The First

Lore & Background

Created when Hydaelyn shattered Zodiark into fourteen pieces—the Source plus thirteen shards—The First is one of those shards. Unlike the Source, which retained the majority of planetary energy, this shard possesses only a fraction of that power. The Flood of Light was not caused by low aether density; it was caused by an imbalance of Light aether overwhelming the elementally balanced aether, exacerbated by the Warriors of Light's actions and the Ascians' manipulation. The Ascians, specifically Emet-Selch, targeted The First not solely due to its weakened state; he also sought to use the Flood of Light as a means to trigger a Rejoining, but the Flood was already in progress before his direct orchestration—he manipulated events to ensure it would succeed. The Scions intervened, initially transported to the First by the Exarch using the Crystal Tower's power, and the Warrior of Light later used the Tower as a conduit. They aided the Warriors of Light there—whose counterpart is specifically the Warrior of Darkness, a title held by Ardbert's party, not a generic 'Warrior of Darkness' for all individuals—in preventing the planet's destruction and stopping the Ascian machinations.

In Their Own Story

The sky above Ala Mhigo did not bleed red with sunset; it fractured into shards of blinding white. The Warrior stood on the precipice of a cliff, feeling the hum of fading magic in the air like a dying heartbeat. Crystals rained softly from the clouds, dissolving before they touched the earth. Y'shtola watched the horizon, her gaze heavy with the weight of two worlds. Here, time was running out faster than on the Source. The light did not bring hope; it brought erasure.

Reader's Guide

The First serves as the primary setting for a major chapter in the Warrior of Light's journey beyond Eorzea. Unlike the Source world players inhabit, this realm suffers from severe aether scarcity due to its creation during the ancient Sundering. This depletion triggers the Final Days, a catastrophic phenomenon where the planet begins to dissolve into pure light. The Scions travel here to prevent total destruction while uncovering deep Ascian plots involving the primal Zodiark. Players will find familiar geography from Eorzea, yet altered by history and time. Key figures like Y’shtola and Urianger play vital roles in navigating this parallel existence. Ultimately, stability is restored through sacrifice and unity between light and darkness. This arc emphasizes the fragility of worlds separated by aether density. It remains a crucial location for understanding the broader cosmology of Hydaelyn and her enemies.

Did You Know?

• The First is one of thirteen shards created when Zodiark was shattered into fourteen pieces during the Sundering, distinct from the Source.
• An imbalance of Light aether, not low aether density, causes the Flood of Light, where the world dissolves into light.
• The specific counterpart designated as the Warrior of Darkness exists on this realm, held by Ardbert's party, not a generic title for all individuals.
• Emet-Selch orchestrated major events here to further Ascian goals regarding a Rejoining, but the Flood was already in progress before his direct orchestration.