Oblivion (Final Fantasy XIV)

"Oblivion" is a boss theme from Final Fantasy XIV for the primal Shiva.
It was composed and arranged by Masayoshi Soken and sung by Square Enix's localization division members Ayumi Murata (main vocalist) and Akane Ikeya (featuring).Credited on Before the Fall: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack. The lyrics were written by Michael-Christopher Koji Fox.
Soken made a comment about Murata on the Developers' Blog; "If anyone has two sides it would have to be the vocalist I got to sing for the track. Normally, she's a polite, humble, little lass from the Localization team with a cute smile and an apology in her pocket for every time she insists she's not worthy. But beware all ye who might put a mic in her hand, for once unleashed, there is no stopping her inner demon."https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/blog/000859.htmlhttps://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/blog/000858.html
The song was performed by "Ashley" Ashelyn Summers in a live concert at Fan Festival 2014 in Las Vegas.
==Lyrics==
A full transcript of the lyrics were posted on the Final Fantasy XIV Developers' Blog on November 19, 2014:https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/blog/000859.htmlhttps://jp.finalfantasyxiv.com/blog/000858.html The lyrics were released again on Before the Fall: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack, with a different Japanese translation.
;English
:Staring at death, I take a breath, there's nothing left
:Now close my eyes, for one last time, and say goodbye
:Lying naked while the snow falls all around me
:Drifting closer to the edge but She won't have me
:Wake up in sweat, full of regret, try to forget
:These memories, lurking beneath, lost in a dream
:Unchosen paths, a broken past, forespoken wrath
:The pain won't cease, I'll find no peace, no sweet release
:Fragile creatures, we are taught to fear the Reaper
:Ever running, we are dead before we meet Her
:These voices telling me let it go (let it all go)
:I try and try but I can't say no (try and say no)
:This endless nightmare has just begun (nowhere to run)
:My heart is dragging me down into oblivion
:The endless lies, I've cast aside, locked them in ice
:Steeled is my soul, my blood grown cold, I've gained control
:Fearless creatures, we all learn to fight the Reaper
:Can't defeat Her, so instead I'll have to be Her
:These voices screaming to let it go (never let go)
:This time I'm screaming back no no no (go on say no)
:My mind's made up, yeah my fear is gone (Where have you gone?)
:Open my eyes now here I come, oblivion
:For the last time (I won't say goodbye)
:For the last time (I won't say goodbye)
:For the last time (I won't say goodbye)
:For the last time
;Japanese translation
:死神の視線を感じつつ、私は息を吸う。もう、何も残されてはいない。
:最後に一度目を閉じ、さよならを告げよう。
:舞い落ちる雪の中、衣も無く眠る。
:崖の淵に近づきながらも、落ちることもなく。
:汗だくで目覚めてき、胸に満ちるは後悔の念ばかり。
:この夢に埋もれた記憶を忘れよう。
:選ばなかった道、壊れた過去、予期された憤怒。
:痛みは消えず、安らぎは見えず、解放もされず......。
:弱き者は、死を怖れよと教えを受ける。
:逃げ続ける私たちは、死神に会わずとも死しているも同然。
:聞こえるのは「諦めろ」という声（全てを諦めよ）
:足掻きはすれど、嫌とは言えず（否定してみせよ）
:この永遠の悪夢は始まったばかり（逃げ場はなし）
:心が私を引きずってゆく、「忘却の彼方」へと。
:終わりなき嘘を追い払い、氷の中へと封じよう。
:魂を冷厳に、心を冷血に。そう、私は怖れを振り払う。
:怖れを知らぬ者は、いずれ死神と戦う術を学ぶ。
:勝つことがないのなら、自ら死神になるだけ。
:聞こえるのは「諦めろ」という声（諦めるな）
:今度こそ、嫌と叫び返す（さあ否定せよ）
:心に決めた、もう怖れるものなどない（どこへ行く？）
:目を見開きていざ行かん、「忘却の彼方」へと。
:さあ、最後の時だ！（もう、さよならなんて言わない）
:さあ、最後の時だ！（もう、さよならなんて言わない）
:さあ、最後の時だ！（もう、さよならなんて言わない）
:さあ、最後の時だ！
==Game appearances==
===Final Fantasy XIV===
"Oblivion" plays after Shiva uses her signature attack Diamond Dust in and trials. In contrast to the orchestral music of the first phase, "Footsteps in the Snow", this song is a punk rock ballad. According to Soken, the battle team requested the battle music switch genres to convey the two different sides of the Lady of Frost.
It is track 43 on the Before the Fall: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack.
====Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers====
"Return to Oblivion" is an arrangement by Soken of both "Footsteps in the Snow" and "Oblivion". It plays as the third phase boss theme against Shiva (with Ryne's body as the vessel) in and of the Eden raid.
===Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival===
====Theatrhythm Final Bar Line====
==Arrangement album appearances==
===Final Fantasy XIV: From Astral to Umbral Arrangement Album===
A band arrangement of "Oblivion" performed by The Primals appears on this album, with vocals provided by Ayumi Murata and Akane Ikeya. It was arranged by Soken and GUNN.
===Final Fantasy XIV: Duality ~Arrangement Album~===
"Oblivion Never Let it Go Version" is an arrangement performed by The Primals which appears as a bonus track on this album, with vocals provided by Ayumi Murata.
===The Primals===
An arrangement of "Oblivion" appears on The Primals' debut album. "Oblivion Never Let it Go Version" also appears on the album again.
===Journeys: Final Fantasy XIV ~Arrangement Album~===
An arrangement of "Oblivion" by Keiko appears as an extra track on this album, with Keiko as the pianist and the vocals provided by Susan Calloway.
===Pulse: Final Fantasy XIV Remix Album===
A remix of "Oblivion" arranged by Masayoshi Soken appears on this album. The vocals were provided by Ayumi Murata and Akane Ikeya.
===Sanctuary's Heart: Final Fantasy XIV Chill Arrangement Album===
An arrangement of "Oblivion" by MURO appears as track 20 on the album. It was released again on the physical Deluxe Edition.
==Live performances==
===Eorzean Symphony: Final Fantasy XIV Orchestral Album===
"Oblivion" was orchestrated for chamber music by Takahiro Tsuji for the Eorzean Symphony concert. It was performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
It is also on the Eorzean Symphony: Final Fantasy XIV Orchestral Album (Concert version).
===The Primals: Zepp Tour 2018 - Trial By Shadow===
"Oblivion" and "Oblivion (Never Let it Go Version)" were performed by The Primals in a live concert.
"Oblivion (GUNN Vocals)" also appears as an extra track on the album.
===The Primals: Live in Japan - Beyond the Shadow===
"Oblivion (GUNN Vocals)" was performed live again by The Primals and recorded as track 5 on the album, arranged by Masayoshi Soken and GUNN.
==Compilation album appearances==
===Untempered: Final Fantasy XIV Primal Battle Themes===
"Oblivion" is track 18 and "Oblivion (Never Let it Go Version)" is track 19 of disc 1 on the album.
===Final Fantasy XIV - The Best===
"Oblivion" is track 6 on the album.
===Final Fantasy XIV Vinyl LP Box===
"Oblivion" is track 4 of side B on the A Realm Reborn Vinyl LP.
==Etymology==
==Citations==
Category:Battle themes from Final Fantasy XIV
de:Oblivion