Master Eraqus

Master Eraqus (マスター・エラクゥス, Masutā Erakūsu?) is an original character created by Tetsuya Nomura. He appears in Birth by Sleep and is the dignified master of the three protagonists of that game. He is described in Famitsu as being "the one who is keeping the power of light alive in the world". He is voiced by Makio Inoue in the Japanese version of the game. Master Eraqus is one of the few remaining "Keyblade Masters" and quickly realizes that there is a problem with the Princesses of Heart. He sends out his three apprentices: Terra, Ventus and Aqua, in search of the missing Master Xehanort and his apprentice Vanitas, giving Aqua an additional task to keep a sharp eye on Ven and deal with Terra if needed. Throughout the game, it is revealed that Eraqus knew about Master Xehanort's hypothesis of using the Χ-Blade to open Kingdom Hearts, but did not take him seriously until learning the truth about Ven and Vanitas. He attempts to erase Ven in order to foil Xehanort's plan, but Terra arrives and, misinterpreting what he sees, battles and defeats Eraqus. Master Xehanort arrives and finishes Eraqus off, but the game's secret ending reveals that Eraqus's heart is sealed within Terra.

His relation with Master Xehanort is similar to that of old classmates. He was first revealed in a trailer shown at the Tokyo Game Show 2009 and was described by viewers as having a "samurai-like" appearance. He was previously thought not to appear physically in the game with only mentions of him by the protagonists. His name is an anagram of "Square", the first name of the developer. Early speculation of his name showed it as being "Master Erauqs," which is Square, only reversed. He also bears a striking resemblance to Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi.