Dark Road
Apart of KHUX
Young Xehanort and Eraqus search for missing wielders as Darkness takes over one of their classmates.
The story follows Xehanort's youth, long before Birth by Sleep. He grows up on Destiny Islands under the care of a hooded figure and has dreams of the wielders from Union χ. A visit from Ansem, his own Heartless from the future, gives him a way to leave the islands. He reaches Scala ad Caelum and begins training as a Keyblade wielder under Master Odin.
Xehanort trains alongside Eraqus, Urd, Hermod, Vor, Bragi and Baldr. When seven upperclassmen disappear during their Mark of Mastery preparations, Odin sends the younger students to search the worlds for them. Baldr remains behind after the loss of his older sister, Hoder. During their search, Xehanort and Eraqus begin questioning where darkness comes from and whether it can be separated from the people who carry it.
They eventually find Vidar, Vala and Vali, three of the missing upperclassmen. The others have been killed, and the survivors seek Kingdom Hearts to purge the world of darkness. They attempt to gather seven pure lights by interfering with other worlds. Vor leaves her classmates to join them, but they eventually abandon this plan and return to confront the person responsible for the deaths.
It is revealed that Baldr has been overtaken by darkness and is killing the wielders. He can feel what is within other people's hearts, and the darkness he sensed accumulated within him. Losing Hoder allowed it to take control. This Darkness claims to have come from the people around him rather than being one of the original 13 beings.
Baldr intends to sacrifice 13 lights to summon Kingdom Hearts and remake the world in darkness. He kills Urd and Hermod, then confronts the remaining wielders in Scala ad Caelum. Vidar, Vala, Vali and Vor are killed as Xehanort and Eraqus attempt to stop him. Odin restrains Baldr, but Xehanort decides to end his life rather than try to remove the darkness. Eraqus and Xehanort are left to mourn their classmates.
However, Bragi's death was staged. He is revealed to be another identity used by Luxu, who leaves Scala ad Caelum after his cover is lost. Xehanort continues traveling the worlds and meets the Master of Masters, who gives him a black coat to protect him from darkness. What Xehanort sees in people's hearts eventually leads him to believe that he must use darkness to take control and remake the world.
The ending reveals that the hooded figure who raised Xehanort was the Player from Union χ living a second life. Xehanort is a descendant of Ephemer, and his ability to connect with other hearts allowed him to see his caretaker's memories. The caretaker believed Xehanort was the child of destiny who would one day bring people together.
Releases
| Release | Platforms | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Road | iOS · Android | June 22, 2020 (worldwide) |
| Offline version, with the final story | iOS · Android | August 26, 2022 · Delisted August 28, 2024 |
Related
Tagged in
- Young Xehanort (Characters)
- Vanitas (Characters)