I still think there's more to the tale than Hydaelyn has revealed. I think it's probably that she's just as 'bad' as Zodiark and lusted for power herself - and whilst her intentions may be better than Zodiark's where mortals are concerned I think she's just as liable to exploit them for her own ends. Perhaps her lust for control was what threw the delicate balance into being skewed and as a result she herself is to blame for setting the Ascian's gruesome methods into motion.