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

[Xirean]

I don't know if it's off topic but is there any reason they don't make the raid or 24 man content MSQ mandatory? Given how Eden had some influence in the last patch, it feels like this idea to keep it separate is kind of dumb.

The crystal tower was a major part of shadow bringers and brought G'raha into the main cast permanently. Unless we make use of Eden or start teaming up with Ryne full time again we likely won't see Gaia for more than a few shots. There would need to be a reason to talk about the Twelve in more than just passing conversation for the raids to be needed.