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The conflict between Hydaelyn and Zodiark has been going on for thousands of years. In this time, Eorzea has experienced a repeated cycle of devastation (Umbral Eras) and prosperity (Astral Eras). Recent revelations have shown that this may be a result of a deep-seated conflict between the will of Light, Hydaelyn, and the will of Darkness, Zodiark.

Hydaelyn

Main article: Hydaelyn (deity)

Hear... Feel... Think...

— Hydaelyn during the opening cutscene of A Realm Reborn

Hydaelyn is a deity for all people on the planet "Hydaelyn". She is also referred to as "Mother Hydaelyn"[1]. She is the all made one, and a light that once shone throughout the realm[2].

Zodiark

Zodiark is the "one true god" for the Ascians. Their main goal is to bring him back as the Will of the Star.

Light against Dark

The precipice of the conflict is revealed the moment the Warrior of Light picks up the first Crystal of Light. In a vision, Hydaelyn explains that her light has grown dim, and that the power to banish the Darkness lies within the Crystals[3].

  • The Mothercrystal
    The Mothercrystal

After the Ascians appear and are introduced as "Bringers of Chaos"[4], their actions in the name of Darkness only slowly become noticable. Lahabrea supports Gaius van Baelsar and the XIVth Imperial Legion[5] to bring Chaos to Eorzea, and supports the Beast Tribes in summoning their Primals[6]. They refer to Zodiark as their "one true god"[7]. After finishing the Ultima Weapon, Lahabrea reveals that it helds the power of Ultima and he uses it to weaken Hydaelyn by protecting the Warrior of Light and for Zodiark to be reborn[8].

For the Ascians, Hydaelyn is the root of the corruption that caused an imbalance to the planet, and that she must be eradicated, so the planet can recover. And only the return of Zodiark can guarantee her complete excision[9]. After the Warrior of Light defeats Lahabrea, Hydaelyn mentions that the servants of Darkness still linger in corners of the world, and that the world shall know no peace until the evil is cast out[10]. The name of Zodiark will be revealed when all of the remaining Ascians meet after the demise of the Ultima Weapon[11].

Rejoining

See also: Rejoining

Origin

This section contains spoilers for Shadowbringers.
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Shadowbringers

After the Lightwarden of the Qitana Ravel was defeated, Emet-Selch explained the history of the conflict between Hydaelyn and Zodiark in front of murals found in a cave within the Qitana Ravel. There once existed but one World that only knew peace and prosperity, until they faced a crisis that would bring them oblivion. Through prayer and sacrifice, Zodiark was manifested and the calamity was averted.

Yet there was an opposing faction, and from their fears Hydaelyn was born, to keep Zodiark in check and in shackles. Zodiark and Hydaelyn fought, and when Hydaelyn emerged victorious, her devastating blow was so powerful it sundered the world and Zodiark in 13 reflections.

It was also revealed that Zodiark and Hydaelyn are Primals[shb 1].

When speaking with the people of Amaurot, it is revealed that they refer to the calamity as the Final Days, and the that the Convocation of Fourteen are in charge to prevent them[shb 2]. Among the inhabitants it is rumored that the Convocation are planning to invoke an encantation to give the star itself a will, and that it would forever rewrite the laws of existence[shb 3]. The sustain such creation, immense power was needed, and half of the world's population sacrificed themselves so Zodiark could be summoned. Yet even after the calamity of the Final Days has been halted, the world itself has become hostile. So another half of the population sacrificed themselves, so that Zodiark could make their world liveable again. To restore those who have been sacrficied, the Convocation decided to give up a portion of the worlds living energies to Zodiark. An opposing faction disagreed, saying that enough had been sacrificed to Zodiark, and that the world should belong to those newly born. Those surrendered their life energies to summon Hydaelyn[shb 4].

Post-Shadowbringers

After Emet-Selch is defeated, Elidibus is the last of the Ascians who labors towards freeing Zodiark[shb 5][shb 6]. Acróss the realm of Norvrandt, inferior-rank Ascians have appeared[shb 7] while Elidibus recruits new Warriors of Light[shb 8] on the First. For that, he enacts starshowers which awakens the Echo in some people[shb 9]. In Anamnesis Anyder it is revealed that Elidibus has become Zodiark's heart[shb 10], while a person called Venat has become the Heart of Hydaelyn[shb 11].

It is also concluded that Elidibus - as he is now - is a primal, fueled by the wish of Salvation[shb 12]. It is also the reason why he festered so much belileve in the Warriors of Light, and their wish to safe their star from all evil[shb 13]. To defeat the Warrior of Darkness and fulfill his mission, he enters the Crystal Tower and summons further heroes from other shards. It would also empower his form to become the ultimate Warrior of Light (Boss), and once the Warrior of Darkness is defeated, he could orchestrate another rejoining[shb 14]. The remaining unsundered Ascians are not able to fulfill their mission to restore Zodiark[shb 15].

"I will strike you down. I will resurrect Lord Zodiark. And I will bring back those who sacrificed themselves to call Him forth."

— Elidibus, during Hope's Confluence on top of the Crystal Tower

He will become the Warrior of Light (Boss) and once he is defeated, the Crystal Exarch binds his immortal soul to the Crystal Tower, ending his cycle of rebirth and vanquishing the last of the unsundered Ascians[shb 16]. In his last moments Elidibus recalls his final memories - and why he is not with Zodiark anymore:

Yes... I would become Him. I would save everyone. This I believed. Yet still they cried out, in rage and despair...
Divided─over the fate of the star. A rare occurrence, always fleeting. But not this time. Not this time...
Reconciliation. Elidibus. I was needed. I withdrew myself from Zodiark. For them...
My people. My brothers. ...My friends.
Stay strong. Keep the faith. At duty's end, we will meet again. We will. We will.
The rains have ceased, and we have been graced with another beautiful day. But you are not here to see it.

— Elidibus, defeated after that The Seat of Sacrifice

Since the Ancients were divided upon further sacrifices towards Zodiark, Elidibus withdrew himself from the god. It was a novum that the populace was so divided about a decision by the Convocation. As the Emissary, it was Elidibus’ duty to amplify the decision of the Convocation to his people.

After Elidibus was bound to the Crystal Tower, the initial conflict between Hydaelyn and Zodiark has come to an end, since none of the unsundered Ascians remain.

This section contains spoilers for Endwalker.
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Once the unsundered Ascians have been defeated, Fandaniel, a sundered Ascian, shifted the main purpose of the revival of Zodiark to recreate the Final Days - and ultimately towards the destruction of all beings[ew 1].

On the way to Old Sharlayan, Hydaelyn (deity) appears as a woman in white and confirms once more that she is a primal, and that her power to bind Zodiark has been diminished by the rejoinings, which would empower Zodiark[ew 2].

With her guidance, she tells us to pick a Heartbloom and keep it as a guide[ew 3].

With the Towers the Telophoroi has placed across the realm aether has been collected and rooted towards the Tower of Babil in Garlemald. With the accumulated power Fandaniel wants to break to tethers that bind Zodiark in his prison on Mare Lamentorum and set him free[ew 4]. Before the last brand breaks, Hydaelyn is able to change the flow of aether so Fandaniel and Zenos yae Galvus will be delivered far away from the prison, while she will ensure that the Warrior of Light is close, and can meet with an adversary[ew 5]. On the moon the Watcher explains that Zodiark is within the core of the Moon, and that he was tasked by Hydaelyn to watch over his prison[ew 6]. He was able to restore a brand, yet he is disturbed by Souls that have been sacrificed to Zodiark, who have manifested after the seal has partly broken. As long as Zodiark is imprisoned, no more sacrifices will be made in his name, nor will the souls that have been sacrificed already fade into oblivion[ew 7].

Among the souls is the real Hythlodaeus, who recognizes the Warrior of Light as Azem. He reveals that the souls now remember their purpose of their sacrifice, and what has happened during their Final Days[ew 8]. Fandaniel and Zenos break the last brand, freeing Zodiark. Since no Heart is present and therefore Zodiark is without guidance, Fandaniel then jumps into the crater to become the Heart and Will of Zodiark[ew 9]. After taking over Zodiark, Fandaniel reveals that his initial plan was to let Zenos fight Zodiark[ew 10] and to kill him[ew 11] to let the Final Days come to the Source.

  • Zodiark as he is about to die
    Zodiark as he is about to die

After Zodiark is no more, the Watcher reveals more about the Origin of Hydaelyn and Zodiark:

Nevertheless, on closer study, a stagnancy of aether was observed in nearby currents... [...] With the advent of Zodiark, our end was averted. [...] there was a faction opposed to Zodiark's creation. But their aim was never to unmake Him. They understood the continued preservation of the natural order was dependent on His very existence. Until we could identify and address the underlying cause of the Final Days, He would need remain, for His departure would set in motion those apocalyptic forces once more. Hydaelyn recognized this as well. And so, rather than destroy, She sundered Zodiark, Herself, and the star into lesser reflections, that She might confine Him in this place. [...] Hydaelyn and Zodiark are both constructs of man. Approximations of perfection limited by our own imperfections. Zodiark was, without question, the more powerful of the two, having been born from the sacrifice of half Etheirys's population. Thus was it necessary for Hydaelyn to commit Herself wholly to His defeat. Still more effort was needed to confine Him. Maintaining the brands taxed Her greatly. With what power She dared spare, She cried out to any who might listen, and offered Her blessing to those who heeded Her call.

— The Watcher during In Shadow's Wake

Shortly after, the affects of the Final Days are manifesting on the Source. Hydaelyn prepared one way to escape the Final Days by evacuating the populace to Mare Lamentorum where the Loporrits have built an abode, and together they would find another star to live on[ew 12]. To find a way to forestall them, it is decided to seek out the remains of Elidibus' essence to figure out what "Elpis" means, while the remaining Scions will work towards forestalling the Final Days or prepare a mass exodus if it should come to it[ew 13].

On the First, Elidibus reveals that Elpis is a testing facility and that the Fandaniel he knew, who would help identifying the Final Days, was their chief. He would help us travelling to the place and time before a man named "Hermes" has become Fandaniel[ew 14]. In Elpis, the Warrior of Light meets Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus and Venat, who recognizes them as a time traveler since she senses her magicks she had casted upon them, but cannot recall meeting them[ew 15]. After explaining the situation, Venat is determined to figure out why she had sent the Warrior of Light to Elpis, and how to aid to prevent the Final Days[ew 16]. Once it is revealed that Hermes' request for Meteion to find an answer to the meaning of life has gone awry[ew 17], he activates Kairos in Ktisis Hyperboreia to erase the memories of all present[ew 18] except Venat and the Warrior of Light. With this, Venat is the only one remembering about the Meteion, the Final Days and the future that is come to pass. This will bear her course to work independently of the Convocation and become Hydaelyn and find a way to silence Meteion's song of oblivion and stop the Final Days[ew 19].

Returned to the present time, the Warrior of Light and the Scions seek a way to commune with Hydaelyn to find ways to stop Meteion and the Final Days. The Forum agreed[ew 20] to present a way by entering the Aitiascope within Labyrinthos. When meeting Hydaelyn deep within the Aetherial Sea, she remembers the Warrior of Light as the person who journey to Elpis[ew 21] and is willing to give the position of Meteion's Nest - once the Warrior of Light and the Scions have proven to her that they are capable to defeat her[ew 22].

After defeating Hydaelyn, she hands over the crystal that holds the position of Meteion and infuses the Crystal of Azem with an incatation to give form to the formless[ew 23]. Y'shtola asks, if by sundering and it's inhabitants into fourteen shards Hydaelyn wanted to give mankind a chance to easily interact with Dynamis and find means to overcome despair, which Hydaelyn agrees to[ew 24].

Now, heed these words. Darkness and Light. Despair and hope. As goeth one, so goeth the other. Become Light. Become hope.


With her dissipating, the conflict between Hydaelyn and Zodiark is no more.

References

  1. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon, when Minfilia prays: "Please, Mother Hydaelyn."
  2. ↑ Chasing Shadows (Gridania), Lurkers in the Grotto, Underneath the Sultantree (Ul'dah), after the Solo Duty and picking up the Crystal.
  3. ↑ Chasing Shadows (Gridania), Lurkers in the Grotto, Underneath the Sultantree (Ul'dah), after the Solo Duty and picking up the Crystal.
  4. ↑ To Guard a Guardian (Gridania) Feint and Strike (Lima Lominsa), Duty, Honor, Country (Ul'dah), after defeating the Masked Mage and talking with one of the Scions: "The Bringers of Chaos...or Ascians, to give them their proper name.".
  5. ↑ Lord of Crags, after defeating Titan, and Lahabrea is talking with Nero tol Scaeva.
  6. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon, Lahabrea, after defeating the Ultima Weapon: "Yet to pave the way for the master's return, a chaotic confluence of untold proportions must needs be brought about. And that will necessitate the presence of the primals."
  7. ↑ Operation Archon, after defeating Rhitahtyn sas Arvina and Lahabrea speaks to himself: "Soon, Darkness shall consume all, and you shall bow down before the one true god."
  8. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon, Lahabrea when fighting the Ultima Weapon and during the cutscene of the phase transition: "If you are to prevail, the hammer of Darkness must needs be brought to bear upon the shield of Light. [...] No more than was necessary...for my god to be reborn."
  9. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon, Lahabrea, after defeating the Ultima Weapon: "The growing imbalance afflicting the planet must be redressed. [...]"
  10. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon Hydaelyn, after defeating Lahabrea: "Yet it lingereth still beyond the sight of men, in forgotten corners of the world. [...] Till this evil be cast out, never shall the world know aught but a passing peace."
  11. ↑ The Ultimate Weapon Ascians after Lahabrea has been defeated and the credits have rolled: " To the one true god! To Zodiark!"
This section contains spoilers for the References for Shadowbringers spoiler section.
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  1. ↑ The Burden of Knowledge, after defeating the Boss of the The Qitana Ravel and when Emet-Selch explains the murals.
  2. ↑ The End of a World, when speaking with the Robed Giant: "Mayhap you refer to our supervising body, the Convocation of Fourteen? [...] the Final Days draw near, and our brightest minds race to implement their plans."
  3. ↑ The End of a World, when speakin gwith the Pragmatic Amaurotine: "Every resource available to the Convocation must be spent upon ensuring our world survives. They have yet to make an official announcement., but it is said the Fourteen are moving forward with a plan of scarce credible proportions - once which promises to grant will to the very star itself! They will invoke our mightiest spells of creation to birth an antity of all-encompassing magnificence... and then they will rewrite the laws of existence."
  4. ↑ A Greater Purpose, when speaking with Hythlodaeus
  5. ↑ Vows of Virtue, Deeds of Cruelty Elidibus, possessing Ardberts body, at the end of the quest: "It is my destiny. To see our dream fulfilled."
  6. ↑ An Old Friend, Elidibus, when meeting him in the Rak'tika Greatwood: "I seek to enact the will of the Convocation, of course."
  7. ↑ Food for the Soul Thancred and Urianger, after handing the Archon Loaf to the Exarch: "We have visited every region and confirmed the presence of Ascians throughout the realm. - Lest a grave predicament be made to seem hopeless, it should be noted that they are of inferior rank. The black-masked minions who answer to the red."
  8. ↑ An Old Friend Alphinaud, after taking the broom to Y'shtola: "He seems determined to traverse every ilm of Norvrandt in his quest to spread the truth of the Warriors of Light and the Flood."
  9. ↑ Echoes of a Fallen Star Vonard, when the Starshower has formed in the sky: "You and all? Then why does it feel like it's inside my head!? Hear... Feel... Think...?"
  10. ↑ Beneath the Surface, Y'shtola during the cutscene after the dungeon: "Forgive me, but did that not strongly imply that Elidibus sacrificed himself to become Zodiark's heart?"
  11. ↑ Beneath the Surface, Venat during the cutscene after the dungeon: "If Hydaelyn is to stand a chance of opposing Him, I am the only one who might suffice as Her heart."
  12. ↑ Faded Memories, when Y'shtola speaks with Elidibus after the Solo instance: "It stems from who─or rather what─you truly are: a primal. [...] Salvation."
  13. ↑ The Converging Light Thancred, when speaking with Chai-Nuzz: "A primal... I suppose that would explain why Elidibus has been fostering faith in the Warrior of Light."
  14. ↑ The Converging LightElidibus, after the duty and within the Crystal Tower: " I will summon heroes from other worlds unto the First, just as you did. Their presence shall serve to empower me─granting me the strength to crush my enemy."
  15. ↑ Hope's Confluence Elidibus, when reaching the top of the Crystal Tower: "My remaining brethren, fragmented as they are, cannot hope to see our mission to its end. It falls to me alone."
  16. ↑ Hope's Confluence the Crystal Exarch after the Seat of Sacrifice trial: " Created to serve as a reservoir for the limitless energy of the heavens! To harness and bind the boundless—not unlike white auracite! Your ill-begotten power, obtained by exploiting that which is best in us... I shall have it, your soul and all!"
This section contains spoilers for the References for Endwalker spoiler section.
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  1. ↑ Futures RewrittenFandaniel, after speaking with Lyse in the Ala Mhigan Quarter: "It is my intention to recreate the Final Days [...] And I want to die too! Oh yes, I want to die and take everyone with me in a paroxysm of pain and suffering!".
  2. ↑ The Next Ship to Sail Hydaelyn, after boarding the ship in Limsa Lominsa: "What Hydaelyn has always been. A primal. Zodiark was created to forestall the apocalypse which threatened the ancient world. And I was brought forth to bind Him. [...] The greater His strength grows, the swifter does mine own diminish."
  3. ↑ A Guide of Sorts Hydaelyn, speaking via Krile after searching for her: "That bloom will be your guide."
  4. ↑ Gateway of the Gods Fandaniel, after the duty: "O mighty Zodiark, awaken from your slumber and descend!"
  5. ↑ Gateway of the Gods Hydaelyn, after the duty and Fandaniel and Zenos have teleported away: "I have shifted the flow of aether and sent the enemy far from their destination. Now, I shall divert it once more. An ally awaits, and I will deliver you unto him."
  6. ↑ A Trip to the Moon the Watcher, after searching for the source of the voice: "I am responsible for the prisoner and the devices that hold Him fast. Zodiark Himself. A projection of the moon's core."
  7. ↑ A Trip to the Moon the Watcher: "Souls sacrificed to summon Zodiark, their manifestation consequence of the waning seal. [...] So long as Zodiark remains imprisoned in this place, no more sacrifices will be made in His name. Nor will those souls rendered up in His name fade into oblivion."
  8. ↑ Sea of Sorrow Hythlodaeus, after speaking with the anguished spirit: "No mere approximation, but the original. [...] We remember in vivid detail the events leading to our purgatory. The plans and plots for our resurrection. Hydaelyn's intervention, and Zodiark's—and the star's—final fate."
  9. ↑ The Martyr Fandaniel, after the player arrives with Argos: "Deprived of heart and will by the loss of dearest Elidibus... [...] Do you remember when I told you that I wanted to die and take everyone with me? I meant it. [...] Such lofty aspirations! And what sweet irony that the world's saviors will become the agents of its destruction!"
  10. ↑ The Martyr Fandaniel, after he disappears: "I had intended to pit my fractured divinity against Zenos..."
  11. ↑ The Martyr Fandaniel as Zodiark, after the duty: "From the first, all I wanted was for you to kill Zodiark."
  12. ↑ In Shadow's Wake The Watcher, after speaking with Y'shtola: "This moon is more than a prison. It is a vessel capable of bearing the people of Etheirys to safe harbor."
  13. ↑ At World's End, after speaking with Mihleel. The Watcher: "In our time, we called it “Elpis”... You would do well to remember the name."
    G'raha Tia: "..Elidibus. I sealed him in the white auracite of the Crystal Tower, back on the First. [...] However, if part of it lingers...we might be able to speak with him there."
    Thancred: "Which is why we're fortunate to have Urianger up there on the moon, working hard to make all the necessary preparations for our departure, should it come to it."
    Alisaie: "...And why we have nothing to lose by staying the course till the last instant!"
  14. ↑ Hope Upon a Flower Elidibus, after entering the Ocular: " ...Elpis? Yes...the name is familiar to me. Yet I know it not as a flower, but a place. A testing facility [...] And before joining the Convocation and assuming the title of Fandaniel, he was their chief... He...was Hermes... You must travel to Elpis—to the time when Hermes served as its chief."
  15. ↑ Travelers at the CrossroadsVenat, after speaking with Hythlodaeus again: " I say...have you perchance come from the future? I do not believe we have ever met, yet I sense my magick upon you."
  16. ↑ A Past, Not Yet Come to Pass Venat: "The missing pieces of the puzzle are here, I'm certain of it. [...] Suffice it to say I will aid you in your quest."
  17. ↑ Follow, Wander, Stumble, ListenEmet-Selch, after hearing Meteion's report: "Did you consider what may happen if the premise of the question is flawed?"
  18. ↑ Caging the MessengerKairos, after the duty: "Final process complete. Executing universal memory alteration."
  19. ↑ Thou Must Live, Die, and Know Venat, after accepting the quest: "Quite the dilemma... Which is why I must work independently of the Convocation. [...] So shall I strive to do my best, taking naught for granted as I walk my path. And I pray you walk with me to the end. [...] We shall silence the song of oblivion."
  20. ↑ Bonds of Adamant(ite)Alphinaud, after speaking with him: "As was agreed, he will reveal the means by which Hydaelyn may be contacted."
  21. ↑ Her Children, One and All Hydaelyn, after the duty: "I see... Thou didst journey unto Elpis."
  22. ↑ Her Children, One and AllHydaelyn: "Yes, if you should prove yourselves worthy."
  23. ↑ Her Children, One and AllHydaelyn, after defeating her in The Mothercrystal: " As Hydaelyn, I preside over the forces of stasis, tranquility, peace. The laws which impart stability to existence itself. I will weave this selfsame power into the crystal, granting thee mastery over matter, to give form to the formless."
  24. ↑ Her Children, One and AllHydaelyn, after the the trial: "It is as thou sayest."

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