CapsiCrew

-The dungeon was okay on its own. Set-wise, it didn't really stand out from, like, Lapis Manalis. However, the voidsent possessing piles of scrap into their general forms in the last third of the dungeon was really cool. -Generally, I really did think we were "done" with voidsent as enemies after 6.5, so I was kinda glad they were back. Just because we have friends in the void doesn't mean the majority aren't extremely dangerous. Even if it was just a tool to raise the conflict of the overall plot. -Super happy to see Zero and Goblez again. I thought it'd be at least another full expansion before they came back. After they joined the trial, I basically stood by Golbez the whole time lmao. -I do understand people's annoyance that the trial was only there "because we needed a trial." but it WAS fun. And the GBA version of FFV was the first version of 5 that I played, so I know Enuo. -I still really like Halmarut. I'm glad we're gonna get more of her (I'm w/e about Calyx). -One thing that was really confusing was why Zenos got referenced at all. There really didn't seem to be any point other than the devs being like "look? remember Zenos? You know him!! Clappp!!" My partner and I discussed it and the best we could come up with is that Halmarut is accusing the WoL of having a hero complex. Like, "yes I know you want to 'save everybody' because it makes you feel good n shit, but people are going to die if you run around trying to fulfill your fantasy." -I was really surprised Calyx came to talk to the WoL at the end and told them they were going to the Forth. I thought that'd be info we'd learn in 7.55, so now I'm just curious to see what's even going to HAPPEN in 7.55.

And now some predictions/hopes for the future:

it was wild. I was late to play MSQ, and I saw a lot of people talkign like it was now the WoL's GOAL to rejoin the shards. When the actual things they did in the cutscene said the opposite lmao.

honestly, I think--despite her warnings--Halmarut told the scions about what's going on actually in hopes that they will one of: 1) join her cause or 2) actually find a solution (they've done the impossible before).

I'm excited to see other Winterers, based on Calyx's description--especially his addition that they're only united in ultimate purpose, but don't necessary personally get along or like each other's methods.

THING I WANT TO POINT OUT: There are 8 total shards--one is the void (dark), one is the first (light). Six remaining shards… six elements in the FF magic wheel--and we know the 9th is lightning and 4th is ice. That means we still have a fire, earth, wind and water shard left (partner, known FFX AND fishing fan, said they are excited for water shard). -speaking of other shards. Halmarut mentioned the Winterers are present on every shard. So, I mean… there has to be someone on the First, right? Counterpoint: maybe there was but they didn't survive the Flood. Counter-counterpoint: Calyx's description of the Winterers suggest they would've been too stubborn to die at that point. Due to the state of the void, there may not be a winterer there… maybe she didn't think to need one for a while since Golbez's plans aligned with theirs anyway.

Like, some spoilers for the first 1/3-1/2 of FF3--

In the first section of the game you learn that much of the surface world had succumb to darkness and the few survivors managed to escape by fleeing to a large floating island. But even further--just a couple people managed to keep living on the surface; a girl named Aria and her caretaker. Aria is a young woman/girl in white clothes who directs the player in restoring power to the crystal of water, which allows them to clean the darkness from the world, opening up the second half of the game.

And the Auri girl in the trailer kinda fits that vibe a lot.

Then there's the big crystal they focus on a lot in the beginning. Big crystal, has water flowing out of it. THAT part, rather than 3, reminds me of the crystal used by Tycoon in FFV. ...that crystal also being the water crystal.