Why KH3 Ruined Isa
In honor of the new DLC, I’d just like to remind everyone how horribly KH3 treated its characters. The Recusant’s Sigil means death and endings.
The power of waking (a birth by sleep) is the power to give the character new life---a new beginning. This was THE underlying theme of the Dark Seeker Saga.
Sadly, Isa wasn’t given a new beginning or a birth by sleep in KH3, even though pretty much everything leading up to KH3 hinted that he would. The symbol on his jacket was a waning crescent, the final phase of the moon, signifying death and endings.
The symbol on his jacket in the ending is a waxing crescent, the first phase of the new moon cycle, signifying new beginnings. Even his weapons in 358/2 Days contained hints that he was supposed to get a new beginning and a birth by sleep.
Saïx’s weapons all have auras in his berserk state. But only starting in 358/2 Days. In the original KH2, his claymore didn’t glow when he went berserk. Light yellow is the color of new beginnings.
“Turn from the light. Shut your eyes. Here blanketed by the darkness, sleep is safety. Sleep is eternal.”
The Hermit - The Hermit suggests that you are in a phase of introspection where you are drawing your attention inwards and looking for answers within. You are in need of a period of inner reflection, away from the current demands of your position.
Four of Cups - The Four of Cups tend to appear when you are feeling discouraged and unmotivated. You may feel as if there is no solution or way forward in your situation. Life has become stagnant, and nothing seems to make you happy or passionate. The Four of Cups can also represent feeling nostalgic, daydreaming or fantasizing.
“Twilight” is part of Fearless Gear, the same as The Hermit in Luxord’s deck. It is shaped like a trident.
Why a trident of all things? The trident is the symbol for Neptune, known as the dream planet, and the ruler of Pisces. Why Pisces? Pisces is ruled by The Moon tarot card, making it fit in with the whole mythology of Saïx’s astrology-based character.
As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces is also a symbol for twilight, the period between night and day. It’s the final sign before a new cycle begins.
“Our experiments creating Heartless were attempts to control the mind, and convince it to renounce its sense of self.”
The trident (and crescent moon) is also a symbol for Shiva.
“If people see with their hearts, Saïx, then you're even blinder than the rest of us.”
Twilight has a Recusant’s Sigil on the third eye (the drum), as does Saïx. And yes that is Combustion Man from Avatar: The Last Airbender. But I think he is a good example to compare to a character like Saïx, who also uses that type of symbolism on his forehead. Combusion Man blows things up with his mind. Saïx’s third eye, in comparison, is dead. It’s no doubt why he’s unable to see Xion.
“X”… A most ancient letter. Some say “kye,” but the meaning is the same. Death… A letter that spells endings.
Death - Death means that something is dying, but a new beginning is in sight. Similarly, Death shows a time of significant transformation, change and transition. You need to transform yourself and clear away the old to bring in the new. Any change should be welcomed as a positive, cleansing, transformational force in your life. The death and clearing away of limiting factors can open the door to a broader, more satisfying experience of life.
Ace of Swords - New ideas, new beginnings, new projects, new plans and breakthroughs. It also indicates intellectual ability, mental clarity, clear thinking and the ability to concentrate. This Minor Arcana signifies communication, vision, force, focus and intensity.
Berserker is Valor Gear, which is Death in Luxord’s deck. The Death arcana is misunderstood; it actually is a positive card, representing new beginnings.
This fury, which was called berserkergang, occurred not only in the heat of battle, but also during laborious work. Men who were thus seized performed things which otherwise seemed impossible for human power. This condition is said to have begun with shivering, chattering of the teeth, and chill in the body, and then the face swelled and changed its color.
With this was connected a great hot-headedness, which at last gave over into a great rage, under which they howled as wild animals, bit on the edge of their shields, and cut down everything they met without discriminating between friend or foe. When this condition ceased, a great dulling of the mind and feebleness followed, which could last for one or several days.
---Fabing, Howard D. (1956). "On Going Berserk: A Neurochemical Inquiry". Scientific Monthly.
Berserkers were consumed with such rage, they didn’t differentiate between friend or foe on the battlefield. Isa didn’t seem to recognize Lea in his berserk state during the final battle. But he he stopped attacking Lea right before he finished him off.
“They think the power of love will save them? That's the stuff of poetry, not practicality. The love between them will wither and die. Love never lasts.”
Strength - Strength predicts the triumphant conclusion to a major life problem, situation or temptation through strength of character.
Two of Cups - Represents the flow of love between two people. With this card, you are creating deep connections and partnerships, based on shared values, compassion, and unconditional love.
“Queen of the Night” is Prestige Gear. It is also the name of a beautiful white flower that blooms once, under a full moon, then withers and dies. It’s a lot like love, according to Xaldin.
“Hey, Roxas. Bet you don't know why the sun sets red. You see, light is made up of lots of colors. And out of all those colors, red is the one that travels the farthest.”
The Sun - While its opposite card, The Moon, teaches us about the deep sorrows and fears that we keep down in our unconscious, The Sun provides us with healing and liberation.
Four of Coins - You are holding on to people, possessions, situations or past issues. May also indicate a lack of openness, blocking or obstructing progress, keeping to yourself or a sense of isolation.
Saïx’s Hazard Gear is called “Light Year”. A light year is the distance that light travels in one year. This is exactly why I think Axel's quote was foreshadowing him saving Isa with the power of waking, giving him a birth by sleep.
“So many are still waiting for their new beginning, their birth by sleep.”
The Myth of the Moon Gazing Hare reflects ancient beliefs. Pagans believed that seeing a moon gazing hare would bring growth, rebirth, abundance, new beginnings and good fortune. The hare gained immortality when he was taken to the moon after an act of selflessness.
A promise… We’ll meet again…in the next life. We did say that. I remember. I remember our promise.
The phoenix represents renewal, rebirth and the beginning of a new life. Therefore, the phoenix is a symbol of rebirth from the ashes of the past, and it also represents the victory of life over death, thus immortality. I don’t think it was a coincidence that Lea’s Keyblade (based on a solar bird) and Isa’s Mystery Gear (based on a lunar rabbit) have the same meaning. Obviously, Lea was supposed to save Isa, and give him a birth by sleep and a new beginning. I don’t understand how KH3 could ruin such a simple concept.