Editing Excision

{{Level infobox
|prev= [[Iconoclasm]] (Mission)<br>[[Salvation's Edge]] (Story)
|next= [[Mission: The Invitation]]
|game= ''[[Destiny 2]]''
|campaign= ''[[The Final Shape]]''
|name= Excision
|image=[[File:ExcisionOfficialTwitterArt.jpg|350px|center]]
|player= 1-12
|races=[[Vex]]<br>[[Cabal]]<br>[[Fallen]] {{C|Grandmaster}}<br>[[Taken]]
|factions=[[Sol Divisive]]<br>[[Shadow Legion]]<br>[[House of Salvation]] {{C|Grandmaster}}<br>[[The Dread]]
|place= [[The Pale Heart]], [[The Traveler]]
|objective= Join your fellow [[Guardian]]s to unmake [[The Witness|the Witness]] once and for all.
}}

'''Excision''' is the eighth and final [[Story|Story Mission]] of the ''[[The Final Shape|Final Shape]]'' expansion, and the overall finale of the ''[[The Light and Darkness Saga|Light and Darkness Saga]]''.

==Objectives==
*Reach the Witness
**Territory claimed
***X of 4
**''Fight through the Witness's forces and claim territory to banish its influence.''
*Reach the Witness
**''Move forward through whatever resistance there may be. You must reach the Witness.''
*Slay the Witness's Cornerstones; Let the Light Pour Forth
**Cornerstones slain
***X of 2
**''Destroy the Witness'es Cornerstones to free the Traveler's Light. Channel it to enter the Darkness.''
*Gather Light to Become One with Darkness Once More
**Light gathered
***X of 16
**''Collect Light from the rifts in the Traveler to empower your fireteam and become one with the Darkness.''
*Commune with Darkness
**''Commune with the Effigy of the Witness to become one with Darkness.''
*Unravel the Witness's from Within
**Voices severed
***X%
**''Destroy the Veiled Statues to sever their voices from the Witness's collective.''
*Destroy the Glyphs
**Glyphs destroyed
***X of 6
**''Shoot the Glyphs protecting the Witness and expose its weaknesses.''
*Strike Against the Witness
**''Now is the moment. Strike the Witness with all of your might!''
*Unmake the Witness
**''Ghost knows what to do. Finish it.''

==Transcript==
(Cutscene Begins)

:::A shot of the Witness's monolith is shown, a stream of light piercing out of it as a trail of smoke is shown retreating from it, presumably the Witness.

'''[[Zavala]]''': Defenders of Sol!

:::An armada of Coalition ships is seen descending into the Pale Heart, having entered from the portal left by the Witness on the Traveler.

'''Zavala''': Hear me now! Moments ago… one fireteam infiltrated the Witness's monolith… and shattered its hold on the Traveler's light.

:::Several Guardians transmat from their jumpships onto the ground below, their weapons at the ready, as the scene cuts to Mithrax, Kell of House Light and several House Light members arriving, seemingly staring at Zavala as he gives his speech.

'''Zavala''': Their courage brought us one last chance…

:::Mithrax turns to look over his shoulder, seeing Caiatl and her Imperial Cabal arriving for support as several Cabal Drop Pods can be seen dropping down in the distance.

'''Zavala''': to finish this.

:::The scene cuts to show the forces of the Coalition finally having arrived on the ground. Cabal, Eliksni, Awoken, Humans and Guardians standing side by side as Zavala rallies them for one final assault.

'''Zavala''': But the Witness… still lives.

:::Sounds of shock and disbelief are heard among the Coalition’s forces at Zavala’s revelation. Ana Bray and Elizabeth Bray are shown, looking at each before looking back at Zavala as he continues his speech.

'''Zavala''': The Guardians and their Ghosts will face the Witness…

:::Osiris and Saint-14 are seen watching Zavala give his speech, with Osiris turning over his shoulder to see that Cloudstrider Nimbus has arrived as well, as they both look at each other and nod in acknowledgment.

'''Zavala''': …while we eliminate the remainder of its forces.

:::The forces of the Coalition look up at Zavala as he continues to rally them, the scene cutting to an overhead view as Savathûn arrives. Zavala then points to the Scorn forces behind them, before looking back at the Coalition's forces.

'''Zavala''': Our final chance at freedom… lies on that field. This enemy has taken so much from us all.

:::Zavala turns to look at Cayde, Crow, and Ikora, before slowly turning to look at the Coalition forces.

'''Zavala''': Eliksni.

:::Mithrax and his House of Light members brandish their weapons as they let out an equivalent of a rally yell.

'''Zavala''': Cabal.

:::Caiatl brandishes the Hammer of Proving as Valus Forge and the Imperial Cabal behind her rally up and ready their weapons.

'''Zavala''': Awoken.

:::Queen Mara moves to her side as she and Petra Venj watch Zavala. Drifter is seen spinning the wheel of his Trust Hand Cannon, as it shows Elise Bray and Eris Morn next to him, in front of many Guardians.

'''Zavala''': Humanity.

:::The Guardians behind them raise their weapons and let out a rallying yell. Cayde raises his cracked Ace of Spades and looks at it briefly before returning to look ahead of him. Savathûn is then seen floating towards the side of Caiatl's Imperial Cabal as she listens to Zavala’s speech.

'''Zavala''': Hive.

:::Zavala looks at the Coalition forces one last time before turning around to face the Scorn forces that stand in front of them.

'''Zavala''': The Witness started this war long ago.

:::Zavala looks down at his hand as it becomes engulfed in Stasis, before balling it into a fist.

'''Zavala''': But now…

:::Zavala looks up and glares at the Scorn ahead of them.

'''Zavala''': …we end it.

:::Zavala readies to strike the scorn, his arm pulled back as his body becomes encased in Stasis. Ikora signals the Coalition’s forces to attack, as Zavala leaps into the air, the Coalition forces charging behind him as the Scorn move to engage. He aims himself at a Wraith, striking it as the scene immediately cuts to black.

(Cutscene Ends)

(Mission Begins)

'''Zavala''': We need to get eyes on the Witness. First fireteam in there, don't hesitate to engage!

'''[[Mara Sov|Queen Mara Sov]]''': Fly, Guardian! The Witch Queen and I will prevent its escape.

'''[[Empress Caiatl|Caiatl]]''': And your allies will fight at your side!

:::Alongside their Coalition allies and the Lucent Brood, a fireteam consisting of twelve Guardians led by the Guardian engages with the forces of the Witness. As the way to the Witness is blocked by a Pyramidal wall, with its entrance unassailable due to a barrier. The Guardians begin to slay the Cornerstones of the Witness and cleanse the territory under its influence.

'''[[The Ghost|Ghost]]''': This is what we were made for. I'm with you, until the end.

'''[[Mithrax, Kell of Light|Mithrax]]''': My House and I will aid you. We fight as one, Guardian.

:::Or alternatively...

'''Mithrax''': For Riis!

:::Or Alternatively...

'''Mithrax''': Empress, we have an opening! Send in our forces.

:::Or Alternatively...

'''[[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]]''': One of my strongest stand with you. Mind your fire, and they mind theirs.

:::Or alternatively...

'''Savathûn''': Time to face the monsters you made, Witness. Sathona comes for you.

:::Or alternatively...

'''Caiatl''': We eat the mountains! We drink the seas! We fight beside you!

:::Or alternatively...

'''Savathûn''': There's my Luzaku now. Have fun together, won't you?

:::As the Guardian succeeds in capturing three pieces of territory, Savathûn appears and comes to their aid.

'''Savathûn''': This is a change of pace, isn't it? Never let it be said that I wasn't here when it counted!

:::Despite the overwhelming amount of enemies, the Guardians, alongside their allies, succeed in cleansing all the areas under the Witness's influence.

'''Zavala''': Guardian, keep your focus on the Witness.

'''Zavala''': Empress, Mithrax, Savathûn, Witness forces are closing in, help me stop them!

:::To assist Zavala, Caiatl, Mithrax, and Savathûn leave the battlefield to assist the Commander, as the barrier blocking the way to the Witness is lowered. 

'''Ghost''': Vanguard Command, we’re closing in on the Witness now! This is it!

:::With the barrier lowered, the Guardians enter the wall to arrive on the other side, where the Witness floats on the edge of the abyss.

'''[[The Witness]]''': We are the first knife! We are the edge that carved purpose into being.

'''The Witness''': Your resistance will be remembered, within the shadow of the Black Fleet.

:::Or alternatively…

'''The Witness''': Die here if you wish! You will all be reshaped the same.

:::Or alternatively…

'''The Witness''': This delay, brief as a life. Finality, yet approaches.

:::The Witness launches its attacks and summons forth its Cornerstones and other forces. Saint-14 then arrives to the battlefield to assist the Guardians, summoning forth a Ward of Dawn for protection.

'''[[Saint-14]]''': Guardian! I will hold this shield, no matter what.

:::Or alternatively…

'''Saint-14''': The Witness's forces will not break through this. Guardian, to me!

:::Or alternatively…

'''[[Cayde-6]]''': Wait… is that Saint-14? He's alive? And none of you mentioned it? Hey, he's headed your way, Guardian!

:::Or alternatively

'''Zavala''': Saint-14 is en route to your location! Watch for the Ward of Dawn!

:::Upon defeating the cornerstones, the Guardians begin to draw from the Traveler's Light and bring it to a Pyramid shrine.

'''[[Osiris]]''': Nimbus is above-they're dropping aid!

'''[[Uldren Sov|The Crow]]''': Misraasks has some weapons headed your way, Guardian.

:::Upon drawing enough Light, the Guardians give themselves to Darkness and enter the Witness's collective consciousness.

'''The Witness''': Do not interfere.

:::The Guardians enter the Witness's consciousness and retrieve a Sword of Light to destroy the Veiled Statues.

'''Ghost''': Just like the last time, Guardian. Destroy these statues!

:::With the blade in their hand, the Guardians begin to destroy the statues, unraveling the voices within the Witness

'''A Dissenter''': Free us… free us! Free us!

'''The Witness''': We are ONE.

'''A Dissenter''': It will end soon.

'''A Dissenter''': We won't suffer one more day with you!

:::The Witness cuts the Guardians out of its collective, returning them to the battlefield. Stepping on the floating island, the fireteam destroys its Glyphs, thus revealing its weak spot, and then fires on the Witness. However, the Witness's glyphs return as it becomes invulnerable once again. After slaying the Cornerstones, the Guardians collect Light once more and deposit it at the shrine.

'''[[Ikora Rey|Ikora]]''': Nimbus, you're clear to drop. In and out. Guardian, watch for their move.

'''Ikora''': Scorch cannons will be available shortly, courtesy of Shaxx. Make good use of them.

:::After depositing enough Light, the fireteam returns to the Witness's consciousness, using the Ergo Sum to destroy the Veiled Statues before being cut out by the Witness.

'''The Witness''': We carve you out!

'''Ghost''': It's vulnerable! Give it all you've got, Guardian!

:::Returning to the island as it floats back up, the fireteam destroys the glyphs and begins to damage the Witness once more.

'''The Witness''': You are nothing.

:::The island lowers as the Witness's immunity returns.

'''Zavala''': We can't stop it now!

:::As the Guardians slay the Cornerstones, pockets of the Traveler's Light manifest across the battlefield.

'''[[Saladin Forge|Lord Saladin]]''': The empress is sending a Synaptic Spear!

:::A Synaptic Spear arrives on the battlefield.

'''Savathûn''': My assistance comes to you soon. Don't cut yourself, now.

:::Savathûn appears and gives the Guardians a Cleaver before flying away. The Guardians then re-enter the Witness's consciousness after depositing enough Light.

'''The Witness''': So many have fallen… Join them.

:::The Guardians destroy many statues before being cut out.

'''The Witness''': Your pain is poison!

'''Zavala''': That's our opening. I want all our firepower on the Witness―now!

:::With this opening, the fireteam destroys the glyphs, allowing them to wound the Witness. 

'''The Witness''': [roars in fury]

:::The Witness becomes immune once more and creates a glass shield

'''Zavala''': Here and now, Guardians!

'''Cayde-6''': All right, we've got it on the ropes! You show that shape it ain't final!

'''Ghost''': What was made can be unmade.

'''Ghost''': I know what to do.

'''Ghost''': Guardian, channel the Traveler's Light through me. I'm ready.

:::Using their Ghosts, the Guardians channel the power of the Traveler's Light to attack the Witness.

'''Ghost''': [screams in pain]

:::Thanks to their Ghost's selfless act, the Guardians shatter the Witness's shield. Despite its universal power, the fireteam use the Traveler's Light to unmake the Voice in the Darkness, sending it into the abyss of the Pale Heart, ending its endeavour to enact the Final Shape, avenging the countless civilians devastated by its unfathomable cruelty, and bringing an end to the ancient, War of Light and Darkness.

'''The Witness''': We-I-I don't understand.

'''Ghost''': That's it [breaths heavily] We did it… we… we did it…

:::The Guardians look in the distance as the Witness is vanquished.

(Cutscene)

:::The Guardian holds their Ghost in the palm of their hand, before he begins to rise in the air.

'''Ghost''': [pants weakly]

:::Ghost's sacrifice to channel the Traveler comes at a cost. As he floats into the air, his shell shattered from this journey, Ghost dies, falling from the air towards the ground as the Guardian loses their connection to the Light.

'''[[The Guardian]]''': No!

:::Devastated, the Guardian runs over, goes on their knees and picks up Ghost's shell.

'''The Guardian''': Ghost?

:::The Guardian then suddenly finds themselves within a strange place of Light. Getting up on their feet, they hold out their Ghost and plead with the Traveler to bring him back.

'''The Guardian''': Please… bring him back!

'''The Guardian''': He's just a Ghost. You raised an army! You can bring back one Ghost!

:::Cayde then appears behind the Guardian before walking over to stand beside them.

'''Cayde-6''': He sure shined bright back there, huh?

:::Cayde walks further and stands in front of the Guardian.

'''The Guardian''': Cayde…

'''Cayde-6''': "What comes from the Light, returns to the Light." My gal Sundance told me that.

'''Cayde-6''': She also said that we're all connected. Guardians, Ghosts, the Traveler…

:::Cayde looks towards his right to see Sundance before looking straight back at the Guardian.

'''Cayde-6''': Now you tell the others this was my choice. My Light. Nobody makes my fate but me.

:::Cayde puts his hands on the Guardian's Ghost.

'''Cayde-6''': You're my favourite. Don't ever forget that.

:::Using his Light, Cayde resurrects the Guardian's Ghost while he vanishes away, returning to the Light of the Traveler as the Guardian is sent back to the Pale Heart with Ghost. When the Guardian looks down at Ghost, his eye flashes back on, returning to life.

'''Ghost''': [gasps to life]

'''Ghost''': Guardian… there you are. [sighs]

'''The Guardian''': [takes shaky breath]

:::Overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude, the Guardian embraces Ghost. The war against the Witness is now over.

(Cutscene Ends)

(Cutscene)

:::Zavala, Ikora and Crow, now dressed for the Hunter Vanguard position, sit on a balcony by the [[Tower (Destiny 2)#Bazaar|Bazaar]] in the Tower. Zavala hands Ikora a paper lantern while Crow looks at a datapad.

'''Crow''': It's definitely healing, but we've still got a lot of work to do.

'''Crow''': Surviving Witness forces, clashes with the Lucent Brood…

:::Zavala hears children hearing and looks back to see human and Eliksni children playing alongside a [[War Beast]] pup. The Guardian and their Ghost wander around them. Zavala returns his gaze to the city.

'''Zavala''': So much change.

:::Ikora and Crow look to Zavala.

'''Zavala''': We've been fighting for so long. And now, we've won.

'''Ikora''': I thought it would feel… different.

'''Crow''': Well… maybe because we haven't celebrated yet.

:::Crow opens another lantern before the Guardian sits down next to him.

'''Crow''': Guardian! Ghost! You're just in time.

'''Crow''': Tell them… Cayde wouldn't let a little work get in the way of having a good time.

:::Crow opens another lantern.

'''Ikora''': [chuckles] You're right… For now, our task, is to celebrate this moment.

:::Ikora snaps her fingers to produce a small [[Solar]] spark and uses it to light Crow's and the Guardian's lanterns.

'''Ghost''': And after that?

'''The Guardian''' We'll face the future when it comes.

:::The Guardian, Crow, Ikora and Zavala let go of their lanterns and watch them float up. Throughout the Tower, lanterns float away as children play and people celebrate. [[Archangel]] watches the lanterns float away with a Sweeper Bot in the stairway to the [[Tower (Destiny 2)#Courtyard|Courtyard]]. The Vanguard leaders and the Guardian look out at the City as hundreds of lanterns float into the sky.

(Cutscene End)

(Cutscene)

A series of inkbolt images play, including (in order):
*The area in the [[Cosmodrome]] where the Guardian was resurrected.
*Archangel, Ana and Elsie Bray exploring.
*The church in [[Trostland]].
*Saladin teaching Caiatl how to knit.
*The [[Archer's Line]] on the [[Moon]].
*Zavala and an unknown figure<!--Not sure if that's Ikora or not--> looking at a lot of Ghosts.
*Osiris and Saint-14 embracing.
*Crow is tying his hair back.
*Ikora is wielding [[Strand]] while Zavala wields Stasis.
*[[Xûr, Agent of the Nine|Xûr]] with [[Starhorse]].
*Drifter tinkering with his [[Bank (Gambit)|Bank]] with Eris and [[Fynch]].
*Mara is watching Crow tell stories to a group of [[Awoken]] children.
*Zavala, at his old home, leaves a flower at [[Hakim]]'s grave. A grave for [[Targe]] is next to it.
*The three Vanguard leaders in the field.
*Several [[Goblin]]s standing before [[Failsafe]]'s core.
*Eido is reaching out to her father as his shadows stretch.
*[[Variks, the Loyal|Variks]] and the [[the Spider|Spider]] looking at holograms of Fikrul and Eramis.
*Xivu Arath reaching out for a blade.
*[[Jumpship]]s fly by the Portal on the Traveler.

(Cutscene End)

(Cutscene)

:::The Guardian and Ghost rest on the [[H.E.L.M.]], looking upon the Traveler and the [[Valence]] eminating from the portal on it. A message from [[Bungie]] appears: "Gratias vobis agimus". After the message fades away, three bright flashes emerge from the portal and fly away.

'''Crow''': The Witness's death spread like a shockwave through its troops. The instant it was destroyed, things shifted.

'''Crow''': Most of the Witness's followers fled when it fell. But its most zealous believers are still carrying out its last orders.

'''Crow''': [[Xivu Arath]] is still out there: mortal, moving in the shadows. [[House Salvation]] has turned on itself, with [[Eramis]] nowhere to be seen.

'''Crow''': Savathûn and the Lucent Brood are trying to claim control of the Pale Heart. With the Witness dead, both Scorn and Taken are directionless.

'''Crow''': To put it simply… in the wake of the Witness, a power vacuum has been created in the universe. Who knows what will try to fill it?

'''Crow''': But out of all of this, the most worrying thing… is an aurora. It's bleeding out of the Traveler, Light and Darkness venting into open space over Earth.

'''Crow''': We designated a no-fly zone within a hundred kilometers of the aurora, enforced by Alliance cruisers. So far, no one has tested it.

'''Crow''': During the initial formation of the aurora, a [[Echo (object)|piece of anomalous material]] erupted from the Traveler, moving away at relativistic speeds.

'''Crow''': We tracked [[Echo of Command|one]] out to a distance between [[Neptune]] and [[Jupiter]], in the orbital path of [[Nessus]]. Then we lost track of it. I've got [[Hunter]]s in the field investigating.

'''Zavala''': Thank you, Crow. I'll leave it to you.

'''Crow''': Copy that. I'm headed out into the field myself. I… need to see if I can pick up [[Fikrul, the Fanatic|Fikrul's]] trail. Find out what's going on with the Scorn.

'''Zavala''': Keep me updated. And… good work.

(Cutscene End)

'''''{End Mission:Excision}'''''

==Enemies==
;[[Vex]] - [[Sol Divisive]]
*[[Quantum Goblin]]
*[[Harpy]]
*[[Malignant Minotaur]]
*[[Malignant Wyvern]]

;[[Cabal]] - [[Shadow Legion]]
*[[Honored Psion]]
*[[Honored Phalanx]]
*[[Esteemed Incendior]]
*[[Esteemed Centurion]]
*[[Esteemed Colossus]]

;[[Taken]]
*[[Ravenous Taken Knight]]
*[[Devoured Ogre]]
*[[Ravenous Taken Phalanx]]
*[[Servile Centurion]]
*[[Servile Captain]]
*[[Ravenous Taken Goblin]]
*[[Yateth, Taken Stain]]

;[[The Dread]]
*[[Bound Attendant]]
*[[Tangling Weaver]]
*[[Carnage Husk]]
*[[Bound Husk]]
*[[Omen of the Witness]]
*[[Harbinger of the Witness]]
*[[Tormentor]]

;Champions (Grandmaster Difficulty)
*[[Barrier Colossus]]
*[[Barrier Hobgoblin]]
*[[Barrier Knight]]
*[[Barrier Servitor]]
*[[Overload Captain]]
*[[Overload Minotaur]]
*[[Overload Taken Hobgoblin]]
*[[Unstoppable Taken Phalanx]]

===Bosses===
*[[Cornerstone of the Witness|Cornerstones of the Witness]]
*[[The Witness]]

==Allies==
*[[House of Light]] and [[House of Spider]]
**[[Mithrax, Kell of Light]]
**[[Halsiks]]
**[[SCUR-V]]
*[[Imperial Cabal]]
**[[Empress Caiatl]]
**[[Empress's Thresher]]
**[[Imperial Thresher]]
**[[Valus Forge]]
*[[Lucent Brood]]
**[[Savathûn, the Witch Queen]]
**[[Luzaku]]
**[[Lightbearer Knight]]
**[[Lightbearer Acolyte]]
*[[Neomuna]]
**[[Nimbus]]
*[[Vanguard]]
**[[Saint-14]]
**[[Lord Shaxx]]

==Rewards (Grandmaster)==
*'''[[Ergo Sum]]''' - [[Exotic]] {{icon|Solar}}/{{icon|Arc}}/{{icon|Void}} [[Sword]]
**'''Ergo Sum''' Catalyst
*'''[[Ascendant Shard]]'''
*'''[[Engram|Exotic Engram]]'''
*'''[[Spoils of Conquest]]'''

==Trivia==
*Excision received a Grandmaster difficulty option included in Update 8.0.0.4 on June 18, 2024. This makes it the first non-[[Nightfall]] activity to have a Grandmaster difficulty.
*An ''excision'' is an act or procedure of removing by cutting out.
*Excision is the first intentional 12-player PvE activity, following an infamous glitch during [[Season of the Chosen]] in early 2021.
*Excision features the most characters with dialogue, with thirteen speaking characters.
**Fourteen, if you include the Guardian's dialogue during the following cutscenes.

==Appearance==
*''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]]'' {{1st}}

==References==
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{{Story missions|FS}}