Something I love about the context this song plays in. During the walk, every voice is labeled as a “voice from the past”. No names. But if you can’t remember who they are, that’s okay. G’raha’s monologue at the end of 5.3 sticks with me, “and there may come a day when you forget the faces and voices of those you have met along the way,” with every step this journey grows more distant and faint. But never look back. Forge ahead.

And how many of us go to Ultima Thule after beating Endwalker 6.0 just to hear this song play over and over again?

*The moment he hints who's singing the song* I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING!!

I adored this song when i reached Ultima Thule, but the idea that G'raha is the one singing this song as a reflection of your journey makes me love it even more now

The cat I had for 17 years was sitting next to me in bed dying as I played through endwalker. I can barely go to Ultima Thule, it's like that entire song and ending was created to help me deal with the death of my boy Ernie.

One thing to remember. When first we met G'raha at the Crystal Tower his job was a Bard. So him singing fits even more. :3

THANK YOU FOR FEATURING MOENBRYDA! My heart was crushed when she wasn't included in the official music video, even though she was a significant focal point for Urianger's arc in Endwalker. Finally, the proper recognition she DESERVES!

I entirely agree with this interpretation of the song, and it's very likely what it is in-universe. However, there are two more interpretations, each with an escalating metanarrative. 1: The singer is SE CBU3 collectively, to the playerbase, thanking them for playing the game they worked so hard on for so many years. 2: The singer is the Warrior of Light... To *their* player. the one who, truly, they would not exist without. It is though the player's guidance, the light behind the light, that they've gone on such an incredible journey, and they hope that journey will continue on. Through you, we live.

While yes there's a lyrical lore to it from an in game standpoint, I am surprised to find no one ever mention of the second reading out of game and character, where the whole song is a tribute from the game devs to the players. On how players never gave up on a game reborn from the ashes, going through every extension, keeping together with your friends, or without those that are gone, only to keep seeing the next cycle of the game begin after all these years. Your reward for all of that time spent, either for new players going through the game now, or those who are there from the begining, is this song. And figuring out there's this second reading hits much harder than just the tears you get from the in game meaning.

We were talking about this song in our FC and people were upset that the zone's song was sad and I was so confused because I genuinely felt it was more a song of hope and reflection on where we as the WoL have been and the places we have yet to be. The video was great!

Probably one of the most interesting things to learn about this song is that because of how Japanese works, they were able to directly include the expansion names/sub-names in the lyrics for the part that begins in English with "no time for mourning -- [morning] rises," but had to edit it for English to still fit the music as it carried on, so we get: Morning visits a realm reborn from the ashes (Morning rises on a land reborn from the ashes) Azure skies stretch out ('Neath the heavens) A storm passes in the twilight, crimson skies become still (To sunset blood-red skies, tranquil after the storm) A jet-black evening arrives (Blessed shadow)

NGL. The sacrifice that echos to me is Haucherfaunt. He didn't even entertain the idea of a second thought. When the WoL was in danger he was our shield despite paying the greatest price for his actions. Because of him, the world was saved from losing the one champion that would overcome even the end.

I absolutely thought it was Graha singing - and losing him broke a dam inside me. During my play through I was just so caught up in the emotions (and lack of sleep) - I know a lot of people felt like the sacrifices were shallow, but I never accepted that because of how I felt during it. I recently caught Jaethebelle playing through this part and realized, we can't call our friends back because we wouldn't be able to breathe (etc) in Ultima Thule if we did. When we bring Emet back, before he tells us to call our friends - he states that he fixed the environment so it's safe to do so. I see the hope in the song but there is some melancholy too - I tend to view melancholy with the original meaning of the word, it's not necessarily a negative thing.

My favorite part about this song is how it includes all the stories we experienced, and have yet to experience. The line "tales of loss, and fire, and faith" could refer to the three worlds we see in The Dead Ends. The Grebuloffs lost their home and loved ones to pollution and pestilence, the global war ended in fire on Judgement Day, and those who gave up living after there was nothing left to live for, and how they maintained their faith in Ra'La and believed their deaths would bring them peace.

We once made a promise to an old man who saw us at our lowest, to remeber that they lived, I like to think, we all will remember and take hope that we will not be forgotten either. Good work, and thank you for the fantastic video.

It never ceases to amaze me just how far we’ve come… Such an amazing story.

Man, this song alone just ties everything together in such a powerful way. I don't know how to describe it, but I'd imagine this is what the WoL's resolve and raw, unfiltered emotion would sound like, if one were to put it to song, as well as that of their allies

So Thancred is our foundation Estinien the wind beneath our wings, that was meant to be corny sorry Still haven't figured out Urianger and Y'sthola Graha was the song of hope Alphinauds been at our side the majority of the game, and you watch him grow so much, so I see it as his friendship was the final bridge to lift us the way we did him. And the little echoes we see at the end as we walk to the summit are Alisaies wish for us not to be alone. Just my silly little take sorry. Still trying to come up with the other 2

This game and it’s music, they unlocked something in me. I hadn’t cried in many years before I played it, now I cry just being reminded of certain parts of the MSQ

Your choice of Yotsuyu and Arenvald at that one point were perfect. Fitting examples, but ones marked deep by grief nonetheless.

When the lyrics came on when I was playing I was emotionally destroyed

wow, this is so well made. Every single clip fits the music and lyrics so much. Also can't help to feel very emotional every time i hear this song

Godsdamnit! Now the walk and the memories make SOOOOOOOOO much more sense. Damn it why is it hitting me again

I could listen to this song 999 times AND I'd still cry. The more i understand the song, the more i cry.

This made me cry again at this freaking song again !well done lad, well done!

Bawled my eyes out when I didn't even know the lyrics, now I'm crying harder thank you for the beautiful explanation 😭😭

I've always thought of the great orbs in the distance as various other Stars on the brink of destruction or already dead and gone.

This video had me in tears. That song is so precious . Thank you so much this was touching and everything is perfect. The editing and your words. Tysm

Best one yet bud! Gave me goosebumps at the start and made me so emotional half way through. Amazing job.

It's not very common that I've found songs that hit me so hard they make me tear up within a few measures, but man, every time I go to Ultima Thule for farming, I am on the verge of crying. The context of G'raha being the singer for the music there just makes it so much harder to deal with. Genuinely such a beautiful composition, and such a beautiful game.

I really love these types of videos of you explaining The vocals of the music makes me appreciate the songs even more than I did

How you have less than 20k subs, I'll never know. Your content is amazing, keep it up !

Great video! Love the editing of all the cutscenes together as well. Really well done! :)

God I love this video, nearly brought a tear to my eye. You did the song's analysis justice. This is my absolute favorite song in ffxiv, it's so beautiful.

Right now I'm in the mist of SB, once again I don't think I'll e able to handle the deep depths of SHB and EW. I honestly was fighting hard not to cry watching this.

The poetic, operatic nature of FFXIV's dialogue has bled into these videos, and I am HERE for it.

Ever cosidering doing an music videos from those cutscene of yours? Damn you timed everything perfectly in regards to the lyrics and scenes.

The ending of this expansion was incredible. Absolutely perfect.

Ah hell yeah We tackling one of my favorite Zone themes. Always knew those lyrics were extremly impactful :D thanks for making this.

I put off watching this video a while knowing it was going to make me cry. And it did. Yep. I never even considered about who was singing and it being G'raha makes me love my catboi even more (which I didn't think was possible). Absolutely amazing how much emotion and significance they have built throughout the MSQ over all these years. I am a huge fan of fantasy novels, and I would place this game's story higher than a lot of books I have read. Lovely video, thank you.

I always knew what the song was suppose to meant but could never really form them into words. so ty! Also I love the visual cues you use too!

When I played through Ultima Thule, I had a small group of friends with me who'd already completed endwalker. And at every sacrifice, they logged out for the moment- giving the impression that the sacrifices of the Scions were never alone. ...hell of a way to make a guy have an emotional crisis...

I recently beat Endwalker and I loved Close in the Distance. When the lyrics came, I felt the tears building up but when those lines "Walk on, never look back. Through you we live" I broke down and cried. Never has a game made me think so much on the journey I traveled, the characters I met along the way, the sacrifices I had to make, the cultures I learned about, the conflicts I had to face and over all of that, the sense of belonging in a fictional group of characters and their world. This game indeed lives inside of me and has helped me so much in growing in certain areas and I'll never stop remembering it, even though I know I'll never experience something equal to it but, after all, why wish to repeat someting when I can just keep going and finding what else is out there? After all, we are all adventurers at our core, aren't we? Always looking for the next adventure and forging ahead through highs and lows, meeting wonderful people and saying our goodbyes sometimes in ways we wish we didn't, but it just happens and we have to keep going.

This song was really about Sokens experience with cancer and how he overcame it with the loved ones that supported him througn it.

I had so many thoughts and feelings I wanted to share about this song with rest of FFXIV players, but the longer I kept watching the more I realized this video is also sharing what was on my mind about Ultima Thule and this song and EW ending! Thank you! The last minute... It was breathtaking.

This…was just beautiful. Thank you for this😭

Huh I never thought to put the lyrics as from G'raha's perspective. I attributed them to Hades perspective cause the lyrics make sense to me in that way too. "No time for mourning" The uncaring, steel exterior Hades tried to exude to his comrades and people is here as is the line he spoke to Alisaie "Spare me your pity, I have no use for it." "Blessed Shadow" Hades would be one to revere the shadow and the dark in this way. "Walk on, never look back" Hades would not have their old friend to look back to them and keep marching forward cause... "Through you, we live" Through *you*, the WoL, the last remnant of the ancients and the knowledge and memory of their legacy, can he rest knowing their people will not be forgotten and live on in their mind.

New subscriber thank you for explaining this song because when I first heard it I was literally drawn to the song. And was wondering what was the meaning behind it. I have it set as my ringtone.

Great video! Watching those cutscenes felt like I was watching a time capsule of my life with FF14 going by. Maybe a video about the EndWalker logo would be nice! It's not a space ship!

so you're saying G'raha's voice actor Jonathan Bailey should sing a cover of Close in the Distance?????? i'm sold!!!!

Dawg, this is one of the best videos ever.

I love the way you describe this, very eloquent. I think the only NPCs missing from your video though are Cylva and the Warriors of Light from the First.

This song always gets me emotional. Even when it’s just echoes

F**k me...Doesn't mater how many days, months or years...This song still brings me to tears

crying. thank you for this video

Amazing lyrical analysis. Hoping for more, especially of Footfallls.

I love those song videos, they are so deep!

8:27 "Of kind people" *shows Yotsuyu* Alrighty then...

This is beautiful. Thank you

this video you made is a work of art

Ok, I didn't realize that, and my heart can't take it 😭 such a beautiful part of the story

I am in the middle of this, so it's possible you address it, but I view this song as being from 5 different possible perspectives. The first is the one that seems to be holding your attention here the most, and indeed that is the one I think is most accurate. The scions sending out a beautiful message to the warrior, working together to push us. I imagine the music is intended to be the easier to communicate feeling of someone's presence on an almost religious level, even when they are gone. Of course, the analogy of the scions being dead and watching us from a sort of limbo is pretty close to accurate, as all it takes is time before their will is drowned out by the incredible dynamis suffusing the environment. I always hear the first few lyrics as a conversation between the warrior and the scions. "Whispers, falling silently drift on the wind." Is either scene setting or a statement of G'raha's. "But I hear you." Is the warrior, feeling their presence. "Our journey, now a memory fading from sight." Again, the scions. "But I see you." Again, the warrior. I felt like this is like Alisae says not long after the song starts. Envisioning what each ally would be doing. And perhaps even seeing little things in the environment that prove they are all still there. Thancred, the shoulders we stand on. Estienen, the breath of fresh air clearing any doubt. Y'shtola and Urianger, clearing away any confusion with their logic, practicality, and intellect. G'raha, our very own cosmic bridge with unfathomable capacity for empathy. And Alisae and Alphinaud, who's shining idealism and optimism push us that last bit of distance to our goal. Much of the lyrics can also be viewed from the warrior's perspective. So yeah I think we could view it from the perspective you outline here, and there's definitely more still. You can also view this song as the scions speaking to the denizens of ultima thule, or their own laments. "Whispers, falling silently drift on the wind." describes how we find them, just whispers, ghosts of what they once were. A scion says "but I hear you." Your whispers have been heard. We hear your pain and acknowledge it. "Our journey, now a memory fading from sight." Is again acknowledging that their times have passed. They do not remember the journey nor joy, only the pain at this point. "But I see you." I see your suffering. I can still see you. "Unbroken, promises we made so long ago." Perhaps has a clearer meaning in the scion version, but here we can view it as the promise Meteion made, that ending their suffering may just be better. "You're still here." You say you can't go on, but you are still here. You can. This isn't over. I'm not going to delve into the rest of the lyrics, but you can definitely imagine how they connect. The next interpretation I think of is a bit more meta. Ff14 has had a crazy run. We could easily view this from the perspective of the players and gm. They definitely could drown in the river of tears they have created here! I particularly like the "you're still here." Line from this perspective, like through your amazing support, we are here. And you are, still, even now. Then, again, meta interpretation. Soken. I don't know all of the details of his battle with cancer. The time frame. And I probably never will. I take the philosophy of letting it remain private. But again, having been through that experience, I imagine some of these lyrics channeled from that. Seriously. So yeah. A massively long comment to say this song moved me. Ultima thule moved me. And I think you did a good job in explaining why. I never thought for a second the scions wouldn't be coming back, but losing their direct support was an emotional thing for me. And this song really pressed the idea that no, they aren't gone. They are still here.

I didn't realize it wasn't obviously meant to be from Raha's point of view in English, though the comparison to Japanese was very welcome. The lyrics start as soon as he's played his role and as you watch the crystal grow and build the path.

You know, the determination of the scions was able to overpower the emotions of despair of several worlds while in Ultima Thule.

A wonderful video...so wonderful scenes.

Time to cry!

This is very beautiful bruh!...😭I've been feeling a lil down these days but this made me feel happier and better!... Thanks very much man!...😭"My WoL" thanks you as well as Me!... TT v TT

I can't stop crying 😢

4 times i have watched this video i still cry everytimes

Great now I'm crying thanks

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful T^T

wow man thanks for this

G'raha is my favourite character and the knowledge that this is implied to be form his perspective makes me sob augh

Your channel is so underrated/underexposed

I love this song so so much! Have to burst it out loud everytime I'm in Ultima Thule. Makes me tear up as well as it reminds me of all we got through. I even have that song as my alarm to wake me up in the morning. Oh, and G'Raha is the best character anyways 🥰

No game will take the place of XIV in my heart. I still cry when I hear this.

I like really this video, I just have one small grain of salt with your theory that G'raha is the one singing it. You mentioned that one of your point is that the lyrics in Japanese use male self-pronouns. From my admittedly novice understanding, it's incredibly common for songs to use them regardless of the singer's gender or song's intended perspective perspective especially when it's intended to be a multiple-perspective line. An example of this is NieR Automata's Weight of the World. Both English and Japanese use female singers and while English does have the line "But the truth is that I'm only one girl" JP repeatedly uses "僕" or 'Boku' (Young male) and is more appropriately translated as "We", especially in the line "そう僕らは今..." 'Sou bokura wa ima...' which is something like "We will scream even if it's worthless...". I personally hold fast to the idea this is everyone to us at once, having G'raha being the only one kind of pulls attention away from the fact that EVERYONE is here with us, in one form or another. Be it those we disembarked from the ship with, those who wished us well as we loaded in, the friends who helped us get there and the ones who didn't get to see us go and those we now only carry in our hearts. As G'raha has only been with us in a non-secretive capacity for one expansion now I personally feel he's rather undeserving of that spotlight.

FF14 is a true odyssey. An FF story on a scale that is incomprehensible in any other format but an Online RPG. There are few works of fiction, much less video games that have managed to capture the depth and raw humanity of FF14's narrative.

they really do anything to make us cry and are really damn good at it >_

I love this game more than any other, but something that cracks me up is thinking that if Zenos showed up WAY earlier, none of them would’ve had to sacrifice themselves lmao. He just shows up as you face the Endsinger talking about “Bro can you hurry up? I want my rematch.”

that was amazing.

This song seriously gets me so emotional every time Q_Q I got it for my house ♥

I've assumed that the lyrics are from the perspective of the ancients for the most part. Emet-Selch, Venat.

Can you not make me cry all over again?

love ittt ❤

I gotta know, what GShade setting do you use?

Holy shit yes

I really hoped the scions that sacrificed themselves in Ultima Thule would have stayed gone. Heroic sacrifice loses its meaning if they just reappear. I get financially it would have hurt to not have certain loved chatacters like Y'shtola etc. However the whole end of a 10 year story would have mean't more if we met new allies for the stuff after Endwalker.

Most beautiful 5 minutes ever explained. Just know, that in the end, Chi will return again.

legit when i heard Ardbert i started bawling my eye out

Holy fucking shit 🥲❤️‍🔥

I can't stop crying.....

I have problems going to Ultima Thule without putting on something else in the background because of this song...

But this song also just simply message from the dev to us, the players. The dev that listen to us, read our comments. The promises we've made since 1.X. That the game will be fix and getting better. That us the player would stay and we're still here. Through the cycles of expansions. Forge on, looking for the future. Keep going. "Through you (players) we live (dev)" literally. Tale of loss and fire and faith is what FFXIV actually is. Same as all the other lyrics. Forge ahead, Till the end. We pray. also litterally.

Honestly I like Endwalker, it has really big high's but there are really big lows in the expansion. Garlemald was a big let down for me. (I felt annoyed rather than sad at the sisters.) Many cried and felt sad when the Companions one by one fell down but I didn't. Not because I didn't care, but I rather because the game couldn't convince for 1 second they won't come back! So, rather than getting emotional like HW or SHB. I'm against killing characters, many medium used it for shock factor, however I think they should have offed 1-2 characters Permanently to drive hom the tale of loss and overcoming despair part of the story. That part of the theme rings hella hollow for me. Close in the distnace is a powerfull song, and the endwalk and design is what saved this final area for me. As for who should have been offed? Thancreed already got a fake out, Urianger, Graha and Y'shtola our expositionists. Estinien could be, but the strongest would have been the twins. As their grandfather saved the world once (and us in 1.0) so do they give their lives so we could save the universe from despair. Had they met their end here (and no fake outs) I would have cried very ugly tears. And thematically would have been the perfect end, as we endure real despair amd loss, yet with hope on our shoulder we finish this tale of loss, fire and most importantly faith.

what i find interesting is that the song is able to juxtapose christianity and buddhism and separate the two faiths so dynamically yet intertwine their core beliefs to unify two separate faiths. yes it is true you can be both buddhist and christian at the same time and this song shows you how. I was raised buddhist, but have friends that have told me their path of towards christian salvation. I do not accept their view as mine but the compassion both advocate brings closer to my heart their belief of the end and i wish upon their love and with my love for them to be with their god when they die and to never be with them when i am reborn. I shall continue and they shall remain in my heart as people I loved.

Your textures look crisp and current gen! Care to share your settings? 😁

Damn those onion cutting ninjas wasn't expecting to tear up watching this. I should have known better.

Why is Ron Weasley the warrior of light in the thumbnail?

Waiting for “in the balance” lyric lore😄