#curious if the union leaders count if he's related to ephemer

[dominicsorel]

It's a tragedy when darkness takes over someone's heart. I know that all too well…because I've seen those that I cared about, my closest allies, drown in darkness.

[dreamer-under-the-moon]

KH Dark Road: the Beginning

It’s only the prologue, but it’s one hell of a ride!

The game begins with scenes from KHX, up to the scene where the Player character sees Ephemer and Skuld after the Keybalde War ended. Then we switch to Xehanort, who sheds a tear as he wakes from... his dream?

Well, this is certainly one way to connect Union Cross to Dark Road. Not sure what you are going with this, Nomura, but please, go on.

I think most of us have long suspected that Heartless Xehanort had something to do with Young Xehanort getting off Destiny Islands. My main question though, is this: was Xehanort the only inhabitant of that world? If so, I do not blame him for wanting out.

Time skip! And baby Eraqus! Given what we know about him (descendant of Keyblade wielding lineage), I’m sure there’s a lot of theories on whether he is related to any of our Unchained crew. I’m betting on Brain, but it could be Skuld. Of course, it could also be a rando wielder, but I doubt it.

I must say, I did not expect his personality to be so carefree. It’s hard to not think of the stern Master Eraqus when I see his younger version, even when said younger version is planning on getting to class at the last minute.

I am getting Birth By Sleep flashbacks.

“It’s like poetry, they rhyme.” 

Again, poetry.

Xehanort is going to do a lot of falling in the future.

(This design is absolutely breathtaking and the reference to the True Kingdom Hearts is spot on.)

Here we meet the other apprentices. That makes a total of 6, counting Eraqus and Xehanort. I wonder why the numbers dwindled to 3 under Eraqus.

If anyone told me that Eraqus used to be a brat with a great sense of humor, I would stare at them hard. Apparently, a cheerful Eraqus was just what the doctor ordered.

Hold up, since when were we involving the Norse Gods in this? When did this turn into a Norse mythology adaptation?

...

Their Keyblade master was ODIN???

Baldr, I can kind of leave aside. The only reason I know about him is because I was in an MCU phase and while he is mostly known for his role in two stories in Norse mythology, his name might fly over a lot of people’s heads (aka past me).

But Odin.

Really, Nomura.

ODIN.

Who’s next? We already got Skuld in KHUX, so I guess we can look forward to the other two Norns. Since Baldr and Odin are here, I guess we’ll be seeing more of Odin’s sons? Like Thor?

Maybe we’ll see some version of Frigg since she can scry. Would definitely be helpful in the KH universe.

I’m guessing that Nomura decided to stick with Odin’s seidrmann aspect rather than the warrior one that seems more prevalent in popular media. Also, if Yen Sid was not one of Odin’s students or a close friend, I will eat my hat.

Speaking of hats, nice touch with the hat covering one of his eyes. Now the old man only needs two ravens and his spear, though I guess it would be a Keyblade in this case.

I will be calling this Birth By Sleep: Terra’s Route, Xehanort version.

Why seven? For the seven Lights? Is there always going to be a Luxu-like character who is supposed to be there but is just off on his own? Then again, the Foretellers were five, six plus Luxu, seven plus their master. Are we getting another trio then?

Anyways, the upperclassmen were traveling between the worlds to prepare for their Mastery Exam when they suddenly vanished. Apparently, lowerclassmen didn’t know about that part of their future training.

Gotta say, I was expecting Xehanort to be the one raging about being kept from interdimensional travel, not Eraqus. Though it was hinted at earlier that he wanted to go see the other worlds more than anything. Still, chill dude.

Odin does decide to teach them his ways, in order to find his wayward students, which is a surprise to the Dark Road crew.

Welp, found the troublemakers of the group. Also, the dark haired boy on the top right looks so bloody annoyed. Something tells me he’s a bit of a rule-follower.

From what I gathered of their personalities so far, we have a relatively colorful cast.

Eraqus => excitable puppy

Xehanort => Braincell

Ginger boi => the cool kid

Purple girl => cinnamon bun (mage?)

Black haired boy => class president

Silver girl => responsible one (possibly descendant of Skuld and/or Ephemer) (swordswoman?)

I wonder how Baldr fits in this group?

Oh. Well, I get why not telling him about this incident might help him not freak out, but I doubt his classmates’ absence will go unnoticed indefinitely. I am getting very curious as to what Baldr looks like and what his role in this story will be.

As for his sister, I’m going to go on a limb here and guess that she is also named after a Norse deity. Which one? No idea. I don’t recall Odin having any daughters, but if we go the MCU route, I have a good guess what Baldr’s sister’s fate will be.

Our cast goes outside and discuss how they should proceed. Ginger turns to Xehanort for advice, since he’s the only one from another world.

This raises an interesting question, do all current Keyblade wielders (except Xehanort) descend from the Dandelions?

Xehanort’s status as an otherworlder as well as his maturity are definitely traits that would make a leader of the group. And Xehanort’s knowledge, especially when it comes to the current state of other worlds, is definitely another thing his peers respect about him.

Now, Odin says that they must travel in two groups of three. You then see a screen that allows you to choose who to bring with you. Xehanort and Eraqus, however, are non-negotiable.

...

So, we’ve got their names. And what names they are. Let’s do a bit of research, shall we?

- Hermod, son of Odin, brother of Baldr. His name means some variant of “warrior” or “wrath of war”. He is said to have ridden to Helheim for nine days so that Baldr may return to the land of the living. While he succeeded in persuading Hel, Hel’s request was unfulfilled and Baldr remained in her halls. In one poem, Hermod and Bragi greet fallen warriors to Valhalla (note that it is unclear whether the Bragi in question is human or god).

- Bragi, god of poetry and originally ninth-century bard Bragi Boddason.  Evidence seems to suggest that while Christian writers made him a god, he was not actually worshipped as one before that.

- Urd, Norn of the past and the word for “fate”. Sister to Norns Verdandi (”happening” or “present”) and Skuld (”debt” or “future”).

- Vor, goddess of wisdom. Her name means possibly "the careful one," or "aware, careful". It is said that she is wise and inquiring, so that nothing can be concealed from her.

...I shall hencerforth call the Dark Road crew “the Norse Study Group”, NSG for short.

Xehanort and Eraqus are so out of place, name-wise.

Ready to take off!

Also, Nomura, giving Xehanort a throne and a crown? Are you trying to tell us something?

[echoheart0324]

*deep sigh* So...uh...about the November story update...*deep breath*. Damnitallholyshitwhatthefuckisallofthisinformation. I’ll provide my insight into this topic, along with the traitor talk once more (featuring ‘Darkness’ and their bullshit). I’ve been putting this off for so long, so...RIP I suppose.

Warning: Heavy KHUX spoilers will be discussed, featuring my thoughts and speculation. You have been warned. (Also there’s a lot of stretches and lousy evidence, but I wanted to bring this into light...)

Here’s my general opinion right now:

*yells loudly* I don’t think Lauriam’s on our suspect list!!!

Before y’all get a pitchfork and stab me to death until I bleed out or something (I dunno either), hear me out.

I’ll lend you what I got gathered here. It’s a mess, but it’s something, better than nothing.

()()()

For the KHUX story update that occurred during October, a mysterious figure approached the scenes, going by the name ‘Darkness’ (which is stupid. Who thought that name would be a great addition to the game???).

Although I have no experience with the Japanese language, a few Twitter accounts who I was able to stumble across by, were able to provide valuable information. I won’t be providing names, just in case the info’s false.

Anyways, ’Darkness’ has a specific speech pattern that is apparent, exclusively to the JP version. The figure uses the pronoun of ‘ore’, which Marluxia/Lauriam don’t seem to use, where instead they use ‘boku’? Though I think the other guys use ‘ore’. (So in all honesty, I had Lauriam crossed off my list for a while now, but today let it rest to bed.)

Even though I probably look like a Blaine stan (...I never thought I’d say that out loud...I’m never going to say that again...), I’m going to point the finger of blame, as the traitor and murderer of Strelitzia, at...*looks at smudged hand*...Brain. (Wow, what sort of timeline is this where I use his ‘official name’...oh well one step a time to sever bonds I suppose to spare myself the pain) It’s odd, I know, but hear me out.

()()()

*lifts up glasses* So, this is where I get into the nitty gritty, what-the-fuck are you on Echo, speculation things. This is more of a personal-level thing and I know Nomura’s going to do something to catch us off guard with the element of surprise. That’s why we’re going to think like him for a minute.

In all honesty, it could be Ven as the traitor right? I know a lot of people jumped onto this, as soon as Lauriam brought up the whole ‘sister’ thing (with the translations being all iffy. Maybe in a year we’ll find out, who knows). I can definitely see this happening, but I find it quite odd...

I’m aware of the fact that Ven didn’t seem to know what ‘Shift Pride’ was (and his reaction to it was kinda...unnerving). I’ve also already brought this up in the past, but:

(The Union Leaders all come in order, except for Brain and Ven.)

I don’t understand why they’d have everyone else in order, but huh. Something's off.

However, Ven does bring up meeting Master Ava (and I really hope it isn't him) and he was against 'Shift Pride', so I trust him.

()()()

Next up on our list, we have Lauriam. Since the story update for November introduced Elrena/Erlena (oh gosh it’s the Blaine/Brain situation all over again. I dunno what the official team’s gonna go for, but I have a bad habit of sticking with the ‘l’ names, so fuck y’all), we have...quite a batch here. Since the script was being vague and everything, we don’t know exactly who Strelitzia’s older sibling is.

I mean...if it was his own sibling, then Lauriam has to go to the time-out corner for murdering your own family member (if he did do it). If it was Elrena’s relation to Strelitzia, then that’s a different story.

Based off the subtle interactions we got, Lauriam seems to have some sort of relationship to Strelitzia, going to the extent of interacting with another fellow Keyblade wielder for the sake of it. I know it’s probably a far too gap to reach for, but I want to believe that these two are partners working behind the scenes to crack down who the traitor/murderer is.

()()()

This is where I bring up the official art (y’know, like an idiot who analyzes everything).

Interestingly, Ephemera (if you flip the image, he’s leaning to their direction and his eyes are focused over to their direction so shhh it counts), Skuld, Ven, and Lauriam are all looking the same way to the left! Meanwhile, Brain and the hooded figure (which I assume is Elrena) are facing the opposite direction. (I dunno how Chirithy fits in this honestly...so uh...)

This is the stretch of the century (and I’m 99.99% sure I’m wrong), but notice how the hooded figure is slightly looking downwards, their chin down. We can’t see what their eyes are focusing on too well (and I might as well be blind), but it’s possible that Elrena is looking down upon Brain (damn it. Or onto the flower...eh...). Maybe she knows that Brain has something to do with her/Lauriam’s sister’s ‘disappearance’.

To add onto the above further, it’s possible that the others do learn of a traitor in their midst. However, they’re all blinded by their own doubts and beliefs, making them face the wrong culprit. Meanwhile Brain faces the other direction and smiles widely (...I just noticed he's the only one with his mouth open), knowing they’ll assume it’s someone other than himself. (And then Elrena kicks his ass. I dunno.)

()()()

And just for fun, the other day (sometime back in filler hell) I scrambled up Brain’s name and got ‘Binar’. I was curious so I looked it up to see if it meant anything or if there was anything at least related. Well, *slides in* it’s possible that it could also mean ‘binary’ (just remove the ‘y’, just like Ephemer with the word ‘ephemeral’). ‘What the fuck does binary have to do with anything???’ you may ask. Heh...so it was recently confirmed that the Keykids are all linked to the data world, and y’all know what codes for data? Binary numbers...binary code to be more precise! (Maybe he has some sort of extra knowledge of the data in the worlds??? Or he could just be in complete control???)

I really dunno what else to add here, since it’s odd, but it may as well be a coincidence that I picked up on by mistake. Maybe we’ll bring this up again another day, once we have more information at our disposal.

()()()

Read up on this.

If you already read my little mess of speculation on nobility at the bottom of that post, then we’re good!

Anyways, if we follow the idea that Brain is the traitor, then what were his motives in the first place? For crying out loud, he really doesn't seem like he gives a shit about the meetings (as seen below).

Books, huh? Based off of this phrase alone, it's possible that he's looking for something, something related to information and possibly exclusive to the chambers. He's also seen being impatient and hurries to leave once he believes the case is settled, only to be stopped. (Or he just wants to read and avoid social interaction...mood.)

Maybe he wants something more than that. So what is 'nobility'? By definition it's: "the quality of being noble in character, mind, birth, or rank."

I already went over this in the previous post and I brought up that he could be of noble blood, but something most likely went wrong, horribly. Adding to the fact, that his name also means 'son of the judge' and/or 'high/noble'. So why would he have killed Strelitzia off? What could he have gained from that???

*tips hat* I...I'm not too sure either. There's countless possibilities (and we're dealing with Nomura for crying out loud). Besides information, I really don't see what else he can gain.

So how does 'Darkness' fit into this? I'm also not sure either, since we know barely anything of them in the first place. Maybe some undercover...

(I'm too tired and I keep forgetting where I'm trying to go with this...it's driving me nuts.)

()()()

Feel free to add anything, I was kinda in a rush while writing this, so I'm all over the place!