So I've been looking back on the story and connecting some of the dots here and there. I'm really getting the feeling the story is going to go into the whole "blurring the line between fantasy and reality" theme. Like, maybe the Allagans disappeared because they created tech so advanced that they crossed the line into reality (or into a dream/fantasy)? With the whole mother crystal thing going on since the start of the game I can't help but get a weird Evangelion vibe. Also as the higher up the power chain things get they fade the line more and more between time (dragons experience very little time effects) and reality (people transcending into the flow of energy, just like the Ascians). And I wouldn't think it too far fetched with as atmospheric and fantastic this game is (of course it's Final Fantasy after all) that they are pulling the Reality/Fantasy card on both the game and the playerbase that enjoys it.

If that's what they're planning on doing, that sounds like a freakin amazing idea for an MMORPG. Now just wait till they, some day, release a polished Virtual Reality update!

What do you guys think the direction of the story is going to take?