Editing Darkness (character)

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{{Youmay|the character|[[darkness|the innate force]] or [[True Darkness|the musical track]]}}

The thirteen original '''Darknesses''', also referred to as '''true darkness''', are a group of characters introduced in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Union χ]]'' who possess a history with [[the Master of Masters]].

Darkness is an ancient entity locked in an eternal battle with the [[light]]. While they originally possessed physical forms, they currently exist without a [[body]], so instead seek out [[heart|hearts]] to inhabit. Of the thirteen, one's whereabouts are unknown following the destruction of [[Daybreak Town]], four are trapped inside data Daybreak Town, and the rest reside in the hearts of [[Ventus]], the five [[Foreteller|Foretellers]], [[Luxu]], and the [[Master of Masters]].

As part of his plan to defeat Darkness, the Master of Masters orchestrated the [[Keyblade War]] by subtly manipulating his apprentices, breeding distrust and anger among them. This caused their hearts to harbor dark emotions, rendering them perfect vessels for Darkness. Following the Keyblade War, the Foretellers, [[Luxu]], and the Master of the Masters became hosts for the strongest seven Darknesses, all according to the Master of Masters's plan.

Another Darkness approaches [[Maleficent]] following her defeat. Darkness explains to her that she is trapped in a [[data world]], part of the Master of Masters's plan to ensure that Maleficent would be unable to alter the past.

Darkness then guides Maleficent to data Daybreak Town and the [[lifeboat]] hidden within the clock tower. It reveals that the device will allow Maleficent to return to her own time, requiring only someone with memories of her and a medium to recreate her body in the future. Further, should Maleficent use the lifeboat, she will be able to serve as a waypoint to allow someone to travel into the future, Darkness explains.

With most of the Union leaders defeated, Darkness is coaxed by Brain into revealing its true plan: infection. [[Player (KHχ)|Player]] arrives and the [[Keyblade wielders]] prepare to fight Darkness once more; their victory in the battle is short-lived, as Darkness is unable to be destroyed with no form. However, Ventus awakens and uses the light within him to dispel the creature of [[darkness]].

The four remaining Darknesses appear to Player, Ephemer, and Skuld in data Daybreak Town. The Darknesses want the Keyblade Wielders to open the gate to [[Game Central Station]] so that they can spread to more worlds, and Ephemer and Skuld prepare to battle the entities in response. However, Player appears to be posessed by Darkness and fights the pair of Union leaders. Defeated, Ephemer sends Player and the four Darknesses to Game Central Station, while locking the gate from his own side. In the conduit between the data Daybreak Town and Game Central Station, Player reveals that they were merely pretending to be possessed, tricking the Darknesses. They use their Keyblade to close the gate from their side as well, trapping themselves and the Darknesses in the data world.

As the situation of the missing upperclassmen escalates, [[Odin]] warns [[Vidar]] of "true darkness", explaining their formless nature. Odin states that the seven most powerful Darknesses were imprisoned within the ancient Lost Masters, four were trapped in a "realm between", and the remaining two are said to have been destroyed when Daybreak Town collapsed.

 

After [[Baldr]]'s sister [[Hoder]] is struck down in front of him, Baldr becomes possessed by Darkness, killing all of the upperclassmen and every one of his classmates except [[Eraqus]], [[Xehanort]], and [[Bragi]]. However, he reveals that he was not possessed by one of the thirteen true Darknesses, but rather a form of Darkness born out of the hearts of others and fostered in Baldr's exceptionally sensitive heart. Baldr's Darkness is defeated by Xehanort with the help of Odin, Eraqus, and Hoder.

 

65 years later, Xehanort and [[Vanitas]] discuss the thirteen ancient Darknesses in the [[Land of Departure]] after leaving Ventus under Eraqus's care. Xehanort questions Vanitas, believing that a dark being such as him would know where true darkness hides. Vanitas denies any relation to the original Darkness, but Xehanort remains convinced of a larger picture.

When [[Sora]] begins his journey to restore [[Kairi]]'s heart using the [[power of waking]], he first enters Ventus's [[heart]]. When attempting to wake Ventus, he is stopped by an entity referring to itself as "Darkness". Sora questions if "Darkness" is Vanitas based on the latter's last words, but does not get a reply as the entity forms itself into the [[Dark Inferno χ]] and battles Sora.

Darkness has the ability to possess, control, and hide inside of other beings, such as when they possess Ventus. As shown when they impersonate Ava, the Darkness is able to transform their appearance. It can manifest as other forms of darkness, such as Heartless. It also has the ability to become invisible, allowing its actions go unnoticed by others. The Darkness can increase their numbers by indirectly influencing the negative thoughts of other people, allowing their hearts to succumb to darkness and giving birth to the Heartless.