This sounds like something you'd hear playing just barely audibly out of a radio buried under a mound of rubble. The sound of the end, in the aftermath. Yearning for the past, yet that its end were so monstrously cruel. An apocalypse fixes nothing. It only destroys. The Garleans didn't deserve this. Nobody deserves this. When you walk down an empty street frozen over, the asphalt blasted into ash, you know. So many lives, wasted.
Nice addition of other themes like the Praetorium theme. Such a long way we've come since those days. Hope we get a mini-hub we can rebuild in Garlemald similar to Doma or The Firmament.
Perhaps it's too "small" a narrative hook for an entire expansion, but I'd sure love to see a patch's MSQ revolve around the beginning of Garlemald's restoration. Maybe they could weave some of Zenos' sad backstory we never got to hear in-game in the quests too.
@@NerdishGeekish There really isn't that much to say that you can't glean from the story at this point, but cutscenes better illustrating what we do know in bits and pieces would be great. Since the game has not outlined it concisely, I will leave my thoughts as well as my findings here. Zenos was depressed, despite having all the wealth in the world, he had, _at best,_ a negligent father. He could have the grandest estate mansion known to man- but no one to live with. He could eat the finest, tastiest dining- but no one to eat it with. He could meet the most beautiful maiden... But she would not truly enjoy his company. She would love Zenos Yae Galvus, not Zenos. Despite having everything, he had nothing. No amount of wealth can fill the void of loneliness. This flavorless, miserable life of his is what brings him such great depression. Forced there and back again to conquer nations- to enslave innocents- all in the name of a cause he didn't believe in, or even care for. His birth and his home gave him no joy, so he would dedicate his life and his station to creating despair. Perhaps he even wished to see them drown in loneliness as he did, like Nidhogg wanted to see his pain felt inside the betrayers and murderers of Ratatoskr, for a millenia and potentially longer. Maybe, one day, the people will rise from their torture and pain, and go to bring him down from his ivory standard and iron throne, and wake him from the nightmare. Perhaps he even thought that in doing so, they would kill him. And at least then, he would be free of this burden of loneliness and obligation... But what he got was not merely the collective cries for freedom, but the cry of a great warrior. An warrior he had been told was a savage who delights in killing their prey, from the eikons of Eorzea, to an allagan relic unlike anything else before, to the very face of vengeance, Nidhogg. He would meet this "Warrior of Light." Maybe, he could find a friend, or at least a worthy adversary. And he would find both. Though the budding hero's strength was not nearly as strong as one who was born in conflict and war, their might would surely eclipse even Zenos might given time. And as their power continued to grow, Zenos found at last a worthy adversary. But more than that... A friend who understands the thrill of the hunt, who has endured the burden of obligation as he had. A friend he could find companionship in. Yet, they would not speak as ordinary individuals chatting with civility while partaking of dinner. No, for these great warriors- for these beasts- only the most spectacular dance of violence could suffice. And, once again, Nidhogg serves as an example for Zenos, only this time to explain the differences between the Champion of Eorzea and the Prince of Garlemald. Both want for adventure and thrill, having been born in it and even consumed by it, to a degree. But like Estinien, the Warrior of Light had friends to console and admonish them. To gainsay their obessesion. And like Nidhogg, Zenos was not gifted friends such as these. He would never enjoy our worldly pleasures. And so, when he comes to meet his friend again, what can he do but speak the language of violence and despair? It's the only language that was ever spoken to him. It was the only language he was ever taught to speak. Only at journey's end does he begin to realize the importance of empathy and understanding. Only then does he realize why adventure can be so thrilling and liberating. Instead of choosing to serve as just another annoying obstacle in his friend's way, he helps him to defeat the manifestation of despair- only so that he can have their true, undivided attention. So that their dance can be a truly deep and thrilling experience, instead of butchery. Zenos presents the hero with a kindness he had never shown before. Instead of smothering them like a bothersome pest as he had before, he offers them a chance to end things, once and for all. To offer the singular bliss they had always wanted. The Warrior of Light grins. At last, their "friend" understands what they want. Thrill and adventure and fun. And that, they couldn't deny. And so they carried on into a battle for the ages- at the edge of the universe itself. How fast strength fades, and blood cools. Mere minutes after their grand and glorious dance, there was naught left but pain. The spark had already left them. But this time, Zenos was not so self-absorbed that he would just praise the spectacle he had played a part in. He would ask his his friend what they thought of their life. Was it a gift? Or a burden? Zenos could not even answer his own question, let alone hear his friend's answer, before the last breath left his body. The Warrior of Light, too, had been pushed to their breaking point. But by luck, or perhaps by the last of Zenos's energy, the teleporter flies back down to them. They return to the ship, leaving Zenos to wither at the edge of the universe. And so he died as he lived. Alone. But now, he had more than nothing. When he found his enemy and his friend, he felt a joy like never before. It was like seeing color for the first time, tasting for the first time, and he knew true bliss, even if it was mixed with terror and pain. If he had the strength to answer the question, he probably would've said something like this: "I would have told you my life was a burden... Once upon a time. But you... You, my friend, are a gift. The dawn in my lightless existence. I hope that you feel as I do, that I have brought you the same pleasures that you have brought me. Now, at the end... I pray that the sun shines again, to grace the storm of your existence with clear skies. Clear skies... And the promise of yet more adventures."
@@jessepinkman6113 tbh even reading through all this, I still don't like him. Cuz none of this justifies his actions. He could have easily turned things around with the kind of physical and political power he possessed. Instead he didn't even attempt it and drowned himself in self pity and immediately gave up.
@@akiraamamiya9166 But would that turn around be genuine or would it be born of compliance? His political and physical power is a double edged sword in that regard. Would the people around him be there because they liked him or because they were order to be there or were too afraid to say "no" to him? Someone like Asahi who worships Zenos isn't worth anything as a companion because all he is is just a yes man, willing to say or do anything for Zenos whereas a true companion would be willing to go against him.
@@thomasconnor5128 I like that for years people thought we would fight the empire and in the end we ended up helping the civilians with the empire in ruins
Yesss! I've been really loving this track from the Media Tour, very excited to see you put this together... I love the other little Garlean motifs you weaved in, too. The Empire might be bad, but their melodies are just so good 😂
WOW! I've never liked this star wars esque garlean theme, but what a world of a difference this rendition makes! The melodies work so well, absolutely beautiful!
Thank you! I love visiting old melodies and viewing them on a different light (as FF14 music team also tend to do!) The Garlemald / Empire theme in particular is so over the top that when it is stripped down to the melody, it is surprisingly haunting against the context of EW :)
Love this arrangement as always, I have been listening to all your ffxiv covers since last year ❤ is there any way of getting the sheet? The link in the description is dead 😢
Thank you and sorry for the late reply! I'm sorry to say the link has been made invalid, I'm not sure why either. Perhaps there was a copyright issue. I don't have the original sheet music either... however you can find some other sheet music here: musescore.com/user/42729218
3:21 what is this motif ;; My mind is telling me it's a cutscene song in emotional parts, but I cannot remember at all. I hope someone knows where I can find it x)
@@Lilybellmusic tysm! Ive heard it recently in the burn a few times thats why it was familiar. And that terncliff song actually plays in cutscenes in endwalker too in that subway. Mystery solved
sorry, I play everything by ear and improvisation so I don't have any sheet music available! I can't read or notate so I cannot make one even if I wanted to...
Sorry, I don't have music sheet as I played this by ear! However, I am looking into slowly asking people to transcribe this for me so please look forward to it :)
@@laniakeasupernovae9256 Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
I wanna rebuild this beautiful city but I *really* wanna rebuild our 2.0/3.0/4.0 areas beforehand. 5.0 citizens can do that themselves since it's their world. But I really think they're so much work they can put on crafters now especially since anyone can do it after the dumming down
"Bereft of hope, and now of dignity. T'was a grand, glorious dream we shared".
What a saga these guys had...
This sounds like something you'd hear playing just barely audibly out of a radio buried under a mound of rubble. The sound of the end, in the aftermath. Yearning for the past, yet that its end were so monstrously cruel. An apocalypse fixes nothing. It only destroys. The Garleans didn't deserve this. Nobody deserves this. When you walk down an empty street frozen over, the asphalt blasted into ash, you know. So many lives, wasted.
Nice addition of other themes like the Praetorium theme. Such a long way we've come since those days. Hope we get a mini-hub we can rebuild in Garlemald similar to Doma or The Firmament.
Honestly if they do NOT give us an Garlemald Reconstruction Effort I will be seriously disappointed.
Perhaps it's too "small" a narrative hook for an entire expansion, but I'd sure love to see a patch's MSQ revolve around the beginning of Garlemald's restoration. Maybe they could weave some of Zenos' sad backstory we never got to hear in-game in the quests too.
@@NerdishGeekish There really isn't that much to say that you can't glean from the story at this point, but cutscenes better illustrating what we do know in bits and pieces would be great.
Since the game has not outlined it concisely, I will leave my thoughts as well as my findings here.
Zenos was depressed, despite having all the wealth in the world, he had, _at best,_ a negligent father.
He could have the grandest estate mansion known to man- but no one to live with.
He could eat the finest, tastiest dining- but no one to eat it with.
He could meet the most beautiful maiden... But she would not truly enjoy his company. She would love Zenos Yae Galvus, not Zenos.
Despite having everything, he had nothing. No amount of wealth can fill the void of loneliness.
This flavorless, miserable life of his is what brings him such great depression. Forced there and back again to conquer nations- to enslave innocents- all in the name of a cause he didn't believe in, or even care for.
His birth and his home gave him no joy, so he would dedicate his life and his station to creating despair. Perhaps he even wished to see them drown in loneliness as he did, like Nidhogg wanted to see his pain felt inside the betrayers and murderers of Ratatoskr, for a millenia and potentially longer.
Maybe, one day, the people will rise from their torture and pain, and go to bring him down from his ivory standard and iron throne, and wake him from the nightmare. Perhaps he even thought that in doing so, they would kill him. And at least then, he would be free of this burden of loneliness and obligation...
But what he got was not merely the collective cries for freedom, but the cry of a great warrior.
An warrior he had been told was a savage who delights in killing their prey, from the eikons of Eorzea, to an allagan relic unlike anything else before, to the very face of vengeance, Nidhogg.
He would meet this "Warrior of Light." Maybe, he could find a friend, or at least a worthy adversary. And he would find both.
Though the budding hero's strength was not nearly as strong as one who was born in conflict and war, their might would surely eclipse even Zenos might given time. And as their power continued to grow, Zenos found at last a worthy adversary. But more than that... A friend who understands the thrill of the hunt, who has endured the burden of obligation as he had. A friend he could find companionship in.
Yet, they would not speak as ordinary individuals chatting with civility while partaking of dinner. No, for these great warriors- for these beasts- only the most spectacular dance of violence could suffice.
And, once again, Nidhogg serves as an example for Zenos, only this time to explain the differences between the Champion of Eorzea and the Prince of Garlemald. Both want for adventure and thrill, having been born in it and even consumed by it, to a degree. But like Estinien, the Warrior of Light had friends to console and admonish them. To gainsay their obessesion.
And like Nidhogg, Zenos was not gifted friends such as these. He would never enjoy our worldly pleasures. And so, when he comes to meet his friend again, what can he do but speak the language of violence and despair? It's the only language that was ever spoken to him. It was the only language he was ever taught to speak.
Only at journey's end does he begin to realize the importance of empathy and understanding. Only then does he realize why adventure can be so thrilling and liberating. Instead of choosing to serve as just another annoying obstacle in his friend's way, he helps him to defeat the manifestation of despair- only so that he can have their true, undivided attention. So that their dance can be a truly deep and thrilling experience, instead of butchery.
Zenos presents the hero with a kindness he had never shown before. Instead of smothering them like a bothersome pest as he had before, he offers them a chance to end things, once and for all. To offer the singular bliss they had always wanted.
The Warrior of Light grins. At last, their "friend" understands what they want. Thrill and adventure and fun. And that, they couldn't deny. And so they carried on into a battle for the ages- at the edge of the universe itself.
How fast strength fades, and blood cools. Mere minutes after their grand and glorious dance, there was naught left but pain. The spark had already left them. But this time, Zenos was not so self-absorbed that he would just praise the spectacle he had played a part in. He would ask his his friend what they thought of their life. Was it a gift? Or a burden?
Zenos could not even answer his own question, let alone hear his friend's answer, before the last breath left his body. The Warrior of Light, too, had been pushed to their breaking point. But by luck, or perhaps by the last of Zenos's energy, the teleporter flies back down to them. They return to the ship, leaving Zenos to wither at the edge of the universe. And so he died as he lived. Alone.
But now, he had more than nothing. When he found his enemy and his friend, he felt a joy like never before. It was like seeing color for the first time, tasting for the first time, and he knew true bliss, even if it was mixed with terror and pain.
If he had the strength to answer the question, he probably would've said something like this:
"I would have told you my life was a burden... Once upon a time. But you... You, my friend, are a gift. The dawn in my lightless existence. I hope that you feel as I do, that I have brought you the same pleasures that you have brought me. Now, at the end... I pray that the sun shines again, to grace the storm of your existence with clear skies. Clear skies... And the promise of yet more adventures."
@@jessepinkman6113 tbh even reading through all this, I still don't like him. Cuz none of this justifies his actions. He could have easily turned things around with the kind of physical and political power he possessed. Instead he didn't even attempt it and drowned himself in self pity and immediately gave up.
@@akiraamamiya9166
But would that turn around be genuine or would it be born of compliance? His political and physical power is a double edged sword in that regard. Would the people around him be there because they liked him or because they were order to be there or were too afraid to say "no" to him? Someone like Asahi who worships Zenos isn't worth anything as a companion because all he is is just a yes man, willing to say or do anything for Zenos whereas a true companion would be willing to go against him.
@@jessepinkman6113 put this on ao3 bruh 8)
So beautiful. It is probably my favorite music from endwalker. Really depicts the somber state of a fallen empire.
thank you! I love what they've done with Garlemald in general. Great way to subvert expectations
@@Lilybellmusic in what way? Im genuinely curious
@@thomasconnor5128 I like that for years people thought we would fight the empire and in the end we ended up helping the civilians with the empire in ruins
Nice job! Hope we get to rebuild Garlemald someday. 😊
this is GORGEOUS oh my god im so emotional, what a tragic theme and heart wrenching cover
The story in MSQ for this area was so beautiful too!
This music is beautiful and yet so sad.
It hits you good
This should have WAY more likes than 460. Amazing job! This has been on repeat for me for a while now.
Thank you for listening repeatedly! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
How does this not have more likes/views. This piece is just amazing. Sad but in a way inspirational. Amazing composition!
thank you!
I've been eagerly waiting for your next piece, and you knocked it out of the park as usual ;)
Keep it up!
thank you so much! next upload is going to be much sooner than usual :)
This is beautiful, dark, and elegant! New sub, well done!
thank you so much!
props to Soken who made Imperial Will motif sad and sombre
So delicate in the beginning, just lovely.
Yesss! I've been really loving this track from the Media Tour, very excited to see you put this together... I love the other little Garlean motifs you weaved in, too. The Empire might be bad, but their melodies are just so good 😂
haha thanks! I can't wait to get to Garlemald and just chill :D
also next upload is going to be Old Sharlayan theme :)
Sounds so good!
thanks Darsh!
Woah this is so beautiful!
When you hear the radio version in game it kinda gives you a fallout vibe
100%! post apoc vibes for sure
Fallout XIV anyone?
WOW! I've never liked this star wars esque garlean theme, but what a world of a difference this rendition makes! The melodies work so well, absolutely beautiful!
Thank you! I love visiting old melodies and viewing them on a different light (as FF14 music team also tend to do!) The Garlemald / Empire theme in particular is so over the top that when it is stripped down to the melody, it is surprisingly haunting against the context of EW :)
@@Lilybellmusic Agreed, I really wish this was in the game. :)
@@sten360 that's a very high praise! thank you very much :) There's free mp3 download in description if you want to listen at your pace!
All of the Endwalker Garlean themes are fantastic and drastically change the feel of the original motif in the best ways.
Absolutely beautiful! Your performance is so expressive, chills!
Soken: I'm gonna make a bunch of piano reductions of themes for Endwalker
This guy: Hold my beer.
Sheet music was available for purchase but has since then been removed, perhaps for copyright reasons? I'm not sure. Sorry about that!
Hi, I just checked the link but I wasn't able to find the page to purchase. Could you please confirm if the link is still working? Thank you!
@@geraltofrivia1558 Hi there, sorry it looks like they've taken it down! I wonder if there was a copyright issue with it... sorry about that
oh man this is excellent. defo got yourself a sub
thank you so much! more FF14 covers coming soon :D
Man I'm definitely buying sheets of this.
Woohoo! This is so nice, Dnoh. 👏 - kendigurl
oh hey! thanks :)
Very nice! Am I right in thinking that motif at 1:35 is from Penitus (Praetorium)?
Thank you! That's actually the music from Garlemald area in Endwalker: ua-cam.com/video/SpgHiX0ofGU/v-deo.html&ab_channel=Galadriel
love this and i think you deserve more subs
thank you!
This sounds wonderful! Looking forward to the Old Sharlayan one :D
thank you so much!
This is just awesome!! You got skills!
thank you!
This is the best FF14 OST cover that I've heard ever
thank you!
Why are you hurting my feelings with this?
Love this arrangement as always, I have been listening to all your ffxiv covers since last year ❤ is there any way of getting the sheet? The link in the description is dead 😢
Thank you and sorry for the late reply! I'm sorry to say the link has been made invalid, I'm not sure why either. Perhaps there was a copyright issue. I don't have the original sheet music either... however you can find some other sheet music here: musescore.com/user/42729218
i came here to cry
I returned to cry some more
and yet again
3:21 what is this motif ;; My mind is telling me it's a cutscene song in emotional parts, but I cannot remember at all. I hope someone knows where I can find it x)
Hello! It's originally from Praetorium dungeon, later used in The Burn dungeon theme and also in Terncliff instance theme :)
@@Lilybellmusic tysm! Ive heard it recently in the burn a few times thats why it was familiar. And that terncliff song actually plays in cutscenes in endwalker too in that subway. Mystery solved
Great stuff mate. Might be a long shot but is there a sheet cover for this rendition?
Sorry, it was completely improvised! I think I have a midi file if that helps? (like how I used midi file my latest video)
@@Lilybellmusic Yeah that will be great. You can put the link in the description box if its easier. Much appreciated bud!
@@MrWohnJick please check the description and let me know if you can download :)
Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
@@Lilybellmusic Smashing mate, keep it up!
Damn, this is genuinely amazing. Any chance we could have the sheet music?
sorry, I play everything by ear and improvisation so I don't have any sheet music available! I can't read or notate so I cannot make one even if I wanted to...
@@Lilybellmusic A pianist after my own heart. Honestly, I am exactly the same, but have just been trying into sheet stuff :D
@@nickyhr Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
very nice
thank you :) and thanks for uploading Old Sharlayan theme! I'll be covering that next!
Amazing cover! Do you share the music sheet? I would love to learn if you do, otherwise, have a pleasant day!
Sorry, I don't have music sheet as I played this by ear! However, I am looking into slowly asking people to transcribe this for me so please look forward to it :)
@@Lilybellmusic Oh my, that'd be lovely! Thank you kindly.
@@laniakeasupernovae9256 Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
No need adjustment patch for this cover
Just curious, will you be uploading the sheet music? I love this piece and would really like to attempt to play it on my own (without uploading it).
sorry I don't have sheet music! This was played by ear and basically improvised
@@Lilybellmusic woof. That's insane. It came out great though
Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
Terrific job. Don’t suppose you have any plans to release sheet music?
Thank you! Sorry, I can barely read sheet music so I never use any! This was all improvised / in my head
Hi there! Just letting you know that sheet music is now available for purchase from external website. Please see pinned comment :)
@@Lilybellmusic Awesome. I look forward to learning it :)
I wanna rebuild this beautiful city but I *really* wanna rebuild our 2.0/3.0/4.0 areas beforehand. 5.0 citizens can do that themselves since it's their world. But I really think they're so much work they can put on crafters now especially since anyone can do it after the dumming down