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{{game|FM2|BBS}}
{{game|FM2|BBS|FMB|KH3|3RM}}
{{translation}}
{{suite}}
{{cleanup}}
{{Character
{{InfoCharacter
|name = Lingering Will
|name = Lingering Sentiment
|image = [[File:Lingering Will KHIII.png|300x400px]]
|image = [[File:Terra-Armor.jpg|300px]]
|katakana = 留まりし思念
|kana = 留まりし思念
|romaji = Tomarishi Shinen
|romaji = ''Todomarishi Shinen''
|de=Verweilender Wille
|world = [[Keyblade Graveyard]]
|charworld1 = Keyblade Graveyard
|role = Secret Boss, Protagonist
|type=Construct
|first = ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''
|enva = Jason Dohring
|engvoice = TBA
|java = Ryōtarō Okiayu
|japvoice = [[wikipedia:Ryōtarō Okiayu|Ryotaro Okiayu]]
|game1=Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
|game2=Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
|game3=Kingdom Hearts III
|s1=Terra
|journalKH2=A mysterious man who appeared in the portal within Disney Castle.<br>Clad in armor, he controls the Keyblade and its power with more ease than Sora.
|journalUX=KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX (2007)<br>A mysterious armored figure that wields the Keyblade as well as Sora.
|journalKH3=A suit of armor imbued with Terra's thoughts and wishes.
}}
}}
{{spoiler}}
{{Q|Aqua, Ven... One day I will set this right.|Lingering Will}}
The '''Lingering Sentiment''' is the lost thoughts and feelings of the Keyblade wielder, [[Terra]], residing within the man's discarded [[Armor (Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep)|armor]] after his body is possessed by [[Master Xehanort]]. It is a briefly playable character at the end of Terra's scenario in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''.
The '''Lingering Will''' is a collection of thoughts and desires of the [[Keyblade wielder]] [[Terra]]. It took control over Terra's discarded [[Keyblade Armor]] after his [[body]] was possessed by [[Xehanort]]. Along with Terra's [[heart]] within the [[Dark Figure]] and its master [[Terra-Xehanort]], it represents Terra's continued consciousness even after his possession and takeover at the hands of Xehanort. Lingering Will is playable for a short time at the end of Terra's scenario in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep]]''; it made its debut appearance in the ''{{c|Kingdom Hearts|series}}'' series as a secret boss in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''.


==Journal Entry==
==Development==
===''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''===
The Lingering Will's voice in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' is represented by metallic grinding, similar to Xemnas in ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix''.
''A man connected to the portal which appeared at Disney Castle.''


''The armor covering his body can master the Keyblade's power much more than Sora.''
The ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]'' version of ''[[Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix]]'' was updated to have the Lingering Will sprout a cape upon victory; this preserves continuity with ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', where it has a cape.


==Story==
==Story==
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
===''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep''===
[[Image:RiseoftheSentiment.png|thumb|left|300px|The Lingering Sentiment rises to fight Terra-Xehanort.]]
[[File:The Last Bastion of Free Will 01 KHBBS.png|thumb|left|Lingering Will rises to fight Terra-Xehanort.]]
After losing his first battle with Terra, Master Xehanort witnesses the creation of the [[X-Blade]] along with the young Keyblade wielder. Seeking to use the man's darkness as a younger, more powerful weapon as he ventures further into the mysteries of the [[Keyblade War]], Master Xehanort proceeds to unlock his heart. Terra attempts to shield himself with his armor, this proving to no avail, the man becoming a younger incarnation of Master Xehanort. Just as the new Terra-Xehanort begins to venture away from the place of Terra's fall, he soon finds himself trapped within a force field, turning to find Terra's armor kneeling, reassembled, before him, Terra's emotions having found residence within it. Angered by Terra's defiance, Terra-Xehanort engages the Lingering Sentiment in a long, fierce battle.
When Master Xehanort extracts his [[heart]] in an attempt to possess Terra, Terra summons his [[Keyblade Armor]] in a desperate attempt to defend himself, but fails due to his [[darkness]], allowing Xehanort's heart to take over regardless. The newly born [[Terra-Xehanort]] discards the Keyblade Armor and walks off in triumph, only to become trapped in [[Will's Cage]]. Terra-Xehanort turns in shock to see Terra's Keyblade Armor reassembled and standing before him; Terra's rage towards Xehanort and his desire to protect his friends has given life to his discarded armor. Determined to stop Master Xehanort at all costs and get back its body, Terra's "lingering will" challenges Terra-Xehanort to a battle. Angered by Terra's continued resistance, Terra-Xehanort readily engages it.


In the end, the Lingering Sentiment emerges victorious, knocking Terra-Xehanort unconscious. The armored figure then thrusts its [[Gaia Bane|Keyblade]] into the ground, kneeling down. Soon after, Terra-Xehanort is consumed by an immense sphere of light, the result of [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]] shattering the X-Blade during the process of defeating [[Vanitas]]. Kingdom Hearts then disappears from the sky above, leaving the Lingering Sentiment to remain alone in the Keyblade Graveyard.
In the end, Lingering Will is victorious in battle, but although Terra-Xehanort is knocked unconscious, it fails to expel Xehanort from Terra's body. The armored figure plunges its [[Ends of the Earth]] into the ground and slumps down, as Terra-Xehanort is consumed by the [[light]] storm created by the destruction of the [[χ-blade]] via [[Aqua]] and [[Ventus]]. The clouds that have masked the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] in darkness cover [[Kingdom Hearts]] in the sky above, and Lingering Will is left alone. It silently promises Aqua and Ventus that someday, it will set things right.
{{-}}


===''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''===
===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
Eleven years later, a portal to the [[Keyblade Graveyard]] mysteriously appears in Disney Castle. Sora, [[Donald Duck|Donald]], and [[Goofy]] proceed to enter the portal and find the Lingering Sentiment, which at first mentions Aqua and Ventus. It then mistakes Sora as "[[Riku|the one he (Terra) had chosen]]", wondering if Sora is Xehanort before finally attacking him. Sora manages to defeat the Lingering Sentiment after an intense battle, and the Lingering Sentiment merely kneels down again after this. If Sora returns for another match, the Sentiment accepts its defeat, but not before stating that it has nothing left to give him and that all it has left is its hatred for Xehanort.
[[File:Encounter with Lingering Will 01 KHIIFM.png|thumb|Sora prepares to fight Lingering Will.]]
Eleven years later, a portal to the Badlands appears in [[Disney Castle]]. [[Sora]], [[Donald]], and [[Goofy]] enter it and find themselves standing before the kneeling Lingering Will. The animated Keyblade Armor mentions Aqua and Ventus before sensing Sora's [[Keyblade]], and it mistakes Sora for the one it had chosen, [[Riku]]. Realizing its mistake, Lingering Will asks why Sora is not him; it then wonders if Sora is Xehanort, slowly pronouncing the latter's name. Determined to fulfill the promise it made long ago to avenge itself and its friends, Lingering Will rises to its feet and picks up its Keyblade. Sora and friends draw their weapons in preparation for the upcoming fight, and after an intense struggle, they eventually defeat their silent attacker. Upon its loss, Lingering Will senses Ventus's presence within Sora and kneels back down. If Sora returns to battle Lingering Will after this, it accepts his challenge, but it states that it has nothing left to give the young Keyblade wielder other than its contempt for Xehanort.
{{-}}


==Fighting Style==
===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
===Abilities===
{{Q|As long as Master Xehanort resides within [[Terra-Xehanort|you]], you're a threat to Aqua and Ven. [...] You must be removed from existence...at all costs.|The Lingering Will's final words}}
{{Main|Lingering Sentiment (Boss)}}
[[File:The Lingering Will 01 KHIII.png|thumb|220px|left|Lingering Will clashes with Terra-Xehanort one last time.]]
The Lingering Sentiment, like ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s other secret bosses, is difficult to defeat; its most basic moves are attacking with its Keyblade, [[Ends of the Earth]], using a combo attack almost identical to Sora's, though it instead turns its Keyblade into a drill-like object for the forward thrust combo finisher, and can fly at very high speeds. Its main abilities are transforming its Keyblade into various attacking forms. It can turn it into a whip that does less damage than the blade form, but its greater speed and range makes up for it. In addition, the Lingering Sentiment can also use [[Terra|Terra's]] Ultima Cannon [[Shotlock]] as an attack. Sora, however, can deflect this back to the Lingering Sentiment, which leaves it very vulnerable. The Lingering Sentiment can also transform its Keyblade into [[Keyblade Glider|a jet ski-like object]] that lets it fly extremely fast, and a cog-like object that spins around so fast that if Sora gets hit by it once, then the rest of the hits will also hit Sora.
In [[The Final World]], Sora encounters [[Naminé]]'s heart, who tells him she found a connection to Terra's "strong will", and tries to make contact with it.


The Lingering Sentiment can also conjure a ritual-like attack. In this attack, the Lingering Sentiment enters a berserker-like condition, similar to [[Saïx (Boss)|Saïx]]'s Berserk technique. Its arm gauntlets and helmet will emit a bright red aura, and it then can split its Keyblade into two weapons. This, when added with its combos, makes it extremely lethal. In this attack, the Lingering Sentiment is only vulnerable after completing an attack or after deflecting the cannon-formed Keyblade's shot back at it. Any other time that you attack it will be null. While in the berserk-like state, the last few attacks of the Sentiment's rapid combo can be blocked by Sora regularly, although it would take evading the first two slashes before it warps away and very precise timing.
After returning to the point in time before their defeat in the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], the [[Guardians of Light]] are once again confronted by [[Terra-Xehanort]]. This time, however, the Lingering Will arrives and fights him, leading both of them away from the group.


In addition to its Keyblade, the Lingering Sentiment has other abilities as well. It can also create an unusual looking seal that either creates an orange or blue orb. An orange orb causes Sora to be unable to attack and a blue orb prevents Sora from using magic or items. It can also use some magic; for example, when the Lingering Sentiment is doing a [[Sonic Blade]]-like attack while low on HP or attacking with its jet ski-formed Keyblade, it sometimes will use [[Blizzard|Blizzaga]]. Also, when it turns its Keyblade into a jet-ski like object and rides it and if you are too far from it. It will sometimes use [[Magnet|Magnega]] that does some damage, and will pull Sora into its path. The Lingering Sentiment can also conjure drone-like objects which fire beams of plasma at Sora and his party. A particularly deadly attack is trapping Sora in a triangular-shaped seal that drain his heath at a very fast rate, similar to an attack used by Xemnas, but much more powerful. Bnly a "Break Free" command on Sora's command list can save him from it. If the player chooses the wrong command while he is trapped, then Sora will immediately die, even with Once More and Second Chance equipped. Interestingly, when it strikes Sora with its Keyblade(s), most of its combos resemble Sora's combos, most notably the [[Valor Form]] and [[Final Form]] combos. It should be noted that all of the Lingering Sentiment's attacks can be blocked or evaded with precise blocking, [[Reflect|Reflega]] magic, [[Cure|Curaga]] magic with the [[Leaf Veil]] ability equipped, or Drive Form transformations if timed right. A recommended way to evade attacks is to activate Limits when Donald and Goofy are near, preferably Donald's as they can last longer.
During their battle, Terra-Xehanort catches the Lingering Will off guard with the [[Dark Figure]]. As the Dark Figure prepares to crush the Lingering Will's head, Sora's future self arrives and fends them off. Sora is caught by the Dark Figure, but before Terra-Xehanort can finish Sora off, the Lingering Will intercepts the attack and is destroyed, sacrificing itself to save Sora.
{{-}}


When playing as the Lingering Sentiment during the final battle with Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', it loses Terra's ability to use [[Dimension Link|D-Links]]; the D-Link Gauge will be empty with no way to refill it. Retaining Terra's immense power, the Lingering Sentiment has access to any abilities equipped before the battle begins, including all [[Shotlock]]s, attacks, and spells. While Terra was able to wield whichever Keyblade the player equipped, the Lingering Sentiment's weapon is preset as the Ends of the Earth.
==Other appearances==
===''Kingdom Hearts Re:coded''===
In the opening credits of ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]'', the Lingering Will is seen kneeling down after the defeat of Terra-Xehanort.


===Weapon===
==Design==
{{Main|Ends of the Earth}}
The Lingering Will is an animated suit of Keyblade Armor. Its helmet is mostly gold, except for its black visor, and it sports two red prongs (one on either side of the helmet) that point upwards. The arms, legs, and ribs of the Keyblade Armor are black and have orange patterns decorating them. Its knee guards, gauntlets, breastplate, and armored boots are gold, and there are other, smaller pieces of gold armor on its legs. The Lingering Will wears black pauldrons with gold edges. The front of the armor on its torso is red, as are small pieces of armor on its lower legs and gauntlets. Lingering Will also wears gold anklets with red spikes on the back that curve upward sharply.
[[File:Ends of the Earth KHIIFM.jpg|thumb|The Ends of the Earth, once wielded by Terra]]
When the new Xehanort was born, he sacrificed both Terra's armor and the [[Ends of the Earth]] Keyblade for Master Xehanort's old [[Master Xehanort's Keyblade|weapon]]. Because a part of Terra resided within the Lingering Sentiment, it was able to wield the Ends of the Earth to conquer Xehanort. The Ends of the Earth would then remain with the Lingering Sentiment in its solitude at the Keyblade Graveyard; the animated armor would use the Keyblade a second time to battle Sora eleven years later.


The Lingering Sentiment is a very capable Keyblade wielder, able to morph the Ends of the Earth into several different forms. It shares Terra's ability to summon a Keyblade Glider, using what was once a form of transportation for the hero as an offensive technique. Other forms the Ends of the Earth may take through the Lingering Sentiment's influence include a chain whip, the massive cannon-like form used in Terra's Ultima Cannon [[Shotlock]], a drilling gauntlet, and a harken-like weapon. Save for the Keyblade Glider and Ultima Cannon, these forms were each unique to the Gaia Bane when wielded by the Lingering Sentiment. The armor also holds the weapon in a different fashion in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' than in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', the latter's version identical to that of Terra.
In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' and ''Kingdom Hearts III'', Lingering Will's armor is much darker in coloration. It also wears a cape that is gold on the outside and dark blue on the inside. This cape was removed from Lingering Will's design in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' in order to avoid framerate issues.<ref>'''''{{w|Famitsu}} PSP+PS3''''', '''Interviewer''': "I was very surprised to hear that in VS Arena Mode you could play with six other people." / '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "We wanted to make it so that as many people could play together as possible, but in the end, we could only do six. By the way, in the ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' secret movie you can see Terra in his armor with a cape, but we took off the cape in this game. It was to make processing easier when you're playing with six people. Processing of moving fabric can be slow, so the speed it runs at is completely different if he has a cape or not." [https://www.khinsider.com/news/Famitsu-Interview-Nomura-New-1269 Translation via Lissar].</ref> However, it was reintegrated in the cutscene after the Lingering Will defeated Terra-Xehanort at the end of Terra's scenario in ''Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX''.


==Personality==
==Personality==
As the Lingering Sentiment is truly an inanimate object, it cannot feel or possess a personality of its own. Since it was brought to life by Terra's discarded thoughts and emotions, however, it is able to "feel" a strong hatred towards Xehanort, as well as a close connection and devotion to Aqua and Ventus.
As the Lingering Will is not truly a living being, it cannot feel or possess a personality of its own. It was brought to life by the thoughts and emotions that Terra left behind when Xehanort took his body, so while it feels some connection to Aqua, Ventus, and Riku, its driving focus is to revenge itself on Xehanort. It is able to speak, but due to its single-minded purpose its words are terse, dispassionate, and to-the-point. Despite this, it does feel a desire to protect Aqua and Ventus to the point it is willing to destroy its former body as long as Xehanort's heart inhabits it as it perceives Terra-Xehanort as a threat to Aqua and Ventus.
 
Despite being physically separate from Terra's [[heart]] and [[body]], the Lingering Will carries Terra's continued consciousness, as shown when in-game tips refer to Terra-Xehanort's body as "[its] body" and how it refers to Riku as the one "it" chose. Before the [[Dark Figure]]'s reveal as a vessel for Terra's heart, [[Sora]] and the other protagonists believe the Lingering Will to be all that remains of Terra's own thoughts and desires, and refer to it by the name of its original self.
 
==Abilities==
===Fighting style===
{{Main|Game:Lingering Will}}
[[File:Lingering Will Fighting Styles KHIIFM.png|thumb|250px|The many different forms of Lingering Will's Keyblade.]]
Lingering Will, like ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s other secret bosses, is difficult to defeat. Its most basic move is a three-hit Keyblade combo almost identical to Sora's. The difference, however, is that the Lingering Will can [[Formchange]] its Keyblade into a drill-like object for the forward thrust that serves as the combo finisher. This is just one of many Formchanges the Lingering Will's Keyblade assumes during the battle against it; another Formchange it can assume is a whip that deals less damage than its blade form in exchange for greater speed and range. Lingering Will can also fly at high speeds and use Terra's [[Ultima Cannon]] [[Shotlock]]. Unlike when Terra's Shotlock is used, however, the resulting blast can be deflected via a well-timed Guard to damage the Lingering Will instead. This leaves it vulnerable to further attacks. The Lingering Will can also Formchange its Keyblade into a [[Keyblade Glider]] or cog-like object to perform extremely quick attacks.


==Appearance==
Lingering Will can also create a large rune on the ground below it as lightning rains down from above. At this point, the Lingering Will enters a berserk state that causes its arm gauntlets and helmet to emit a bright red aura. The Lingering Will gains the ability to split its Keyblade into two, making its combos extremely lethal. After the first two stages of the Lingering Will's rapid combo have been evaded, the last few attacks can be blocked by Sora via a well-timed Guard.  
The Lingering Sentiment is an animated suit of armor. The helmet is mostly gold, except for the visor, which is black, and it sports two, red prongs, one on either side of the helmet, that point straight up. The arms, legs, and ribs of the armor is black had have orange patterns decorating them. Its knee guards, gauntlets, breast plate, and armored boots are gold, and there are other, smaller pieces of gold armor on its legs. It wears black shoulder pauldrons with gold edges. The front of the armor on the Lingering Sentiment's torso is red, as are small pieces of armor on its lower legs and gauntlets. It also wears gold anklets with red spikes on the back that curve upward sharply.


In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', The Lingering Sentiment's armor seems to be much darker in coloration, either because of the lack of light in the Keyblade Graveyard, or that the long period of time it spent there simply faded the armor. It also wears a cape that is gold on the outside and black on the inside. However, this cape was removed from the design for ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', to avoid lagging issues.<ref>Nomura: We wanted to make it so that as many people could play together as possible, but in the end we could only do six. By the way, in the ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'' secret movie you can see Terra in his armor with a cape, but we took off the cape in this game. It was to make processing easier when you’re playing with six people. Processing of moving fabric can be slow, so the speed it runs at is completely different if he has a cape or not.</ref> As it is Terra's discarded armor, the Lingering Sentiment uses his main Keyblade, Gaia Bane, in all of its appearances.
Lingering Will is also quite skilled at wielding magic. It can create an unusual-looking seal that either creates an orange or blue orb. An orange orb prevents Sora from attacking, while a blue orb blocks the use of magic and items. The Lingering Will may sometimes use [[Blizzaga]] while executing a [[Sonic Blade]]-like attack at low HP or when riding its Keyblade Glider. It will also use [[Magnega]] while atop its Keyblade Glider if Sora is too far from it. The Lingering Will can conjure drone-like objects which fire lasers at Sora, Donald, and Goofy, as well. It may sometimes transform its Keyblade into a bow and fire arrows that trap Sora in a triangular-shaped seal that drains his health at a fast rate; only a "Release" command can save Sora from it. If the player chooses the wrong command while Sora is trapped, Sora will expire regardless of [[Once More]] or [[Second Chance]], although [[Peter Pan]]'s [[Auto-Life]] ability will allow him to continue fighting.


In the game, the Sentiment speaks directly to Sora's mind, much like [[Xemnas]] did in ''Kingdom Hearts Final Mix''. In ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', it briefly talks with Terra's voice at the end of Terra's scenario.
When playing as Lingering Will during the final battle with Terra-Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', it loses Terra's ability to use [[Dimension Link|D-Links]]; the D-Link Gauge is empty and unable to be refilled for the entire battle. The Lingering Will does, however, retain Terra's immense power and has access to any abilities that were equipped to him before the battle begins. Lingering Will also can use Terra's equipped Shotlock and all commands that were placed in his Command Deck. While Terra's Keyblade was able to be equipped with any Keychain of the player's choosing, Lingering Will's Keyblade defaults to the Ends of the Earth.


==Trivia==
===Weapon===
*The Sentiment's first quote, about Sora not being "the one he chose" refers to when Terra met Riku on Destiny Islands as a child and saw him to be his successor.
As Terra's possessed Keyblade Armor, Lingering Will wields his former Keyblade, the Ends of the Earth. When Terra-Xehanort is created, he forsakes the Ends of the Earth in favor of [[No Name]]. Because Terra's will finds residence within his Keyblade Armor, Lingering Will picks up the Ends of the Earth upon its creation and uses it to conquer its possessed body. The Ends of the Earth remains with Lingering Will during its solitude at the Keyblade Graveyard; the animated Keyblade Armor uses the weapon a second time to battle Sora eleven years after its struggle against Terra-Xehanort.  
*The Lingering Sentiment's attacks demonstrated in his battle with Sora seem to not only derive from Terra, but also from Aqua and Ventus. From Aqua, he displays incredible magical prowess, utilizing seals, casting spells and transforming his Keyblade into a bow. The Sentiment borrows Ventus's immense speed, such as the whip and the ramming speed when using the Keyblade Glider, as well as the Glide ability. Unlike other Keyblade wielders, the Lingering Sentiment rarely uses his Keyblade for simple swings.
{{spoilerend}}


==See also==
Lingering Will can [[Formchange]] the Ends of the Earth into a myriad of weapons, including Terra's [[Keyblade Glider]], the cannon-like form used in Terra's [[Ultima Cannon]] [[Shotlock]], a chain whip, a drilling gauntlet, and a harken-like weapon. Save for the Keyblade Glider and Ultima Cannon, these forms are all unique to the Ends of the Earth when it is wielded by Lingering Will. While Lingering Will's battle stance with the Ends of the Earth is identical to Terra's in ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'', it adopts a different stance in ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''.
*[[Terra]]
<center><gallery>
*[[Xehanort]]
File:Ends of the Earth KHIIFM.png|The [[Ends of the Earth]], once wielded by Terra.
</gallery></center>


==Notes and References==
==Notes and references==
{{reflist|1}}
{{reflist}}
 
{{Party}}
{{BBS}}
{{BBS}}
{{Party}}
{{FM2}}
{{KH3}}
[[Category:Keyblade Wielders]]
[[Category:Keyblade Wielders]]
[[Category:Original characters]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts II characters]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep characters]]
[[Category:Keyblade Graveyard]]

Latest revision as of 17:23, 26 September 2024

Lingering Will

Lingering Will

Japanese 留まりし思念
Rōmaji Tomarishi Shinen

Type Construct
Voice actors (Ja:) Ryōtarō Okiayu
(En:) Jason Dohring
Homeworld Keyblade Graveyard
Games Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts III
Variations
Terra
Lingering Will

Kingdom Hearts II
A mysterious man who appeared in the portal within Disney Castle.
Clad in armor, he controls the Keyblade and its power with more ease than Sora.
Kingdom Hearts Union χ
KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX (2007)
A mysterious armored figure that wields the Keyblade as well as Sora.
Kingdom Hearts III
A suit of armor imbued with Terra's thoughts and wishes.
"Aqua, Ven... One day I will set this right."
—Lingering Will

The Lingering Will is a collection of thoughts and desires of the Keyblade wielder Terra. It took control over Terra's discarded Keyblade Armor after his body was possessed by Xehanort. Along with Terra's heart within the Dark Figure and its master Terra-Xehanort, it represents Terra's continued consciousness even after his possession and takeover at the hands of Xehanort. Lingering Will is playable for a short time at the end of Terra's scenario in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep; it made its debut appearance in the Kingdom Hearts series as a secret boss in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.

Development[edit]

The Lingering Will's voice in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix is represented by metallic grinding, similar to Xemnas in Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.

The Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX version of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix was updated to have the Lingering Will sprout a cape upon victory; this preserves continuity with Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, where it has a cape.

Story[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

Lingering Will rises to fight Terra-Xehanort.

When Master Xehanort extracts his heart in an attempt to possess Terra, Terra summons his Keyblade Armor in a desperate attempt to defend himself, but fails due to his darkness, allowing Xehanort's heart to take over regardless. The newly born Terra-Xehanort discards the Keyblade Armor and walks off in triumph, only to become trapped in Will's Cage. Terra-Xehanort turns in shock to see Terra's Keyblade Armor reassembled and standing before him; Terra's rage towards Xehanort and his desire to protect his friends has given life to his discarded armor. Determined to stop Master Xehanort at all costs and get back its body, Terra's "lingering will" challenges Terra-Xehanort to a battle. Angered by Terra's continued resistance, Terra-Xehanort readily engages it.

In the end, Lingering Will is victorious in battle, but although Terra-Xehanort is knocked unconscious, it fails to expel Xehanort from Terra's body. The armored figure plunges its Ends of the Earth into the ground and slumps down, as Terra-Xehanort is consumed by the light storm created by the destruction of the χ-blade via Aqua and Ventus. The clouds that have masked the Keyblade Graveyard in darkness cover Kingdom Hearts in the sky above, and Lingering Will is left alone. It silently promises Aqua and Ventus that someday, it will set things right.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

Sora prepares to fight Lingering Will.

Eleven years later, a portal to the Badlands appears in Disney Castle. Sora, Donald, and Goofy enter it and find themselves standing before the kneeling Lingering Will. The animated Keyblade Armor mentions Aqua and Ventus before sensing Sora's Keyblade, and it mistakes Sora for the one it had chosen, Riku. Realizing its mistake, Lingering Will asks why Sora is not him; it then wonders if Sora is Xehanort, slowly pronouncing the latter's name. Determined to fulfill the promise it made long ago to avenge itself and its friends, Lingering Will rises to its feet and picks up its Keyblade. Sora and friends draw their weapons in preparation for the upcoming fight, and after an intense struggle, they eventually defeat their silent attacker. Upon its loss, Lingering Will senses Ventus's presence within Sora and kneels back down. If Sora returns to battle Lingering Will after this, it accepts his challenge, but it states that it has nothing left to give the young Keyblade wielder other than its contempt for Xehanort.

Kingdom Hearts III[edit]

"As long as Master Xehanort resides within you, you're a threat to Aqua and Ven. [...] You must be removed from existence...at all costs."
—The Lingering Will's final words
Cutscene image
Lingering Will clashes with Terra-Xehanort one last time.

In The Final World, Sora encounters Naminé's heart, who tells him she found a connection to Terra's "strong will", and tries to make contact with it.

After returning to the point in time before their defeat in the Keyblade Graveyard, the Guardians of Light are once again confronted by Terra-Xehanort. This time, however, the Lingering Will arrives and fights him, leading both of them away from the group.

During their battle, Terra-Xehanort catches the Lingering Will off guard with the Dark Figure. As the Dark Figure prepares to crush the Lingering Will's head, Sora's future self arrives and fends them off. Sora is caught by the Dark Figure, but before Terra-Xehanort can finish Sora off, the Lingering Will intercepts the attack and is destroyed, sacrificing itself to save Sora.

Other appearances[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]

In the opening credits of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, the Lingering Will is seen kneeling down after the defeat of Terra-Xehanort.

Design[edit]

The Lingering Will is an animated suit of Keyblade Armor. Its helmet is mostly gold, except for its black visor, and it sports two red prongs (one on either side of the helmet) that point upwards. The arms, legs, and ribs of the Keyblade Armor are black and have orange patterns decorating them. Its knee guards, gauntlets, breastplate, and armored boots are gold, and there are other, smaller pieces of gold armor on its legs. The Lingering Will wears black pauldrons with gold edges. The front of the armor on its torso is red, as are small pieces of armor on its lower legs and gauntlets. Lingering Will also wears gold anklets with red spikes on the back that curve upward sharply.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts III, Lingering Will's armor is much darker in coloration. It also wears a cape that is gold on the outside and dark blue on the inside. This cape was removed from Lingering Will's design in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep in order to avoid framerate issues.[1] However, it was reintegrated in the cutscene after the Lingering Will defeated Terra-Xehanort at the end of Terra's scenario in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX.

Personality[edit]

As the Lingering Will is not truly a living being, it cannot feel or possess a personality of its own. It was brought to life by the thoughts and emotions that Terra left behind when Xehanort took his body, so while it feels some connection to Aqua, Ventus, and Riku, its driving focus is to revenge itself on Xehanort. It is able to speak, but due to its single-minded purpose its words are terse, dispassionate, and to-the-point. Despite this, it does feel a desire to protect Aqua and Ventus to the point it is willing to destroy its former body as long as Xehanort's heart inhabits it as it perceives Terra-Xehanort as a threat to Aqua and Ventus.

Despite being physically separate from Terra's heart and body, the Lingering Will carries Terra's continued consciousness, as shown when in-game tips refer to Terra-Xehanort's body as "[its] body" and how it refers to Riku as the one "it" chose. Before the Dark Figure's reveal as a vessel for Terra's heart, Sora and the other protagonists believe the Lingering Will to be all that remains of Terra's own thoughts and desires, and refer to it by the name of its original self.

Abilities[edit]

Fighting style[edit]

Main article: Game:Lingering Will
The many different forms of Lingering Will's Keyblade.

Lingering Will, like Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix's other secret bosses, is difficult to defeat. Its most basic move is a three-hit Keyblade combo almost identical to Sora's. The difference, however, is that the Lingering Will can Formchange its Keyblade into a drill-like object for the forward thrust that serves as the combo finisher. This is just one of many Formchanges the Lingering Will's Keyblade assumes during the battle against it; another Formchange it can assume is a whip that deals less damage than its blade form in exchange for greater speed and range. Lingering Will can also fly at high speeds and use Terra's Ultima Cannon Shotlock. Unlike when Terra's Shotlock is used, however, the resulting blast can be deflected via a well-timed Guard to damage the Lingering Will instead. This leaves it vulnerable to further attacks. The Lingering Will can also Formchange its Keyblade into a Keyblade Glider or cog-like object to perform extremely quick attacks.

Lingering Will can also create a large rune on the ground below it as lightning rains down from above. At this point, the Lingering Will enters a berserk state that causes its arm gauntlets and helmet to emit a bright red aura. The Lingering Will gains the ability to split its Keyblade into two, making its combos extremely lethal. After the first two stages of the Lingering Will's rapid combo have been evaded, the last few attacks can be blocked by Sora via a well-timed Guard.

Lingering Will is also quite skilled at wielding magic. It can create an unusual-looking seal that either creates an orange or blue orb. An orange orb prevents Sora from attacking, while a blue orb blocks the use of magic and items. The Lingering Will may sometimes use Blizzaga while executing a Sonic Blade-like attack at low HP or when riding its Keyblade Glider. It will also use Magnega while atop its Keyblade Glider if Sora is too far from it. The Lingering Will can conjure drone-like objects which fire lasers at Sora, Donald, and Goofy, as well. It may sometimes transform its Keyblade into a bow and fire arrows that trap Sora in a triangular-shaped seal that drains his health at a fast rate; only a "Release" command can save Sora from it. If the player chooses the wrong command while Sora is trapped, Sora will expire regardless of Once More or Second Chance, although Peter Pan's Auto-Life ability will allow him to continue fighting.

When playing as Lingering Will during the final battle with Terra-Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, it loses Terra's ability to use D-Links; the D-Link Gauge is empty and unable to be refilled for the entire battle. The Lingering Will does, however, retain Terra's immense power and has access to any abilities that were equipped to him before the battle begins. Lingering Will also can use Terra's equipped Shotlock and all commands that were placed in his Command Deck. While Terra's Keyblade was able to be equipped with any Keychain of the player's choosing, Lingering Will's Keyblade defaults to the Ends of the Earth.

Weapon[edit]

As Terra's possessed Keyblade Armor, Lingering Will wields his former Keyblade, the Ends of the Earth. When Terra-Xehanort is created, he forsakes the Ends of the Earth in favor of No Name. Because Terra's will finds residence within his Keyblade Armor, Lingering Will picks up the Ends of the Earth upon its creation and uses it to conquer its possessed body. The Ends of the Earth remains with Lingering Will during its solitude at the Keyblade Graveyard; the animated Keyblade Armor uses the weapon a second time to battle Sora eleven years after its struggle against Terra-Xehanort.

Lingering Will can Formchange the Ends of the Earth into a myriad of weapons, including Terra's Keyblade Glider, the cannon-like form used in Terra's Ultima Cannon Shotlock, a chain whip, a drilling gauntlet, and a harken-like weapon. Save for the Keyblade Glider and Ultima Cannon, these forms are all unique to the Ends of the Earth when it is wielded by Lingering Will. While Lingering Will's battle stance with the Ends of the Earth is identical to Terra's in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, it adopts a different stance in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ Famitsu PSP+PS3, Interviewer: "I was very surprised to hear that in VS Arena Mode you could play with six other people." / Tetsuya Nomura: "We wanted to make it so that as many people could play together as possible, but in the end, we could only do six. By the way, in the Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix secret movie you can see Terra in his armor with a cape, but we took off the cape in this game. It was to make processing easier when you're playing with six people. Processing of moving fabric can be slow, so the speed it runs at is completely different if he has a cape or not." Translation via Lissar.