A thought about Zenos as we move in to Endwalker

[Lauront]

I've had rather similar thoughts (here and here), although mine tended closer towards Emet trying to re-create something approximating Azem, using his power over the Underworld to migrate a few non-Source shards of Azem into Zenos.

With that said, he's not a character I particularly care about, so my hope is he will die in EW, for good.

Regarding the dialogue with Varis, the EN version does give that impression, but in the French (and I believe, the Japanese) version Elidibus refers to it as Varis using him as a guinea pig:

Varis zos Galvus : Zenos est donc tombé ? …
= “Zenos has fallen…?”

??? : Sa Majesté serait-elle attristée par la mort de son fils ?
= “Is his Majesty saddened by the death of his son?”

Varis zos Galvus : Hmpf ! Pourquoi le serais-je ?
= “Hmph! And why would I be?”

Elidibus : Oh, quel homme impitoyable ! Avoir sacrifié votre fils légitime et vous en être servi comme d'un cobaye ne vous cause donc aucun remords ?
= “Oh, what a ruthless man! Having sacrificed your legitimate son and having used him like a guinea pig doesn’t cause you any remorse?”

Varis zos Galvus : Zenos n'a jamais eu l'étoffe d'un empereur. Il était aveuglé par sa soif de plaisirs personnels…
= “Zenos never had the makings of an emperor. He was too blinded by his thirst for personal pleasures…”

By this I get the impression that Varis wasn't too happy having Aulus around in close proximity but was willing to see the results of his research from a distance. Which seems especially plausible, with the research spreading to other parts of the Empire (as far as the 4th Legion's territories, given that Misija becomes resonant.)

I'd rather see antagonists redeemed rather than outright villains. It wouldn't sit right with me for Zenos to be FFXIV's version of 'Golbez'. We already had ample opportunity to have Regula, Varis or both be Pureblood Garleans who we fought against but eventually sided with out of necessity against a bigger threat pulling the strings behind the scenes. Zenos has been described by Yoshi-P himself as being completely without redeeming qualities. To choose such a character to redeem over those with greater nuance and depth would make for a bland conclusion, I feel.

I'd much prefer to see him exploited by Fandaniel as a convenient tool and unceremoniously killed off once he outlives his usefulness. If his plan is to absorb Zodiark - or Hydaelyn - then having Zenos prove too arrogant and weak in the face of an Elder Primal would be a pretty satisfying end, I'd say!

I'd say Varis was the closest thing to 'Golbez' so far. They both have similar features, imposing armour and a commanding presence.

I imagine Fandaniel has a surprise in store for him that he will be incapable of besting. At this point, with the trailer dialogue, I am rather hoping for Emet-Selch as the unexpected ally. I just don't care enough about Zenos to want to see such a thing out of him. His obsession with the WoL may well serve to frustrate Fandaniel's plans to an extent, and that might be why Yoshi is stressing how he views the WoL as a "friend", but eh... enough. If they do it, I just pray that it doesn't overstay its welcome... maybe he can also vanish into outer space.

I just chalked it down to Zenos, being now a Resonant and having had to body-surf Ascian style for an extended period before being able to regain his body, is now becoming like an Ascian himself (it's also possible Elidibus left some lingering 'Ascian aether' behind when he had to hurridly vacate the premises due to Zenos-in-a-Centurion's-skin showing up and forcing him out of it, aether Zenos was then able to draw on via his Resonance - remember, the whole point of the Resonant Project was to give Garleans the ability to manipulate aether/use magic).

It could also just be "this attack looks cool, impressive and evil" and has no actual lore connection, which is often the case during many scenes and battles - rule of cool definetely applies.

Sharing the body alone would suffice, I think. Elidibus was, after all, able to draw on Zenos's own techniques through doing that.