Aria Benett

Aria Benett, also known as Elia, is a non-playable character from Final Fantasy III. She temporarily joins the party in order to restore the Water Crystal. She is also the first character in the series to have her own personal theme.

Story
Aria is met by the party shortly after they leave the Floating Continent for the Surface World. She can be found on the Wrecked Ship island in the northern part of the World Map lying in bed with an old man beside her. Aria accompanies the party to the Temple of Water to retrieve the shard of the Crystal of Water. Using this, she can open the door within the Cave of Tides, where the Water Crystal is kept.

If the player speaks with Aria while she follows the party, she describes the light which she senses from the Light Warriors as strong, yet gentle.

When the party reaches the Water Crystal at the end of the dungeon, the group is attacked by Kraken. Aria pushes Luneth out of the way, and she takes the blast as a result. Aria dies from the injuries soon after in Luneth's arms. It is unknown what happens to her caretaker when time flows again.

Abilities
Aria functions as a White Mage and occasionally casts Protect and Cura during battles.

Music
Aria's theme is "Elia, the Maiden of Water", which is also sampled in the opening theme from Final Fantasy III. "Once You Meet Her" is a vocal arrangement of her theme featured in the album Final Fantasy: Pray.

Aria is the first protagonist character to have a theme named for them.

Etymology
An aria is a orchestral piece in an opera, usually performed by a single singer. Her last name, Benett, is the medieval form of the word Benedict, meaning blessed. Her Japanese name, Elia, is the feminine form of the name Elijah, meaning "My god is He".

Trivia

 * In the Dawn of Souls and 20th Anniversary remakes of the original Final Fantasy, Elia is one of the automatic names the player can choose for the White Mage Job.
 * Aria is the only temporary party character to appear in the FMV opening.

エリア