Unlocking the Mystery: The Enigma behind Clive's Mythos in Final Fantasy 16

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for Final Fantasy 16. Proceed at your own risk.

In Final Fantasy 16, the protagonist, Clive Rosfield, embarks on a mission to destroy the powerful magic sources known as Mothercrystals. These Mothercrystals have been the cause of numerous wars and unimaginable suffering for the people of Valisthea. Along with granting magic to the land, each Mothercrystal bestows upon a chosen individual, called a Dominant, the ability to control a summon known as an Eikon, which plays a significant role in Final Fantasy 16. Clive, the main character, is revealed to be the Dominant of a mysterious Eikon named Ifrit. The storyline unfolds through three different periods in his life, and he adopts various names during these periods, such as "Wyvern" and "Cid the Outlaw". However, the antagonists in the game exclusively refer to Clive by a different name, "Mythos". Initially, Clive believes this title is related to his role as a Dominant, but the truth behind why certain characters call him 'Mythos' is far more intricate.

The Divine Purpose of Mythos

Clive's journey in Final Fantasy 16's main quest brings him face to face with various Dominants and Eikons, as he strives to eliminate each of Valisthea's Mothercrystals. These confrontations unveil Clive's extraordinary ability to extract a Dominant's Eikon and assimilate its power into his own. After successfully destroying the first Mothercrystal, a worn-out Clive encounters Ultima, a deity-like entity who addresses him as "Mythos." Ultima, referring to themselves in the plural, endeavors to claim Clive as their "vessel." Fortunately, Clive's brother, Joshua, who wields the power of the Phoenix as a Dominant, steps in to rescue him. In the latter half of the game, Barnabas, Dominant of Odin and subordinate to Ultima, tests Clive in order to prepare "Mythos" for their master's purposes.

In the endgame of Final Fantasy 16, Clive and Joshua are transported by Ultima into a dimensional rift, where Ultima reveals the history behind their presence in Valisthea. Once a long time ago, Ultima stumbled upon magic, but it brought about a disastrous Blight that threatened to destroy their homeland. Fleeing from this imminent destruction, Ultima sought refuge in Valisthea, where they discovered aether, a natural wellspring of magic. However, the Blight soon caught up with them, prompting Ultima to realize that the only path to freedom from this malevolence was by casting an immensely powerful spell capable of birthing a brand new world.

Ultima required a significant amount of magical energy and a stronger physical form to perform the world-creating spell in Final Fantasy 16. In order to achieve this, Ultima created humanity in the hope of eventually finding a human capable of harnessing enough energy. They named this chosen vessel "Mythos." Ultima then relinquished their physical form and used their spirits to create the Mothercrystals, which extracted aether from Valisthea's landmasses.

When Clive destroyed the initial Mothercrystal at Drake's Head, he unintentionally awakened Ultima. Ultima recognized Clive as the "Mythos" due to his ability to wield the power of multiple Eikons. Ultima confesses to manipulating Clive into destroying each Mothercrystal, understanding that doing so would prompt conflicts with other Eikons while simultaneously freeing another Ultima soul.

Ultima's Plan for Clive Has Unexpected Consequences

In preparation for the birth of "Mythos," Ultima lies dormant within Valisthea's Mothercrystals for thousands of years, leaving humanity to fend for itself. This abandonment prompts humanity to develop their own will and eventually discover the magic of the crystals, using it for their own benefit. However, when Clive absorbs the powers of all the Eikons, Ultima is shocked to find that he possesses an incredibly strong will. Clive is deemed a corruption of "Mythos," being referred to as "Logos," as he defies his intended purpose with his innate determination.

With the necessary amount of aether obtained, Ultima only requires "Mythos" to complete the creation spell, setting the stage for a climactic final battle between the two. However, Clive proves to be a formidable opponent for Ultima in Final Fantasy 16, his willpower and the support of his friends amplifying his strength. Ultimately, Clive embraces his role as Logos and defeats Ultima's most powerful form, Ultimalius. Devoted to his mission, Clive utilizes his god-like strength to destroy the last remaining Mothercrystal, freeing humanity from Ultima's manipulations once and for all.

Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.