Practiced a bit with Graphic Design! Lately, I've learned how to do that on Photoshop and figured that it wouldn't hurt learning how to do it proper. Since Hyuei recently finished a commission of the trinity in a new set of clothes, I felt that it'd be neat to have their younger selves set next to their older selves. Below are annotations on their designs, courtesy of my ramblings, alongside the three of them together in the recent artwork.
❝ Sometimes, yeah━ the heart can be weak, and sometimes... it may even give in. But, I've never been the sort to go down without a fight! My friends... they're the ones that give me strength! ❞
The difference between Suihei's designs are a bit more subtle than clothing ; when Hyuei was drawing this, I had to pass over a piece of coloring to represent this. Her hair and skin are darker, while her eyes have lightened from a cherry / chocolate to a more subtle hazel / orange. Aside from this, her hair is also modified to be slightly tamer than her Act 1 appearance, lending itself to something slightly more familiar to those that've indulged in the Kingdom Hearts series. While the opportunity was there to change her Act 2 attire into something more unique, we opted to stick with the modified KH2 look, if only because it seemed to fit the character a bit better. The thematic element of passing down the torch with the trio shows itself in Suihei more prominently. Her Keyblade resembles Sora's, her clothes come to resembles Sora's, even the subtler things, like personality quirks, vaguely come to resemble Sora's. This is done intentionally, as a major part of Destati eventually comes down to the cycle of Hearts, not unlike the Lifestream in Final Fantasy.
Otherwise, it's a superficial design that's more or less grown on me. While she's intentionally meant to resemble Sora, Suihei's design choices are also meant to pull her away from him too. As previously stated on another design post, we decided on something that interwove the protagonists together over the two-thousand year gap, and spoilers here -
Suihei is about the closest thing to reincarnation that we'll have. Aside from the convenient similarities, a major part of her character will derive from her sense of identity. Is she merely following in the footsteps of another, or is she her own person?
While they aren't tied together by a literal sense of reincarnation, you could say that Sora and Suihei embody something that the Keyblade itself looks for in a Master.
Aside from this, her Elemental alignment meant to represent her in Act 2 would be Twilight ;
" The element of Twilight is balance in full. It is a force that represents the unity of Light and Darkness ; a remnant of the Realms prior to their separation in eons past that shows itself in Hearts that have reconciled their strengths and weaknesses. As with many forms of magic, it can take the form of Gemstones utilized for synthesis. It is a source of power that is incredibly potent. It is said that Twilight simply is. It is renewal, it is cleansing, and it consumes with all the frigid voraciousness of Darkness, and burns with all the tenacious Hunger of Light. It is an element that proves repulsive and inclusive in the same turn ; a source of contradiction due to the mixed essence between Light and Darkness. For those that Master it, it is an incredibly boon. "
❝ Some days I stare into water and ask my reflection, is there a place in this world for a creature that was never meant to be…? Did I really deserve the second chance over everybody else? ❞
Pants, sweet, sweet pants. Noxic is someone that I've always envisioned to be the kind of big brother to the group ; he's also the heavy hitter, which is probably why he has the most detailed build out of all three from his trinity. His coat represents a lot to him, so while we couldn't get rid of it, we certainly could alter it to go with his slightly taller build. His appearance, like Sui's, focuses on the more subtle things. His headfluff is cut differently, and, again, his physical build is slightly bulkier, as well as taller. Attire wise, we looked at Nomura's artwork and collaborated until we had something that fit Noxic's aesthetic.
Turns out Jecht's Dissidia shorts were a good thing to tug at. The emblem on his person is a customized Heartless one ; presumably a design that Seria herself opted to come up with or something that Noxic took on his person during Act 1.5 As with the rest of his party, the changes focused on taking his fighting style into account, as well as his personality - wild, frenzied, and possibly the most energetic of his party, despite the scowl that regularly marrs his features.
" Darkness surges within and the powers that come with it are ones he is both experienced with and uses relatively freely. Conjuring flame of shadow or becoming one with the night, his attacks can greatly vary depending on how he utilizes the arsenal his being graces him with. Skills are often influenced by this element as well, using it to both dodge and block with onyx barriers. This combined with his fighting style can offer him opportunities to mix it up and keep the opponent guessing, using it to fight at range if the situation calls for it or to find a new opening. "
❝ A lone, crimson tear falls to the sea... The echo of the remaining star cries out in the infinite vacuum. The least I can do is send my distant prayers over the wind of time, setting sail on dreams... . ❞
Aesthetic wise, you can see that Nyx now wears...shorts. His coat has been cut to reveal more as a sort of counter to that ; as I was focusing on tying his design more with something that would resemble his native World, or rather, a part of that World from which he hails from ( a set of isles with a multicultural demographic ) I realized how neat shorts would look on him as well. Considering that one of the major villages is a fishing one, I thought it'd fit. Hyuei and I also discussed the benefits of having his coat closely resemble one of the Organization's. In a way, it's meant to symbolise shedding his flesh as a Dusk
This is not to say that his design suffered by any means ; I've opted to focus on mobility and, whenever I work it into the series ( if I ever get around to grinding through it ) his magic of choice. We're deviating from Kingdom Hearts brand magic for another Square game for Nyx's own unique skillset.
So keep an ear out. Maybe.
It should also be noted that his distinct element of Act 2, meant to represent him, is Nothingness ;
" The element of Nothingness represents 'nul'. It is a force that has existed alongside Light and Darkness since the World of eons past Fractured. A quintessential balance between the realms, it is a source of power that acts in a contradictory nature. Mandated to keep the Realms of reality apart, but forsaken by every realm all the same. It is said that Nothingness is the void, the spatial concept that is experienced when the Heart leaves the body. To denizens of each realm, specifically those of the Realm of Light, it is a place of form and non-form, unnatural to be about and damaging to their souls, whereas Darkness proves dangerous to the body. "
As I had opted to grace him with Nothingness due to his lack of vivid memories of his life as a Somebody, he is meant to draw parallels to the Organization. Or at least he'll be meant to once he garners a few scenarios that focus on him.
Concordia is the Latin word for "harmony," literally "with (one) heart."It should be noted that by Act II, our Trinity will have experienced a great degree together. With a trial brushing along the horizon, their difficulties eventually come towards facing the Light as an adversary. During 1.5, Nyx goes as far as to touch upon the shores of his own Home World, which will remain tip-top secret until I figure out how exactly I want it to work.
By this point, Suihei is roughly 17 years old, providing her with greater insight towards herself, and her role in the world. Concordia was chosen as a title due to the harmony that each eventually find with their innate elements, as well as the unity that they display in the face of the tribulations that may stack against them.
Art by HYUEI