Way to the Dawn

The Way to the Dawn is the name of Riku's Keyblade in Kingdom Hearts II, based from his Soul Eater. This Keyblade reflects the fact that Riku is a halfway being, using both light and darkness, reflected by the demonic and angelic wings that make up the handle and blade. It makes its first appearance when Riku arrives at The World That Never Was to rescue Naminé and Kairi from Saïx.

How and when Riku obtains the weapon is unknown but most likely after he leaves the Land of Dragons. However, why he still uses the Soul Eater in the Virtual Twilight Town is unknown. It seems to possess all the powers that Sora and King Mickey's Keyblades have. It is possible that the Way to Dawn is the Soul Eater, transformed through Riku's connection to the Keyblade that he was initially to be master of. Or, since the Soul Eater is created from the then current darkness in Riku's heart, and Riku finally decided to use both light and darkness, which he needed to use to wield the keyblade, the Soul Eater changed to reflect the change of heart within Riku.

Despite having transformed into a Keyblade, as a force of habit (when Sora talks to Riku immediately after slaying Luxord), Riku still refers to the Way to the Dawn as "Soul Eater." Incidentally, not counting the labeling of his attack cards in Chain of Memories, this is actually the first time the sword has been referred to by its name.

Appearance
Way to the Dawn looks a lot like the Soul Eater, probably because it was created from it. A pair of demonic and angelic wings surround the handle, giving it the look of a keyblade's handle and guard. Also a single angel wing has been added to the top of the Soul Eater's blade, giving it a keyblade's trademark sharp point used for cutting. A heartless emblem without a cross (making it a heart) is its keychain. It is wielded with one hand.

Trivia

 * In Sunset Horizons, Ven takes this Keyblade.
 * When it is swung, it leaves a bluish, black lined wake, as apposed to the Soul Eater's purplish, black wake, a reference to Riku's alliance to both light and darkness.

Eytymology
Way to The dawn probably takes its name from the ending of Riku's story in Chain of Memories, where DiZ asks him if he will walk the twilight road to dusk, and Riku responds by saying that he will choose the path to the dawn, and light.