Operation Ahamkara
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- "A final shape is coming."
- — The Witness
Operation Ahamkara was a massive conflict that took place shortly after Crow's entry into Pale Heart of the Traveler. With the way now open, Zavala, Ikora Rey, and the Guardian are all separated but ultimately succeed in entering the Pale Heart. Arriving at the Lost City, the Guardian reunites with Cayde-6 before finding Crow, Ikora, and Zavala. As Zavala begin to be tempted by Darkness, he would seek out the Witness who would offer the Vanguard Commander a chance to join them. Ultimately Zavala's Ghost, Targe heroically sacrifices himself to save his Guardian's life at the cost of his own. However his sacrifice would not be in vain as Zavala discovered that the Witness could be "unmade" thanks to the knowledge given by its dissenting voices.
Arriving at its monolith, the Guardian destroys multiple of the dissenting statues before retreating with the aid of Mara Sov, wounding the Witness in the process. With their Coalition allies now within the Pale Heart, the Vanguard begin preparations for an assault against the Witness to uproot its hold over the Traveler. Climbing to the top of its monolith, a Guardian fireteam uproot the Witness from the Traveler and force it to retreat from the monolith. The forces of the Coalition with the assistance of the Lucent Brood would then launch one final assault against the Witness and its forces. A fireteam of 12 Guardians would confront the wounded Witness and unmake it using the Traveler's Light, avenging the countless civilizations devastated by its conflict with the Traveler. The Guardian's Ghost dies as a result of channeling the Light of the Traveler, however Cayde-6 altruistically uses his Light to resurrect the Ghost, resulting in the former Hunter Vanguard returning to the Light of the Traveler.
Prelude[edit]
- Main article: Hunt for Riven's Clutch
When the Vanguard discovered one of Riven's uncorrupted eggs and uncovered the existence of the fifteenth wish on Savathûn's wings, they would contact Mara Sov who would begin to assemble her Techeuns to awaken Riven's spirit so she could grant them the wish. However, Riven refused to grant it. He offered a bargain to Mara: she would grant the fifteenth wish if they recovered her remaining uncorrupted eggs, which the Awoken Queen agreed to.[1] And so, the Guardian would delve into Riven's Lair to recover the eggs, with the Techeuns using the Ley Lines to pull them into the lair after they learned the eggs had been scattered through the Ascendant Plane.[2][3]
Eventually, after facing Sol Divisive Vex sent by the Witness to halt their efforts, Taken left directionless or sworn to Xivu Arath and Scorn under the command of Fikrul, the Fanatic,[2] as well as uncovering the lair of Riven's former mate, Taranis, who originally scattered the eggs in after granting his own wish to protect them in the Black Garden after a Vex Mind who stole one of the eggs,[4] the Guardians successfully manage to recover all of the eggs.[2] However, they had previously learned from Riven that the fifteenth wish would only allow one person to follow the Witness into the Pale Heart.[5] Despite this setback, Crow came up with the solution that he should be the one to enter the Pale Heart and that he and Mara could use their connection to open the way for everyone to enter.[6] With their bargain complete, Riven grants them the wish, allowing Crow to enter the portal into the Pale Heart.[7]
Months after this, after the Guardians fought against the Witness's forces across the System,[8] the Sol Divisve would attempt to prevent Crow entering the Pale Heart by recreating the Black Heart with the guidance of the Witness to take the place of the Veil in the entanglement. To bring an end to their intervention, the Guardian entered the Black Garden, destroying its Heart once more by defeating its new vessels known as the Temporal Progeny.[9] With the interference halted, Crow entered into the Pale Heart before being bested in a duel by the now resurrected Cayde-6. However, upon noticing Crow's Ghost, Glint, Cayde lowered his weapon and helped Crow to his feet as they glanced in the distance to see pulses of Light emerging from the Witness's Monolith.[10]
History[edit]
Crossing the Threshold[edit]
- "You live without purpose. Anguish. Bliss. A meaningless cycle... of action and reaction. Let us bring an end... to your futile exertions. A final shape is coming. Chaos untangled... made knowable... with immaculate intent. Let us know you... and be reborn into perfection."
- — The Witness speaking to humanity as it finalizes earth
As the people of the Last City were continuing their everyday activities, they would be interrupted by the unnoticeable voice of the Witness. It would pronounce that they lived a purposeless existence of anguish and bliss before finalizing the entirety of Earth into a frozen stillness. With the finalization complete, the Witness would declare that a final shape was imminent, to see the malicious chaos of the Light made knowable. However, the Traveler would successfully undo the finalization, the Witness continued torturing it for its resistance. Back at the H.E.L.M., Mara Sov, looking at her hand in horror, revealed to Zavala and Ikora Rey that the Witness was close to enacting the Final Shape. Understanding it was their only chance, Zavala declared they were now initiating Operation Ahamkara to enter the portal into the Pale Heart. Mara warned them that the Traveler could not prevent it for much longer and that the portal was unstable. Still determined, despite the danger, Zavala would enter the portal alongside Ikora and the Guardian. While Zavala and Ikora successfully entered the portal into the Pale Heart, the Guardian would be unable to avoid the hurdles in their way, crashing into the Threshold between the outside world and Pale Heart.[11]
With their ship destroyed, the Guardian was forced to traverse the Threshold on foot while Mara used her power to keep the portal open long enough for them to enter. Defeating Taken sent by the Witness, the Guardian discovered a fount of Darkness and interacted with the resonance shell in the middle, manifesting a pathway of possibilities. Using the icon of Light dropped by a Will-Crushed Centurion, the Guardian interacted with the shell again to make the pathway physical, allowing them to traverse closer towards the portal. As they navigated across the platforms, the Guardian encountered Weavers, members of the Witness's new army, the Dread. Along the way, they encountered Taken with shields of Light and Darkness energy, forcing the Guardian to retreat. Despite Mara's strength beginning to diminish, the Guardian successfully crossed the Threshold, entering the portal into the Pale Heart.[11]
Shortly after entering the portal, the Guardian received a vision from the Traveler itself. In this vision, a falcon of Light flies above Earth as the Light from its wings creates the Ghosts, an astronaut on Mars touching the rain from a storm, before switching to a drop of water falling from a white leaf. It then transitions to a sun being destroyed before showing the falcon being consumed by the Witness's corruption as the Traveler is subsumed in shadow. As the Witness's corruption begins to spread, it changes to show the Astronaut wielding Arc, Solar, Void, Stasis, Strand, and finally an unknown power. The vision then ends with the Traveler sounding out an outburst of Light.[11]
Waking up from their vision, the Guardian found themselves on a platform within an empty place. Spotting a spike of paracausal energy located on a dead tree in the distance, the Guardian traveled towards the spike thanks to further platforms created by drops of Light falling from the sky. Finally, they arrived at the tree as the energy spike dissipates, allowing them to travel further across the branches. The Guardian entered a cave entrance within the tree and eventually crossed the Threshold, exiting the cave to find themselves within the Pale Heart of the Traveler. Unlike the place of nothingness they emerged from after entering the portal, this place was brimming with nature and beauty. As Ghost failed to reach out to Zavala and Ikora, the Guardian journeyed further into the Pale Heart, eventually finding themselves in the Lost City, a place similar to the Last City itself.[11]
Along the way, they slew hordes of enemy forces, including winged Dread called Grim. Using Icons of Darkness they received from killing Harvesters of Light, the Guardian lowered the barrier into a building to discover Light and Dark energy colliding together to form a Wellspring. Using this wellspring, the Guardian briefly Transcended, allowing them to pierce the Bound Taken's shields. Using these wellsprings to their advantage, the Guardian pierced the Harvesters Bound shields to receive the Dark Icons and kill a Taken Ogre called the Icon of Finality to lower the barrier into a building resembling the old Vanguard command center before the Red War, where another wellspring of Light and Dark energy reside. As Ghost wondered if it was possible to wield this power, the Guardian stepped forward to the Wellspring and interacted with it. Upon interacting with it, their body overflowed with paracausal energy as they unlocked Prismatic, a fusion of Light and Darkness energy that allowed them to wield both powers in harmony and Transcend. Travelling towards the Vanguard transponder signal to hopefully find Crow, the Guardian found themselves at the Tower's balcony and defeated forces of the Witenss led by Vrihn, Subjugator of Gardens. Shortly after the Harbinger's defeat, a pulse of Light was emitted from a distant Monolith as the Traveler was tortured by the Witness, harming Ghost in the process.[11]
As they strangely heard a song playing closely by, the Guardian followed its sound to find Cayde-6 playing "The Man They Called Cayde" with his back turned behind them. Originally believing they were Crow, Cayde quickly recognized they were not the former Awoken Prince and threw his instrument as he turned around and drew his weapon. However, upon recognizing the Guardian, Cayde lowered his weapon and invited them to speak with him as he acknowledged they had questions. Cayde explained that after his death, he and his Ghost, Sundance, were reintegrated into the Light of the Traveler where they existed in a place of peaceful nothingness. However, something pulled him out of that place and transported him to the Pale Heart, where he spotted Crow shortly after.[11] Getting back to business, Cayde would tell them that Crow went on a patrol after he discovered an anomaly of Darkness.[12] Shortly after Cayde departed, Ghost revealed to the Guardian that his scans confirmed that this was truly the former Hunter Vanguard, but that he was astonishingly made of Light just like the Ghosts and the Traveler.[13]
Hunt for Crow[edit]
Because Crow had not returned from his scouting mission, the Guardian traveled to the Landing to search for him. Upon arriving, they encountered Shadow Legion and Dread forces, including reshapped Psion with the power of Stais known as Attendants. After defeating a Tormentor, the Guardian followed the bird they had seen in their vision to discover a cave entrance blocked by a barrier. They then received a transmission from Glint, who revealed that Crow had entered the cave, and he couldn't follow him. Searching for a way to lower the barrier, the Guardian discovered three different conduits maintaining the barrier. Defeating Insight Psions to receive Psionic Insight, the Guardian rotated the hand on the conduits to the radiating Light. With the conduits deactivated, Ghost asked Cayde what he thought was the nature of that bird that led them to Glint. Generally, they all concluded that the bird was the Traveler, attempting to aid them.[14]
Returning to the cave entrance, the Guardian vanquished the Pillar of Denial to lower the barrier to the Refraction. Upon entering, the Guardian defeated further forces of the Witness, an Omen of the Witness. Entering further into the cave, the Guardian follows the bird into a gateway made of glass to arrive in a cave tunnel. As Ghost remarked that this tunnel felt like a Blight, he would be possessed by the Witness, while the Guardian would be severely harmed, causing them to collapse onto the ground. The Witness would attempt to destroy the Guardian's Ghost to free them from their "enslavement" to the Light, but the Ghost managed to break free of its control and shut it out completely, but not without cracking his shell. However, the Witness would continue to speak to them. As their strength returned, the Guardian would travel into different caverns as the Witness explained it had offered Crow an eternity with his sister, and the Awoken throne, with the promise to erase his Dark past by utilizing dioramas created by the Light and Dark. Eventually, the Guardian would find Crow within a room containing a Veiled Statue. They were then interrupted by Glint, with Crow apologizing and promising not to leave him behind again before departing.[14]
Arriving back at camp, Crow told Cayde what he encountered.[15] After Crow and Cayde's conversation, the Guardian spoke with Ghost, who reveals that the cave they found within was not merely Darkness, but corruption reshaped by the Witness. Ghost would also reveal that they had spotted a location identical to the Cradle on Io, where they would almost certainly find Ikora.[16] As the Guardian tuned the radio, they would receive a weak signal from Mara Sov, who was unable to hear them. Nonetheless, Mara warned that the Dread they encountered were created by the Witness utilizing stolen Light. Due to the Witness intervening with their attempt to cross the portal, Mara revealed that the Coalition was creating a method to allow their entry into the Pale Heart.[17]
Searching for Ikora[edit]
With Crow successfully rescued, the Guardian began their scout mission to search for Ikora's ship, which had crashed at a location resembling the Cradle on Io. Entering the Refraction again, the Guardian encountered Hive forces of Xivu Arath's Horde guarding barriers maintained by founts of Light and Dark. Slaying Hive Knights, the Guardian retrieved Dark Motes and used them to empower the fount of Darkness to dispel the barrier. Upon entering the next room and destroying the branches of Darkness, Ghost scanned the perimeter to discover Ikora's location. Shortly after this discovery, the Guardian would be ambushed by further forces of the Witness, including Husks. Using the Aegis that manifests to their aid, the Guardian kills the Knights to receive Light motes and utilizes them to empower the fount of Light. Upon exiting the cave through a gate they had opened using a Crystallized key, the Guardian utilized the Light and Darkness founts, as well as another key to depart from the Refraction.[18]
As Ghost realized their utilization of Light and Dark being what brought down the barrier, Crow compared the Awoken and Guardians' similar connections to these paracausal forces. After finally arriving at Ikora's ship, they would uncover a message she had left behind, revealing she was attempting to commune with the Traveler and ordered them to find her in the Cradle. Travelling towards the Cradle, the Guardian engaged with Hive and Dread forces led by the ferocious Ogre, the Pillar of Silence. Piercing its shield with the Aegis, the Guardian forced the Ogre to retreat into the Refraction. Pursuing and slaying the Ogre within the cave, the Guardian followed a path of Light to arrive at the Cradle.[18]
After defeating forces of the Dread, they find Ikora meditating in an attempt to commune with the Traveler. Awakening from her meditation, Ikora thanked the Guardian and revealed that she could hear the Traveler screaming. Ikora then revealed her hypothesis that the Pale Heart is a manifestation of their memories made physical by the power of the Light. Furthermore, Ikora recognized that the Witness's desire for the Final Shape is to reshape reality into a perfect stillness by weaponizing the Light. However, Ikora realized that if the Light was powerful enough to destroy the universe, it was powerful enough to destroy the Witness.[18] After the debrief, Ikora and the Guardian met with Cayde-6 at the new camp. Originally, Ikora was angered at Cayde for his irresponsibility during his time as Hunter Vanguard, while she and Zavala shared the burden of the responsibilities. Recognizing his mistakes, Cayde apologizes to Ikora and promises to make it up to her before they embrace. With their mission completed, Ghost orders the Guardian to prepare for their journey to locate Zavala.[19]
Seeking Zavala[edit]
Arriving at the Blooming, the Guardian defeated forces of the House of Salvation guarding a Veiled Statue blocked by a barrier. Ghost pondered if they truly believed in the Witness's cause, while Ikora concluded that they were carrying out the Witness's orders as it had promised them an end to suffering. Recognizing that Pyramid technology maintained the barrier, the Guardian defeated a Resonant Warder to reveal Glyphs. Interacting with the correct Glyph, they successfully lower the barrier and send Ghost to scan the statue. Upon scanning it, they briefly hear the statue wailing before going silent. Ghost quickly recognized that they had encountered these statues in their past journeys, including on the Moon, Europa, and the Black Garden.[20]
Continuing their journey, the Guardian defeated House Salvation and Dread forces, and lowered the entrance into the Seclusion by nullifying a Glyph. As the Guardian entered inside, Cayde asked Ikora if Zavala had anything to say at his funeral, to which the Warlock Vanguard revealed he wouldn't come out of his office. Cayde responded that he understood Zavala's reaction, as grief is an emotion that can seclude you. However, they would be interrupted by the Witness, who stated that he stayed in his office, not out of grief, but shame. Defeating further agents of the Witness within the cave, the Guardian would nullify two more Glyphs and defeat an Imprint of Nezarec to continue deeper into the cave.[20]
Entering into another gateway made of glass, the Witness spoke to the Guardian again, showing them dioramas of Zavala's doubts, those he has lost, and when he prepared to shoot his Ghost, Targe, when he was overwhelmed by grief over the death of his son, Hakim. When the Witness declared they could generously resurrect Hakim for Zavala, Targe would interrupt, stating that Zavala had refused their offer while also warning Ghost to leave for their safety. Despite Targe's warning, the Guardian pushed forward and exited the cave to discover a memory of Zavala's old home where he lived with Safiyah and Hakim. Finding the Vanguard Commander at his son's grave, Zavala would order them to assist him in defending his home as the House of Salvation launched their assault. Upon destroying the Brig known as the Pillar of Stillness, they forced the remaining enemy forces to retreat.[20]
With the Fallen's assault thwarted, Zavala would thank the Guardian for their assistance before asking them to give him a moment to say goodbye. Entering his old home, Zavala spoke with a diorama of Safiyah that he once thought he would give up anything to bring her back. However, when the Witness offered him an eternity with her and Hakim, he ultimately refused as he realized his friends still needed him. Zavala then promised Safiyah that he would see her once again and placed his hand on the diorama's palm. However, he received a vision, showing the diorama quickly transform between his wife and a Veiled Statue while hearing a voice that appears to be pleading for help. Overwhelmed by fear, Zavala pulled his hand back as the vision ended. Ikora then patted him on his shoulder to bring her friend back to reality, reminding him that the Witness only showed them what it thinks they desire. Zavala asked her what the Traveler had ever shown him. Having no answer to his question, Ikora reminded Zavala that they should prepare to leave before exiting the cottage. Standing up and walking to the front door, Zavala took one last look at Safiyah while Targe stated that he understood his grief as he also dearly loved them. Opening the door, Zavala and Targe left their old family home one last time, leaving the diorama of Safiyah within in shadow.[20]
As Cayde and Crow sat together at their newly set-up camp, they would be joined by Zavala and Ikora, who had returned from the cottage. Walking towards Cayde, Zavala embraced his old companion before they sat down at the campfire alongside the Guardian, Crow, and Ikora. While Crow recited the story of Amanda and began to choke on his words, Ikora put her hand on his shoulder and divulged that losing Amanda was like losing Cayde again. She then declared that she was done burying her friends, while Cayde told her that life is not about holding on forever and that you eventually have to let go. After briefly remaining silent, Zavala, Ikora, and Crow got up and walked away.[20] Later, the Guardian spoke to their Ghost, who would tell them that Targe divulged that the Witness forced Zavala to relive his trauma and demonstrated to him what it would be like if they returned.[21] The Guardian then listened to the radio to hear Cayde tell Crow how he met Amanda and confined Zavala to give her a job at the Tower. The former Hunter Vanguard would also tell him that Amanda had lived a good life and went out being a hero.[22]
Ascending the Mountain[edit]
Persisting with their journey to the Monolith, the Guardian entered a cave close to Zavala's home, infested with Taken. Meanwhile, Crow and Cayde discussed their concern over Zavala's recent change in behaviour. Later, Ghost discussed Cayde's return and hypothesized that the Traveler brought him back to make their fireteam whole once more. Cayde stated that, although he was happy to see them, he would have preferred that the Traveler had warned him before returning him to life. Crow then told Cayde he had to tell him something and ordered him to meet him ahead. As the Guardian enters the Divide, they defeat further Taken forces and use Volatile Darkness to destroy the Blight blocking the entrance.[23]
The Guardian then exited the c