Ventus

Ventus (ヴェントゥス, Ventusu), also known as Ven (ヴェン), is an original character created by Tetsuya Nomura who first appears as one of the main protagonists of Birth by Sleep and the character that the player directly controls in one of the scenarios of the game which also involves him exploring his true identity. He bears an extremely striking resemblance to Roxas, both of whom are voiced by Kōki Uchiyama (Japanese) and Jesse McCartney (English). His name means "wind" in Latin; both it and his Fresh Breeze Keyblade have a "sky" theme similar to that of Sora's.

Ventus is the youngest apprentice of Master Eraqus; his perceived lack of experience is the reason why Eraqus does not allow Ven to take the Master Qualification Exam alongside Terra and Aqua. His personality strongly resembles Sora's, which allows him to make friends easily with the dwellers in the various worlds he visits and he often helps them out without the need for a reward. When Master Eraqus sends Terra to seek out Master Xehanort and Vanitas, Ventus impulsively follows Terra. In the end, Ven learns that he was previously Master Xehanort's apprentice and that Xehanort used him to create Vanitas, the embodiment of the darkness within his heart, as part of his plan to complete the Χ-Blade. As Aqua is forced to defeat the possessed Ven, Ven manages to destroy Vanitas within his mind. However, Ven loses his will to live and his body is rendered dead and placed in the Chamber of Wakening within Castle Oblivion. Ven's wandering light is able to find a young Sora and Sora accepts Ven's heart into his body. In the game's secret ending, he is seen in what appears to be the Land of Departure with Terra, and the two utter Sora's name with newfound hope.

Ven cameos in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, when Xigbar and Xemnas both momentarily have flashbacks of Ventus interacting with Xion and later when Xion assumes Ven's form while fighting Xigbar. This scene foreshadows the history that Braig (Xigbar's former self) had with Terra's group and Sora's ties to Ventus.