Choices/Rising

This article contains information from the Destiny: Rising universe, and is not a part of the established Destiny canon.

Prev:	Retrace
Next:	Resolve
Choices
Game:	Destiny: Rising
Campaign:	Unshakeable Shadows
Character required:	Helhest
Player(s):	1
Location:	Archives, Haven
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Choices is the fifth mission of Helhest's Journey.

Objectives

• Head to the Haven Archives.
• Talk to Radegast and the other Iron Lords.

Transcript

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Helhest heads to the second floor of the archives. Radegast is there in person, while Saladin and Felwinter are present for the discussion through holograms.

Radegast: I received your message and gathered as many of the Iron Lords as I could on short notice.

Radegast: Jolder and Efrideet are too busy, and Skorri did not accept my call.

Radegast: She's likely off composing another ballad on one of her personal retreats.

Radegast: For now, we will consider the Iron Lords convened.

Radegast: We understand the situation, but there is still much to be discussed.

Radegast: This matter is not nearly as simple as rallying a few Lords.

Radegast: Deciding to accept the White Queen means bringing the Outreacher Awoken into the fold.

Radegast: Both sides would be exposed, and there would be no turning back.

Radegast: And doing so may mean inviting political strife, all while we're trying our hardest to fend off alien invasions.

Saladin: Hah. Let's make matters a bit clearer.

Saladin: At present, a group of Awoken have come out of nowhere, claiming they're from "the Reef" and want to use their "advanced technology" to help us. It sounds no different from the promise a "pure and harmless" Ahamkara would make.

Saladin: And just as I wouldn't trust an Ahamkara to be virtuous, so too do I not trust this White Queen's reason for coming.

Helhest: We inspected their crashed mothership.

Helhest: She was indeed hunted down by the Crows—an organization of operatives working under Queen Mara Sov.

Helhest: Her arrival on Earth was neither premeditated nor planned.

Saladin: You may have a strong understanding of electronics, Helhest, but your understanding of political schemes is lacking.

Felwinter: You can't consider things from another angle, Saladin?

Felwinter: Regardless of what her motives are, the Awoken technology she brought is real.

Felwinter: If your conservatism could accelerate the progress of Earth's civilization, then you'd have my unwavering support.

Radegast: …Enough.

Radegast: Helhest, I think we need more proof and more details.

Helhest: …Alright. I have a recording.

Grom: Wait! Helhest!

Grom: Your past identity…

Helhest: I'll take responsibility for all I've done.

Helhest: If it means even a little more hope of making a connection… It's worth it.

Helhest plays the surveillance camera's video recovered from the crashed mothership for the Iron Lords to view.

Felwinter: Hm. So my Iron Wolf is a former Crow operative.

Felwinter: A surprise, to be sure, but the writing was indeed on the wall.

Radegast: Thank you for having the courage to show us this, Helhest.

Radegast: I think it will bring us closer to understanding the truth.

Saladin: It's also shown us how discordant these Awoken of the Reef are.

Saladin: Do you truly trust a faction embroiled in a civil war to help humanity out of the goodness of their hearts and expect nothing in return?

Helhest: I choose to trust, Lord Saladin.

Helhest: When the White Queen first opened her eyes and saw me, she instantly recognized me as the Crow sent to assassinate her.

Helhest: But then, she saw hope in my new identity as a Lightbearer. She chose to trust me.

Helhest: Just like how I chose to trust you all and played a recording representing my past.

Helhest: What cannot be denied is that this world has become exhausted. Progress is slow, and it comes at a great cost.

Helhest: Our "salvation" always comes with "sacrifice."

Helhest: But now, humanity needs to be connected if we're going to rebuild civilization—and the Awoken are still human.

Helhest: They need our trust.

Saladin: …You may very well be right. But right now, this decision cannot be made by the Iron Lords as individuals.

Saladin: The people of Veridia are relying on me to protect them.

Saladin: And until I can ensure these Outreachers and Isolationists won't drag my people into their conflict, I cannot work with the White Queen.

Saladin: I wish you success.

Saladin: (cuts out)

Saladin ends his transmission.

Felwinter: This is the first time I've seen you so persistent, Helhest.

Felwinter: I vote "yes."

Radegast: I cannot completely trust the White Queen.

Radegast: But Helhest is right.

Radegast: As it stands now, humanity can—and must—be connected, and that requires faith in our fellow man.

Radegast: On behalf of Haven, I'll offer you the support to make your choice.

Radegast: …If you need anything, Helhest, you can contact me directly.

Radegast: (leaves)

Radegast walks away.

Helhest: This is the best outcome I could have hoped for.

Felwinter: Of course. Now, go do what you wish, Helhest.

Helhest: Do you truly trust the White Queen, my lord…?

Felwinter: When I was still alone on Felwinter Peak, a woman named Aarthi—a mortal—climbed to the summit.

Felwinter: She told me that, seeing as I'd defeated the territory's former Warlord, I was their new ruler, and they would pay for my protection.

Felwinter: I did not choose to rule over them, I thought.

Felwinter: Why should I protect them?

Felwinter: But she had posed a question: with all the power and technology I had at my disposal, why wouldn't I protect humanity? Her words struck a cord.

Felwinter: If one day, humans could use those ancient technologies to protect themselves, then there would be no need for Iron Lords and Warlords.

Felwinter: I've spent nearly my entire life researching human civilization and technology, yet those of the Awoken remain a mystery to me.

Felwinter: You understand it though, Helhest. The one I trust is not the White Queen, but you.

Felwinter: Nobody—not me or the Iron Lords, nor you or the White Queen—can rebuild human civilization through their efforts alone.

Felwinter: We're nothing but countless rough shards, clumsily trying to piece together a new era.

Helhest: …To connect everything.

Felwinter: To connect everything.

Appearance

• Destiny: Rising: Season of Daybreak (First appearance)