Skuld

Skuld is a Keyblade wielder who appears in Kingdom Hearts χ. She is a member of the same Union as Ephemer.

Before Kingdom Hearts χ
Skuld was chosen by the Keyblade, and joined the same Union as Ephemer in Daybreak Town. Driven by her excitement, Skuld tries to create her own party to undertake missions with other Keyblade wielders, but no one expressed any interest in joining her until Ephemer joined her party. Over time, more wielders gradually joined them in their journey to gather Lux. Due to their busy schedules, however, Skuld and Ephemer began drifting apart, putting a strain on their friendship. After Ephemer decided to leave the group to go his own way, the other members of Skuld's party departed as well, much to Skuld's dismay.

Kingdom Hearts χ[chi]
One night, Ephemer contacts Skuld in a dream and instructs her to seek out, warning her about the impending Keyblade War. Skuld finds Player in the Fountain Square having a conversation with their Chirithy about collecting Lux for their Union before the other Unions do, prompting Skuld to question the competition between the Unions since they strive to collect light for the same goal. Skuld relays Ephemer's message to Player, who reveals that Ephemer had contacted them in a dream and told them to go the Foretellers' Chamber. Skuld and Player agree to go, in spite of Chirithy's protests since Ava forbid them from entering the area.

When a sudden quake shakes all of Daybreak Town, Skuld and co. rush to investigate the source of the disturbance and witness Foreteller Invi fighting against Aced. Shocked at the sight of the two Foretellers fighting each other, Skuld affirms that Ephemer's warning must be true, and the trio proceed to the sewers to access the secret entrance to the Foretellers' Chamber. Destroying Darklings along the way, Skuld and co. come across a Nightmare Chirithy fully tainted by darkness, much to Skuld's shock. Nightmare Chirithy asks if Skuld hates the darkness, explaining that light and darkness cannot exist without the other, and encourages Skuld to embrace the darkness just like the Darklings did. Skuld inquires if the Darklings used to be Keyblade wielders, which Nightmare Chirithy confirms.

After the Nightmare Chirithy leaves, Skuld and co. make their way to the Foretellers' Chamber, only to find it empty. When a Foreteller emerges and demands to know why are here, Skuld apologizes for trespassing and explains that they are looking for Ephemer. The Foreteller reveals to Skuld and co. that Ephemer has been collecting Lux for a reason that contradicts their own, claiming that Ephemer had befriended them simply to get his hands on information and has been eliminated. Skuld is outraged by the Foreteller's heinous act, while Player steps forward to challenge the Foreteller to avenge Ephemer, but is defeated. As Player is cast to the ground, the group finds themselves back in the sewers, and Ava reveals herself to them. Ava thanks Skuld and Player for showing her the strength of their hearts and apologizes for having deceived them with an illusion. Ava explains that she is gathering Keyblade wielders, such as Ephemer, to join the Dandelions to ensure the future of the light in a new world after the Keyblade War and extends the invitation to Skuld and Player. Skuld accepts, but Player remains hesitant. Ava allows Player time to consider her proposal, and requests that Skuld and Player their meeting a secret.

At the Fountain Square, Skuld sits with Player and Chirithy, who asks why Player refused to join the Dandelions since it can reunite them with Ephemer. When Player explains that they are reluctant leave behind their friends who will take part in the Keyblade War, Skuld shares how she had been alone for a long time prior to Ephemer popularizing her party, and how he assured her that she will fine by herself when he left her. Convinced that the only way to see Ephemer is to join the Dandelions, Skuld thanks Player for their help and bids them farewell.

Skuld later joins the rest of the Dandelions at the Fountain Square, where Ava orders her Dandelions to avoid the Keyblade War and journey to the new world to ensure the future of the light.

As tensions rise between the Unions, Skuld comes across a skirmish at the Fountain Square, in which Player is trying to stop two quarreling Keyblade wielders. However, Skuld's attempts to quell the wielders are crushed when Aced appears to announce that war has begun and the only thing they can believe in is the promise of their Unions. Aced declares that absolute strength is based on righteousness that can only be proven through battle, but Skuld objects to his claims. Aced recognizes her as one of the Dandelions, comparatively stating that what Ava is doing is merely a display of strength as well.

Skuld watches as Player duels Aced and is defeated, the latter disqualifying the former as a Keyblade wielder. After Ira steps forward and the crowd disperses, Skuld asks Ira about the upcoming Keyblade War, to which Ira explains it is unavoidable. Skuld argues that Ava had said there would be no winner of the Keyblade War and questions the purpose of the war. Ira confirms Skuld's inquiry and suggests that Skuld and Player prepare themselves for what is to come. Once alone, Player collapses to the ground, leaving Skuld and Chirithy to tend to them.

Skuld and Chirithy bring an unconscious Player home to rest. There, Skuld and Chirithy discuss the growing tension between the Unions and the impending Keyblade War. Player wakes and asks if Skuld has found Ephemer, and Skuld admits that she has not since she has been trying recruiting as many wielders as possible join the Dandelions so that they do not have to take part in the Keyblade War. However, Skuld laments that the Dandelions themselves have begun to lose morale, as Ava has gone missing. Chirithy suggests that Gula might be able to help them, and the three of them set out to search for Gula the following day.

Eventually, Skuld, Player, and Chirithy trace Gula to one of the unoccupied houses of Daybreak Town. Gula identifies Skuld as one of Ava's Dandelions and deduces their motive for seeking him out, stressing that neither he nor Ava can stop the upcoming war. Skuld retorts its a Dandelion's duty to keep as many of their comrades from the Keyblade War as possible. Gula remarks that Skuld is similar to Ava and informs the party that the Master of Masters is the only one who can save the world. As the Master of Masters is missing, Gula directs them to find Luxu, the sixth apprentice of the Master of Masters who disappeared around the same time. Skuld realizes that Ava's recent disappearance was because she had gone to look for Luxu in order to find the Master of Masters.

Gula then shares some of the passages from the Lost Page with Skuld and co., which details that a traitor of the light would be the one to bring an end to the world, which will be signaled by the chiming of a bell. When the group hears the bells of the Clock Tower toll, Gula advises Skuld and co. to leave, as each Union will likely rally their forces for the war. Later, Skuld asks Player to join her and the Dandelions in the new world, but they decline. Although Skuld respects their decision, she tells Player to give her offer some thought and departs.

While the Keyblade War wages at the Badlands, Skuld travels to another realm alongside the rest of the Dandelions and reunites with Ephemer. Together, she and Ephemer travel to the Badlands following the conclusion of the Keyblade War, where they find Player lying unconscious on the ground. They bring Player to the new world, where Player's memories of the tragedy are erased alongside the rest of the Dandelions, with the exception of the five chosen Keyblade wielders by Ava to become the new Union leaders.

Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]
As per Ava's instructions, Skuld heads to the Keyblade Graveyard following the conclusion of the Keyblade War. Upon her arrival, she spots Ephemer, who is shocked to learn that she is one of the new Union leaders, as the identity of the Union leaders was meant to be kept secret until they have all gathered. 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. Skuld and Ephemer assure Ventus that they consider him a friend. When the fourth Union leader, Brain, arrives, he asks them if the rules Ava provided them were absolute, which Skuld confirms, prompting Brain and Ventus to comment that Skuld shares Ava's diligence. When Brain and Ventus voice their discomfort with lying to their comrades about the Keyblade War, Ephemer states that no one else should have to carry the burden of the past, a sentiment Skuld and the others accept.

Later, in Daybreak Town, Chirithy reports to Skuld and Ephemer about Player's persisting nightmares about the Keyblade War. Skuld assures Chirithy that Player's tragic memories will fade over time and advises it to take care of Player while they investigate the new impending darkness in the world. 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 Skuld, Ephemer, and Ventus to collect the ingredients while he and Lauriam stay behind to make the necessary preparations.

When the time comes to discuss the matter of the Shift Pride, Ephemer calls a meeting between the Union Leaders. Lauriam does not attend, with Brain explaining that, whatever the agenda is, Lauriam asked to side with Ephemer. Proceeding, the group discusses the nature of the Shift Pride. When Ventus rejects the notion, not wanting to see wielders fighting one another again, Skuld agrees. She is reminded by Brain that it is a law, and thus they should follow through with it, also believing that a little recreational contest would be fun for everyone. Skuld becomes shocked that Ephemer's vote is in favor of the Shift Pride as he wants follow the rules but upon hearing Ephemer explain that he intends on having wielders compete against the data versions of their comrades to avoid a clashing of hearts Skuld feels relieved, then he admits 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.

After Lauriam soon joins them, the group hears he had been looking for his sister Strelitzia Skuld was asked by him about what she knew about her, explaining that Strelitzia had been looking for someone and was last seen entering the same building Skuld had just prior to the Keyblade War. Although she doesn't offer much insight, Lauriam accepts this and worries that Strelitzia may have ended up fighting in the Keyblade War after all. Brain notes that the entire situation seems odd, and after reviewing the information she and Ephemer is reminded of Player, then watches Ephemer and Lauriam to reconnect with Player.

Left alone with Brain and Ventus, Skuld along with Ven call Brain on his curiosity as he's constantly reading the Book of Prophecies rivaling that of Ephemer's. They hear that Brain has a goal, and that at present, they are still following a destructive destiny, one which he intends to overwrite. Mentioning that, even if they overwrite the Keyblade War, nothing would change, Brain resolves to become a virus to overwrite that destiny, then leaving to enter the control room.

Afterwards, Skuld was asked by Ventus about her opinion on what Brain had said, she suggests that Brain knows what he's doing, but questions why the Dandelions were allowed to avoid the Keyblade War when they were destined for ruin anyway. Agrees with Ventus that they talk to Ephemer about this, but just then, a glitch triggers a projection of Ava and the Masters of Masters, where they discuss the Union Leader meant to inherit the copy of the Book of Prophecies. Seeing this, Ventus immediately asks where Brain is, leaving to get him when Skuld answers that he's in the Control Room.

After awhile, Skuld and the others were happy to see Ephemer return and was informed that Player was still exploring the new world. Once being told what Brain had figured and the story of the duo's adventure as well as mentioning what they saw and believing the Darklings were behind the glitches more what Brain suspected earlier turned out to be true they were put in a data version of Daybreak Town. But they had no way to know for sure as the connection between the data and the real world had been cut suggesting that something or someone had their own plans. Understanding they were all put in a cage, Skuld and the others hear Brain make a reaffirm on his promise to become the virus that overwrites everything.

Later, Skuld and Ventus go to Daybreak Town and marvel how it snowed in the data world as well as wondered if it was snowing in the real Daybreak Town until they were found by Brain's Chirithy. She and Ventus were led to a meeting by Brain and Ephemer. They were asked who tell them they were Union leaders and where Skuld remembers it was on this very hill. There Brain reveals he has the Book of Prophecy, which was meant to go to Strelitzia; inside is a memo of the five chosen to be the next Union leaders. She was informed of the names on the memo are Brain, Ephemer, her own, Lauriam and Strelitzia; but was equally shocked as Ventus when they discovered his not on the list.

Like the others, she too believed his innocence comforting him but was aware that having Strelitzia disappear wasn't Ava's or Ventus' doing and through Brain's deductive reasoning along with them Skuld figured Darkness posed as Master Ava, killed Strelitzia and gave Ventus her book. They were told of Ventus's encounter with Master Ava about being in an old warehouse and then walking to the clock tower as they talked. As being pushed by Brain, she starts to comfort Ventus when he grabs his head in pain where he vaguely sees Strelitzia dying, and Skuld begins to wonder what it all means. But for now they plan to tell Lauriam about his sister's intended role back at the clock tower.

Returning to the tower, Skuld feels sorry for Ventus telling Ephemer and Brain that sudden flush of their comrades memories put so much of a strain on Ventus that fell asleep. Despite happened she thought that he was a victim too, noticing Brain looking skeptical, she asked him to speak his mind, and yet they all agreed that Ventus was there when Strelitzia disappeared but still curious on who could've plan something this far.

Upon further discussing with Brain and Ephemer, Skuld understood that now that they are aware of the Darkness and that it's in Ventus, she wondered what was it trying to do if not attack them. They began to suspect that it will begin to take a more direct approach coming after them already knowing it struck down Strelitzia but the group had no idea why. Soon she sees Lauriam limping through door injured Skuld and Ephemer asked him what happened but he shrugged them off with Lauriam demanding answers from Brain about happened to his sister. She further listens about Brain's suspicions coming true about the Darkness wanting to feed off of, fear, anger and the hate of others, having it corrupt their hearts as well as ripping the bonds between them apart. She and the others tried to calm Lauriam down and explained what happened however Ventus enters the room and admits he killed Strelitzia much to the others protest. And yet, she sees Lauriam turn his anger on Ventus, seeing him grab his head Skuld knew he was going to pass out again as Ventus collapses on the ground and watches in horror as Darkness emerged from him.

Design
Skuld has long black hair, pink star earrings, and light brown eyes. She wears a grey, zippered shirt under a black vest, and a studded belt around her black skirt. She has a red belt wrapped around her left arm, and two around her ankles. She wears black boots and knee-high stockings.

Skuld shares her name with one of the in Norse mythology, specifically.

Personality
Skuld is known as the "serious one" by Brain and has similar diligence to Ava. She cares for her friends, most notably Ephemer and Player. She doesn't like seeing other Keyblade wielders fight, as to why she agreed with Ventus against the Shift Pride.

Skuld is sympathetic towards others as she felt great sadness for both Ventus, who was manipulated by Darkness into taking Strelitzia's life, and for Lauriam for the loss of his sister.

Abilities
Skuld wields the third upgrade of the Starlight Keyblade.