A subtle but very important cinematography I’ve found in the entire scene. 

There is an Occuria in each frame during the scene with Ashe. Now you might tell me “they are on a small round platform of course you’d see them”. But really, the dev could have chosen other angles. Ashe is surrounded physically and mentally by Occurias, and we, as the player, are too. 

The only two exceptions are : 

When “Rasler” appears. Ashe is in shock. She understands what he is, a tool of the Occurias. The camera shows a close-up view on her shaking lips.

The second one is when the party shows up. The Occurias are trying to manipulate Ashe, but the second the party appears, they are off-screen. They all heard the voice of the Occuria, and they immediatly state what should be obvious : “you won’t listen to them right ??” 

[458/?]

– They may be gods, but we are the arbiters of our destiny

I’m getting emotional that Fran and Basch are the ones in the frame for this line.

Basch is a paladin, he is loyal to the core, but that doesn’t mean he blindy follows the person he serves. He has always chosen his own path. He chose Rabanastre. He chose to follow his duty even when he was supposed to be dead.

And I’m really happy we see Fran too. She chose her path too. With irrevocable consequences. But she did it anyway so she could seek happiness and there is nothing wrong with that. No one judged her in Eruyt when the party learned her past. But here Basch states it loud and clear. 

Destiny is the heart of Final Fantasy XII. The choice to free themselves from the gods,  is the principle which bonds them. They become a family because they all believe and long for the same freedom.

[456/?]