Mist ( term ) Mist is a recurring phenomenon in the series usually associated with magic , and its extraction allows people to cast spells . Mist is often confused with Miasma , the poisonous substance which is seen in " Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles " as a source of monsters , and in sparse locations of " Final Fantasy XI " as a type of impassable barrier . Mist is but one of the manifestations of magic energy throughout the series , and can be compared to the power of elemental crystals in early " Final Fantasy " games , Lifestream in " Compilation of Final Fantasy VII " , pyreflies in " Final Fantasy X " and crystal energy in " " series . Appearances . " Final Fantasy " . The Four Fiends sent elemental energy in the form of four streams of colored mist from their respective shrines to the Chaos Shrine . The Warriors of Light can view this phenomenon from a viewing area onboard the Flying Fortress . The mist ' s power allowed Garland to travel back in time . " Final Fantasy IV " . The Mist Cave and the Valley of Mist beyond it are shrouded in thick white mist . Cecil and Kain journey through the cave to the valley , and a Mist Dragon forms from the mist to bar their way . They later discover a Summoner in the village of Mist conjured the dragon and the mist to ward off travelers and protect the village . In the " Advance " release , Rydia ' s trial in the Lunar Ruins involves her reverting to her child form , and her summons leaving her in a cave full of mist that obscures the player ' s view . After retrieving her summons and finding the cave exit , the Lunar Dragon forms from the mist and attacks . " Final Fantasy IX " . Mist is residual element of the souls that should return to the planet , but is discharged into the atmosphere instead . According to the " Final Fantasy IX Ultimania " , mist appeared around 800 years before the game ' s start . Garland unleashed the mist upon Gaia to disrupt its people so that Terra could one day be reborn . Mist is distributed through the Iifa Tree ' s roots and is in fact the Gaian souls being refused to return to their crystal and expelled to flow back into Gaia ' s atmosphere instead . These stagnant and tormented souls are reborn as monsters . Mist is found primarily on the Mist Continent , where its effect causes many of the kingdoms to retreat to higher elevations . The power of the mist also hardens hearts , provoking conflicts around the continent . The people of the Mist Continent , and in particular the city of Lindblum , have developed mist - powered engines , which are primarily used to power airships . However , this means airships will only function where there is mist , meaning they can ' t fly outside of the Mist Continent . Additionally , the cable cars within the Aerbs Mountains are also mist - powered . Kuja taught Queen Brahne to manufacture black mages from the mist and also claims he can make Mistodon s from it . After Zidane and his party defeat the Soulcage at Iifa Tree ' s base , mist production stops for a time . However , after Kuja discovers his Trance powers and destroys Terra , Iifa Tree activates and Mist is expelled onto the entire world . After the Iifa Tree settles following Kuja ' s defeat , the world is finally freed from its scourge . " Final Fantasy XII " . Mist is the source of magick in Ivalice , and a major plot device and gameplay feature . When densely concentrated , it becomes visible as a fog . Mist gathers in both living beings and stones called magicite . Anyone , either wielding these stones or not , can extract mist to use magic . A form of magicite , nethicite , absorbs mist , thus nullifying any magic effects . If deifacted nethicite absorbs too much mist , it will release it suddenly if someone tries to extract it , resulting in a violent explosion . Manufacted nethicite cannot handle too much mist , simply shattering if it absorbs too much . Mist continues to become the source of magick in Ivalice . When one is about to cast his or her spell , they must wait for mist to build up before they can do so . Usually , this restoration amounts to 10 MP unless effected by an outside force , such as a Clan Privilege . Mist also serves as one of the four possible weather conditions in " Final Fantasy Tactics A2 " . The magick is immediately characterized as a billowing golden fog that can breed various strains of monsters and imbue weaker beings with adverse effects . Mist is especially prevalent at the Aldanna Range and Zellea , the Forbidden Land . At least one ability , the Geomancer ' s Mist Storm , can only be used when the mist is active . Mist is an ability exclusive to the Misterian race which Makenshi and Madoushi belong to . It is created from their bodies in the form of their breath , thus they wear masks to control the amount they release . They keep a stock in bottles around their waists , and are able to use them to summon .