Crystals (Final Fantasy)

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In the Final Fantasy series of video games, elemental crystals are used as plot devices in several titles. Typically there are four crystals, each matching that of a classical element, but some titles feature more than four.

Crystals have appeared in over half of the titles of the series.^[1] Almost all Final Fantasy installments have a theme of an increase in monster activity, often caused by an imbalance of nature forces, caused by Mist or Crystals. Also, most of the games' plots seem to involve large-scale destruction at some point in the game, often near the end.^[2]

Contents 1 Roles in the Series 1.1 Final Fantasy IV 1.2 Final Fantasy V 2 In Other Titles 2.1 Final Fantasy Mystic Quest 2.2 Final Fantasy: Unlimited 3 References

[edit] Roles in the Series

[edit] Final Fantasy IV

In Final Fantasy IV, there are at first four Crystals of fire, water, earth and air. The four reside in shrines in Damcyan, Mysidia, Toroia, and Fabul, respectively.^[3] The four crystals do not seem to have any relation to the providence of their kingdoms, however, as when stolen the kingdoms continue to prosper (with the exception of those decimated by attack).

After the Earth crystal is stolen by Golbez, his former servant Kain Highwind reveals there are more, buried in an underground kingdom of magma.^[4] The four crystals of darkness are not stated to be of any particular elements like the original four, however. Only two of them are seen, one in the Castle of Dwarves, another inside a sealed cave (by the time the player arrives at the underground, the other two crystals have been seized and their locations are not divulged^[5]

In addition to the eight crystals of the Earth, there are eight on the moon that balance with them. However, the moon crystals are not explored in detail. Furthermore there is a Crystal of Flight housed inside the Lunar Whale, that allows travel between the Earth and moon. Finally, Golbez wields an 18th crystal against Zeromus, but the nature of this crystal is never explained. It is most likely, however, a Crystal of Light, as only Cecil can use it properly by channelling his own energy into it,^[6] and Golbez, by contrast, cannot.^[7]

[edit] Final Fantasy V

In Final Fantasy V, there are four crystals that once again correspond to the classical elements. Each is housed in a shrine around the world, and each is directly responsible for maintaining its respective element in the world to ensure prosperity: without the crystals, the world would rot .^[8]. This problem is compounded by three of the crystals being amplified by machinery, increasing their power but also putting strain on them, causing them to shatter.

As the four shatter, the mage ExDeath emerges, and it is explained that the crystals were created to seal ExDeath away. ExDeath travels to an alternate world that was split from the original centuries ago, and collects four more crystals there. As the party confronts ExDeath at his castle, ExDeath explains the crystals were split into two to make the world follow suit, and thus when the crystals are all destroyed, the worlds will merge together again and ExDeath can claim the power of the Void between them. This proves true as ExDeath destroys the crystals and the worlds merge.

Beyond this, the party gathers the shards of the crystals from each shrine as they shatter, gaining the power inside each shard (the various job classes of the game). In the Game Boy Advance remake of the game, over two dozen job classes can be obtained this way.

[edit] In Other Titles

[edit] Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

In this continuity the crystals each reign over a part of the environment in a region: the Earth crystal of Forestia causes bountiful forests to bloom, the water crystal of Aquaria makes the water sparkling clear, etc. The Dark King has sent out four Vile Evils to seal the crystals away and cause the Earth to decay and slide into ruin.

As Benjamin travels to each region and slays each Vile Evil, the crystals are freed and their light shines again, returning each region to its former glory. Eventually Benjamin climbs the Focus Tower, a fortress at the junction of the four regions, and confronts the Dark King. After defeating him, an old man that has helped Benjamin throughout his quest appears and reveals his true form as the Crystal of Light.

[edit] Final Fantasy: Unlimited

In this animated series there are two types of crystals that are prevalent. The first type is only a crystal in appearance, and greatly resembles the classical shape of the crystals. This is a large crystal that, when deposited produces a large monster. Its function in the series is completely unlike the crystals in any other continuity.

The second type of crystals is the Omega Crystals. Omega is an enormous, destructive creature that was long ago split into many pieces and scattered across Wonderland. The pieves of Omega are seemingly sentient, and when defeated revert to an Omega Crystal which is a small, star-shaped reddish crystal. When Omega recovers an Omega Crystal, it absorbs the crystal, and the part of Omega's body corresponding to the crystal is regenerated. Like Omega itself, the Omega Crystals have the ability to break down the dimensional barrier and travel between worlds. The subway "Elizabeth" was built by Cid with an Omega Crystal to give it the ability to travel between different worlds.

[edit] References

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