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Final Fantasy XIV: Chronicles of Light, Volume II
- GenresFantasy
288 pages, Hardcover
Published December 16, 2025
About the author
Square Enix
574 books94 followersSquare Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. (株式会社スクウェア・エニックス・ホールディングス) TYO: 9684 is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series. Its headquarters are located in the Shinjuku Bunka Quint Building in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 8, 2026
After reading Final Fantasy XIV: Chronicles of Light, Volume I, I begged for Square Enix to also publish a short story collection featuring stuff around Shadowbringers and Endwalker, please and thank you. For once, a publisher not only answered my prayers to the letter; they've also made me want to lay down and wail for 47 years. That should be enough time to get over it.
I just! Love these characters so much! I love this world and the story writing around it so! Much!!! Okay, don't read this review anymore if you haven't played up through Dawntrail, but definitely don't if you haven't played Shadowbringers and Endwalker. Okay, byyyyeee~
As with the first volume, it was a pleasure to experience stories from so many NPC point of views. You spend so much time as the Warrior of Light—even those of us who do the bare minimum of role-playing—that it's so fun to read the voices and perspectives of the other characters. Tell me more about their rich inner lives. I love that shit.
My incredibly subjective feelings about all of this aside, I guess I can manage a rating for all the stories individually.
"A World Forsaken" - 4 stars
"An Unpromised Tomorrow - 5 stars
"A Dream Partnership" - 5 stars
"Small Mercies" - 3 stars
"In the Beginning, Beyond the End" - 5 stars
"One Name, One Promise" - 4 stars
"Through His Eyes" - 1 million stars!!!!!!!
"Whispers from the Dark" - 5 stars
"Ere Our Curtain Falls" - 5 million stars!!!!!!!!
"Behind Every Manderville Man" - 4 stars
"Echoes of Delusion" - 5 stars
"The Burden of Duty" - 4 stars
"Her Father's Daughter" - 4 stars
"Set with the Sun" - 4 stars
"True of Heart" - 4 stars
"An Empty Throne" - 5 stars
"A Friendship of Record" - 5 stars
"A Question of Life" - 6 million painful stars!!!!!!!!!
"In Pursuit of Knowledge" - 4 stars
"A Question of Death" - 5 stars
"As Azure Fades" - 4 stars
"Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light" - 3 stars
"In Storm's Wake" - 4 stars
"A Legacy of Hope" - 5 stars
"Private Reflections" - 5 stars
"Footprints of a Traveler" - 5 stars
"An Abiding Aspiration" - 4 stars
"The First of Many Festivals" - 3 stars
"A Precious Gift" - 4 stars
"Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come" - 50 million stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just! Love these characters so much! I love this world and the story writing around it so! Much!!! Okay, don't read this review anymore if you haven't played up through Dawntrail, but definitely don't if you haven't played Shadowbringers and Endwalker. Okay, byyyyeee~
As with the first volume, it was a pleasure to experience stories from so many NPC point of views. You spend so much time as the Warrior of Light—even those of us who do the bare minimum of role-playing—that it's so fun to read the voices and perspectives of the other characters. Tell me more about their rich inner lives. I love that shit.
My incredibly subjective feelings about all of this aside, I guess I can manage a rating for all the stories individually.
"A World Forsaken" - 4 stars
"An Unpromised Tomorrow - 5 stars
"A Dream Partnership" - 5 stars
"Small Mercies" - 3 stars
"In the Beginning, Beyond the End" - 5 stars
"One Name, One Promise" - 4 stars
"Through His Eyes" - 1 million stars!!!!!!!
"Whispers from the Dark" - 5 stars
"Ere Our Curtain Falls" - 5 million stars!!!!!!!!
"Behind Every Manderville Man" - 4 stars
"Echoes of Delusion" - 5 stars
"The Burden of Duty" - 4 stars
"Her Father's Daughter" - 4 stars
"Set with the Sun" - 4 stars
"True of Heart" - 4 stars
"An Empty Throne" - 5 stars
"A Friendship of Record" - 5 stars
"A Question of Life" - 6 million painful stars!!!!!!!!!
"In Pursuit of Knowledge" - 4 stars
"A Question of Death" - 5 stars
"As Azure Fades" - 4 stars
"Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light" - 3 stars
"In Storm's Wake" - 4 stars
"A Legacy of Hope" - 5 stars
"Private Reflections" - 5 stars
"Footprints of a Traveler" - 5 stars
"An Abiding Aspiration" - 4 stars
"The First of Many Festivals" - 3 stars
"A Precious Gift" - 4 stars
"Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come" - 50 million stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 31, 2025
how dare the end of the book make me cry.
I do not turn to look. I remember a garden, and a sky,
and a man, and it is enough.
I do not turn to look. I remember a garden, and a sky,
and a man, and it is enough.
September 5, 2026
The chronicles of light collections continue to be the best Final Fantasy has to offer in book form, shorter and more varied burst of stories seems to be the best approach so far. I'm going to talk a little about each short story and my thoughts on them.
Act I: Shards of a Shattered Star
A World Forsaken:
An amazing short to open with. Set in the POV of the Omega droid we see at the end of the Omega raid series. We finally get insight into the alternate timeline where the 8th umbral calamity takes place after the release of black rose. Old man Cid and Nero being the same is very in character.
An Unpromised Tomorrow:
Seeing how instrumental the legacy of Garlond ironworks was to coming in contact with the tower and awakening G'raha in time to lay plans to save the first and thus the source was something i always wanted to know about and knowing the alternate timeline still exists was really profound and sad, these people did everything for a timeline they would not see.
A Dream Partnership:
Focused on Seto andd his origins from meeting Ardbert to him dealing with his loss then finding his spark once again. I got emotional seeing how caring Ardbert was to Seto and how he effectively saved him from death.
Small Mercies:
Further insight into Beq Lugg and their time working for the now fallen kingdom of Voeburt. We gain a little background during the Shadowbringer's tank role quest but much more here. The body horror with Pauldia is very in tune with Shadowbringer's and had maybe the most harrowing ending of any short
In the Beginning, Beyond the End:
The story of Feo Ul and how they met the Exarch. It was interesting seeing how Lyna came into the care of the Exarch. Overall a decent short
One Name, One Promise:
A really amazing Thancred short that starts with him meeting Louisoix then coming to meet and foster Ascillia who would become Minfillia. Ending it off with him breaking into Eulmore to rescue the reincarnated Minfillia (Ryne) was the cherry on top. Big fan of characters who are the influence and soul behind the leaders/ main characters.
Interval:
Through His Eyes:
Unsurprisingly Emet Selch is my faviroute XIV charater. One of my faviroute fictional characters ever in fact so im instantly seated for an Emet story. The short opens with him just being appointed as the new Emet Selch. The parallels to the pheonix stuck in a cage who constantly kills itself to present Emet stuck in the form of Solus feeling nothing but disgust to his own kin. It hearkens to Hermes who felt alone in his empathy to arcane creations compared to his peers complete apathy to now Emet only through suffering and loneliness finally understanding the plight of that bird.
Whispers from the Dark:
Lahabrea is one of those characters than unfortunately got the short end of the stick with his story ending before the Ascians actually became a compelling group of villains however he Pandaemonium did retcon him to have some unique characterisation however well it was executed. This short is essentially a bridging the two Lahabreas and showing that a small part of him did remember Athena and Erichthonios. Still not enough to make him interesting though.
Ere Our Curtain Falls:
Speaking of Lahabrea im glad this short addresses how the order of the Ascians must have shifted since his death as he is one of 3 unsundred. The answer to this is Elidibus awakening the only other Unsundered in Emet Selch since the Warrior of Light now poises a serious threat. Both answers the Ascians answer to Lahabrea death as well as why Emet Selch had to come back despite retirng himself as Solus. Also an interesting moment where Elidibus shows signs of memory loss
Act II: Defining Moments and Memories
Behind Every Manderville Man:
I'm a huge Hildibrand fan, he in my top 5 faviroute characters and his quests are what i look forward to every patch. This short is everything those quests offer, slapstick fun and lots of heart. I did not expect Godbert and Julyan's love story to be weirdly moving.
Echoes of Delusion:
I've yet to play the dragoon questline (I'm not a fake xiv fan i promise there's just too many of them!) but this short definitely puts it up in classes i need to level up soon. I really like how this is a lighthearted and fun Estinien story instead of another serious depressing one. It capture the humorous side of Estiniens character and the cat and mouse chase between him and Tataru/Krile is my favourite running gag.
The Burden of Duty:
A really cute story of how Yugiri met Hien and how he got his scar defending her as well as the formation of the iconic Stormblood trio with Gosetsu. The art of young Yugiri is literally the most adorable thing ever.
Her Father's Daughter:
As a loyal Lominsan i'm always excited to read about my admiral. Jumping off from the Endwalker Melee role quest we get a backstory on Merlwyb's origin, her relationship and eventual assassination of her father as well as a Lorens cameo!
Set with the Sun:
Oh my god this story was so devastating, i did not expect this. I'm a huge Lyse fan and always wanted to see more about the original Yda, i did not expect this to be tied so heavily with Fordola. Finding out that Yda befriended a young Fordola and offered her an escape just to end up sacrificing herself for her. Knowing that Fordola and Lyse would be rivals and that both of them ended up where they are because of the same woman. The parallels between the two are enhance tenfold with this story. Lyse granting Fordola redemption and a chance to truly fight for Ala Migho thus achieving Yda final wishes. I cried. Stormblood and Lyse, you were way ahead of your time.
True of Heart:
A light Kan E Senna story about her relationship with the elementals and why she folded her fellow padjal siblings to help with Gridanian politics. I always found Gridania's governing body both fascinating and silly which this story kind of is but that's quite lore accurate mind you.
An Empty Throne:
Not surprised a Heavensward short would be the most boring (all shade intended lol) Aymeric is cool but i couldn't care less about how him and Artoirel met.
Act III: Witness to Calamity
A Friendship of Record:
I was most looking forward to a Venat story and was not dissapointed. This short being from the perspective of the watcher is just perfect. Venat and her journey as Azem to advisor then heart of Hydaelyn all told from the POV of her most trusted ally whom she honors by reconstructing as the guardian to the most important base in the entire cosmos. Beautiful story with amazing prose. Must read for Endwalker fans
A Question of Life:
Insight into Hermes thought process during the Ktsis Hyperboreia dungeon and the origins of Meteions creation. I'm glad the short addressed his thoughts and why he did not seek to retrieve or recreate meteion after the Kairos incident.
In Pursuit of Knowledge:
Erenville! I love Erenville and this short was a welcome addition. We get lots of cameos from side characters like Sicard, Kokkol and Forchenault along with Erenville's famous sass. I didn't relly need a story about the behind the scenes of the construction of the Ragnarok but im glad it was in the POV of our faviroute Gleaner boy.
A Question of Death:
A very depressing story about Jullus post fall of Garlemald and the slow reconstruction. I do wish the game itself explored more about this instead of relegating it to short story content.
Act IV: Dénouement and Complication
As Azure Fades:
Not sure why we have 4 Estinien shorts but i can't complain because this is another banger. In actuality this is about the first Azure Dragoon and his final moments before he passes on the mantle to a young girl. I would read a whole book about the previous Azure Dragoons.
Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light:
Ranjit was an okay secondary villain but this short singlehandely adds more depth than the game did. Drawing further parallels to him and Thancred as both had history and a fatherly affection for a Minfillia where Thancred took that as his oath to nurture her incarnation Ranjit took it as a duty to use them (multiple).
In Storm's Wake:
A meeting between G'raha and Hien masked as a little worldbuilding lore dump. Interesting for sure but a missed opportunity for an interesting crossover.
A Legacy of Hope:
A Leveilleur family short that is cute but didn't need all the cameos from every major character that studied in Sharlayan
Private Reflections:
Finally a short that explains everything about Y'shtola's family dynamic and how she has 12 sisters. Surprisingly a very interesting insight into her family and laying seeds for what i imagine is a very important book that will be brought up soon. Also im guessing they retconned Y'Mhitra as her full blooded sister and not half? unless the writer forgot Heavensward. Also i love how they canonised the armor shop vendor Y'sohnjin as Shtola and Mhitra's half sister/cousin. If i had to rank my faviroute Rhul sisters it would go 1: Y'Mhitra 2: Y'Shtola 3: Y'Nazqha 4: Y'Adeb 5: Y'jhimei (Technically a FFXV character but the short canonises her as a Rhul sister so she's XIV Canon!)
Footprints of a Traveler:
I'm glad the short addresses the implications of Myths of the realm. I didn't like how the alliance raid didn't address the twelve being Vent's disciple enough and their reasonings for non intervention. I wish we got more insight into their times as ancients and their relationship with Venat but we get a little bit with Oschon
An Abiding Aspiration:
A slightly disjointed Zero story that i wish was about her as a voidsent making a pact with Zenos. Missed oppurtunity
The First of Many Festivals:
A young Wuk Lamat meeting Erenville and we also get Zoraal Ja being a good brother! I liked Dawntrail and glad to see a Wuk story
A Precious Gift:
A Krile short explaining her backstory with Ejika and Galuf. I played (tolerated) Eureka and overall found her story in Dawntrail moving but lackluster so i was mildly interested in this.
Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come:
Ending it off with a story of Hylodaeus and Emet's final departure was cruel. Seeing the Ascian's as normal people one last time and reading the final words of our duo as they part to the aetherial sea was a tear jerker for sure. Emet Selch truly the GOAT.
My top 10 faviroute short stories goes...
1: Set with the Sun
2: A Friendship of Record
3: Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come
4: An Unpromised Tomorrow
5: One Name, One Promise
6: Echoes of Delusion
7: As Azure Fades
8: Private Reflections
9: Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light
10: Behind Every Manderville Man
Act I: Shards of a Shattered Star
A World Forsaken:
An amazing short to open with. Set in the POV of the Omega droid we see at the end of the Omega raid series. We finally get insight into the alternate timeline where the 8th umbral calamity takes place after the release of black rose. Old man Cid and Nero being the same is very in character.
An Unpromised Tomorrow:
Seeing how instrumental the legacy of Garlond ironworks was to coming in contact with the tower and awakening G'raha in time to lay plans to save the first and thus the source was something i always wanted to know about and knowing the alternate timeline still exists was really profound and sad, these people did everything for a timeline they would not see.
A Dream Partnership:
Focused on Seto andd his origins from meeting Ardbert to him dealing with his loss then finding his spark once again. I got emotional seeing how caring Ardbert was to Seto and how he effectively saved him from death.
Small Mercies:
Further insight into Beq Lugg and their time working for the now fallen kingdom of Voeburt. We gain a little background during the Shadowbringer's tank role quest but much more here. The body horror with Pauldia is very in tune with Shadowbringer's and had maybe the most harrowing ending of any short
In the Beginning, Beyond the End:
The story of Feo Ul and how they met the Exarch. It was interesting seeing how Lyna came into the care of the Exarch. Overall a decent short
One Name, One Promise:
A really amazing Thancred short that starts with him meeting Louisoix then coming to meet and foster Ascillia who would become Minfillia. Ending it off with him breaking into Eulmore to rescue the reincarnated Minfillia (Ryne) was the cherry on top. Big fan of characters who are the influence and soul behind the leaders/ main characters.
Interval:
Through His Eyes:
Unsurprisingly Emet Selch is my faviroute XIV charater. One of my faviroute fictional characters ever in fact so im instantly seated for an Emet story. The short opens with him just being appointed as the new Emet Selch. The parallels to the pheonix stuck in a cage who constantly kills itself to present Emet stuck in the form of Solus feeling nothing but disgust to his own kin. It hearkens to Hermes who felt alone in his empathy to arcane creations compared to his peers complete apathy to now Emet only through suffering and loneliness finally understanding the plight of that bird.
Whispers from the Dark:
Lahabrea is one of those characters than unfortunately got the short end of the stick with his story ending before the Ascians actually became a compelling group of villains however he Pandaemonium did retcon him to have some unique characterisation however well it was executed. This short is essentially a bridging the two Lahabreas and showing that a small part of him did remember Athena and Erichthonios. Still not enough to make him interesting though.
Ere Our Curtain Falls:
Speaking of Lahabrea im glad this short addresses how the order of the Ascians must have shifted since his death as he is one of 3 unsundred. The answer to this is Elidibus awakening the only other Unsundered in Emet Selch since the Warrior of Light now poises a serious threat. Both answers the Ascians answer to Lahabrea death as well as why Emet Selch had to come back despite retirng himself as Solus. Also an interesting moment where Elidibus shows signs of memory loss
Act II: Defining Moments and Memories
Behind Every Manderville Man:
I'm a huge Hildibrand fan, he in my top 5 faviroute characters and his quests are what i look forward to every patch. This short is everything those quests offer, slapstick fun and lots of heart. I did not expect Godbert and Julyan's love story to be weirdly moving.
Echoes of Delusion:
I've yet to play the dragoon questline (I'm not a fake xiv fan i promise there's just too many of them!) but this short definitely puts it up in classes i need to level up soon. I really like how this is a lighthearted and fun Estinien story instead of another serious depressing one. It capture the humorous side of Estiniens character and the cat and mouse chase between him and Tataru/Krile is my favourite running gag.
The Burden of Duty:
A really cute story of how Yugiri met Hien and how he got his scar defending her as well as the formation of the iconic Stormblood trio with Gosetsu. The art of young Yugiri is literally the most adorable thing ever.
Her Father's Daughter:
As a loyal Lominsan i'm always excited to read about my admiral. Jumping off from the Endwalker Melee role quest we get a backstory on Merlwyb's origin, her relationship and eventual assassination of her father as well as a Lorens cameo!
Set with the Sun:
Oh my god this story was so devastating, i did not expect this. I'm a huge Lyse fan and always wanted to see more about the original Yda, i did not expect this to be tied so heavily with Fordola. Finding out that Yda befriended a young Fordola and offered her an escape just to end up sacrificing herself for her. Knowing that Fordola and Lyse would be rivals and that both of them ended up where they are because of the same woman. The parallels between the two are enhance tenfold with this story. Lyse granting Fordola redemption and a chance to truly fight for Ala Migho thus achieving Yda final wishes. I cried. Stormblood and Lyse, you were way ahead of your time.
True of Heart:
A light Kan E Senna story about her relationship with the elementals and why she folded her fellow padjal siblings to help with Gridanian politics. I always found Gridania's governing body both fascinating and silly which this story kind of is but that's quite lore accurate mind you.
An Empty Throne:
Not surprised a Heavensward short would be the most boring (all shade intended lol) Aymeric is cool but i couldn't care less about how him and Artoirel met.
Act III: Witness to Calamity
A Friendship of Record:
I was most looking forward to a Venat story and was not dissapointed. This short being from the perspective of the watcher is just perfect. Venat and her journey as Azem to advisor then heart of Hydaelyn all told from the POV of her most trusted ally whom she honors by reconstructing as the guardian to the most important base in the entire cosmos. Beautiful story with amazing prose. Must read for Endwalker fans
A Question of Life:
Insight into Hermes thought process during the Ktsis Hyperboreia dungeon and the origins of Meteions creation. I'm glad the short addressed his thoughts and why he did not seek to retrieve or recreate meteion after the Kairos incident.
In Pursuit of Knowledge:
Erenville! I love Erenville and this short was a welcome addition. We get lots of cameos from side characters like Sicard, Kokkol and Forchenault along with Erenville's famous sass. I didn't relly need a story about the behind the scenes of the construction of the Ragnarok but im glad it was in the POV of our faviroute Gleaner boy.
A Question of Death:
A very depressing story about Jullus post fall of Garlemald and the slow reconstruction. I do wish the game itself explored more about this instead of relegating it to short story content.
Act IV: Dénouement and Complication
As Azure Fades:
Not sure why we have 4 Estinien shorts but i can't complain because this is another banger. In actuality this is about the first Azure Dragoon and his final moments before he passes on the mantle to a young girl. I would read a whole book about the previous Azure Dragoons.
Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light:
Ranjit was an okay secondary villain but this short singlehandely adds more depth than the game did. Drawing further parallels to him and Thancred as both had history and a fatherly affection for a Minfillia where Thancred took that as his oath to nurture her incarnation Ranjit took it as a duty to use them (multiple).
In Storm's Wake:
A meeting between G'raha and Hien masked as a little worldbuilding lore dump. Interesting for sure but a missed opportunity for an interesting crossover.
A Legacy of Hope:
A Leveilleur family short that is cute but didn't need all the cameos from every major character that studied in Sharlayan
Private Reflections:
Finally a short that explains everything about Y'shtola's family dynamic and how she has 12 sisters. Surprisingly a very interesting insight into her family and laying seeds for what i imagine is a very important book that will be brought up soon. Also im guessing they retconned Y'Mhitra as her full blooded sister and not half? unless the writer forgot Heavensward. Also i love how they canonised the armor shop vendor Y'sohnjin as Shtola and Mhitra's half sister/cousin. If i had to rank my faviroute Rhul sisters it would go 1: Y'Mhitra 2: Y'Shtola 3: Y'Nazqha 4: Y'Adeb 5: Y'jhimei (Technically a FFXV character but the short canonises her as a Rhul sister so she's XIV Canon!)
Footprints of a Traveler:
I'm glad the short addresses the implications of Myths of the realm. I didn't like how the alliance raid didn't address the twelve being Vent's disciple enough and their reasonings for non intervention. I wish we got more insight into their times as ancients and their relationship with Venat but we get a little bit with Oschon
An Abiding Aspiration:
A slightly disjointed Zero story that i wish was about her as a voidsent making a pact with Zenos. Missed oppurtunity
The First of Many Festivals:
A young Wuk Lamat meeting Erenville and we also get Zoraal Ja being a good brother! I liked Dawntrail and glad to see a Wuk story
A Precious Gift:
A Krile short explaining her backstory with Ejika and Galuf. I played (tolerated) Eureka and overall found her story in Dawntrail moving but lackluster so i was mildly interested in this.
Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come:
Ending it off with a story of Hylodaeus and Emet's final departure was cruel. Seeing the Ascian's as normal people one last time and reading the final words of our duo as they part to the aetherial sea was a tear jerker for sure. Emet Selch truly the GOAT.
My top 10 faviroute short stories goes...
1: Set with the Sun
2: A Friendship of Record
3: Days Gone By, Days Yet to Come
4: An Unpromised Tomorrow
5: One Name, One Promise
6: Echoes of Delusion
7: As Azure Fades
8: Private Reflections
9: Bringer of Shadow, Bringer of Light
10: Behind Every Manderville Man
May 7, 2026
4.5
Honestly its a 5 but thats just because I would recommend FFXIV to everyone I know as well, but if you haven't played its still a totally solid collection of short stories that just need a tiny bit of context to be accessible to anyone. The device of 'flashbacks' makes the purpose/themes of each story a bit more obvious and is the conceit for telling stories throughout the timeline. Basically all of the main themes of the game from hope, corruption, colonialism, post-war rebuilding, immigration, patriarchy, and self-discovery are all well represented and conveyed very succinctly. Totally scratches the itch of wanting to relive each expansion without dumping hundreds of hours into playing the game.
Bonus for including stories dedicated to cid+nero and hythlodaeus+emet-selch
Honestly its a 5 but thats just because I would recommend FFXIV to everyone I know as well, but if you haven't played its still a totally solid collection of short stories that just need a tiny bit of context to be accessible to anyone. The device of 'flashbacks' makes the purpose/themes of each story a bit more obvious and is the conceit for telling stories throughout the timeline. Basically all of the main themes of the game from hope, corruption, colonialism, post-war rebuilding, immigration, patriarchy, and self-discovery are all well represented and conveyed very succinctly. Totally scratches the itch of wanting to relive each expansion without dumping hundreds of hours into playing the game.
Bonus for including stories dedicated to cid+nero and hythlodaeus+emet-selch
June 19, 2026
Predictably good, also the last story made me cry. Any time ffxiv makes me cry is a win!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews