“Close in the Distance,” the background song for Ultima Thule, the game’s final area, is an amazing power ballad—not to mention a fantastic piece of musical storytelling. And as such, there’s a ton to break down. So, let’s get to it!
*Note: This article is nothing but spoilers for Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker.
When you first enter the area, the song is nothing but a tinny-sounding cord progression—as if you’re listening to it on an old radio, half out of range. As you continue through the zone and your party members sacrifice themselves one after the other to bring hope to this land of despair (allowing you to progress on your mission to stop Meteion), the song becomes clearer. Eventually, when it’s just you, Alisaie, and Alphinaud (mirroring the opening moments of A Realm Reborn), the vocals join the music—setting the stage for your final walk to the end of the game.
What’s great about “Close in the Distance” is how its lyrics are directly related to the plot of not only Endwalker but all that has come before. Let’s dive into it.
Whispers, falling silently, drift on the wind
But I hear you
With your companions now transformed into non-corporeal beings, giving their all to form a path for you to continue, they are little more than whispers on the wind. However, you are not truly alone. The singer of the song is still with you.
Our journey, now a memory fading from sight
But I see you
Even though the vocals we hear are male, the singer—i.e., the viewpoint character in the song’s narrative—is actually the remnant of Hydaelyn existing within Azem’s Crystal. With her, Emet-Selch, Hermes, and Hythlodaeus now all dead, the adventure you had in Elpis is remembered only by you. But even still, the small fraction of Hydaelyn that remains is watching over you.
Unbroken, promises we made so long ago
You’re still here
Back in Elpis, all those millennia ago, you and Hydaelyn (then Venat) promised each other that you would believe in the potential of mankind, fight to the end, and silence the song of oblivion together. With her building the path to Ultima Thule and you walking it to confront Meteion, you both have kept your word.
Unspoken requiem for the river of tears
Flowing, winding, to an eternal sea
So much pain, suffering, and death has been caused by Hydaelyn’s attempt to save the world through the sundering. The lifestream is very much a “river of tears” thanks to her and it flows into the Aetherial Sea where all souls are cleansed of their memories and then reincarnated.
And yet our hope remains
Guiding, lighting the way
No time for (mourning)
But now is not the time for sadness. You, the Warrior of Light, still remain to carry on the fight. You have inspired countless people, and, thanks to them, you now stand on the Meteion’s doorstep, ready to battle for the fate of the world.
(Morning) Rises on a land reborn from the ashes
With the heavens’ true sunset
Blood-red skies tranquil after the storm
Blessed shadow
This stanza recounts your journey so far: “A land reborn” is a reference to A Realm Reborn, “the heavens’ true sunset” to Heavensward, “blood-red skies tranquil after the storm” to Stormblood, and “blessed shadow” to Shadowbringers.
Turning, wending, always night follows day
The sun will shine again
Walk on, never look back
Through you, we live
Hydaelyn wants you to know that no matter how bad things get, they can always get better as long as you keep trying. The path won’t be easy—there will be pain and suffering and many won’t make it to the end—but you can’t let that stop you. As long as you vanquish the Endsinger, all their sacrifices will have meaning—and all those who survive the Final Days will have a second chance at life.
Tales of loss and fire and faith
Every word on our hearts engraved
In the dark you will not stray
Forge ahead, till the end, we pray
You and Hydaelyn both remember your adventures—all the highs and lows so far. They have forged you into a person that will not falter in the face of despair. Even though she is effectively out of the fight aside from the fragment of her power that resides in Azem’s Crystal, she has faith that you will walk on to the end and save the world she gave everything and more to protect.
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