A new translation of the Japanese Haurchefant scene from the 2014 Heavensturn event. The original localised English was really weird because they liked to use as much obscure old English as they could back then, so hopefully this makes more sense!
The full video of the event is in English here if you haven't seen it.
Horse Magistrate: I assume you are the chief of the Chocobo Transport Guild? I am the Horse Magistrate and I have come to settle this matter.
Chocobo Chief: Thank you for the trouble of coming here, Horse Magistrate. Yes, let's settle it right here. Soon the very best chocobo will come to this stable. When you see it, you will understand how wonderful chocobos are, and understand why Eorzea doesn't need horses.
Horse Magistrate: I wondered what you would say, but understanding? It is you who, blinded by greed, turn away from the horse's virtues and refuse to understand! Thanks to the adventurers' cooperation, horses are gradually becoming established in this land. Isn't that the very fact we should acknowledge first?
Chocobo Chief: That's just because you guys were making a scene in those weird outfits! You were just drawing unwanted attention to yourselves, right!? And what's with that embarrassing helmet, anyway!
Horse Magistrate: Y-y-y-y-y-y-you impudent fool! This is a supreme masterpiece modeled after the head of my beloved steed! Your ridiculous mask is far more embarrassing!
Chocobo Chief: Huh!? Chocobos are way cuter than horses! Horses are basically unicorns without horns, aren't they? Hornless! Hornless!
Haurchefant: Stop your arguing at once! Upon receiving word that you wanted to see our most SPLENDID chocobo, I brought it along for you to inspect… but something feels off here.
Chocobo Chief: That armor… could it be Haurche… no, surely not… Who the hell are you!? If you came in response to my summons, why are you wearing a horse helmet!?
Haurchefant: Heh heh… I'm not someone with a name worth knowing. And I bought this helmet from an adventurer I met on the road. It looked really fun, so I just… you know! You- who come from the Land of Hingashi- I am a man born of a noble house bearing the unicorn crest… Though our animals differ, I understand your affection for horses. When it comes to horses, that supple, graceful physique… How their powerful muscles swell when kicking the earth with force is irresistibly… SPLENDID! But at the same time, my homeland, Coerthas, is also renowned as a prime breeding ground for excellent chocobos.
… it is impossible to say which animal is better.
Horse Magistrate: Just when I thought you were intruding on our conversation, you go and spout such drivel! That won't get us anywhere. Unless I prove the horse is superior, this little lass won't back down!
Haurchefant: That would be a futile dispute. For the superior being here is neither chocobo nor horse… It is my comrade-in-arms, (WoL Name), over there! Heh heh… just look at the scratches carved into that helmet. You've been working your tail off, haven't you! An adventurer giving it their all while pretending to be a horse… SPLENDID! The unquestioning obedience to carry out orders, the resilient physique capable of enduring harsh labor… There is no other creature so worthy of attention! So very SPLENDID! If you were a horse, then I would ask: Oh beautiful steed, would you not become my beloved mount?
Horse Magistrate: Er, Haurche… no, I mean, 'Nameless Chocobo Knight': please do stop talking right now…
Chocobo Chief: Y-yeah… we were wrong to quarrel. We shall change the venue and approach the discussion calmly, so I ask that you too withdraw and regain your composure.
Haurchefant: Hmm, but I haven't quite finished showing off my chocobo yet… But if your business is concluded, I suppose there's no helping it. I shall return to my domain. (WoL Name) you're always welcome to visit my camp anytime. I look forward to the day we can talk about your achievements. Well then, may you have a SPLENDID new year!
Why did Haurchefant have to die? Interview Translation
I translated part of an interview with Yoshi-P and the two main scenario writers of HW, Ishikawa and Oda. It's about Haurchefant's character arc and why he had to be sacrificed. At least Oda tried to save him, bless his heart!
Interviewer: In 2.x, Haurchefant appeared to be a cheerful character, but in 3.0 his role takes a serious turn. What was the reason for this change?
Ishikawa: In the 2.x series I was in charge of his dialogue as the Character Concept designer, but in 2.55 I felt I had properly written down his important points and position in society, so I could hand him over to Oda and Maehiro for 3.0. Because of this I don’t think anything changed about him from the start; how he cares about his friend, or his essence as a knight.
Oda: I agonised over Haurchefant’s fate right until the very end… over and over I suggested plots in which he might somehow survive.
Yoshi-P: Those plots were too contrived; I couldn’t approve them! LOL In depicting this war between humans and dragons, I thought it was wrong to only have the dragons’ side experience loss after loss and not have the humans make any sacrifices. So that’s why I told them to properly decide the fate of every character. The fate of every character should have been decided early in the development phase of Patch 2.3. So Haurchefant’s fate was decided by then too, right?
Oda: Yes, that’s right. That’s why in Patch 2.4 and 2.5, when I wrote all his un-voiced lines, I was already doing so conscious of the fact that he would die later on.
Yoshi-P: Haurchefant is a character that is not just loved by players, but also loved by the development team. But since we decided on the plot twist where he would become the Warrior of Light's shield, we were prepared for the worst. Because of that we were able to write the Patch 2.5 scene, in the Falling Snows, where he reaches out to the Warrior of Light in his time of need. I think that such a long build-up led to the deep emotional impact of Haurchefant’s final moments. In that way, I think the deciding his fate early on was connected to how much importance he had to the story.
Oda: However, seeing how warmly players reacted to him, I feared that having Haurchefant lose his life would cause some players to quit the game forever, and fought desperately against it to the end…
Yoshi-P: He kept giving me re-takes of the plot where Haurchefant is able to come back to life, and eventually I remember getting quite mad at him. At one point, the 3.0 ending ceremony scene had Haurchefant appear in a wheelchair and I yelled “Hey, isn’t that the same as Thancred in ARR?!”. I’m pretty sure I shouted at him LOL
Sidurgu: WoL.... I've finally pieced together the whole story, from what we found in our investigation, what Rielle testified... and what I found out through the underground.
Her real name is Rielle de Caulignont. A daughter of the same well-known aristocratic Caulignont family that produces many famous clergy and instrumental Holy See attendants.
That mother... the female family head, Ystride de Caulignont, married another aristocratic man and bore Rielle.
Unbeknownst to her, her groom was a member of a radical faction of heretics who had drunk dragon blood...
A few years later, after having finished secretly leaking information gained in the Caulignont family to the heretics, the man drank more dragon blood and fully transformed into a dragon, and tried to kill his family.
However, his plan to kill them was foiled by elite knights but... knowing that her daughter had that man's- that dragon's- blood, Ystride locked up her daughter.
...Coming to kill her after all this time must be her way of showing her loyalty to the Holy See.
In any case, as Dark Knights we must carry out our duty. By winning this dual with her, that is.
This is what the Japanese hunt mark description says:
Eustacia: Heretics usually come from the common people, but there are some aristocrats among them. One such aristocratic man used his wife, the female head of a noted aristocratic family, to get information on the Temple knights to leak, for many years. Of all things he could have done, the man finished his intelligence gathering by drinking dragon blood and turning into a scalekin himself. In order to kill his family and hide the evidence... Thankfully, the Temple Knights intervened and stopped the worst from happening. The man who turned into a scalekin was said to have escaped the city and run away. The one who put out the hunt bounty on him was none other than his surviving wife.
Zenos: ..... huh. Getting excited over a boring war, you couldn't be any more different to "me". But more importantly, to hear that my dear friend has been sent to another world. I wonder if they are finding it a worthy place to sharpen their claws. Shall I hear all about it from you? "Crown Prince Zenos".... nay, Ascian Elidibus?
Elidibus: ... I see. I admit that this wasn't something I expected. It appears that even a synthetic "Echo" was enough to make you immortal. That body holds the soul of you, Zenos yae Galvus!
Zenos: I don't really care about that name, but I'll have you give that body back to me. With this borrowed body I can't enjoy my hunt to the fullest. So, I'll let you choose. Will you speak, or will I beat you out that body? Let's see what comes first.
Zenos: ...is that you Gaius? You're too late, there's nothing left for you to do.
Gaius: You bastard, what are you??
Zenos: If I said I was an Ascian would that have been what you wanted? That parasite already escaped by throwing away this body. Such a pity... I had wanted to try fighting with "myself". But finally, I have taken my body back... The body and soul of Zenos yae Galvus are once more together as one!
Gaius: You bastard, I'll test the veracity of your words with my sword!
Varis: Wait! His words are not a lie... This person is Zenos... The Ascian Elidibus who was using his body tore open the sky and escaped... But Zenos! My fool of a son! Not content with returning to the living, but also trying to seize control of this country- Biting off more than you can chew- Don't flatter yourself! This country's mission, it's history of true liberation, and the survival of its people! It's impossible for someone like you to ever take on this responsibility!!
Zenos: ...ha. You're the one who bit off more than you could chew. You were always frantic just trying to maintain this country that was passed down to you from the Founder. I have no intention of carrying on your rigid and boring ideology. I also have no intention of seizing control of the Garlemald Empire. I just... want to erase anything that gets in my way. Boring wars, stupid weapons... As if I would allow such things to take my prey from me!
Varis: You would... do this... just for that?
Zenos: What other reason could there possibly be? Everyone who gets in the way of my hunt shall die!!!!
Zenos: I heard from that pathetic Ascian that Zodiark and Hydaelyn... the will of this very planet, are nothing more than fabricated power. Therefore, the next thing I will do is consume that power, and fight to the death with you, my dear friend!!!
If you haven't listened to the Japanese version of this scene, do yourself a favour. His voice is altogether softer and more tragic. Like if u cri every time T_T
ああ……俺はまた、負けたのか……。
…………悔しいものだな。
俺は終ぞ……周りが執着しているものの価値が、わからなかった……。
世の中はどれも、泥のような……退屈で……醜く……くだらないものだ……。
だが……時折……こうして火が……愉しみがもたらされる……。
まったく……憎いものよ……。
お前は、どうだった……この世界に生み落とされ、名を与えられ、生きてきて……。
歩いてきて……何を思った……。存分に、愉しかったか……？
……俺は…………
Ah... it seems I have lost again...
...How frustrating.
I have never... understood the value of things that people around me were so attached to.
Everything in this world was the same to me, like mud... so boring, so ugly, so trivial.
But just occasionally... like this, a fire... would bring me pleasure...
Oh it's so... so infuriating...
What about you... born into this world, given a name, living...
Walking to this point... what did you feel.... Did you enjoy it to your heart's content?
Zenos: … … Are you returning? To the world that makes you it’s hero? If so, please listen to me here…. as simply “you”, not a “hero”. I thought about what it was that so delighted me about our showdown in Ala Mhigo.
About how you were my peerless rival. About how we were able to have a battle that could have squeezed my last breath from me. In other words… burning one’s own life. That is my joy, and at the same time, the only enjoyment I can give to you, right?
Therefore, once more I propose a rematch to you. If you wish, you may ignore it and return to your comrades. After all, people value their lives. Exposing yourself to danger, recklessly throwing your life away- apparently, it’s not logical to wish for those things.
Hero- you who believe with your whole heart that life should be protected- perhaps you will be led to such an end. However, in this place, there is no-one to force it upon you. Try to remember! The elation you felt when taking a weapon into your hand and learning new skills.
The desire you felt when you found a new threat, or reached a summit you had never traversed! Surely there was joy that could only be felt by expending your very life. Isn’t that right, “adventurer”?
No matter what, I’m not letting you go back to our planet.
Let’s get this over with, I’m already sick of you.
Zenos’s replies:
Well then, let’s fight. With my life and your life… let us burn everything in the heavens!
So, you are determined to play the hero to the bitter end? It matters not to me…… as long as you take up the gauntlet, I will force you to understand through our battle. The joy of wagering one’s life- the passion I feel!!!
…. ha. So, you’ve finally decided to get serious about killing me huh? If so, you are welcome to abandon my remains in this distant place. Of course, I will also be intent on ending you here. Let us indulge in the final pleasure of chipping away at our lives!
Zenos: You mean to return. To the world where you are hailed as a hero. Hear me then not as a hero but as simply you. As I learned in Ala Mhigo you are a formidable foe. Stronger than any I have faced. Against you, I need bring my all to bear. I need burn through the candle of my life. This is the sole pleasure I know, and it is the sole pleasure I have to share. And so I come before you. To issue challenge and offer singular bliss. If you wish to walk away, I will not stop you. You value life. You do not burn your save for reasons you deem worthy. Reasons such as those which brought you here. The salvation of a world and its people. The motives of a hero true. But there is more to you than that. You know this to be true. As surely as you know the thrill of pushing your body and soul to their limits. Of confronting ever-mightier foes, dancing ever closer to the precipice, wondering if this will be the one to finally, finally fill the void. Such pleasures you seek for their own sake, and no other reason. Is this not so… adventurer?
WoL’s options:
That, I can't deny.
Think what you will. But I’m not letting you leave this place.
I’ve have enough of you. It ends here.
Zenos’s replies:
Ha! Acceptance. At long last. The conflagration of our clash will scorch even the stars!
So you would still play the hero. No matter. In acceptance you betray your deception. You know full well what we are, and what we seek. To shine incandescent in death’s shadow!
Ha! Finally mustered the desire to kill me, have you? Go on, then. Try and strike me down in this forsaken place. I shall return the favor. Aye, let us indulge in the only worthwhile pursuit, and burn our lies to their ends!
Japanese battle lines:
俺はただ、勝つために戦おう……！
I am simply fighting to win!
ハ……いきなりは仕留められぬか！
Ha, you won’t be able to take me down suddenly!
凌いでみせろよ。
Try to endure this.
この一戦のため磨いた技……すべて解放する！
All the skills I have honed for the sake of this one battle, I will unleash them all now!
見切れるか？
Can you see through my attacks?
刈り取る！
I reap!
熱い……そうだ……これが戦いだ……！
It’s hot…indeed… this is battle!
お前もまだいけような？ 俺は……
ここから、もっと、燃やそうぞ！
Can you keep going? I am… going to start burning even more now!
どうした、この程度でくたばるのか……？
デュナミスを燃焼させ、 は再び立ち上がった！
What’s wrong, was that enough to make you croak???
(You burn Dynamis and stand up again!)
フフ、そうだ……！
果てるにはまだ早かろう、友よ！
Heh heh, yes!!
It is far to soon to end this, friend!
無様だな……戦い前の威勢はどうした？
Pathetic… what happened to the power you showed me before this battle?
まだだ……俺はまだ、生きている！: オオオオオォォッ！
I’m still… I’m still alive! OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
血の一滴も余さず、この刹那に喰らいつこうぞッ！
Without wasting a drop of blood, I will devour you in this moment!
Fandaniel's death scene always makes me cry, especially at the end where he talks to Xande- seemingly the first and last person he had any affection for. The Japanese is a lot softer and sadder than the English, so I just wanted to share.
Ancient: I am the one who saved the world. Circling the world and spinning the natural order back to how it should be. For the price of my life, for the one that can bring back more life… I am…
Fandaniel: Saved the world? Don’t make me laugh, you are about to be the enemy of the world. For the sake of ending everything!
Ancients: We don’t want it to end! We will return…. To the place we should be… We will again become the will of the planet… this was the best choice… for the sake of making the world better…
Fandaniel: No! No! No! No to all of that! All of you lot are dead! Now go to sleep like good little ghosts!
Ancients: Please… somehow… for us… the planet… don’t let it be destroyed…
A Familiar Young Man (Hythlodaeus): Yes, believe in yourself and continue on. That’s what makes your soul shine so brightly. I don’t think this is the ending that you wished for… but that makes us nearly the same as you, doesn’t it? Did you think that a little bit too? Did you, Hades…?
Fandaniel: Ahh, it’s seeping in… this boundless energy is connecting to my will… I thought of using his Highness to test just how far this incomplete power could go… but I’m going to take this chance to flatten the world, starting with erasing you! Just a bit more and I’ll be connected to Zodiark… Ah! Finally, the time has….! Hahahahahaha! I’m completely connected, I am now Zodiark!
Zodiark!Fandaniel: My power has run out, is this my limit?!
Zodiark!Fandaniel: Hehe… hahaha… Putting aside that it was incomplete, you weren’t able to be defeated by Zodiark’s power. You lot really are a nuisance to me. But… too bad! I won! This was my aim all along- to kill Zodiark! I envisaged numerous ways to do it. It would have been fine if his Highness has eaten it and been defeated by you too. However, taking over Zodiark myself was the best way to make sure it happened. It’s too bad I wasn’t able to crush you in the process, but as you can see, my true goal has been achieved! Now then, let it begin properly this time- the true Final Days!
Fandaniel: …my strength is quickly leaving my body. I think I feel cold but I’m not really sure. I have changed bodies and felt physical death time and time before. This time too, everything is growing distant, as if I were falling asleep. As if it were an everyday occurrence, it still doesn’t feel like I will never wake up again. At the very least, I try to convince myself that it’s all over. For as much as I didn’t want any, I have no lingering attachments. I only imagine telling everyone “You got what you deserved” a little while from now. I wonder if 'that man', who lived a long time ago with the same soul as me, would lament this ending. Even if he did, I absolutely cannot think that humans are something that should continue living. That is my answer to the question he asked over ten thousand years ago. If I am mistaken, then show me your answer in the coming Final Days…. Hydaelyn. Please watch, Emperor Xande. Starting now, everything is going to return to nothingness. Me, the planet, all life… just the same as you did.
Fandaniel: Your Highness, I need you to accompany me. We will go to the moon and break the final seal there.
Zenos: Whatever you want.
G’raha: What was that, an explosion?
Zenos: Anima is relaying an order to the Tempered. It seems that it’s order starting to be carried out now. “At the demise of the emperor, sacrifice yourselves and take the whole world with you.” I doubt my father would have ever given such an order though. After all, that thing is just a fake living in the flesh of my father. It’s very simple to make it incite them.
Alisaie: Just how far… what do you think people are?!
Fandaniel: Who cares! They’re all going to be dead soon anyway! Well, goodbye then. You can try to follow us if you want? If you don’t mind abandoning those poor Tempered and your friends, that is.
Fandaniel: Oops, it looks like you were just a bit short on stalling for time. The seal is broken. It’s time for you to awaken, Zodiark! Elidibus, the core of Zodiark, has fallen out. It’s as if he’s just a newborn babe moving on instinct now. Very easy to use and commandeer. Ah, it’s so good… with every pulse, power enough to cut me in half sprays up out of there. No matter what has become of him, he was the hero who saved the planet after all. He has to be that powerful.
Zenos: Now then, the time has already come, but what do you want to do? As for me, I would eat that legendary Primal, and then after also consuming the planet, face your rage as we hunt each other to the death, however… if you want to kill me to stop me here, that would also be very entertaining for me. ……. Ha. Well then, bring me to life by ending me here!
Fandaniel: Ah, excuse me. If you’re gonna fight, can you please finish “me” off first? …I told you, didn’t I? I want to kill everyone, and then die.
Zenos: …no, not now. If I were to fight you now, I wouldn’t be able to get everything I wanted from you. It seems that a new beast has stepped into your territory. Those eyes, those ears, those fangs- they are no longer pointed in my direction. I must start my search again… for something that you will want to pour your fighting spirit into defeating, like you once did with Shinryu. That “ancient god” was a total disappointment. Is what I need to give you even more evil? …or even more despair…?
WoL:
Don’t think that despair will get you anywhere with me.
Zenos: I have finally found you, my dear friend… I have obtained an answer … I realised the answer to what this soul wanted from you, and also what you wanted from me. Consequently, I travelled to the Northern Waters to challenge you to a rematch, and there I made a deal with that girl with supernatural powers. To help the “Scions” out just once if they were in a bind. Under those conditions I was given a means to reach you in the heavens. I ate the remains of the Mothercrystal, and once again taking the form of a dragon, I crossed the stars. Thinking of my battle with you was enough to make me easily surpass even the speed of light! Well now, is that thing your prey? However, I don’t understand. Why haven’t you defeated it yet? You showed me that neither evil nor despair were enough to make you feel this way. Was that a lie?
Here is my retranslation from Jpn -> Eng for Zenos's appearance in Garlemald during the Final Days in Endwalker. There are quite a lot of things the localisers left out? And Alisaie's advice to him seemed much... nicer?
Zenos: I saw a type of beast I had never seen before, therefore I tried slaying it… however, it was weak. Something like this would never help my training.
Alisaie: Did you say “training”?? Don’t tell me that with everything going on you are still thinking about a rematch?!?
Zenos: I only reclaimed this life for the sake of a rematch. There is nothing else I would devote this life of mine to…… (Zenos turns to the WoL) However, even now you are still only looking at a different prey. That passion does not extend to me…Having said that, it also seems I cannot force it to, neither through rage nor despair. So, I just sharpen my fangs. This is all I can do now.
Jullus: You bastard, what the hell are you saying?? Garlemald is broken… our fatherland… the very land you and yours rule! The city has become like this… so many have died. If only it was just soldiers in the civil war like us, but instead how many civilians do you think have also perished?? Falling to madness and killing friends and family alike, and those spared the madness left to freeze to death in the snow! I heard from my contingent that this was all your doing! Is that true?! And if so, why??
Zenos: Yes, it is all true. And looking at it now, it was all for nothing,
Jullus: ZENOS----- YOU BASTARD!!!!
Alphinaud: Jullus, don’t! Please calm down! I’m not saying this for Zenos’s sake, please control your anger for your sake! In this calamity if you get overtaken by strong negative emotions, you might turn into a beast as well. So please!
Zenos: If I had a good enough reason for doing this, you could forgive everything you see in front of you, is that what you are saying? If so than you are all truly pathetic beasts… only fit to ever be preyed upon. Everything in this world is always being explained away to us for someone’s convenience. For any reason or moral pretext, even Good and Evil are made up. Inside of the Garlemald empire, you would have surely seen it over and over? In the middle of crushing each other, what is “right” being switched around? Or even the reality, that the “justice” that the populace triumphantly raised up turned out to be naught but incited by a plot. So why are you even asking me this now? It’s simply absurd.
Zenos: What’s the use of asking others for a reason that explains reality in a way you can accept? Even if you asked to the ends of the earth and heavens what you would hear would only be someone’s own convenient answer. It is only you yourself that can give meanings and answers to everything life has laid down for you. So, if your answer is to draw your sword, I will use my own answer, and take you as fodder for my training.
Jullus: …Your mere existence is poison to the Garlean people. It makes me want to take my rage and sorrow out and beat it all into you. But as Alphinaud has said, if that would do naught but be the trigger for more tragedy… I don’t want to lose any more of my brothers because of you! Be gone with you! And never again show your face in front of my brethren!
Alisaie: ……Zenos! Your way of living is indeed strong. I’ll even admit that you made some good points. However, if you keep hurting people by living that way, you will forever be alone. No matter if it’s a rematch or anything else, you won’t be able to have it. When you want something from someone, instead of just thinking of your own fun, you have to think of a way you can both can enjoy it. If you can’t understand a simple thing like that, go ahead and be rejected by everyone forever!
Zenos: If you want something from someone… You must not only consider your own enjoyment… huh. When we had our showdown here, what was it… that I sought from you? What was it… that you sought from me?
Fandaniel: Ah, there you are. Aren’t you cold dressed like that in a body of flesh? Well, whatever, doesn’t matter. I’m terribly sorry but once again I am the bearer of bad news. Our tower in Thavnair has been eliminated thanks to the efforts of that group of heroes. The other towers are still syphoning aether, so that isn’t really the problem… It’s just that the efficiency has gone down. It’d be fine if they keep dawdling on with each tower, but if they were to come straight here and march on the capital, it makes it less certain that we will make it on time.
Zenos: …in that case, they will come here. Definitely.
Fandaniel: Is that so… Well then, I should go and get busy working out a plan to hold them up. By the way, you really only seem to be having fun when you are talking about that person huh? Don’t you have any interest in anything else?
Zenos: Ha…… In truth, I can’t even tell anything else apart. Everyone and everything are equally boring and repulsive to me. Truly this world is just like warm mud. It clogs up your eyes and lungs and before anyone knows it you are just dying. However, I saw a light. At the extreme of my limits, I came to know a heat that spurred me on. That’s what my fight with them was. When the battle was over, I could no longer return to that mud. Therefore, knowing there was no future for me, I drew the curtain on my life. There is no lie in these words. I am still only living for that moment.
Fandaniel: Having experienced death and still having such a reason to live is rather wonderful of you. Yes, truly… I both detest and envy you.
Zenos: Before you ask that of me, what about you? You have been noisily kicking up a fuss this whole time, but you aren’t enjoying a single bit of it, are you?
Fandaniel: Wow scary… Can you really say that to me after you’ve been ignoring me this whole time? But alas, I am having a bit of fun right now. You see, when I was human, for the longest time I had the same dream. Broken and intermittent, unable to see the faces of the players- an incomplete dream. It was in a place I didn’t know, and I thought it just to be a simple creation of my mind. But one day, it turned out to be connected to reality. Just like the dreams you had of the Final Days. … Soon those dreams will become the reality of the entire planet. That will be… yes… that will be fun for me.
Fandaniel: Oh? For an Ascian this is something we do daily. You shouldn’t think to much about it, just enjoy your dinner!
I mean, in my own way I went to a lot of trouble for this… after all, aren’t you his Highness’s friend? Since you were in the neighbourhood and all, I suggested to him to invite you over for a friendly meal. And he… didn’t even reply to me! So, I took it as a “please do”!!
(Anima makes noises) Dear oh dear… it seems that his father is overwhelmed with emotion that his unsociable son has invited a friend over!
What, it’s not that complicated. Garlemald banned all religion. Therefore, there should be nothing powerful enough for the people to imagine to summon as a Primal. But there is, don’t you think? The thing that they fear, revere and cling to… that’s right! The symbol of their homeland, the emperor!
Recently, ill winds have been blowing across their empire. The legendary founding emperor passed away, independence movements became widespread in the provinces, and using the murder of the new emperor as an excuse, even civil war has broken out! At this point, the people are praying don’t you think?
For a strong, unwavering Garlemald emperor to rise. So, we poured their earnest wishes into the body of emperor Varis, and what manifested was naught but what we could call the soul (Anima) of Garlemald! An emperor is someone who subjugates the populace. The power to radiate aether across a wide area is surely a manifestation of that.
So we used the general idea of the imperial capital being somewhere that wealth and power is gathered together to accumulate aether from all over the land here. What you call the “Tower of Doom” is a terminal that I built using Anima as a core. Isn’t that right, your Highness…?
Zenos: Are you interested in hunting prey that you have already hunted before? I’m sure you aren’t. At best you would just easily slaughter it for want of meat or pelts.
You feel the same about me. Since your victory was decided in that garden, you must feel that I’m unworthy do you not? That doesn’t matter to me.
However, if you’re not in the mood, I won’t be able to have a battle with you that is better than the last. So, at the same time as I sharpen my fangs, I must needs make you feel like fighting me again. Hero… that is one who risks their life to fight in a place where grief and terror swirls. Therefore, I tried breaking things here and there for you… how was it? Well, don’t worry for now. I haven’t even finished stoking the fire yet.
Fandaniel: Oh my, are you already finished with dinner?
Zenos: In front of my dear friend, no matter what I eat I will just be starving. And it looks like they aren’t hungry either. I decided to give being “friendly” to you a try, and went along with his suggestion but… it seems that you and I aren’t like that after all. I apologise for inviting you to a boring supper.
Before I took this body back from that Ascian I had to use another’s body. I learned a lot from that experience. Fighting in a different body allows you to see your own idiosyncrasies. Does strength lie in the soul or in the body? I gift to you the chance to find out for yourself. So! Come and try to get your body back!
Fandaniel: Ahh, oh my god!! If that thing goes to your camp pretending to be you, what a catastrophe it’ll be!!! If you don’t want to see that bloody scene, you’d better give chase! Let me see you off on your journey. Let’s see, the contingent camp is that way. His Highness should also be making his way there, wearing your body. If you don’t catch up with him, I wonder what he’ll be capable of? Alright, I’ll ask you to walk from here. Otherwise, I won’t be complying with his Highness’s wishes. Unfortunately, you don’t have time to fight me. There are many obstacles in your path. Take for example… there!
Those tempered soldiers. They have been given orders to exterminate anyone like you, who is not on Anima’s side… in other words- survivors. In your normal body they’d be no match for you but… Anyway, please try your best for the sake of saving your friends!
Fandaniel: Yes, sadly the Brainjack’s effect is about to run out so it’s time to return to your respective bodies. Hello and well met.
I apologise for not greeting you sooner when you came from so far away. At any rate I needed to buy some time. We were outnumbered so I was wondering what to do in that situation. So, for the meantime I deployed some tempered soldiers… and then I stole some Ceruleum from the nest of the rats (survivors) I overlooked. Well, it certainly worked didn’t it! Thanks for your charity work, because of you we’re right on time!
The aether that Anima has been collecting should reach the amount we needed soon. And the, the curtain will finally rise- using the oldest, strongest Primal- on the end of days!
Zenos: I will eat that strongest god, and tear apart your friends and the world… This time I will make you hate me to the point of wanting to kill me.
My direct translation of Haurchefant's unsent letter from "Thoughts Unspoken". There are some things in the Eng localisation that aren't in the Jpn, so I thought I should retranslate it for completeness.
The original localisation is here for comparison: https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2016/short_stories/#sidestory_08
A few days ago, after hearing the prediction of the dragons attacking the capital again, you and Alphinaud travelled to the West. I don’t know where you are now, nor do I intend to try to send this letter. In other words, I’m just writing this down for myself.
Nevertheless, I feel compelled to at least once express my feelings of looking to the distant sky and praying for your safe journey.
In the unlikely event that you ever read this, well, please just think of this letter as that.
Now then. Are you happy that you were invited to Ishgard?
Or are you fed up that after you finally made your escape, you once again got embroiled in someone else’s war? Even if that was the case, I’m bitterly smiling while easily imagining that you would still fight to the very end.
As for me, I am so very happy from the bottom of my heart and extremely grateful that you came to Ishgard. That is to say, of course I am delighted that my chances to see your really strong splendid adventuring up close have increased, but also… More than anything, to share a goal with my dependable friend and to fight by their side. There’s no way I couldn’t be excited about this!
The day that you two escaped from Ul’dah and came to stay at the House of Snow.
I thought that in the same way that I couldn't let the light of the "Dawn" go out, I couldn’t let your flame be dampened either, my friend. So that was when I went and directly appealed to Count Fortemps... my father, if there wasn't a way to invite you into Ishgard.
… I must confess that I am not good at dealing with my father.
I don’t mean that I hate him. Even with regards to my mother, even though he tried to do right by her, but she was unable to stand her situation and simply just left me with him and disappeared. I do believe that he loved my mother and loves me too. It’s just… neither of us are very good at communicating this to each other… For me, I was unable to talk to him except from the position of being a knight of House Fortemps.
When I went to ask him to help you, at first, his answer was quite harsh.
Even though he had been very positive when it came to supporting the Reclamation Corps, it seemed the idea of harbouring wanted fugitives was quite a worry for the head of the household. In response to my insistent pleading, he asked me why I wasn’t giving up. I simply told him straight from my heart my memories of you and I. Though they may be meagre in number, each one of them is irreplaceable, overflowing with surprise and shining light! I thought therefore, that this was the best way to explain to him just who you, my dear friend, is- and also how much my desire to save you was. Now that I think of it, this was probably the longest conversation I ever had with my father. When I had said all that I could, he suddenly smiled warmly and said “Let me think on this unto the morrow”. Then the next day, he sent word to me that he would officially become your guardian.
Thanks to you, unlike before, I now actually look forward to visiting Fortemps Manor. However, you aren’t there very much, and each time I hear you are off fighting some great trouble, I sometimes think I have done nothing but get you involved in the troubles of my homeland. If you have complaints about that you are welcome to tell me them over a drink sometime.
I, without a trace of doubt in my heart, trust in you.
No matter what troubles come, they will never dampen your spirits.
Not just on your current journey, but in the future, no matter what you try to do. Even if there is a wall you can’t climb by yourself, as long as you keep trying, there will be someone to lend you a hand. Just as I, right now, am praying to do.
And on the other side of those troubles, certainly there will be a new day waiting for you.
And when you find it, I want you to do so with a huge smile on your face.
I pray that your journey will always be a good one.
Translator's note: The English that the song is sung in was translated from the original Japanese text that was later posted on one of the official blogs. I translated the original without having to worry about rhyming to give it a more obvious meaning.
We have finally met, brave little life.
At the end of a long journey where you sparkled as brightly as a star.
Until this moment I have been motionlessly waiting for you,
At the end of all your journeys.
Now let us once more sing together, tell me of your course-
Of loneliness and love that you cannot possibly put all into words.
Overflowing with countless stories,
Until finally you make the sea sparkle.
Do not forget, that rain has brought happiness to many places,
Each drop a life blessed by the heavens.
As time flowed on, they flowed together,
Became a river and then a lake,
That aims to the horizon and further away.
Reflecting the scenery that passes it every moment, dyed in the colours of the sun,
Without suffering storms or stagnating,
Until welcomed into the gentle ocean.
Wrapped in gentleness, sinking deeper and deeper,
The tides tenderly carry you down to the bottom.
When you pass by a soul floating to the top of the water,
Pray with all your heart that has already stopped for their happiness.
Deep at the bottom of that dark water I heard your voice, and accepted your choices.
Now, in our entwined hands there is the answer you searched for.
I will wipe your tears and if you are shaking, let’s sing of happiness.
Until the day that everything is reborn as hope on the shore.
Now my precious child, close your eyes, and wait in a silent sleep.
The rays of light from the far water’s surface will even reach the bottom of your dream.
When you open your eyes, the wind will lift you upwards once more.
Because the end of this journey is just one step towards tomorrow…
Translator's note 2: This song probably gives a better explanation of the aetherial sea/sea of stars than the game does, especially for how their cycle of rebirth works. People either sink to the bottom of the sea and sleep or float to the top and get reborn.
