Some questions from my NG+ playthrough

[Anonymoose]

Does the Antitower lead directly to Hydalin? I'm confused, I thought it was just a passage into the aetherial realm.

I think indirectly is a better word, lol. You're able to trace Minfilia into the sea and then you try to get as close as you can to it physically. When you're standing in the Antitower, Hydaelyn/Minfilia reach out to you through your crystal of Light and bring you the rest of the way.

The Antitower was constructed to study the sea and the "fate of the star" and allegedly Sharlayan possibly even succeeded in contacting Hydaelyn before having to abandon Eorzea due to the Garlean invasion.