It appeared that way from the cinematic, but ffxiv is nothing if not unpredictable. It became much more complicated than simple elemental light vs dark. This expansion added an underlying ideology that led to the summoning of Zodiark and eventually Hydaelyn. The Ascians following Zodiark are clinging to memories of a glorious past. The followers of Hydaelyn believed in the dream of a better present and future. As the champion of Hydaelyn and Eorzea, we're fighting for every mortal life in the here and now, and those yet to come.