Way to the Dawn

The Way to the Dawn (ウェイトゥザドーン) is a Keychain for Riku's Keyblade that is found in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Like Sora's Keyblade, it is a Keyblade of the Realm of Light. Its form is based upon the Soul Eater, which it uses as an intermediary, and its name and design reflect Riku's journey to become free of the Darkness forged within his heart and to find a way to return to the Light.

The Way to the Dawn is first seen in Kingdom Hearts II, when Riku arrives at The World That Never Was in order to rescue Naminé and Kairi from Saïx. Though it is technically a different weapon from the Soul Eater, Riku still refers to it by its previous name.

Riku can equip this Keyblade within Mission Mode in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. The Way to the Dawn also appears in the secret video The Gathering, where Ventus pulls it from the ground at Keyblade Graveyard.

Design
The Way to the Dawn greatly resembles the Soul Eater, but the once curved wing is now straight, and the Keyblade's guard is composed of one angelic wing and one demonic wing. Also, a dark angelic wing has been added to the top of the original blade of the Soul Eater to act as the teeth of the key. Its token is the Heartless Emblem, but without the spiked bars crossing it. Its name is derived from the ending scene of Reverse/Rebirth, in which Riku declares that he is taking the "road to dawn".

Trivia

 * During the battle with Xemnas, Sora temporarily wields this Keyblade and holds it with a reverse grip, similar to how Ventus holds his Keyblade. Also, during the battle against Xemnas's Dragoon Ship, Riku holds this Keyblade backhanded while driving.