What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[Allegor]

I didn't like how they handled Zodiark either, but for different reasons, I think.

Considering how he was worshipped as the ancient's savior, I didn't really expect him to look so.....obviously evil. Tbh, I was kinda hoping there'd be some flashback somewhere that shows Zodiark wasn't actually a bad guy and genuinely cared about his people and had his own reasoning and views of things, and some just happen to clash with Hydaelyn's, maybe even having him - or rather, the thousands of souls that made him up - being aware that by ironically being imprisoned, they were doing the planet a favor.... (The Cluster from Steven Universe rings a bell there? lol). The whole trial could've been about trying and failing to save Zodiark from Zenos and Fandaniel, but nope, we got "generic big bad not-Satan" instead /sigh oh well....

[Lauront]

I didn't like how they handled Zodiark either, but for different reasons, I think.

Considering how he was worshipped as the ancient's savior, I didn't really expect him to look so.....obviously evil. Tbh, I was kinda hoping there'd be some flashback somewhere that shows Zodiark wasn't actually a bad guy and genuinely cared about his people and had his own reasoning and views of things, and some just happen to clash with Hydaelyn's, maybe even having him - or rather, the thousands of souls that made him up - being aware that by ironically being imprisoned, they were doing the planet a favor.... (The Cluster from Steven Universe rings a bell there? lol). The whole trial could've been about trying and failing to save Zodiark from Zenos and Fandaniel, but nope, we got "generic big bad not-Satan" instead /sigh oh well....

The appearance didn't bother me much as it did some, as I liked how fierce he looks to convey that sense of a powerful protector... plus I've always liked the chiselled jaw demonic beefcake look; not an accident that I like au ra. And also especially since they used SHB to emphasise darkness is not inherently evil and that such forms result from it (although light also creates some very... questionable looking beings), but I'll confess it is a peculiar choice since he is a primal. Someone mentioned the tentacles represent water and the wings air, but I still found the former a strange choice as well. And in practice, I'd say for their people, Hydaelyn was much closer to being the great Satan, even if she wears an angelic guise. I agree with your overall point.

And well, Hades did nothing wrong so we should have joined him but that is just a personal preference, outside of Venat's silly choice the story was quite decent.

A man after my own heart.