Descent to Heaven - notes and thoughts on a parallel between FFX and FFXI Chains of Promathia
Perhaps needless to say, there will be spoilers. If you haven't reached Yunalesca and/or the final battle of Chains of Promathia and don't want it spoiled, don't read on.
One thing that struck me upon reaching the final CoP battle was that you take the Palace elevator down to reach the battle area, yet the actual battle happens in a place called the "Empyreal Paradox," seemingly high above Vana'diel, surrounded by stars and floating crystals.
This reminded me of FFX, specifically the moments leading up to the fight against Yunalesca. I always saw it as very significant and symbolic that Yuna rides the elevator platform down to reach what she expects to be the chamber of the Final Aeon's Fayth. Bear in mind that at this point, Yuna is still believes that she's literally going to her death. The downward movement emphasises this notion - it's a moment of literally and symbolically reaching the lowest point, a classic Heroine's Journey "Inanna's descent to the Underworld" motif. Yuna already had nearly everything stripped away from her -
Kelk Ronso to Yuna at Mt. Gagazet: You have been branded a traitor, but still you would fight Sin? Lost to the temple, hated by the people, yet you continue your pilgrimage? Everything lost! What do you fight for?
And now, she's to give the final sacrifice, her very life... or, as it actually turns out, the beliefs she was willing to die for. The story has reached the turning point, and that turning is illustrated and emphasised by the literal turn the characters' path takes - down to the bottom, then upwards to the stars that surround Yunalesca's place.
Even in FFVII, there is this motif - you descend to the Lifestream-filled depths of the Planet to fight Sephiroth, yet the final fight takes place in an empyreal sphere among the clouds. The Lifestream is filled with the souls of the dead, as are the Mothercrystals (it's implied if not outright stated that the Empyreal Paradox is inside the Mothercrystal of Al'Taieu), as is the Yevon Dome with its multitude of pyreflies. In each story, the characters descend to the place of the dead before they ascend to the heavenly spheres. In both FFX and FFXI, the place among the stars is where truths are revealed - the truth about the Final Summoning and Sin, and the truth about Promathia and the origin of the inhabitants of Vana'diel.
In a further parallel, just like you are led to believe that Yuna will have to die to (temporarily) save Spira from Sin, throughout a great portion of CoP you are led to believe that Prishe will have to die to save Vana'diel from the threat of Promathia and the Emptiness.
Yuna to Yunalesca: I would have gladly died. I live for the people of Spira, and would have gladly died for them. But no more! The Final Summoning...is a false tradition that should be thrown away.
*snip*
So I... I will live with my sorrow, I will live my own life! I will defeat sorrow, in his place. I will stand my ground and be strong. I don't know when it will be but someday, I will conquer it. And I will do it without...false hope.
Prishe to the player's character: If it means I get to save the world and everything, I'm not that afraid to die, you know? But it looks like that won't be happening. There is a way to save Vana'diel without me kicking the bucket. Nothing simple, but there is a way.
There's always been someone in every age who never gave up, always found a way... I mean, even living with Promathia's curse, people have survived. That's why I want you to keep on fighting. Keep on living.
One thing that struck me upon reaching the final CoP battle was that you take the Palace elevator down to reach the battle area, yet the actual battle happens in a place called the "Empyreal Paradox," seemingly high above Vana'diel, surrounded by stars and floating crystals.
This reminded me of FFX, specifically the moments leading up to the fight against Yunalesca. I always saw it as very significant and symbolic that Yuna rides the elevator platform down to reach what she expects to be the chamber of the Final Aeon's Fayth. Bear in mind that at this point, Yuna is still believes that she's literally going to her death. The downward movement emphasises this notion - it's a moment of literally and symbolically reaching the lowest point, a classic Heroine's Journey "Inanna's descent to the Underworld" motif. Yuna already had nearly everything stripped away from her -
Kelk Ronso to Yuna at Mt. Gagazet: You have been branded a traitor, but still you would fight Sin? Lost to the temple, hated by the people, yet you continue your pilgrimage? Everything lost! What do you fight for?
And now, she's to give the final sacrifice, her very life... or, as it actually turns out, the beliefs she was willing to die for. The story has reached the turning point, and that turning is illustrated and emphasised by the literal turn the characters' path takes - down to the bottom, then upwards to the stars that surround Yunalesca's place.
Even in FFVII, there is this motif - you descend to the Lifestream-filled depths of the Planet to fight Sephiroth, yet the final fight takes place in an empyreal sphere among the clouds. The Lifestream is filled with the souls of the dead, as are the Mothercrystals (it's implied if not outright stated that the Empyreal Paradox is inside the Mothercrystal of Al'Taieu), as is the Yevon Dome with its multitude of pyreflies. In each story, the characters descend to the place of the dead before they ascend to the heavenly spheres. In both FFX and FFXI, the place among the stars is where truths are revealed - the truth about the Final Summoning and Sin, and the truth about Promathia and the origin of the inhabitants of Vana'diel.
In a further parallel, just like you are led to believe that Yuna will have to die to (temporarily) save Spira from Sin, throughout a great portion of CoP you are led to believe that Prishe will have to die to save Vana'diel from the threat of Promathia and the Emptiness.
Yuna to Yunalesca: I would have gladly died. I live for the people of Spira, and would have gladly died for them. But no more! The Final Summoning...is a false tradition that should be thrown away.
*snip*
So I... I will live with my sorrow, I will live my own life! I will defeat sorrow, in his place. I will stand my ground and be strong. I don't know when it will be but someday, I will conquer it. And I will do it without...false hope.
Prishe to the player's character: If it means I get to save the world and everything, I'm not that afraid to die, you know? But it looks like that won't be happening. There is a way to save Vana'diel without me kicking the bucket. Nothing simple, but there is a way.
There's always been someone in every age who never gave up, always found a way... I mean, even living with Promathia's curse, people have survived. That's why I want you to keep on fighting. Keep on living.