"Darkness clad in steel"

[Zohar_Lahar]

This is how Hydaelyn describes the Ultima Weapon right as the Blessing of Light first activates in the Praetorium. This wording stands out because she makes it seem as though, through the Heart of Sabik, the weapon is basically an avatar of Zodiark himself.

Now that 3.x brought us Azys Lla, will we found out who "Sabik" was? Does Proto-Ultima have a similar device installed? I also couldn't help but notice the Ultima Weapon appears to have been (originally) a highly augmented cybernetic Reptoid.

[DoctaruRavenbe]

the Heart of Sabik actually predates Allagan. I believe Lahabrea mentioned that the Allagans barely scratched the surface of the power contained within the heart (that being the spell Ultima).

[Anonymoose]

Though Ultima is the "steel," I imagine the "Darkness" within is indeed the Heart of Sabik, poetically used by Hydaelyn since Ultima was acting under the machinations of Ascians through the Garleans. Doctaru is correct - the one time Sabik it was mentioned, Lahabrea said that he hid it in Ultima's core and that not even the Allag really understood what it was or how it worked. Described variously, it is a "bundle of Darkness" that contains the "most powerful spell in all of creation," the "ultimate magick." This core was described as a heart and as a sacred stone of Darkness. The Ascians' intent was that the power of the primals, trapped by Ultima and funneled to the enigmatic core, would restore and awaken its potential.

The name, Sabik, is the concrete connection to Zodarik, as it's the name of a star in the Ophiuchus constellation.

[Zohar_Lahar]

The whole thing feels like a loose end. And where did the device go after Ultima Weapon dispersed?

[Cilia]

The whole thing feels like a loose end. And where did the device go after Ultima Weapon dispersed?

The Ultima Weapon didn't just disperse, it blew the [kupo] up. I would imagine the Heart of Sabik was destroyed in the explosion.

But then again, maybe it wasn't.

[Enkidoh]

Though Ultima is the "steel," I imagine the "Darkness" within is indeed the Heart of Sabik, poetically used by Hydaelyn since Ultima was acting under the machinations of Ascians through the Garleans. Doctaru is correct - the one time Sabik it was mentioned, Lahabrea said that he hid it in Ultima's core and that not even the Allag really understood what it was or how it worked. Described variously, it is a "bundle of Darkness" that contains the "most powerful spell in all of creation," the "ultimate magick." This core was described as a heart and as a sacred stone of Darkness. The Ascians' intent was that the power of the primals, trapped by Ultima and funneled to the enigmatic core, would restore and awaken its potential.

The name, Sabik, is the concrete connection to Zodarik, as it's the name of a star in the Ophiuchus constellation.

Although you are definitely correct Moose, one little thing needs to be clarified though - Lahabrea never actually mentions that he was the one who created the Heart of Sabik, he just mentioned that it was an enigmatic container for Ultima which had puzzled the Allagans and that it was why he had Gaius use it to absorb Ifrit, Garuda and Titan to power the Heart up so he could unleash Ultima on 'Hydaelyn's minion' - I've just looked back through my screenshots of the Praetorium and the exact origins of it are never discussed: (spoilered for new players)

Gaius: "But the Ultima Weapon is all-powerful! Why does my enemy still stand?!"
Gaius: "Can <his/her> strength truly be so great?!"
Lahabrea (invisibly): "It is the Blessing of Light that confounds you."
(Lahabrea materializes)
Gaius: "Lahabrea."
Lahabrea: "Your foe acts under the protection of the Crystal <he/she> bares."
Gaius: "So, this is what empowers <him/her>."
Lahabrea: "Beyond mortal limits."
Lahabrea: "If you are to prevail, the Hammer of Darkness must needs be brought to bear upon the Shield of Light."
Lahabrea: "And so it shall, for the Ultima Weapon, is host to a power of which you are as yet ignorant."
Gaius: "Speak plainly Ascian!"
Lahabrea: "The Heart of Sabik. It is the Weapon's core-an enigma whose surface even the vaunted scholars of ancient Allag failed to scratch."
Lahabrea: "The magic within has lain dormant for eons."
Gaius: "Of what magic do you speak?"
Lahabrea: "A spell without parallel. Ultima."
Lahabrea: "I sought the lifeforce of the Primals for no other reason than to quicken the core. For the true power of the Ultima Weapon lies within it's now beating heart!"
(Lahabrea disappears into the Ultima Weapon, then materializes above it)
Gaius: "Lahabrea... what have you done?!"
Lahabrea: "No more than what was necessary... for my god to be reborn."
Gaius: "Damn you Ascian!!"
(Lahabrea's glyph appears over his face and the Weapon powers up)
Lahabrea: "The hour is at hand! Behold but a sliver of my god's power!"
Lahabrea: "And from the deepest pit of the Seven Hells, to the very pinnacle of the Heavens, the world shall tremble! Unleash, Ultima!!"

In hindsight, rereading that Lahabrea did mention "behold a sliver of my god's power", so it does seem there is at least some connection to the Ascians, but... I don't know, there is just too little info here to really make a judgement.

I hate when I inadvertently debunk my own theory.

[Cilia]

Quicken... reborn... a sliver of [Zodiark]'s power...

...

Hmm...

[Ferrus]

Really it's the go to plot device for any of Eorza's problems...

Primals? Ascians.
Dragonsong war? Ascians.
That Lala who took the last Tart from the pantry even though it had your name for it? Ascians.

[Daralii]

Really it's the go to plot device for any of Eorza's problems...

Primals? Ascians.
Dragonsong war? Ascians.
That Lala who took the last Tart from the pantry even though it had your name for it? Ascians.

Not true. Some are Allagans.

[Eisen-Zorn]

Not true. Some are Allagans.

It's still The Ascians.

The Allagan Empire actually started having problems with their conquests as soon as The Ascians appeared. Yeah, The Ascians gave the Allagan Empire the knowledge to bind Primals, but then they basically destroyed them when they convinced Xande's daughter to overload the Crystal Tower.