Introduced as Buffy's younger sister in Season Five, she is actually a humanized version of a mystical Key created from Buffy's blood to hide her from a Hell God. Lifelong memories of her existence are implanted in everyone. After Buffy sacrifices herself to save her, Dawn is resurrected alongside her. She grapples with trauma and alienation in Season Six and survives the final battle, symbolizing the group's transition into a new, uncertain future.