Editing Darkness

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{{Youmay|the plot element|[[Darkness (character)|the character]] or [[Dark (disambiguation)|other uses]]}}

{{nihongo|'''Darkness'''|闇|yami}} is a force parallel to [[light]], and is also used in the form of attacks in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' universe. Darkness is a force known to cause the loss of people's hearts if they have delved too deep into it. Slowly suppressed and conquered by the darkness's influence, these unfortunate souls become [[Heartless]] and, if their [[heart]] is strong enough, leave behind a [[body]] that becomes a [[Nobody]]. Those who follow the path of darkness will usually gain untold power at the expense of something of their former selves. The [[Realm of Darkness]] is also one of the three known realms in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' universe, along with the [[Realm Between]], and the [[Realm of Light]].  

Different characters have different views on darkness: [[Aqua]] regards it as nothing but "hate and rage," while Mickey insists that light and darkness are interdependent and cannot exist without one another.

Nearly all beings have darkness in their hearts, but the levels of darkness and light vary from person to person. For instance, [[Sora]] has less darkness in his heart than [[Pete]] or [[Maleficent]]. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however, as all seven of the [[Princesses of Heart]] naturally have hearts completely devoid of darkness. As a result of Master Xehanort forcibly removing the darkness from his heart, [[Ventus]]’s heart is pure light as well. The removed darkness itself, [[Vanitas]], likewise has a heart of pure darkness.

When Nobodies or Replicas are defeated, their body and [[soul]], if any, fade back into the darkness to await being reunited with their missing heart.

===Before ''[[Kingdom Hearts χ]]''===

 

Most of Sora and company's quest is aimed at closing the [[Door to Darkness]] and eliminating the Heartless epidemic. The entire story seems at first very biased towards the force of Light. However, one important belief about light is that there is always "a light in the deepest darkness". This plays a role many times in the story, including when Sora opens the Door to Darkness and finds a blinding light inside with [[Mickey Mouse|King Mickey]]. Even though all of the bias towards the light, the opposing forces are in fact still balanced with a closed [[Door to Light]] and a closed Door to Darkness. There are also two Keyblades, one from the Realm of Light, which is used by Sora, and one from the Realm of Darkness, which is used by King Mickey.

The most major story development about light and darkness in the story is Riku's constant struggle throughout the game against the darkness in his heart. He tries to shun the darkness and "Ansem" out of him, but he cannot do it. Because of this, "Ansem" taunts him that darkness is his destiny. Riku finally finds a revelation in himself when he talks with [[Naminé]] after [[Zexion]], in the guise of Sora, blinds him with light. Riku finds that darkness can be used while under control, and that he should use it along with light to help defeat his enemies, and give him more power. This changes Riku, and "Ansem", thinking that Riku has turned to the darkness, mockingly tells him that he was right about Riku's destiny. Riku fights "Ansem" and destroys him. However, "Ansem" still lingers in Riku's heart. Riku later declines Naminé's offer to seal "Ansem" away in Riku's heart. Then, at the end of the story, [[Ansem the Wise|DiZ]] asks Riku which path he wishes to take. He decides to take the road to dawn, a path leading from darkness to light.

The Organization uses the Corridor of Darkness to travel to different worlds to conduct their missions. While Roxas is in his coma, the members at [[Castle Oblivion]] faded back into darkness. At the climax of the game, [[Riku]] uses the darkness in his heart to transform into [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]].

''Kingdom Hearts II'' presented darkness as a power for not only the villains but the heroes as well. Many of the protagonists of the series, such as Riku and Sora, use darkness during the game.

Riku, in the form of Ansem, has control over numerous powers of darkness. He is able to cast Dark Firaga, open Corridors of Darkness, and use darkness in finishing moves for his combos. After Riku returns to normal, he can no longer use the Corridors of Darkness but is able to use Dark Firaga and Dark Shield, among other attacks. When Sora enters his [[AntiForm]], he turns into a shadowy silhouette of himself and attacks enemies with darkness.  

If one can accept darkness into themselves without allowing the darkness to consume them, they may wield its powers without succumbing to its influences (as in Riku's situation).

Darkness is also seen being manipulated into attacks by the Heartless and Nobodies and to a greater degree Maleficent, the members of Organization XIII, and Riku. Sora can also slightly manipulate darkness in ''Kingdom Hearts II'' through his [[Drive Form]], AntiForm, in which he reawakens the darkness that was created when he became a Heartless.

 

Darkness is also been shown to be able to revive others, shown when Maleficent used the powers of darkness to resurrect [[Oogie Boogie]], and [[Ursula]]'s journal entry states the powers of darkness brought her back. This can cause memory problems; Oogie kept forgetting things.

Darkness can also be used for transportation. Experienced users of darkness are able to open a Corridor of Darkness to travel between locations with a great degree of speed. However, these are physical corridors of darkness, and prolonged or repetitive use of this means of travel will often allow darkness to manifest deeper within a being, leaving them more vulnerable to its negative effects in the long run. Dark corridors can also hide their users from sight; members of both Organizations used this to discreetly observe and taunt enemies.

[[DiZ]] shows the ability to use darkness to shapeshift, as does Naminé; he appears as [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]], while she took on [[Kairi]]'s form.{{storylink|Chain of Memories}} In a minor capacity, it can cause the illusion of a different skin tone as DiZ did while wearing his mask.

There are many items that have used for protection against the darkness. Some of these items are seen as simple things, such as the [[Midnight Anklet]] and [[Champion Belt]], which boost the equipped character's resistance to dark-element attacks, or the [[Keyblade Armor]] and [[black coat]], which protect the wearer from the darkness between the worlds.

Darkness creates and feeds off of primal emotions such as anger, hate, greed, and fear. In the process, it makes those it affects experience and exhibits these feelings while constantly making those feelings stronger, eventually leading to the affected becoming a [[Heartless]] and (rarely) a [[Nobody]]. If one relies too heavily on the powers darkness gives them, it will swallow their hearts in a matter of time as Riku almost lost his heart from using Corridors of Darkness frequently.

Darkness can also change the physical appearance of those it affects, the most extreme is a normal person becoming a [[Shadow]] and Riku taking on the form of [[Riku-Ansem|Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]]. The most common physical changes are golden eyes, darkened skin, and silver hair; however, the manifestation of these traits depends on how much the darkness has stained the heart. [[Master Xehanort]] and his various incarnations display all these traits as he willingly embraces the darkness. [[Ansem the Wise]], on the other hand gains no changes in his appearance as he did not desire the power of darkness the way Xehanort did and only used it to traverse the worlds. Maleficent also does not experience any changes in her appearance nor do Pete or Hades.

*[[Nobodies]]

**[[Naminé]]