Finding
Inner Light: The Theme of Kingdom Hearts II
by Alantie
When Kingdom Hearts I was released, it was strongly hinted that the light
the characters spoke of symbolized the person’s romantic love interest or a
person of great importance. This was demonstrated between Kairi and Sora,
Jasmine and Aladdin, and Beast and Belle, among others. Cloud and Aerith
also fit into the pattern of the other romantic couples within the game. In
the credites, they are shown reuniting along with the other couples who had
been separated. As a result, it was concluded that when speaking
of searching for his light, Cloud had been referring to Aerith.
However, with the inclusion of Tifa in Kingdom Hearts II, many CloudxTifa
supporters argued that Aerith was not Cloud’s light after all. Due to a
conversation Cloud and Aerith have where she talks about Cloud finding his
light, and a bright white light that appears when Tifa is around, CloudxTifa
supporters started claiming that Cloud's romantic light is Tifa rather than
Aerith. Yet, what many have overlooked is that the symbolism of light has
taken on a second meaning in this installment of the game: finding the inner
light to combat inner darkness. It’s clear that Cloud is struggling with
facing his inner darkness and needs to find his own inner light to combat
it. But this is not unique to Cloud alone - many of the other characters in
Kingdom Hearts II are also seeking their inner light to combat the darkness
within them.
Sora himself struggles with understanding his own inner light and darkness
as he learns about his other self, the Nobody Roxas. Also of note is that
Sora is not said to be searching for his light as in his romantic love
interest Kairi. This is a clear indication that the theme is different this
time around, though it does not change Kairi's importance to Sora. There’s
no need for Sora to search for Kairi, as he knows quite well where she is
for the majority of the game. He parted with her at Destiny Islands and up
until he is told of her kidnapping by Organization XIII he believed her to
still be there. Even once he learns that she has been taken, he knows where
she is to be found. Instead of seeking Kairi, he deals with questions
regarding his dark self Roxas, memories that don’t belong to him, and
understanding that hearts are made up of both light and darkness.
Hercules, after making a huge mistake regarding the Hydra that Hades left
for him to fight, looses confidence. He falls into a depression, believing
that he’s worthless, refusing to believe that he’s still a hero despite the
support of his friends and loved one, Meg. However, Hercules is seen
overcoming that darkness and finding the light within himself once again in
time to help Sora find a way to help Auron and to rescue Meg from Hades.
Simba, too, has to deal with similar issues in the Pride Lands. Tormented by
the guilt of believing that he’s responsible for his father’s death, Simba
refuses to return home until he recovers his own courage to confront his
uncle, Scar, and take his rightful place as King. Later on, Simba is haunted
by the dark ghost of Scar and his own doubts about his ability to be King.
This causes Simba to run away again until Sora encourages him to conquer his
fears. Once Simba regains his confidence and finds his own inner light, he’s
able to banish Scar’s ghost and cleanse the Pride Lands.
Similar problems also occur with Beast. Xaldin evokes Beast’s anger,
encouraging him to seep himself in darkness and send away anything that
might bring him back to himself. He locks his servants in the dungeons and
even keeps Belle confined to her rooms. Sora and the others however help
Beast to find the good within him again, allowing him to conquer the
darkness of his anger and defeat Xaldin.
Cloud follows this same pattern and theme, struggling to defeat darkness and
find his own inner light to combat it. He speaks of having to conquer his
darkness, a person who is no other than Sephiroth.
Cloud: I'll get him. This time we settle it. Me, and
the one who embodies all the darkness in me.
Donald: I thought you looked kinda different, Cloud.
Cloud: If I do, it's his fault.
Sora: Whose?
Cloud: Sephiroth. Tell me if you see him.
Sora: Okay. What's he look like?
Cloud: Silver hair. Carries a long sword.
Sora: Sure. Well, be seeing you, Cloud.
Cloud: Be careful. He messes with your head, makes you think darkness is the
only way.
~Kingdom Hearts II
This indicates that Cloud is struggling to deal with his darkness, while a
conversation between Cloud and Aerith while Sora looks on further makes it
clear that Cloud must also find his inner light.
Aerith: Is something wrong?
Sora: Uhh...
Cloud: It's nothing. I don't want you involved.
Aerith: You mean you don't want me there when you go away again?
Cloud: I just--- Listen, even if I go far away, I'll come back.
Aerith: Do you mean it?
Cloud: Yeah.
Aerith: See? You don't look so sure. Well, okay, I understand. Go---get
things
settled.
Cloud: Huh?
Aerith: No matter how far away you are...once you find your light...I'm sure
it
will lead you back here again. Right?
Cloud: I suppose.
Aerith: So I'll stay here---and I'll cheer for you--- Okay, Cloud?
Cloud: Okay. *walks away*
Aerith: Wonder if he'll be okay.
Sora: He'll be fine. I'm sure there's some light in him somewhere.
Aerith: You're right.
~Kingdom Hearts II
Cloud has to come to terms with himself and his own darkness to find the
light within. It’s not something someone else like Tifa can do for him, no
matter how much she may want to. This is a battle that he must fight on his
own, with the support of his loved ones at his back. A warm golden glow
emanates from his body, and he springs upward to finish his battle with
Sephiroth alone, a sure sign that Cloud has somehow found his own inner
light.
The emphasis this time around is finding inner light, rather than searching
for a special person. Sora, Hercules, Simba, Beast, and Cloud all struggle
with finding the light within themselves to balance out the darkness, a
clear indication that this is the theme for Kingdom Hearts II.
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