Quick Links
Final Fantasy 16ushers in a new direction for thebeloved franchise, featuring a more mature story andaction-fueled gameplaythat is a shift from the series' usual turn-based offerings. The story is set on a much larger scale, showcasing many factions and the way their interactions affect the overall narrative, taking influence from Game of Thrones.
Related:Final Fantasy 16: The Founder, Greagor, And Metia Explained
At the same time, however, Final Fantasy 16 does not shy from telling an intimate personal narrative of protagonistClive Rosfieldand the ones closest to him.Valistheais the backdrop within which the story of FF16 unfolds, a land dominated by imposing crystalline mountain ranges and brimming with various kingdoms lobbying for power. The region is subdivided into two large continents: Ash on the east and Storm towards the west.
Eikons, Dominants, & Bearers
to understand the story of Final Fantasy 16, you must first have knowledge about theEikons, Dominants, and Bearers. Starting with Eikons, they’re legendary beasts that signify magic and its integral role in forming the pillars of Valisthea. Eikons are based upon various elements such as Bahamut for light, Odin for darkness, andRamuhfor lightning.
These Eikons are usually unique in their elemental portrayal however the appearance of Ifrit as a second dominant of fire alongside the Phoenix disrupts an otherwise usual balance. Eikons play a key role in the game’s plot and many political factions use their abilities to exert influence and dominance over enemies.
Related:Final Fantasy 16: Every Eikon Ability Tree, Ranked
Dominants refer to the human hosts chosen by Eikons to embody their power. Dominants are valued for their ability to transform and change the tide of battle and thus are a key asset to military strength and a bargaining chip for the various political hierarchies. The treatment of dominants varies wildly across society, with some Kingdoms such as The Grand Dutchy of Rosaria revering them for their power and considering those imbued by Dominant capabilities as gifted individuals.
On the other hand, other groups perceive these individuals as threats, and the sight of one often invokes fear. Bearers are unique individuals that are born with theability to conjure magic on their own accordwithout influence from external crystals. As with Dominants, Bearers are looked down upon as a plague on the land of Valisthea, and their gifts often amount to little more than use as slaves to do the bidding of their masters. Bearers play a key role in the story as a major plot point, highlighting the tug and pull of pursuing freedom regardless of one’s background and enslavement.
Clive’s Backstory
Clive is the central protagonist of FF16. He is the firstborn son of the Duke of Rosaria and his wife, Queen Annabella. Despite being a firstborn, Clive did not inherit the powers of the Phoenix as was initially expected. Annabella, disappointed with this news, quickly grew resentful of Clive and cast him out. The gift of this Eikon was instead granted to his younger sibling, Joshua, who inherited the Phoenix’s abilities. Clive quickly grew a strong bond with his younger sibling Joshua, who was blessed as aDominant of the Phoenix.
Despite enjoying the luxuries of royalty, Joshua remained a gentle soul forming a very close bond with Clive. Unlike Annabella, Joshua deduced worth based on character, rather than magic ability. Clive later joins Rosaria’s military force to act as Joshua’s sworn shield to share the burden and protect his brother at all costs. After the invasion of Phoenix Gate, Rosaria fell to the imperial army commanded by the traitress Annabella. Furthermore, a pivotal battle occurred in which another Fire Dominant critically wounded Joshua, which led to Clive being enslaved by the imperial army for 13 years. He possesses a stoic nature and understated attitude that makes sense considering the lifetime of trauma he was forced to endure.
Jill & Cid’s Relationship With Clive
During an imperial mission to assassinate a Dominant, Clive encounters his childhood friend, Jill Warrick. The Duchess of Rosaria took Jill at a young age as a political bargaining tool. She was raised as a sort of foster sibling to both Clive and Joshua, forming deep bonds with them. In the present, Jill is the Dominant of Shiva and enslaved by the Ironblood. Jill reminds Clive of his past, and he attempts to flee the scene with her. At the same time, Cidolfus Telamon is launching an incursion to rescue the Dominant of Shiva and encounters Clive.
Cid is an outlaw and the Dominant of Ramuh who aims to set Bearers free from their captives and rid the world of negative conations regarding those born with magic. He seeks to create a world where everyone regardless of birth may make their own choices, free from judgment. Cid eventually recruits Clive and Jill to bring them to the Hideaway, a base camp. Clive eventually reveals that he is searching for the second Dominant of Fire that murdered his brother.
Clive’s Transformation Into Ifrit
Clive and Cid set out for a small town where they encounter Benedicta Harmon (Dominant of Garuda) and Cid’s former companion. Bendikta is a supreme intelligencer originating from the Kingdom of Waloed. Cid and Clive team up to defeat her, and during the struggle, Clive Transforms into Ifrit, and the harsh reality dawns upon him that he himself was the one responsible for the events at Phoenix Gate.
As the narrative is pushed forward, Clive gains acceptance for his sinsand shifts his focus on facilitating Cid’s fight for freedom and becoming a permanent member of the Hideaway. This quest leads him on a journey to destroy various Mothercrystals littered across Valisthea that are draining the land of aether and causing the Blight, a plague that rids the land of life and leaves behind barren voids in its wake. During a pivotal battle,Cid loses his life to a beast known as Typhon, who is revealed to be an extension of an entity named Ultima. In the battle, Joshua is seen to have survived the initial fight with Ifrit and manages to contain Ultima.
Ifrit Versus Bahamut
After a 5-year time jump, Clive has taken the mantle of “Cid” and continues the fight to free bearers, which is received by mixed perceptions from the people of Valisthea. Regardless, he continues his journey and makes his way to Sanbreque where he encounters Annabella. Sanbreque is home to Dion Lesage, the firstborn son of Sylvestre Lasage heralding from the Holy Sanbreque Empire. He leads the Empire’s military forces, notably the Dragoons.
Furthermore,Dion is the Dominant of Bahamut, which initially proves to be a blessing but later costs him the entire Kingdom. In a fit of rage after accidentally killing his own father, Dion transforms into Bahamut and spirals out of control, destroying his own city in the process. In Sanbreque, Clive reunites with Joshua, and the two team up to defeat Bahamut (Dion), who is wreaking havoc on the Kingdom. As the battle concludes, Dion kills the Annabella’s son, who Ultima has imprisoned as his vessel and was initially what led Dion to accidentally kill his father in the first place. This extreme set of events led a distraught Annabelle to kill herself as well.
Ultima & Barnabas
Joshua informs Clive about Ultima who he has been chasing for the past 18 years, and they set sights on defeating this entity. It is then revealed that this creature is a divine being seeking to reset the world’s balance, erasing humanity and its will. Ultima requires a vessel for completion and seeks Clive as he has the ability to absorb powers from other Eikons and transform them into Ifrit. Furthermore, the merger of Ifrit and Phoenix can create an even more powerful entity, which Ultima deems favorable for himself.
Related:Final Fantasy 16: Hardest Boss Fights, Ranked
Ultima initially takes the form of Barnabas, who after the death of his love interest Bendikta, is distraught and easily influenced by Ultima’s Nihilistic ideals. Initially, Barnabas proves too powerful for Clive, overpowering him in multiple encounters. Rather than killing Clive, Barnabas aims to break him down and subvert his will to that of Ultima’s. These attempts fail, however, and Clive eventually defeats Barnabas, setting Ultima’s soul free once again. Clive and Joshua continue their journey and form an alliance with Dion, who is seeking atonement for the atrocities he too has committed.
Ultima’s Defeat
In the final climactic section of the game, Clive, Joshua, and Dion make their way to Ultima’s base (Origin). Here, a massive battle occurs in which Dion is killed. Joshua also dies, imbuing Clive with the powers of Phoenix with his last breath. Clive uses this power to defeat Ultima, and upon his defeat, decides to sacrifice himself and destroy the final Mothercrystal, ridding magic from the world forever, as he believes that it’s the only way to promote equality and prevent the misuse of power. That is where Clive’s cathartic journey comes to an end.
Or Does It?
It is not clear whether Clive is indeed dead, as the game ends with him lying on a beach while narrating over a cutscene. Furthermore, the cutscene showcases a finished book written by Joshua, which can only be perceived as Clive’s work to keep his brother’s legacy alive.
Gil’s reaction to seeing the sunrise also implies that there is hope that Clive Rosfield may one day come home. The post-credit scene of the game shows two children play-fighting in a backyard, pretending to be Dominants. With the world rid of magic, Dominants have become creatures of myth and storytelling with the world having forgotten about the tales of Valisthea. The ending is very ambiguous and an aspect of the game that shall be discussed for years to come.
