KH3 Theory Week: Was the Keyblade War Really that Ancient?

(Josie Sayz: This is part of a mini-series that I’m working on, pondering over various theories surrounding the characters and events that may be revealed in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ when it is released at the end of January next year. These theories are meant to be just light, fun and speculation – none of this if fact nor is it meant to be taken seriously. Today I am going to look into whether the Keyblade War, in the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ universe, really happened so long ago.)

Throughout the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ series there have been various mentions of ‘The Ancient Keyblade War’. This war is said to have happened many, many, many years ago – possibly even several hundred years ago. It is said that the Keyblade War began in the, “age of fairy tales.” It happened so long ago that hardly anyone is said to remember anything about it. One person who does remember, however, is Kairi’s grandmother. In ‘Kingdom Hearts I’ Kairi’s grandmother tells the story of how years ago the world was whole and full of light. Then one day, people became greedy and wanted to collect the light for themselves. This greed triggered darkness in their hearts (which we know from Master Yen Sid and Master Xehanort that this led to the Great Keyblade War. After the war, the worlds were divided and have remained separate ever since. Light lived on in the hearts of children, and that is what helped to restore the, now, fragmented worlds. If the worlds have been separated for so long and generations of families have come and gone, would everyone just be so absorbed in their own world/story that the notion of the world’s ever being linked is beyond them? Take any ‘Disney’ world (other than Atlantica) for example. Their world revolves around the story of their film – no one knows about another world (other than King Triton – I would love ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ to have done something with his knowledge of the keyblade and other worlds. It’s a shame that this opportunity has been passed up). Donald and Goofy even warn Sora about meddling in the affairs of other worlds when they are travelling, as they have to protect that world’s order. So, by this, you would be under the impression that the war happened centuries ago However, if Kairi’s grandmother (and perhaps even Master Yen Sid) can remember or at the very least knows about ‘The Ancient Keyblade War’ is it really ancient?

In ‘Kingdom Hearts Union X’ it is stated that after the Keyblade War, the Chirithy erase the memories of those who could remember any of the events surrounding the war (e.g. your playable character) – as the Chirithy are a type of Dream Eater. The memories were erased by the Chirithy to try to make it so that any part that of the war/ anything surrounding the events that their owner remembers, is considered just a bad dream. No one remembers it, as they were forced to forget. All thoughts about it were forcefully erased from their memory. Could this not create the illusion that the Keyblade War was nothing but a fairy tale that happened long ago? Master Xehanort and/or Master Eraqus may have even been very young children during this time.

I do believe that Kairi’s grandmother was present during the era of the Keyblade War, which is why she knows so much about it. Why is it only she who remembers and no one else, I hear you ask. Perhaps Kairi’s grandmother held onto her memories stronger than anyone else, just as her light was probably stronger than anyone else’s. There is also a theory out there that Kairi’s grandmother is Ava, but that would be a theory for another time.

What do you think? Do you believe that the Keyblade War was an ancient battle that happened centuries ago, or do you believe that the children who survived the war were forced to forget it, believing that their dreams or faint memories of it were only stories from long ago? Do you think that Kairi’s grandmother was present during the time of the Ancient Keyblade War? Are you one of those whom believe that Kairi’s grandmother is Ava? – If so, why? I’m really curious to know others’ opinions on this.

- Josie -

KH3 Theory Week: What Box Does Luxord Seek?

(Josie Sayz: This is part of a mini-series that I’m working on, pondering over various theories surrounding the characters and events that may be revealed in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ when it is released at the end of January next year. These theories are meant to be just light, fun and speculation – none of this if fact nor is it meant to be taken seriously. Today I am going to look into the box that Luxord asks Jack Sparrow about in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailer.)

Whilst watching the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailer something interesting caught my attention. After showing off the amazing graphics, by introducing us to all of the main ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ cast and giving us a tour of what the level will entail, to roundup this area in the trailer, we jump to a cutscene between Sora, Jack Sparrow and Luxord. Returning to the world in which he ran in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’, Luxord appears on the Black Pearl and tells Jack Sparrow, “I am looking for a box.”

From this, the first place that my (and many people’s) mind wondered to was the box that the Master of Masters gave to Luxu in ‘Kingdom Hearts Back Cover’. Perhaps Luxord predicted that as Jack Sparrow is a pirate and pirates stereotypically search for treasure and valuable/mysterious goods that the captain had found the box. What is so special about Luxu’s box? Well we do not know for certain what is inside it, but we do know that it has thirteen locks. Thirteen locks for thirteen seekers of darkness? What could be so special that the Master of Masters locked in a box that only the thirteen seekers of darkness could unlock? My first thoughts went to the x-blade; however, in ‘Birth by Sleep’ Ventus and Vanitas proved that just two forces, one of pure darkness and one of pure light, could forge the x-blade – so it couldn’t be that. Then I looked deeper. Going back to ‘Kingdom Hearts Back Cover’ when Luxu asks the Master of Masters for a hint as to what is inside the box, the Master of Masters whispers a secret to Luxu, which the player cannot hear. However, we do hear Luxu’s reaction. He gasps, exclaiming, “But why?” to which the Master of Masters replies, “You’ll see,” in a Master Xehanort-esque way. This got me even more intrigued. Master Xehanort is known for removing his heart from his body and placing it into another vessel, so could the box contain the Master of Masters’ heart? Is this what Luxord is looking for? Is this what Jack has in his possession?

However, I also have a second theory. This also ties in with locking one’s heart in a box. If ‘Kingdom Hearts II’ follows the first ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film (‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’), perhaps ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ will follow the second and third films. During these films it is revealed that Davy Jones’ heart is locked away in a box, known as ‘Dead Man’s Chest’, having ripped it out himself. Perhaps Luxord comes to hear that Jack Sparrow has a chest containing a heart and either a) is curious as to whether this is the ancient box of the Master of Masters, only to find out it is the wrong box or b) the Organisation want the heart of Davy Jones – for what purpose I do not know. Maybe they believe it is another heart that needs to be released into Kingdom Hearts? Maybe they have other plans for it, who knows.

My theory is that Luxord asks Jack Sparrow for the box that he and the rest of the Organisation believe to be the Master of Masters’ box. However, Jack thinks that Luxord is referring to the ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ as he knows nothing about any other mysterious box and with the cryptic ways in which Luxord refers to the contents of the box, Jack Sparrow assumes that he is after the heart of Davy Jones.

I’m curious to know what you think. Is Luxord after the heart of Davy Jones or do you believe that he is asking Jack if he (and the pirates) have located the ancient box of the Maser of Masters? Or have I missed something – could the box Luxord is after be something different entirely? Let me know your thoughts on this theory.

- Josie -

KH3 Theory Week: Who is the Master of Masters?

(Josie Sayz: This is part of a mini-series that I’m working on, pondering over various theories surrounding the characters and events that may be revealed in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ when it is released at the end of January next year. These theories are meant to be just light, fun and speculation – none of this if fact nor is it meant to be taken seriously. Today I am going to explore the character: Master of Masters, from ‘Kingdom Hearts Back Cover’ to try and figure out who his is and see if there is a connection between him and ‘Kingdom Hearts III’.)

When watching the cut-scenes from ‘Kingdom Hearts Back Cover’ I (like many) could not help but be intrigued by the figure in the back coat known as Master of Masters. His eccentric personality and bizarre mannerisms seems so out of place in this supposed ancient time. Characters seem confused by his colloquialisms and sarcasm, as these traits do not appear to fit in with the people of this world or time. Maybe it’s just his cocky attitude from knowing all of the events that are about to transpire, but if that was simply it, wouldn’t he stick around to watch his predictions unfold? Wouldn’t he want to know if he/his gazing eye (which is embedded in his keyblade, the No Name) was correct? There must be more to him than just being able to predict the future. That’s when I got thinking… what if ‘Master of Masters is actually a character whom we are already familiar with? Today I am going to delve into the possibilities.

Is Master Xehanort the Master of Masters? My connections between Master Xehanort and the Master of Masters sprang from thinking that Master Xehanort must have travelled to a part of this world somehow. Just after the Keyblade War ends, the Dandelions take control. It has been revealed in ‘Union X’ that Ventus is one of the Dandelions. We know that Master Xehanort met Ventus somehow and attempted to train him before the events that transpire in ‘Birth by Sleep’. So, if Master Xehanort has travelled back in time this far, what is preventing him from travelling further back in time, watch over the Keyblade War (like he so desires) then re-travel back in time to before any of the events begin and control everything by giving Ira, Aced, Invo, Gula, Ava and Luxu their own specific roles to makes sure that the events transpire exactly as he so wishes? It may seem confusing and almost impossible, but so are half of the crazy things that occur in the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ universe. However, I feel as though Master Xehanort is a very strict and serious character. I do not feel as though he has it in him to be this quirky, eccentric character. After writing this, I went back and skimmed through ‘Back Cover’ and did notice one particular point where Master of Masters did something that I feel Master Xehanort would do: When Luxu asks the Master of Masters what is inside the locked box/chest, the master whispers the contents to Luxu. Luxu then asks why, to which the Master of Masters replies, “You’ll see,” and curls his fingers in a way which I feel as though we have seen Master Xehanort do several times – I get a slight Christopher Lloyd bad-guy feeling from Master Xehanort – a sort of Judge Doom (from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’) meets the animated Mr. Clipboard Dickens (from ‘Foodfight’). [I felt the need to add: It has also been brought to my attention that Master Xehanort may have been able to locate Ventus and access his world (despite the events of the Dandelions happening just after the ancient Keyblade War) because the world of the Dandelions is now a Sleeping World].

The next character who came to mind when wondering who the Master of Masters might be is Braig/Xigbar. Oh my goodness, the similarities between the two characters are so close. They both have a laid-back, care-free attitude and share a similar sense of humour. The whole only-having-one-eye thing did draw my attention to Braig/Xigbar too. With the Master of Masters using one of his eyes in the keyblade, No Name, it did make me think of how Braig/Xigbar only has one eye. I know that Braig lost his eye during his fight with Terra (in ‘Birth by Sleep’), but what if he kept it. What if, somehow, his eye could continue seeing on its own? What if a magic spell granted his eye all seeing power (and changed its appearance, as I know Braig had brown eyes before he was norted)? It is a possibility, right? Crazier things have probably happened in the ‘Kingdom Universe’, such as Ventus and Roxas looking alike. One of the things that does intrigue me about Braig/Xigbar’s character is that although he is norted and follows orders from Master Xehanort and Lord Xemnas, he has a mysterious side to him. Braig/Xigbar has plans of his own – but what are they? Is he working for someone else? Is he working for the Master of Masters? – do they have similar traits because they are related or close friends? Or is Braig/Xigbar the Master of Masters? He is so care-free about it all, because he knows what is coming. Will Braig/Xigbar create a plot twist by turning against/over throwing Master Xehanort, as he has had the power to see into the future all along? Will Braig/Xigbar be the final boss in the saga? Or is Braig/Xigbar’s laid back attitude just because he is just lazy?

Similar to Braig/Xigbar, another character who fitted some of the eccentric qualities of the master of Masters is Lea/Axel. Some of Axel’s quirky phrases and his light-hearted sense of humour do link very well with the Master of Masters. However, the more I think about it the less sense that it makes. Yes, Axel does act a lot like the Master of Masters and I originally intended to write a lengthy paragraph, but the more I think about it, once you scrape past the first glances of Master of Masters shell it doesn’t feel too much like him. You never know events that transpire during ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ could change Axel’s ideologies and make him want to mess with the past – for what purpose I don’t know. For some reason I don’t get the feeling that the Master of Masters is a good guy. I get very strong bad-guy vibes from him. Despite things that happened in Axel’s past, Lea is, to me, is definitely a good guy.

Although I do not really see any similar characteristics between the Master of Masters and Vanitas, I have spotted a few threads online where people have begun speculating that the two may be the same person. The theories tend to look at the Foretellers and the seven deadly sins. Invi represents envy, Gula is gluttony, Ava is greed, Aced is Sloth, Ira is Wrath, Luxu is luxury and the Master of Masters represents pride. When looking into the meaning of Vanitas’ name, another word for ‘vanitas’ is ‘superbia’, which translates to ‘pride’ (and the inscription on the Master of Masters box says, “X-Super”). From a writer’s perspective, I can see why people would start to connect Vanitas with the Master of Masters, as authors will often hide clues in their characters’ names that map out the events of the story. I also found a kind of weird and slightly twisted theory as to not only why Vanitas is Master of Masters, but also why he looks like Sora. It seemed very complex and strange, but the longer I thought about it and let it sink in, the more sense it actually makes. Rather than explain it I will link the page in which I found it (http://kh13.com/forum/topic/99011-kingdom-hearts-theory-the-master-of-masters-is-vanitas/) and Ha Zweiokopf is the person who came up with the theory, back in July 2016.

The mentioning of Vanitas resembling Sora links nicely into the next possible theory: Could the Master or Masters be Sora or Riku? I am aware that many people have speculated this. However, I can’t seem to get my head around either of these at the moment, as for the same reason that I stated with Axel/Lea. I do believe (at the moment) that the Master of Masters is a bad guy or maybe even the main bad guy of the whole ‘Kingdom Hearts’ universe – whomever that is. Given time and maybe after reading a few theories and replaying the games, I may be swayed into seeing the Master of Masters in a different light. If I do, that will be a post for another day, but as it stands, I cannot picture Sora or Riku when they are older travelling back in time hundreds of years to change the past, which could alter everything that has happened during the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ games. Would either of them want to risk ruining or changing the character development that they have undergone, the friendships that they have made and the memories of the adventures that they have been on? If one of them were to go back in time and change things, Sora may never meet Donald and Goofy… Riku may never overcome his urge to experiment with the darkness within him and he may never befriend King Mickey.

There is one last theory that I want to add to my ever-growing list. This is something that has been mentioned too. While many people are busy building their own conspiracies as to who the Master of Masters is, what if he is his own person? Yes, he may seem rather eccentric and before his time, but if he has the ability to see into the future that would build his ego and create a huge amount of cockiness. Is it possible that this mysterious being is just a one-off character? – someone created solely for ‘Kingdom Hearts Back Cover’ with no real connection or ties to any of the main protagonists or antagonists to the current ‘Kingdom Hearts’ universe. Yes, he may have an important part to play, but maybe his events will lie after ‘Kingdom Hearts III’. Tetsuya Nomura stated that ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ is just the end of the Xehanort saga, so what is stopping the Master of Masters from cropping up in a future ‘Kingdom Hearts’ related game, but completely unrelated to any of these characters? Is it possible that the Master of Masters is simply a character who removed his all-seeing eye and merged it with a keyblade of his creation, making sure that it is passed down from generation to generation just so that he can witness the future from the past – and that is his sole purpose?

Returning to my mention of characters time travelling in order to return to the events before the Keyblade War, I know that it has been said that a character can only travel back in time to a point where a version of them exists. The only two characters that I can think of that were around during the first Keybalde War, that are also present in the current games, are Ventus and Marluxia/Lauriam. So, could the Master of Masters be a future version of Ventus or Marluxia/Lauriam? Now, I know that it seems very out of character for the Master of Masters to be either of these two, but what if they were norted? If Master Xehanort turns Ventus or Marluxia into one of his vessels, would he have control over them to or make them want to share with him what happened during the Keyblade War and agree to travel back in time for him to alter the events of the war to make it so that things work out in Master Xehanort’s favour? – such as making sure that somehow down the lines the No Name keyblade gets handed down to Master Xehanort. And we have seen in one of the Japanese ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailers that Marluxia has Xehanort’s yellow eyes in the cutscene (he appears at 2:24-2:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKlDX4vzz8). We only get a glimpse of him, but when compared to Marluxia’s previous bright blue eyes, it is not easy to mistake that they have since turned to yellow. So, does this make Marluxia a possible candidate for the Master of Masters – maybe.

The whole time-travel thing to change the course of does make sense in time-travel paradox theory logic. If someone were to travel back in time to a point before their existence and change the course of events, they are running the risk of erasing themselves from existence and/or making a different chain of events in the future which will mean that they will not need to travel back in time. The creation of such paradox, in fiction, usually result in the time-travelling character fading away or disappearing from existence. There are numerous instances where Master of Masters refers to his departure from his apprentices as a time where he will dim or fade. So, is the Master of Masters a time travelling character which we are familiar with or is her just a crazy eccentric man that behaves years ahead of his time?

I would love to know what you think. Is the Master of Masters a character whom we have already met? Is he one of the main protagonists/antagonists? Is he is own character? Will he have any mention or purpose in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ or will his significance not be revealed until future games? Do you agree with any of my theories? Do you have your own? I would love to hear your thought.

- Josie -