Ephemer

Ephemer is a Keyblade Master who appears in Kingdom Hearts χ. He seeks to discover the truth behind the gathering of Lux and the structure of the world.

He claims to be in a Union differing from 's, regardless of what they choose.

Development
Prior to the 5.0.1 update of Kingdom Hearts Dark Road, Xehanort is referred to as the great-great-grandson of Ephemer, rather than his descendant.

Before Kingdom Hearts χ
At an unknown point, Ephemer is chosen by the Keyblade and joins one of the Unions. Shortly thereafter, Ephemer meets Skuld and joins her party. More wielders gradually join them in their mission to gather Lux, but due to their busy schedules, Ephemer and Skuld begin drifting apart, putting a strain on their friendship. Eventually, Ephemer decides to leave the group to go his own way.

Ephemer begins to question the secrets of the world and the Book of Prophecies. One day, Ephemer approaches Ava and asks her why the Unions compete against each other rather than work together, and Ava explains that it is because the Master of Masters arranged for things to be this way between the Unions.

Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]
Ephemer meets while in Waterfront Park, where he is bested by an Invisible, and Player steps in to help Ephemer defeat it. Ephemer introduces himself to Player, and the two learn that they are from opposing Unions. In spite of this, Ephemer reveals that he is investigating the truth behind the Book of Prophecies and why the Unions compete against each other for Lux.

When Player tells Ephemer about a dream they had the night before, where the Foretellers met with a hooded figure in the Foretellers' Chamber, he suggests that they investigate the Foretellers' Chamber located in the Clock Tower. Ephemer and Player attempt to sneak into the Clock Tower through an entrance in the sewers, but are mobbed by Heartless along the way and unable to proceed further. Ephemer persuades Player that they should continue their investigation the next day since it would appear suspicious if they're gone for too long.

Sometime later, Ephemer comes across a depressed Ava sitting alone at the Fountain Square. Ava confides in Ephemer about her doubts about the Master's teachings regarding the competition between the Unions, much to his surprise. Ava approves of Ephemer's desire to solve the mysteries of the world, as she believes that people should question things and think for themselves. Ephemer jokingly tries to get Ava to talk about the Book of Prophecies, but she denies him. Ephemer tells her that he had befriended a Keyblade wielder from a different Union, and Ava is pleased that wielders from other Unions could work together. Before Ephemer leaves, he asks Ava to cheer up, which brings a smile to her face.

Later that night, Ephemer returns to the sewers to continue his investigation alone. Before Ephemer can enter the Clock Tower, however, he is confronted by Ava. Relocating to the outskirts of Daybreak Town, Ava divulges the final entry in the Book of Prophecies, which details the events of the Keyblade War, and recruits Ephemer to join her Dandelions to ensure the future of the light. Ava selects five people from the Dandelions, including Ephemer, to act as Union leaders in the Foretellers' stead after the war. Ephemer is reluctant about becoming a Union leader, but Ava implores him to rise up to the challenge and provides a book of rules that must be followed once the new Union leaders take charge to prevent future destruction. Moreover, Ava informs Ephemer that the Union leaders must erase the memories of the Keyblade War from their fellow Dandelions and avoid any possible connections between the two worlds, thus the truth about the war must be kept a secret among the new Union leaders. In spite of his misgivings, Ephemer accepts this task and is then sent to another realm to meet the other Union leaders in the Keyblade Graveyard following the war.

From this other realm, Ephemer attempts to reach out to Player by showing them his conversation with Ava in a dream. Around the same time, Ephemer also visits Skuld in a dream and tasks her to seek out Player, warning her about the impending war.

When the Dandelions cross over to the new world, Ephemer is reunited with Skuld, who had accepted Ava's invitation to join the Dandelions. They venture back to the Keyblade Graveyard following the conclusion of the Keyblade War and find Player unconscious on the battlefield. When Player awakens, Ephemer happily reunites with Player and convinces them to join the Dandelions. Ephemer and Skuld bring Player to the new world, where Player's memories of the Keyblade War, along with the memories of the other Dandelions, are erased upon arrival.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]
As per Ava's instructions, Ephemer goes to the Keyblade Graveyard and is shocked to learn that Skuld is one of the new Union leaders, as the identity of the Union leaders was meant to be kept secret until they all met after the war. They are soon joined by the third Union leader, Ventus. While waiting for the other Union leaders to arrive, Skuld and Ephemer bond with Ventus, who admits that he is envious of their close relationship because he has always been alone. Ephemer and Skuld assure Ventus that they consider him a friend.

When the fourth Union leader, Brain, arrives, he asks if Ephemer is their leader, and Ephemer denies this, as the decision must be made once all of the Union leaders are present. When the others begin expressing their discomfort with lying to everyone about the Keyblade War, Ephemer thinks about the pain that Player endured because of the war and states that no one else should have to carry the burden of the past.

Later on in Daybreak Town, Chirithy reports to Ephemer and Skuld about Player's persisting nightmares about the Keyblade War. While Skuld encourages that Chirithy to protect Player from the truth, Ephemer mentions that he senses a different darkness that he plans to investigate with Skuld. Once Chirithy leaves, Skuld questions Ephemer's wisdom about telling Chirithy about the darkness, as they likely just made Chirithy worry, but Ephemer argues that it affects everyone. Ephemer mentions that he detects something strange about Union χ, though Skuld reminds him that the rules dictate that they lead the Union χ.

After the final Union leader, Lauriam, arrives, the Union leaders go to Daybreak Town and enter the Foretellers' Chamber. When Skuld proposes that they begin choosing which Union each of them will lead, Ephemer recommends that they maintain the Union χ in order to prevent the conflicts of the past world, with the other Union leaders agreeing to reconstitute the old system later as stated in the rules. Brain suggests that, while the Dandelions are reliving the events of the past, they collect the necessary ingredients to create new Spirits and sends Ephemer, Skuld, and Ventus to collect the ingredients while he and Lauriam stay behind to make the necessary preparations.

While mulling over the Shift Pride, a friendly competition detailed in the rulebook in which the Dandelions would compete against one another, Ephemer is joined by Lauriam. He reveals his reservations about the Shift Pride, not understanding why Ava would want them to do such a thing. Lauriam suggests that Ephemer take it easy, believing he is pushing himself too hard since becoming a Union Leader. When asking what Lauriam is planning on doing, Ephemer was reminded that the Dandelions are reliving their experiences within data, meaning that they all have data recorded of themselves, admitting that there is someone he's looking for, someone meant to be among the Dandelions, so he's intent on searching the data for her. Ephemer offers his help, but Lauriam wants to do it on his own, as it is a personal matter.

When the time comes to discuss the matter of the Shift Pride, Ephemer calls a meeting between the Union leaders. As Lauriam is absent, Brain informs them that, whatever the agenda is, Lauriam asked to side with Ephemer. He and Brain votes in favor for the Shift Pride, while Ventus and Skuld reject the notion. Ephemer then explains that he intends on having wielders compete against the data versions of their comrades to avoid a clashing of hearts, admitting that Lauriam had given him the idea. The group wonders about who Lauriam could be looking for, but on Brain's suggestion, they decide to wait for Lauriam to come to them rather than pry.

Soon, Lauriam joins the Union leaders in the Foretellers' Chamber to ask Skuld about his younger sister Strelitzia's whereabouts, as Skuld was last seen going into the same building Strelitzia had entered just prior to the Keyblade War. After listening to their conversation, Brain theorizes that Strelitzia was looking for a Keyblade wielder that was going to fight in the Keyblade War and likely wanted to induct this wielder to the Dandelions. This reminds Ephemer of Player, and so he and Lauriam leave to ask Player about Strelitzia.

Ephemer finds Player in the Fountain Square and the two reconnect, with Ephemer apologizing for having been so busy lately with his duties as a Union leader. Ephemer then introduces Player to Lauriam, who asks about his sister. After Lauriam departs, Ephemer spends the rest of the day completing missions with Player to take a break from being a Union leader.

Later, as Ephemer bids farewell to Player, he notices a glitch circling above the Clock Tower and asks that Player help him investigate it. On their way there, their path is blocked by Heartless born from the glitch. Ephemer and Player make it to the the tower's center where he introduces Player to Ventus after a Heartless attack. Surprised to see that he's here, Ephemer is told by Ventus that he saw an apparition of Ava and went looking for Brain, to which Ephemer confirms that he is in the control room. The trio are then ambushed by Darklings, but they able to fend them off and make their way to the control room to check on Brain.

Brain explains to Ephemer, Player, and Ventus that the worlds they have been visiting since the Keyblade War have been data recreations of the same worlds they previously visited. However, a new world that had been previously unconnected to Daybreak Town has appeared, and seems to be responsible for the glitches that Ephemer and Player had been chasing. Ephemer and Player agree to investigate this new world and Brain opens a portal for them to travel to it.

Ephemer and Player emerge into a tunnel and chase after a Darkling, leading them to arrive at Game Central Station. They decide to split up, Ephemer trusting Player to investigate the glitches while he chases the Darkling. Ephemer later meets back up with Player in Cy-Bug Sector and helps them chase after the Darkling Cy-Bug. Together, they are able to defeat the Darkling Cy-Bug with the help of Calhoun. Once brought up to speed, Ephemer asks Player to keep looking into the glitches while he heads back to Daybreak Town to inform the others. He assures a disappointed Player that he trusts them and knows they'll be fine on their own, and promises that their hearts will always be connected.

Ephemer meets up with the others in the Control Room, where he and Brain explain the source of the glitches. Ventus mentions that they've also seen a glitch that looked like Ava, while Lauriam mentions having seen a glitch of Strelitzia as well. Brain concludes that they must be in the data Daybreak Town, to which Ephemer expresses concern over whether the real Daybreak Town still exists.

Brain asks Ephemer to meet him alone on the hill overlooking Daybreak Town. There, Brain explains that Ava had entrusted him with the Book of Prophecy as well as the list of the Dandelions who were meant to become new Union leaders. Brain shows Ephemer the list, revealing that Strelitzia was supposed to be a Union leader, but has been replaced by Ventus. Brain sends his Chirithy to bring Ventus and Skuld to come talk with them. Brain and Ephemer then question Ventus about his memories of meeting with Ava, and Brain reveals that Ventus's name was not on the list that Ava gave him. Ephemer suggests that it was really Darkness that Ventus has spoken with. Upon further questioning, Ventus grows confused and begins to doubt himself. The four of them decide to return to the clock tower.

After bringing Ventus to rest in his room, Ephemer, Skuld, and Brain return to the Foretellers' Chambers to talk about what happened. An injured Lauriam overhears them and enters the room, demanding that Brain tell him what happened to Strelitzia. Ephemer tries to calm Lauriam down, but is knocked away. Ventus enters the room and admits he is responsible for what happened to Strelitzia, causing Lauriam to shift his anger towards him. Ephemer again attempts to stop Lauriam, summoning his Keyblade to block Lauriam from striking Ventus. As he does, Ventus collapses and Darkness emerges from him.

The Union leaders discover that Darkness was responsible for replacing Strelitzia with Ventus. Darkness claims that it had acted to fulfill Ventus's desire for power; Ephemer refutes it by asserting that Ventus would never go so far as to steal power from someone else. Ephemer then battles Darkness alongside Brain and Skuld. Skuld and Brain are knocked aside, leaving Ephemer as the last one standing, who admits that even he can't stand up to Darkness alone. However, Skuld, Brain, and Lauriam gather their resolve, rejoining the fight. At that moment, Player returns through a portal and fights alongside them. Darkness tells them that their world is fated for destruction, but Ephemer refuses to believe it, saying that Ava brought them together and wouldn't just throw them away. The five of them fight Darkness, but are unable to defeat it; Darkness claims that it is formless, and thus cannot be destroyed. Ventus awakens and says that he will give Darkness a form that can be destroyed before clashing with it, ending the battle.

Afterwards, Ephemer expresses uncertainty about the fate of the world and resolves to save everyone. As the data world begins to deteriorate, he and the others make plans to escape back to the real world using the lifeboats. Ephemer urges Brain to be the first to return, arguing that Brain has the best chance of figuring out how to help everyone from outside. Ephemer also tries to convince Player to take a lifeboat, but they refuse, choosing to stay with him instead. Brain gives Ephemer his Keyblade, Master's Defender, and the Book of Prophecies before returning to the real world.

Ephemer, Skuld, and Player are confronted by four manifestations of Darkness. Darkness asks that they open a gate for it to leave and infect other worlds, to which Ephemer refuses. As they prepare to fight, Ephemer urges Player to take one of the lifeboats and escape. Realizing the dire situation they are in, Player chooses instead to pretend to be possessed by Darkness in a bid to save Ephemer and Skuld. Player threatens Skuld's life, goading Ephemer into sending them and the four Darknesses through a glitching portal. Ephemer tearfully closes the portal behind them, trapping them.

Ephemer helps Skuld into one of the lifeboats and they return to the real world together. They go outside to witness the destruction of Daybreak Town before returning to take the lifeboats again and escape the collapsing world. As they enter the lifeboats, Skuld thanks Ephemer for being there with her, and Ephemer recalls his memories of fighting alongside Player. The ceiling collapses above their closed pods, filling the room with rubble.

Later, Ephemer is seen awakening in the lifeboat, floating in the waters of the ruined Daybreak Town. Sometime after this, Ephemer found the town of Scala ad Caelum.

Between Kingdom Hearts χ and Kingdom Hearts Dark Road
After founding Scala ad Caelum, Ephemer continued to live on and had a family of his own. His family line would continue until the birth of his descendant Xehanort.

Kingdom Hearts III
Ephemer's spirit aids Sora in defeating Master Xehanort's Heartless cyclone at the Keyblade Graveyard.

Design
Ephemer has curly, silver hair and cyan eyes. He wears a white shirt under a black vest with grey accents, dark grey pants, and black boots. He has a red scarf around his neck. Ephemer wears a tan pouch around his waist.

"" refers to things that are short-lived or transitory.

Personality
Ephemer is kind and curious as he wishes to solve the mysteries of the world, the Book of Prophecies and why the Unions are fighting against each other. He can be a bit cocky as he fought an Invisible Heartless on his own. Similar to Sora, Ephemer is caring and considerate towards others, as he wishes to help those in need, such as Player, Skuld, and Master Ava.

However, he is also known to be hesitant seen when he is unsure about the task of being a Union leader, but slowly starts to grow into the role.

Abilities
Ephemer wields the third upgrade of the Starlight Keyblade, and eventually inherits the Master's Defender from Brain.