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.

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.

The first light Kingdom Hearts came from the darkness in which the world began in. When the [[Master of Masters]] was a boy an earlier war began with a conflict between the physical manifestations of light and thirteen darknesses. This conflict continued without end for an unknown period of time. To finally win against light, [[Darkness (character)|Darkness]] abandoned its physical form and became a whole, but its will could not be maintained and in order to expand and propagate their number, they slowly corrupted people’s hearts to give rise to the [[Pureblood Heartless]].

 

The [[χ-blade]], which acted as the counterpart and key to [[Kingdom Hearts]], was forged from pure light and darkness. The violence of the [[Keyblade War]] shattered it into seven pieces of light, and thirteen pieces of darkness.<ref>'''''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''''', '''Yen Sid''': "As for the real χ-blade, it did not survive the battle. The two elements that created it, one of darkness and one of light, shattered into twenty pieces—seven of light; thirteen of darkness."</ref>

Before the second Keyblade War began, there was the Master of Masters and his apprentices [[Ira]], [[Invi]], [[Aced]], [[Gula]], [[Ava]] and [[Luxu]]. He taught them the ways of the Keyblade, how to form their own [[Union]]s and gave them their roles. Sometime after that, he creates the Spirit [[Chirithy]] to watch over the wielders during their endeavors but warned if any wielder gave into darkness then the Chirithy will turn into a Nightmare. When the Foretellers read that the [[Book of Prophecies]] foretold the world would end in darkness. In spite of their best efforts, distrust and accusations come between the Foretellers and their unions causing it to grow in some of the wielder's hearts turning them into [[Darklings]]. Aware that Darkness could not be defeated without a physical form, the Master's real purpose of training his students was to make their hearts strong enough so they could lock the seven strongest darknesses away.

Even though the [[Dandelions]] escaped to the new world, Darkness continued to follow them not only as the Darklings but as an entity which led to two problems. The Darklings' pursuit never stopped as it continued to look for someone or something in which Chirithy suspected that they were drawn to the Keyblade. Meanwhile the Darkness entity took refuge in an imposter Union Leader and used [[Ventus|him]] to alter Master Ava's plans as it was written in the book of prophecies by the Master of Masters. During a confrontation against the willful entity, the Union leaders discovered the Darklings were after Ventus and when he woken he dispelled the creatures. Just like the Foretellers, it was also the Master's intentions to have the five of the remaining six would be locked within the Union leaders, leaving the last to be caged within Data-Daybreak Town.  

However instead thanks to the Player's sacrifice four of the other darkness entities were trapped in the Game Central cable link unable to infect anyone else. Though the two were thought to have perished in the collapse of [[Daybreak Town]], it is implied that the lone darkness that confronted Luxu traveled or lived into the future and eventually possessed [[Baldr]] while he was overcome with grief from his sister's death. The other darkness remained embedded in Ventus, and [[Xehanort]] suggests to [[Vanitas]] in private conversation that Vanitas was not a part of Ventus after all, but rather that same ancient willful darkness.

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.

===''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]''===

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).

[[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.

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.

**[[Vanitas]]

*[[Master Xehanort]]

*[[Nobodies]]

**[[Naminé]]