>>145908090I'd like to divert you all with a theory that I came up with a long time ago, regarding FF9's Final Boss, Necron. Several people, since FF9's release,
have criticized Necron with confusion, with lines like "Out-of-nowhere" or "He's symbolic", intent on the idea that he's not an actual character.
But he is.
And he's been a character ever since Disc 2.
And I'm about to provide you with evidence as to how I know this.
Garland, the ruler of Terra, sent several of his minions to Gaia in order to cause wars, so that everyone would die. (very similar to FF4's Zemus's plans)
The Four Fiends were charged with the task of protecting the keys to Terra's entrance. Kuja was sent to cause wars, which he did very nicely. And Soulcage was in charge of halting the flow of souls on Gaia.
Soulcage's job was the most important. FF9's world had a "Lifestream" concept, just like FF7, FF the SpiritsWithin, and FF Adventure. By halting the Lifestream,
new souls couldn't be born. Births slowly became impossible, for without a soul, a living creature isn't complete. Mist is a by-product of the soul-halting.
In other words, Mist is a tangible form of souls, which is why evil, twisted beings are suddenly born from them (they're like poltergeists).
This is also how the Black Mages eventually gained wills and souls, because they're made of Mist (which contains souls). It also explains how Mist is capable of operating machinery so well.