with Ishgard's religious institution.

While we're battling the forces of Ishgard, I assume the Warriors of Darkness will travel the expansion's floating continent, for one reason or another, and begin establishing it as a seat of power.

Now, as for how the Ascians might play into that... I'm not quite sure. They're clearly at odds with Hydaelyn, which leads me to question if *they* might be the supposed "Warriors of Darkness". And if so, perhaps their "god" is actually a Dark-counterpart to Hydaelyn? Or perhaps they'll simply sit this one, and the Warriors of Darkness will be an entirely separate group of villains?

Of course, in seeking balance of all things, I'm thinking this might herald the addition of playable Dark Knights, but then maybe I'm just being overly optimistic.

Keep in mind, *THIS IS ALL JUST SPECULATION*!!! I'm interested in hearing what you guys think might happen, though