The Great Betrayal!

[EdwinLi]

That's probably the most likely reason, as Iceheart has already set the precedent by using herself as a host for Saint Shiva. Both Minfilia and Iceheart have the Echo, which is likely the key in doing so.

If that is the case then that would mean Minfilia maybe the Final boss of 3.0 or Pre-Final boss of 3.0 if they successfully turn Minfilia into Zodiark's Host body.

[gamesmart]

If that is the case then that would mean Minfilia maybe the Final boss of 3.0 or Pre-Final boss of 3.0 if they successfully turn Minfilia into Zodiark's Host body.

That'd be one heck of a plot twist, assuming it succeeds. May end up being a regular solo instanced fight if everything plays out like that.
But as mentioned elsewhere, the Main Scenario teaser for Before the Fall Part 2 shows her back in the material world, so if it does succeed it'll be very, very short-lived.

[EdwinLi]

That'd be one heck of a plot twist, assuming it succeeds. May end up being a regular solo instanced fight if everything plays out like that.
But as mentioned elsewhere, the Main Scenario teaser for Before the Fall Part 2 shows her back in the material world, so if it does succeed it'll be very, very short-lived.

Well anything can happen at this point with Minfilia's capture. If the use of Minfilia as a Host for Zodiark works then it is possible that Zodiark is hiding his presence in Minfilia or pretending to be Minfilia similar to how Lahabrea pretended to be or hid his control over Thancred's body.

If their plans failed in 2.5 Part 1 or there is another reason for Minfilia's capture and we save her then meh she still herself and nothing more.

[kyuven]

Bahamut simply just overpowered the seal before it could be completed. He was held in captivity for a very, very long time (among other factors, which are Final Coil spoilers so I'm leaving them out here), so when Dalamud burst open we had a very, very pissed off elder primal on our hands - far more than the Twelve could contain. I don't think any of the (soon-to-be) Scions were present for the actual Battle of Carteneau, as they were scattered around Eorzea in prayer at the marks of the Twelve that Louisoix placed so he could channel the populace's prayers to summon them in the first place.

Also, it was stated at the introduction to the original HM primal trio that Thancred was especially vulnerable to tempering thanks to him being possessed by Lahabrea, so at the very least he's basically confirmed not to have the Echo.

From what i understand, it was all speculation on their part. Thancred may have been vulnerable at that time, but it didn't stop him from getting involved with Leviathan.
And yes, as I said, based on my speculation if there were twelve scions praying instead of the six they had going into it, it's possible Bahamut may have not broken through the seal.
This might not be the last we see of the gigantic seal of the twelve.

[Recaldy]

So...did SE announce the winners for the screenshot contest a while back? Maybe the winners will be in 2.5 somewhere? *nudge nudge*

[Kat_Manx]

We're never fighting Zodiark as he is a giant crystal, like Hydaelyn. He represents chaos/evil, Hyd represents light. Ascians causing chaos weakens Hyd and strengthens Zodiark.

Here's what he looks like if you're curious:

Well maybe he still CAN be summoned. I have a theory that Hydaleyn is a primal too, and we have essentially been "tempered" by her, or whatever it is called. That's why Ifrit couldn't do it to us. If you think about it, we have been gathering crystals, too... from the primals. Maybe to summon Hydaelyn? Or as the cutscenes sorta make it seem, the Ascians will get hold of them now, for their purposes. /tinfoil hat.

[EdwinLi]

So...did SE announce the winners for the screenshot contest a while back? Maybe the winners will be in 2.5 somewhere? *nudge nudge*

Nope.

Nothing yet until they feel like releasing that info.

[DarkStar]

Y'know, if they do actually use Minfilia as a 'host' for Zodiark, I'm gonna start having flashbacks to FFT, and start desperately hoping that Cid suddenly picks up a sword and wears a brown Jedi-esque robe and starts kicking copious amounts of rear end with various Sword Skills. Because, otherwise, we are so completely boned...

Either that or Zodiarc will be too weak to use Darkja (being freshly summoned and all), and so we might actually have a chance.

Also, I highly doubt this will be the end of the Ascian storyline, and Yoshi-P might actually start bringing in more of the FFXII Espers, possibly starting with Belias at his full power, rather than just as an Egi.

[Balipu]

OKay, let us speculate. We saw in the video someone blasting Moenbryda to thr ground. We also saw the same figure as a normal player character fighting in the World of Darkness, so it looks likely that the Scions will indeed be betrayed and by us no less. Nabriales also makes his move and kindaps Minfilia. We saw Yugiri without her hood, so it is safe to assume that she will indeed be unmasked.
I don't see Ilberd being a red mage. In fact I don't really see anyone being a red mage since they are not confirmed to be in development.

As for the "real Enkidu" he is dead. He died just a bit before we get to see Gilgamesh in Type-0. I'm guessing all the Enkidus we saw in other games are just different creatures he calls Enkidu. This is why he is sometimes a dog, sometimes a winged monster and sometimes a person. It may be that this Enkidu is the real XIV Enkidu, but still he isn't anymore real than the green chicken.

[Linadae]

What if it's the other way around? What if they need her to be a host for Hydaelyn so they can actually contain/kill her permanently?

Now THAT is an interesting twist. And to be honest I don't think Final Fantasy's had that done before. Also...Minfillia's always been closer to Hydaelyn than anyone else. I would actually like to see that happen to be honest.