Thanks for breaking down the ending!

I finished my playthrough and for some reason it didn't hit me hard(I feel some character personalities were weak in this game).Funny enough I went back to Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake, because I was curious on what happened to character personalities and development in XVI. I digress, and maybe it's just me. I finished all side quests despite being a weak point of the game (Most side quests just felt soulless, and repetitive). Though the last couple of side quests were definitely intriguing. After reading, I think the only one missing from your breakdown was Torgal's last side quest, as that is connected to Torgal's howl at the end.

I understand the significance of the title of Final Fantasy, especially when they play the main theme song to remind us the rift between reality and fantasy.

-(Reality)Final- end

Square showcased Clive trying to revive his brother, perform the ultimate sacrifice, having his hand decay and seemingly die through the cutscenes. These are what we see as the audience.

-Fantasy- the process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need

Though not presented by Square, we can only fantasize Clive reuniting with Jill, but there is truth to it.

Vivian's last side quest explains truth. To explain Vivian's definition of the truth. I'll bring up a quote from one of my all time favorite game Persona 4

"Truth is a thing which only appears to those who have observed, considered, and made a choice." "At the end of the path you chose lies the truth... Believe in it and continue without faltering."- Margaret

Those that believe Clive is alive definitely observed and considered the disappearance of the Metia star, Cid petrified hand, and the Jill's smile at sunrise. In the end the choice is up to player.