...That's the question, isn't it. But they don't consume aether - they're tied into the very lifeblood of the world.

[ Cid is gentle as he says that, looking to himself. ]

We're... written into existing, you could say. Our souls are always meant to be around, just awoken when Hydaelyn senses a Calamity. But due to our connections to you Voidsent, we're not going to give ourselves up - not that we were going to.

Primal are just lesser aspects of the Twelve. But Esper are their own beings from another Star.