I want to point out some absolutely ingenious symbolism from KH3's ending.

The chess piece in the center of the frame is one of Eraqus' "white" pieces, specifically the one that represents Sora. This piece has silver detailing on it, and in fact the crown perched at the top of it is silver as well.

However, the crown isn't completely flat, it has a raised edge that travels right through the center of it, meaning that when the light hits it just right, one side ends up darker than the other. As you would expect, the dark side is facing Xehanort's side of the board, and the light side is facing Eraqus' side of the board.

However, when Xehanort flicks the chess piece and talks about how Eraqus is the one who will be chosen to defend the world, not Xehanort, the chess piece shifts slightly, just enough to make the light hit it differently as it faces Eraqus more. Now the crown is mostly lit up.

So what does this mean? Here's my interpretation: though this chess piece is normally supposed to represent Sora, in this particular instance it more broadly represents something like "the person who's worthy of Kingdom Hearts/the X-blade", "the person who's worthy of protecting the world", or perhaps even "the person who's the true Child of Destiny". (That's why Xehanort talks about somebody else being more deserving of the title/being chosen over him as the defender of the world.) (Also recall that Xehanort's Keyblade Armor in KHDR is adorned with the very same crown that's on Sora's chess piece, so Xehanort is associated with the symbol, too!)

The chess piece's initial position paints it as being equal parts dark and light, which matches Xehanort's philosophy of balance. When the chess piece shifts positions, it becomes more light than dark (though crucially, the left side is still ever-so-slightly darker than the right) and this represents Sora, the hero of light.

Alternatively, the dark/light split of the crown and the chess piece directly facing the camera with no biases toward either side of the board represents how it's initially unclear who the Child of Destiny is (a "hero" of darkness such as Xehanort, or a hero of light such as Sora?), and Xehanort being the one to push the chess piece towards Eraqus and the light while talking about not being a "chosen" one means that he realizes he isn't the Child of Destiny after all, and that Sora is.

Therefore this is all symbolic of Xehanort handing over the X-blade to Sora in the scene that directly follows this flashback, and subtly explains to us Xehanort's motivations for giving Sora the X-blade.

a tiny sneak peak for an upcoming kingdom hearts zine

never forget hoder drew her blade first :)

I had a feeling but I still cheered

Thinking about the end of khdr and how our keykid is implied to be Xehanorts caretaker, in which case I fully blame my keykid for every bad thing that Xehanort has ever done.

Me before learning that Xehanort is my son: Shut up, old man, no one wants to hear you monologuing about darkness again lmao

Me after learning that Xehanort is my son:

A one-shot inspired by KHDR. Translatable text below.

Xigbar: I’ve been around versions of you long enough to recognize that expression. What’s bothering you? Xehanort: Nothing. ...They just remind me of my old classmates. Xigbar: CLASSMATES!? I thought it was just the old man and the hermit— Xehanort: They died. Xehanort: It’s time. I’m going.

since when have we been so different?

WOODY SHUT THE FUCK UP

i win, you lose

Lyrics from "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush.

Image descriptions in ALT.

Luxu throughout the entirety of Dark Road

“...As if.”

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road - Vor Cosplay

Ooops, TOTALLY forgot to post my Vor cosplay on here!

Photographer: https://www.instagram.com/alasdair_watson/