Many fans of Final Fantasy XIV are wondering what the game’s story might bring next. Fortunately, Endwalker gives a few hints about that. Players were informed in advance that Endwalker would conclude the current story arc of Zodiark and Hydaelyn. Now, FFXIV’s future is wide open for Patch 6.1, 7.0, and beyond.
Expectations are high after Endwalker, which many consider FFXIV’s best expansion yet. The game’s lore stretches far beyond the material that’s been covered in the MSQ so far, which means there are a number of plausible possibilities for FFXIV’s new direction. There have been some fans speculating about this since before Endwalker, but the options have been somewhat narrowed down after Endwalker's ending.
A few of the hints come from Scions during one of FFXIV's post-credits scenes as they discuss what their future plans are. Though the most prevalent Scions announce plans that are likely to factor into the next chapter, lesser-known Scions hint they might be playing bigger roles going forward. Most of the clues about the future come from Emet-Selch, though, after the Warrior of Light summons him for assistance in Endwalker’s Main Scenario quest “You’re Not Alone.”
In his final moments in Endwalker, before he disappears for good, Emet-Selch asks the Warrior of Light if they have been to the ruins beneath the waters of the Bounty, the treasure islands in Othard’s north beyond the frozen waters of Blindfrost, the fabled golden cities of the New World, or the sacred sites of the forgotten people of the south sea isles. Next, he asks if they know of the present state of affairs in Meracydia, the southern continent - even though he knows the answer to all of these questions. Emet-Selch encourages the Warrior of Light to expand their horizons and adds that some of the civilizations in the reflections would surprise them. Finally, he states, “As the bearer of Azem’s crystal, you may consider it your duty to see at least that much.” This implies that FFXIV’s developers plan to cover all of these areas before ending the story for good.
After FFXIV: Endwalker’s ending, during the epilogue in the Rising Stones, Riol informs the player he plans to head to either Meracydia or the New World, and Coultenet reveals he and Hoary Boulder mean to set off for Corvos - which happens to be G’raha Tia’s birthplace. Estinien plans to assist Vrtra, the Levellieur twins intend to assist with Garlemald’s recovery, Y’shtola seeks a safe method of travel to other worlds, including the First, and G’raha speculates that the Scions might encounter survivors of the Omicrons at some point. Each of these announcements hints at realistic possibilities for FFXIV’s next story arc.
Emet-Selch, arguably the best villain in all of Final Fantasy, gives another hint to the player in Ultima Thule, pointing out they don’t know the true identities of the Twelve. However, FFXIV’s developers have already confirmed this topic will be covered in Endwalker’s alliance raid series “Myths of the Realm,” so it’s unlikely to receive much attention in the MSQ going forward. Whatever comes next for Final Fantasy XIV, though, will probably captivate fans just as much as the story so far.
