Endwalker completes the story turn of Shadowbringer, moving away from classic fantasy trope Good versus Evil by way of Light versus Dark to a much broader approach of destructive, negative Nihilism - the desire to wallow in self-pity, self-harm and self-hatred upon the prospect of looming death and doom - fighting against the enduring spirit of hope and freedom. What could be more topical for a story developed (at least partly) during the Covid-19 pandemic, while global warming looms, international tensions rise and fascisms marches on?

Our Warrior of Light is at the final fight not just an inspired hero anymore. They have become an icon for the humanity in all of us, for, if all of us die in the end, why not be kind, live what time is given to us and leave the world fighting for what is right? We are never alone, our friends and (chosen) family love us, even in moments of failure, just think of Alphinauds redemption arc. Pain and Suffering belong to our life, loss and death are what makes us human and what should motivate us to leave an impression in the memory of those connected to us. But life, until the end also contains love and laughter and light.

We may not be able to stop every catastrophe that befalls us, but every person we can save from certain doom, deserves to be saved.