The conclusion of Final Fantasy 16 leaves much to individual interpretation, blending definitive events with a sense of mystery. While some aspects are clear, much of the story’s resolution is open-ended. Below, we’ll examine the events that transpire at the game’s conclusion, including the post-credit sequence.
On December 27, 2023, Quinton O’Connor provided additional clarification on several aspects of the ending. Additionally, a temporary section has been included to speculate on how the upcoming second DLC, The Rising Tide, might influence the story’s conclusion.
Jill’s tears and a fading star hint at Clive’s tragic yet hopeful end (Photo: Final Fantasy/Square Pictures and Chris Lee Productions)Confrontation With Ultima in Origin
Clive, Joshua, and Dion, after enduring numerous hardships and battles, prepare to face Ultima in Origin. Before departing, the trio bids farewell to those at the Hideaway. Clive assures Jill that he will return, and as he leaves, Jill prays, seemingly for his safe return. This moment carries weight as events plays.
Upon reaching Origin, the three engage Ultima in combat. During the fight, Dion sacrifices himself to push back Ultima’s attack, dealing a huge blow to their opponent. Meanwhile, Joshua finds Clive wounded inside the wreckage of Origin. Using the Phoenix’s flames, Joshua heals Clive, further exhausting his diminishing power.
The brothers press forward into Origin’s Core, where Ultima awaits. Here, Ultima explains his plan—Clive was meant to destroy the Mothercrystals to facilitate the return of Ultima’s kin to their collective. Ultima’s scattered echoes merge into his main form, causing the portion of Ultima within Joshua to leave him weakened and unable to continue.
With his remaining strength, Joshua transfers part of the Phoenix’s power to Clive before losing consciousness.
Ultima then teleports himself and Clive to the summit of Origin. A single Phoenix feather drifts down to Clive, seemingly rekindling his determination. The battle that follows is long and grueling, but Clive at the end defeats Ultima, harnessing the power of the Eikons.
After securing victory, Clive absorbs Ultima’s power and makes his final move—eradicating Origin to rid the world of magic and its associated curse.
The Battle’s Result
Clive washes ashore, weakened, and notices his left arm turning to stone due to the Bearer’s Curse. As he gazes at the moon and the red star Metia, he attempts to summon Ifrit’s flames but fails. Moments later, he loses consciousness.
Back at the Hideaway, Edda gives birth to her son. Gav remarks that the world now belongs to them—a place free from the dominance of magic, Eikons, and Dominants. Meanwhile, Jill observes the moon. When she sees Metia dim, she runs from the infirmary in tears.
Standing with Torgal, Jill watches as night gives way to daylight, signaling a new beginning for Valisthea. She wipes her tears and offers a faint smile, though her thoughts remain unknown.
Clive’s Fate—Life or Death?
The ending remains deliberately uncertain, leaving Clive’s fate up for interpretation. The game provides no definitive confirmation of whether he survives. However, certain elements allow for speculation.
One of the strongest pieces of evidence lies in Clive’s promise to Jill that he would return. Throughout the game, Clive repeatedly struggles to fulfill his vows, often falling short despite his best intentions. This ongoing theme plays into the ending—either he finally manages to uphold his word, or he fails once again.
The red star Metia serves as another symbolic clue. Jill prays to the star for Clive’s safe return before his departure. When Metia fades after Ultima’s fall, two interpretations emerge. It could signify that Jill’s wish was granted, ensuring Clive’s survival. Alternatively, the star’s dimming may represent Clive himself, marking his passing.
The truth remains ambiguous. Even if the prevailing opinion leans toward Clive’s demise, it is equally reasonable to believe he survived.
Joshua’s fate is similarly uncertain. Given the game’s high mortality rate, it wouldn’t be shocking for all three heroes who confronted Ultima to have perished. However, no clear answer is given.
Post-Credit Scene—A Closer Look to the Future
Following the credits, a scene set in a distant future comes to play. Two young boys, resembling Clive and Joshua, gather firewood in a lush forest near a home.
The specific time period remains unknown, but enough years have passed for Clive’s struggles to fade into legend. Magic has long disappeared, yet its memory persists in the form of a book titled Final Fantasy, authored by Joshua Rosfield. While the book’s contents remain unseen, it likely chronicles the journey Clive and Joshua undertook, mirroring the events of the game.
This sequence suggests that despite the fall of Ultima and the loss of magic, humanity has endured and continues to thrive. Valisthea has reclaimed its vitality, moving beyond the hardships brought by the Blight and the Curse of Magic.
The Mystery Behind the Book’s Author
While Joshua’s name appears on the book’s cover, its authorship remains debatable. One possibility is that Joshua wrote it before the final battle, assuming he perished afterward. Another theory is that Clive, in his last act, used his power to revive Joshua, allowing him to live on and eventually write the book.
Clive’s journey ends on the shore, his fate left to interpretation (Photo: Final Fantasy/Square Pictures and Chris Lee Productions)If this scenario is true, it challenges an earlier notion in the game—that the Phoenix’s power can heal wounds but cannot restore life. Joshua’s survival remains an open-ended question.
An alternative interpretation is that Clive himself penned the book. Having returned to the Hideaway, he may have assumed Joshua’s name, as he previously did with Cid. This aligns with a moment from the side quest A Tail to Tell, where Loresman Harpocrates gifts Clive a Stolas Quill, suggesting that one day he might trade his sword for a pen.
Regardless of whether Clive survived, the post-credit scene presents a hopeful message—his efforts ensured a better future for Valisthea, where people could determine their destiny without the burdens of magic.
Could ‘The Rising Tide’ Impact the Ending?
Final Fantasy 16’s second major DLC, The Rising Tide, is scheduled for release in Spring 2024. While details remain scarce, Square Enix has hinted that acquiring the power of Leviathan, the Eikon of Water, could bring meaningful changes to Clive’s journey.
Clive lacks the full range of Eikon powers during the game’s climax, as Leviathan’s role has yet to be explored. If this upcoming expansion grants him Leviathan’s abilities, it may alter the ending in a more definitive way. This could lead to an alternate outcome, a modified final battle, or other unexpected developments.
Once The Rising Tide is released, further analysis of how it affects Final Fantasy 16’s conclusion will be necessary.
