Eraqus
| Eraqus | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Japanese | エラクゥス | |
| Rōmaji | Erakwusu | |
| Other names | Youth In White (白の若者 Shiro no wakamono) | |
| Voice actors | (Ja:) Makio Inoue Daisuke Namikawa (Young, KHIII) (En:) Mark Hamill Drake Bell (Young, KHIII) | |
| Homeworld | Scala ad Caelum Land of Departure | |
| Games | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Kingdom Hearts III Kingdom Hearts Dark Road | |
| Eraqus
|
|---|
| Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep |
| One of the true Keyblade Masters and also Terra, Aqua and Ventus's teacher. He has a strong aversion to darkness, and believes it the duty of every Keyblade Master to rid the world of it. Though strict on the outside, he is not unkind, and loves his pupils like his own children. |
| Kingdom Hearts Union χ |
| KINGDOM HEARTS BbS (2010) A Keyblade Master and master of Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. |
| Kingdom Hearts III |
| Master Eraqus The true Keyblade Master who mentored Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. He was struck down by his own brother-in-training, Master Xehanort, in the clash over a decade ago. The Boy in White He and his best friend would often match wits playing chess between training sessions. |
- "Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons the darkness."
- —Eraqus warns Terra of the path to the dark side
Eraqus, known to his students as Master Eraqus, is a Keyblade Master who watches over the Land of Departure. He is the master of Terra and Aqua, and he also serves as the second master of Ventus. In his youth, Eraqus studied with his friend Xehanort in Scala ad Caelum. Eraqus was introduced in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and is the main supporting protagonist of Kingdom Hearts Dark Road.
Development[edit]
Master Eraqus was conceived as a Final Fantasy-esque counterpart to Disney's Master Yen Sid, given that his name is an anagram of "Square", a reference to Square Enix, the developers of the Kingdom Hearts series, and his resemblance to Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy mirrors Yen Sid's name being an anagram of his creator's name, Walt Disney. Tetsuya Nomura once forgot the basis of Eraqus's name, and had to be reminded by a producer that it was an anagram of "Square".[1]
In the English version of the series, Eraqus is voiced by Mark Hamill, who was chosen specifically by Nomura because of his role as Luke Skywalker, his love of the Star Wars series, and his desire to pit Star Wars and Star Trek, a series that Nomura is also a fan of, against each other in a "dream match" by casting Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame as Master Xehanort, Eraqus's friend turned rival.[2][3]
Story[edit]
Before Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit]
Eraqus is a blueblood, descended from one of the Dandelions.[4] Secret Report 2 His grandfather battled the darkness, and due to Eraqus's heritage, he originally feels obligated to become a Keyblade Master, but eventually becomes invested in his duty to put an end to darkness.
Eraqus becomes a student Keyblade wielder under Master Odin in Scala ad Caelum, alongside his fellow classmates Xehanort, Vor, Hermod, Urd, Bragi, and Baldr. He becomes close to Xehanort and the two often play Alba & Ater together.
Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit]
One day, Eraqus learns from Baldr that the upper classmen Keyblade wielders are in other worlds training for their Mark of Mastery exam, which Baldr is concerned about as his sister Hoder is among them. Later in class, Odin informs Eraqus and his classmates, excluding the absent Baldr, that the upper classmen have gone missing, and asks them to search the other worlds for the missing students. After first visiting Agrabah and finding it empty of people, Eraqus searches Wonderland alongside Xehanort and another classmate, where they find that the Queen of Hearts has imprisoned their other three classmates. After rescuing them, the lower classmen speculate that the darkness is responsible for the upper classmen's disappearance. They return to Scala ad Caelum, where Xehanort and Eraqus argue over whether darkness is inherently bad or not.
Eraqus, Xehanort, and Vor travel to the Dwarf Woodlands. Vor discovers the Magic Mirror, which they attempt to ask about the missing upper classmen. One of these upper classmen, Vidar, arrives in front of them, but refuses to return home yet as he's on a mission, which he invites Vor to join him on. Eraqus tries to intervene, but Vor leaves anyway.
Eraqus and Xehanort return to Scala ad Caelum with their remaining classmates. After they are unable to contact Odin, Eraqus and Xehanort argue over whether to search for Vor or to keep pursuing the upper classmen. Ultimately, Eraqus and Bragi leave to ask the Magic Mirror about Vor's location, while Xehanort and the others continue looking for the upper classmen. However, Eraqus and Bragi are unable to approach the Mirror due to The Queen guarding it, and leave to pursue other methods.
Eraqus and Bragi return to Agrabah and are tasked by Jafar with finding the magic lamp in the Cave of Wonders. There they reunite with Xehanort, Urd, and Hermod, who explain that the magic lamp is likely an object essential to the world's order, which the upper classmen have been looking for. Vidar arrives with Vor and confirms this, and reveals that he plans to upset the worlds' orders so that he can find seven lights amongst the chaos. Vidar and Vor depart.
Eraqus and the others return to Scala ad Caelum and inform Odin of Vidar's plan. Odin explains that Vidar may be trying to summon Kingdom Hearts to purge the worlds of darkness, and asks the lower classmen to cease their mission. As the lower classmen debate among themselves what to do, Baldr finally returns to them, and on his suggestion, the group goes to the Underworld to speak to the spirits of the dead. Hades agrees to let them speak to the fallen lower classmen in exchange for someone remaining in the Underworld. Cerberus attacks the group, and Baldr, Bragi, Hermod, and Urd hold it off while Eraqus and Xehanort continue on.
Eraqus and Xehanort find the spirits of Hoder, Heimdall, Helgi, and Sigrun. They explain how they died, and that they believe light and darkness should coexist, and are a matter of perception. Their spirits fade away, and Eraqus and Xehanort return to their classmates, but find that Bragi and Baldr have gone missing. Hades attempts to make good on his deal, but a corridor of darkness appears and sucks the lower classmen in. Eraqus and Xehanort don their Keyblade Armor to protect themselves, but still succumb to the darkness and pass out, only for Odin to arrive and rescue them.
Back at Scala ad Caelum, Odin reveals that Eraqus and Xehanort's other classmates have not returned, but is surprised when they mention that Baldr was with them. Scala ad Caelum is suddenly attacked, and Odin leaves to defend it. Xehanort reveals his suspicions that Baldr has been consumed by darkness after his sister's death, and is now slaying the remaining students. Despite Odin's order to stay put, Eraqus runs outside, with Xehanort following him, and insists they need to rescue Baldr.
Vidar and the two other remaining upper classmen, Vala and Vali, arrive. They admit they were aware of Baldr's plans, which enrages Eraqus. He attacks Vidar, and Xehanort reluctantly joins him. After some fighting, Xehanort convinces Eraqus to stop, as Baldr is the one they should really be concerned about. Vidar reveals Vor went to the tower to look for Odin. Baldr suddenly appears surrounded in darkness, and taunts them, summoning Heartless to fight them while he leaves to find Vor. After dispatching the Heartless, the upper classmen chase after Baldr, followed by Eraqus and Xehanort.
Eraqus and Xehanort arrive to find Baldr fighting Vidar, Vala, Vali, and Vor, but Baldr quickly summons the Hringhorn, which slays the upper classmen, and Baldr strikes down Vor soon afterward. Eraqus and Xehanort tearfully say goodbye to Vor as she fades away. Baldr then invites Eraqus and Xehanort to the top of the tower to finish his plans.
At the top of the tower, Baldr reveals his plan to summon Kingdom Hearts by slaying thirteen lights and remake the world with darkness. Baldr summons the Hringhorn again to slay Eraqus and Xehanort as the final two lights, but they defeat it and down Baldr. Xehanort prepares to slay Baldr, but he is covered in darkness as Baldr speaks to him. Odin appears and restrains Baldr with light, and he and Eraqus urge Xehanort to purge the darkness from Baldr. However, Xehanort instead slays Baldr, to the dismay of Eraqus and Odin.
Following the tragedy, Eraqus spends the next month grieving while Xehanort isolates himself in his room. Eraqus learns that Odin is planning to have him and Xehanort take their Mark of Mastery early so that he can retire. Eventually, Eraqus runs into Xehanort when visiting the graves of their fallen classmates, and the two reconnect, and resolve to continue their training.
Between Kingdom Hearts Dark Road and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]
A year later, Eraqus and Xehanort leave separately to journey through other worlds in preparation for their Mark of Mastery exam. After completing his journey, Eraqus returns to Scala ad Caelum and reunites with Xehanort, who expresses his desire to have multiple lives so he can be around to reorganize the world. Eraqus says that he wants to be a beacon of light to guide people out of the darkness, which he suspects Xehanort might need.
Although Eraqus tries to persuade Xehanort to stay, he leaves to continue exploring other worlds before their exam, though Eraqus makes him promise to return and face Xehanort in Alba & Ater again.
Eventually, both Eraqus and Xehanort pass their Mark of Mastery exam and become Keyblade Masters. Eraqus becomes Odin's true Successor, inheriting Master's Defender, while Xehanort inherits No Name. A year later, Eraqus and Xehanort argue over the purpose of Kingdom Hearts, as Xehanort believes he must use Kingdom Hearts to remake the world to protect it from darkness. Eraqus strongly disagrees, leading the two to clash Keyblades.
Eventually Eraqus takes over stewardship of the Land of Departure from Odin. Many years after their earlier clash, Xehanort meets Eraqus at the Land of Departure to once again express his belief that Kingdom Hearts must be used to remake the world, and share his discovery that this can be done by forging the χ-blade. Eraqus once again rejects this belief, and tries to stop Xehanort with force, but Xehanort retaliates with the power of darkness, scarring Eraqus's face, and departs.
Eventually, Eraqus obtains apprentices of his own, Terra and Aqua. About eleven years after the confrontation where Xehanort scarred Eraqus, Xehanort brings his infirm apprentice, Ventus, to the Land of Departure and asks Eraqus to take care of him, explaining that he believes Ventus may be the child of destiny and should be trained by someone more aligned with the light.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]
Four years after Ventus's arrival, Eraqus plans to grant the title of Keyblade Master to Terra and Aqua, and invites Xehanort to attend the ceremony. However, Xehanort cautions him that Terra may be susceptible to darkness and suggests Eraqus that conduct the traditional Mark of Mastery exam first to determine their worthiness.
During the exam, Xehanort uses darkness to tamper with the test, and during Terra and Aqua's duel, Terra briefly loses control of his darkness. Due to this, Eraqus names only Aqua as a master, and explains to her alone the responsibilities that come with her status and how to protect the Land of Departure.
Eraqus is contacted by his acquaintance Yen Sid, who informs him of a new threat, the Unversed. Eraqus is unable to find Xehanort, and summons Terra and Aqua. He instructs them to deal with the Unversed as well as find Xehanort, and suggests that Terra use this as an opportunity to prove his worthiness. After Terra leaves, Eraqus asks Aqua to look after Terra and bring him home if he becomes tempted by the darkness. The two witness Ventus leaving through a portal to follow Terra, and Eraqus urges Aqua to bring Ventus back home.
Ventus later returns by himself and angrily questions Eraqus about the χ-blade, his role in its creation, and Eraqus's refusal to let him leave the Land of Departure. Eraqus, realizing that Xehanort never intended to give up his agenda, decides he must kill Ventus in order to stop Xehanort's plot. However, Terra arrives to protect Ventus before Eraqus can harm him. When Terra refuses to step aside, Eraqus attempts to kill them both, but Terra opens a portal and throws Ventus through, then uses the power of darkness to face Eraqus in battle. After Terra defeats Eraqus, Terra expresses regret, but Eraqus admits that he was wrong to turn his Keyblade on Terra and Ventus and blames himself for Terra's darkness. Eraqus is then struck with a fatal blow from behind by Xehanort, and fades into light in Terra's arms, with his heart taking refuge in Terra's.
Avenging Eraqus's death was among Terra's primary motives for defeating Xehanort during the events in the Keyblade Graveyard. When Xehanort puts his heart into Terra's body to take it over, Eraqus's heart gives Terra's the means to persist.
Kingdom Hearts III[edit]
After Xehanort is defeated and mortally wounded by Sora, Eraqus leaves the newly-freed Terra's body in spirit form and persuades Xehanort to stand down, despite Xehanort's final attempts to enact the purge with the χ-blade. As Xehanort respectfully hands the χ-blade to Sora to close Kingdom Hearts, Eraqus shares a warm reunion with his three apprentices and entrusts Aqua's and Ventus's care to Terra before joining Xehanort as the two fade away peacefully as friends once again.
Terra, Aqua, and Ventus later create a memorial for Eraqus by staking his Keyblade into the ground at the Land of Departure's Summit and hanging their Wayfinders on it.
Design[edit]
Eraqus has dark grey eyes, slightly tan skin, and shoulder-length, wavy, greying black hair which is partially tied into a short, high topknot, with one long lock falling off to the right side of his face. He also has a short, triangular soul patch and a mustache. He has two jagged scars on his face inflicted by Xehanort's Dark Volley: one on his left cheek extending from his jaw to just under his eye, and one over his right eye to his forehead.
Eraqus wears a long, hooded white coat with bell sleeves and plum-brown trim and lining. Underneath this, he wears a navy blue V-neck shirt with a large grey "X" pattern on the front. Like Terra, he wears hakama, with his being beige and slightly short. He has metallic turquoise armor covering his abdomen, with a layered middle plate and darker, curved plates on either side, similar to Ventus, attached to a dark blue plate around his midsection with Terra's Mark in the center. He wears sharply-pointed gold-and-black armored boots, similar to Aqua.
As a child, Eraqus's hair is more loose and messy in the front, and he wears a hooded white coat similar to his adult attire, though more decorated, with a large slit in the back, black belt around the midsection, and long, rectangular, gold-embroidered beige lapels pinned back with turquoise cords. Underneath, he wears an outfit almost identical to Terra's: a high-collared black shirt and mostly-tan hakama with a lighter bottom hem, with the top part of the hakama being dark grey and resembling an obi sash, with a gold Terra's Mark emblem at the front. He also wears black boots with gold heels.
Eraqus's Keyblade Armor greatly resembles samurai armor, fitting in with his Japanese theme, and features primarily white plating with highlights of gold and bronze, a large turquoise section over his abdomen, and a three-pronged silver helmet with a gold Terra's Mark emblem in the center.
Eraqus physically resembles Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of the Final Fantasy series.[5]
Forms[edit]
Eraqus as he looked in his youth in Scala ad Caelum.
Master Eraqus wearing his standard attire.
Eraqus's Keyblade Armor.
Personality[edit]
Master Eraqus is a strong Keyblade master, caring for Terra, Ventus, and Aqua as his own children. Stern and willing to instruct, one major goal he has in life appears to be preserving peace throughout the worlds, as he rashly attacks Ventus when Eraqus discovers that through his dark half, Vanitas, Ventus can create the χ-blade. Unlike Master Xehanort, Eraqus has a staunch and almost bigoted aversion to darkness and believes that it must be destroyed at all costs, a view that he has endeavored to ingrain into his apprentices. In his final moments, he even becomes concerned that his actions against Ventus and Terra were due to some darkness having snuck into his heart.
As a youth, Eraqus was the most laid-back of his peers and was tardy for class very often. He was also the life of his class, lightening the mood to make sure his friends still retained hope in finding their upper classmen. Even at young age, Eraqus held a one-sided view of light and darkness and believed that darkness must be eradicated. He believes that this was due to his lineage as his grandfather has also fought darkness in the past.
Despite his sometimes cold actions toward his apprentices, he still cares deeply for them. He has Aqua follow Terra out of concern for the youth, gives a pained apology to Ventus before attempting to destroy the boy, and sheds a tear when he is forced to face off against Terra. Despite the strain between him and Xehanort, Eraqus attempts to forgive his erstwhile friend, even welcoming him to help preside over the Mark of Mastery exam despite their last meeting ending in violence. Following his apparent demise at Xehanort's hands, Eraqus's influence and strength settle within Terra in order to help him counter Xehanort's possession and hopefully regain his body.
Despite some of his extreme measures, Eraqus is a forgiving person at heart as he takes Ventus in, despite the fact Xehanort scarred his face, and in the final confrontation with Xehanort years later, he persuades Xehanort to peacefully surrender and escorts Xehanort to the afterlife as his friend.
Abilities[edit]
Master Eraqus serves as a boss battle for Terra after Terra prevents him from executing Ventus. During the battle, Eraqus uses many quick lunging attacks and is able to land many hits before the combo finisher. He also has several desperation attacks, each based on the light element.
As an apprentice in Scala ad Caelum, he specializes in buffing his allies' physical attacks.
Weapon[edit]
During his apprenticeship, Eraqus wields the Keyblade, the same as his classmates. In battle, he specializes in boosting his allies' strength with Attack Boost.
After passing his Mark of Mastery exam, Eraqus inherits the Master's Defender, a basic Keyblade which is grey in coloration. It has the appearance of an old-fashioned skeleton key, and the teeth are shaped like an "E". Its Keychain is Terra's Mark. He summons his Keyblade in a fashion similar to Terra, shrouded in a series of golden blocks. In battle, he holds his Keyblade in the chūdan-no-kamae stance.
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Ultimania, Interviewer: "Master Eraqus's name is an anagram of 'Square', right?" / Tetsuya Nomura: "Yes, but I didn't really think very hard on that name. Actually, I gave him that name while writing the original plot, but when I read through it later, I couldn't remember what it was supposed to mean. I asked around, but no one knew. Finally, the producer realized that it was supposed to be an anagram for Square and I thought, 'Oh yeah!' (laugh)." Translation via Lissar.
- ^ The Making of Birth by Sleep - Addendum w/ Tetsuya Nomura - "Usually I choose actors whose voices are similar to the Japanese version, but this time around I focused more on candidates who were simply a good fit for the character. For Eraqus and Xehanort, I chose actors who I felt personified these characters best, but also wanted to be a bit playful in my decision-making."
- ^ Dengeki PlayStation, Vol. 474, Nomura: "With Mark Hamill as Master Eraqus and Leonard Nimoy as Master Xehanort, it’s like a dream recital contest between Star Wars and Star Trek." Translation via HEARTSTATION
- ^ Kingdom Hearts III Ultimania: "It is revealed that Master Eraqus is descended from the first Masters. Furthermore, according to director Tetsuya Nomura, these "first Masters" are people in the Dandelions who appear in KH Union Cross." Translation via lunesacree
- ^ FFDream interview with Hironobu Sakaguchi at Japan Expo 2014, Interviewer: "Square featured you in Kingdom Hearts as Master Eraqus, have they discussed it with you? Did you talk about it with Tetsuya Nomura or was it a complete surprise for you?" [...] / Sakaguchi: "I was vaguely aware of this. I thought I'd be a bad guy because back when I worked with Nomura I canned half of what he showed me." Translation by Patman
