The Connected Worlds

"This world has been connected. Tied to the darkness... soon to be completely eclipsed. There is so very much to learn. You understand so little." - Ansem

The worlds on the grid in Final Kingdom have been connected. But this doesn't mean that those which are on the grid are all that is out there. There are other worlds: those in slumber, those who still hold the barriers of Light, and those which are falling to darkness but are not connected by Maleficent's Shadow Passages.

The Realm Between Worlds

All worlds exist upon the plane of the Realm between Worlds; a plane that has a Dark side and a Light side, and Twilight in the middle. Worlds that have fallen to darkness are far 'south' of the Twilight line, where-as worlds or Light are far north of it. The worlds which show within this Realm are those which are anchored in place; like islands upon the ocean of space. This realm can be traversed with entities known as Gummiships - and a few other means - but only those worlds which no longer have a Barrier of Light can be visited.

This realm contains heartless as well - large ones - but they cannot enter the worlds due to simply being too large. One can 'survive' within this realm, but without a means of transport, one would be lost.

The World of Ruin

For Final Fantasy, many of the worlds have come together to form one. The power of the World Hearts drew them together from the realm of Darkness into one stronger whole. Yet there are still 'Shards' of those other, lost worlds that have fallen into darkness and remain there, still and quiet.

Sometimes, those World Shards are forced to move. Some fall to other worlds, such as the Castle of Figaro, which now lies hidden beneath the sands of the world of Arabian Nights. Others landed elsewhere, like the powerful Cloistures of Spira - now spread across the World of Ruin. These World Shards, however, are not impossible to be reclaimed, and it is certain that our heroes will one day find the key to unlocking this ability. Yet, what if the Shadow Lords get their hands on this particular ability first?

The Worlds of Phantasia

Far closer to the realm of Light, these worlds often have a powerful Princess of Heart who unwittingly keeps the world rooted where it is. Some of these worlds however, have still come together. They however, were forced into such a state not through the World Hearts, but through Malificent. It is strange how a world closest to Darkness would have the Light be its saving grace, yet the worlds of Light would find themselves drawn together due to the curse of shadows. Separated, the worlds had held strong barriers of light. But now, these barriers have been shattered by Malificent, and some worlds have been drawn together to suit her needs in the Heartless invasion - as she seeks for the Princesses of Heart.

Not all of these worlds had their Barriers shattered however! Some of them weakened, though, and at times, either when a man has a dark enough wish, or Malificent attempts to push Heartless through, a Shadow Passage will open to that world.

The World of Traverse Town

A world on the brink of darkness, World Shards of other worlds close to this darkness have landed within this world and become one. It is a world that manages to lay connected, and inevitably draws those who seek Restoration to itself. It is here that heroes come together, outside of the gaze of those who would wish them harm. This world is under the protection of two powerful Sorcerers; Yen Sid and Merlin, as well as the UCF and Montressor Space Fleet. Only small Heartless tend to be able to pierce the protective veil of this place.

The Darkness

Not a world, but an 'area', or a 'plane' truly. These are the Worlds that have landed within darkness, like the Hollow Bastion, or the void, yet still hold 'life'. It is also where-from Malificent drew her Portals onto the worlds. Using a place near the Crossroads known only as Phantasia Mountain - once a place of immense magical power - she connected world after world until its magics were exhausted. For travelers, this place is often naught but a layover. A place to wander through, and quickly leave again. Exploration past the town of Nightmare and Castle Oblivion is met with heavy Heartless and Monster resistance for all but those who would favor Ruin through their actions.