The Edge of Fate (quest)

This article is about the quest. For the expansion of the same name, see The Edge of Fate.

The Edge of Fate
Game:	The Edge of Fate
Quest giver:	Commander Zavala (New Light)
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The Edge of Fate is a main quest line for the expansion of the same name.

Steps

"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.

New Light

Zavala greets you with a grim but hopeful smile. "I'm impressed. You've more than proven yourself worthy of the Guardian title…. I wish I could tell you it gets easier from here."

He turns and looks out at the Last City below. "Humanity needs our help now more than ever, and we need Guardians like you on the front line."

"Right now, that front line lies somewhere out there in the mysterious space of Kepler."

"Ikora is leading the charge and is requesting your assistance out there. She needs you."

Part 1

Step 1

Follow the invitation. Travel to Kepler and uncover the nature of the mysterious signal emanating from this drifting rim-world.

• Complete Mission: The Invitation

You have come to a mysterious planetoid in the Oort Cloud, at the behest of Ikora Rey, to help uncover the source of a mysterious signal.

Note

See Mission: The Invitation for full mission transcript.

---

The Guardian arrives in the Caldera.

• Ikora: These… "Aionians" were able to temporarily stabilize the singularity. They prevented their planet from splitting until someone could help. I'm as surprised as you they've eluded us for so long but… this place is shrouded in dark matter. It cold have cloaked the presence of sentient life from the outside. Ghost, did you find the source of the distress signal?
• Ghost: We've made contact with Lodi here in the settlement. He's offered to help us look into or invitation IF we help the people here. He seems trustworthy, but his presence here feels very… convenient.
• Drifter: Ehh, by the look of him, I'd say he's as out of place as we are.

Step 2

Integrate the strangelet capsule at the Altar of Relativity.

• Strangelet capsule integrated

The strangelet capsule hums eerily in your hand. It wavers, phasing around and through your grip. But you can feel its purpose.

You're drawn towards the people who have taken residence on Kepler, and toward an ancient altar at the heart of their encampment.

---

The language of the interface is indecipherable, but the altar appears to be underpowered. It cannot process a strangelet capsule integration.

Ghost is tracing power transfers around the altar site. The source appears to be dark matter conduits, most likely kept away from the Aionian security zone for safety.

Ghost believes it's possible to restore power.

Step 3

Return power to the altar systems.

• X/2 Power banks charged

There are dark matter conduits outside the Aionian security zone and altar complex. Find and enabled the conduits to repower the Altar of Relativity.

---

The Guardian finds the first power bank and performs the Rite of Ignition.

• Lodi: Hello, this is Lodi. Ms. Rey said you received my distress call. Ms. Rey asked that I contact the little Spudnik to work with you on next steps.
• Ghost: Spudnik?
• Lodi: Is there something I should call you? Apart from "Guardians", of course.
• Ghost: This is the Guardian. You can call them Guardian, thank you. I am called Ghost.
• Lodi: A pleasure to be working for you, Mr. Ghost. The Aionians are in less dire straits now, but if anything triggers the singularity, we risk losing the planetoid. Between a black hole on one side and the Archon on the other, the locals had no choice but to seal the their settlement. They've been trying to track down that capsule you picked up for ages. Head to the big mechanism at the center of the village―the Aionians call it the Altar of Relativity.

The Guardian locates the second power bank and performs the Rite of Ignition.

• Lodi: Guardian, the trail we followed here to this planetoid, is the strongest through that mechanism. The singularity must be beyond there… contained thanks to the Aionians.
• Ikora: If Drifter's right, the source of our invitation and the source of the singularity are one and the same. I think the Nine are here. Keep this to yourselves for the moment. Our top priority is stabilizing this planetoid―unless the Nine plan to interfere, they're not a concern.
• Ghost: Lodi, we're at the Altar.
• Lodi: Mr. Ghost, this is Lodi. Er, go ahead and "drink the contents…"
• Ghost: Drink?
• Lodi: N-No! No no, NO, no. That―oh, that can't be right. Uh, you do NOT wanna do that. I say again, do NOT drink the dark matter in that container. Um, er, pour? Pour. Pour? Pour! Pour. Pour the contents into the mechanism. Hold on, I was provided a diagram. I am so sorry. Aionian verbs change based on the size and shape of the container, I'm still getting a hang of the beverage cutoff. Seems to be somewhere around two liters… Anyway, the canister contents need to get poured into the mechanism, and all you need to do is drop it in.

Step 4

Restart the Altar of Relativity.

• Altar restarted

Power has been restored to the Altar of Relativity. You can reset the systems back at the altar and integrate the strangelet capsule.

Step 5

Integrate the strangelet capsule into the Altar of Relativity.

• Strangelet capsule integrated

The strangelet capsules are critical to stabilizing and containing the singularity at the heart of Kepler. Integrate the capsule into the Altar of Relativity.

---

• II: [distorted soundwaves]

Strangelets ebb and flow

Our gravity - captured your attention

Remain attentive

Step 6

Inspect the Altar of Relativity.

• Altar of Relativity inspected

Integrating the strangelet capsule reverberates through the altar and deep into Kepler's mantle.

You are drawn to the Altar of Relativity.

---

The Altar of Relativity appears to be a relic of a bygone era―a jump drive converted from pre-Golden Age technology. It's been damaged and repaired with components that are obviously straining to contain the forces surging inside. Ghost remarks, "Singularity stabilizers likely aren't an off-the-shelf item."

The Aionians have been extremely clever and resourceful in assembling this complex device, despite their relative lack of resources. Still, the altar is definitely unstable. Strangelet capsules appear to be the only method of effectively stabilizing the altar and, by extension, the singularity.

Part 2

Step 1

Meet Rebecca, Dean of the Aionians.

• Dean Rebecca met

Lodi wants you to meet the Dean of the Aionian settlement, Rebecca. She should be able to provide more information about where you can find more strangelet capsules.

---

• Lodi: Guardian, Mr. Ghost―allow me to introduce you to Dean Rebecca, leader of the Aionians.
• Ghost: Deen Rebecca. I've never heard the name Deen. It's beautiful.
• Lodi: Well, the Aionians use a sort of academic hierarchy from what I can tell, and―wait, you―you've never heard the title Dean before?
• Ghost: No! Is it an Aionian name?
• Lodi: No, they use it as a mark of high status here. Oh, and so you know, they… haven't seen other Humans. In centuries. Be patient with them, our presence here is tremendously significant.

---

"You hear the stranger speak, but can't understand."

"At the bottom of her helmet, you see a tear full to her tunic. You can't understand her but know it is the universal language of prayer."

"She gestures to the distance towards an influx of Vex, and from her intonation you infer a Vex Mind threatens her settlement."

Step 2

Draw out the Barricade Mind to obtain the Acceleron it guards.

• Acceleron acquired

Dean Rebecca indicates that there is an Acceleron near the entrance to the Central Academy. It is a particle that could assist in dispersing the temporal blockages found across Kepler. Unfortunately, a Vex Mind has stolen it. You need to draw out the Barricade Mind and destroy it in order to obtain the Acceleron, and take one step closer to recovering a lost strangelet capsule for the Altar of Relativity.

---

• Lodi: Translating what I can: The dean's honored to encounter the first new Humans in centuries. She says the Aionians' deity, the thing they call the Holy Anomaly, is on the other side of the Altar, threatened by the singularity. The capsule we put into the Altar stabilizes rings of the lock to keep the singularity contained. It's a collection of dark matter she called a "Strangelet". You'll need to get through the lock if you want to find out what's on the other side. We'll need your muscle, Guardian.

Step 3

Access the terminal to acquire the translation cipher "Rosetta."

• Rosetta acquired

The Barricade Mind is in ruins, and its Acceleron is yours for the taking.

As the air clears, Ghost directs your attention to a nearby terminal that appears to contain Aionian language ciphers. This may be just what you need to help bridge communications with the settlement here.

---

• Ikora: So Lodi, tell me more about how you got here. The more we know, the better chance we can find a solution.
• Lodi: All I know is I woke up here four weeks ago in a singed suit. I-I don't remember how I got here. I know I'm from Earth, I remember my family, but not much else.
• Ikora: That sounds like how a Lightbearer would wake up, but… you don't have a Ghost.
• Lodi: No, I'm-I'm alive. I mean you probably know more about this place than I do. But… I do remember hearing Guardians have a complicated relationship with memory. Is there any truth to that?
• Ikora: That's a fairly common question. Guardians forget who we were before our first resurrection. We forget in exchange for the Light.
• Lodi: Shame. It feels cruel.

Step 4

Return to Dean Rebecca with the Rosetta technology and attempt another conversation.

• Dean Rebecca consulted

With the Rosetta technology, it will be significantly easier to communicate with the Aionians in general, and Dean Rebecca in particular. She must know something about how to reach the disturbance at the heart of Kepler.

---

"The dean eyes you with curiosity, then recognition. "You return with newfound understanding. Our languages converge.""

""I am… filled with delight, and questions. There is so much I wish to know about the world we left behind.""

""But first, the world we inhabit now is troubled, and our Altar's connection to the Holy Anomaly is disrupted. It is a signal that calls for your answer.""

Step 5

Access the Aionians's telemetry buoys to locate the disruptive signal.

• Telemetry acquired X/3

Although you have acquired access to the Altar from Dean Rebecca, she says that an unidentified signal has been disrupting their systems since just before your arrival. The disruption is outside of the Aionian Safe Zone around the Altar, so she has been hesitant to send her people to locate its source, but has released field monitor balloons to remotely triangulate the signal.

Ghost might be able to boost the field monitor's signal to punch through the interference and find the source of the signal.

---

• Orin: Drifter? You brought them my message capsized. Find my frequency, I'm not neon!
• Drifter: No way… Orin? Neon? Orin, what happened to you? I thought you were locked in as the Nine's errand runner. You were… GONE gone.
• Orin: Yes, but my memory is a mess. It's all vetiver. Damn it! Rig transponder… you can pinpoint… my location.

The Guardian finds and collects the first signal telemetry.

• Drifter: The hell, Orin? Why do you sound like you ate a dream journal?
• Orin: Petrichor… damn it. I am… not… adjusting… to linear time well. I am no longer Emissary. I quit.
• Drifter: You quit?!

The Guardian finds and collects the second signal telemetry.

• Drifter: Thought you'd ascended or something. Become a higher being. I didn't know you could quit being Emissary.
• Orin: Me either, but with the right motivation, anything is starlight. You'd be proud. I molted.
• Drifter: Oh, I have to know what you mean by "molted".
• Orin: Exactly what it sounds like. I wanted my body back. I wanted my will back.

The Guardian finds and collects the final signal telemetry.

• Drfiter: We gotta find her. She's only just found shoes for Pete's sake. Got your location, Orin. Never thought I'd hear from you again.
• Orin: Scrambled eggs! I'm meant to deliver a message, but can't remember what it is. I know the Nine will need a replacement Emissary. They will not find one nearby on the x-axis. They will need to search a millennia up and down the y.

Step 6

Meet with Orin.

• Orin located

The Aionians' field monitoring buoys provided the metry to pinpoint the source of the disruptive signal, and it's Orin, last known to be an Emissary of the Nine. Her location is somewhere near The Gorge. Search the area and make contact.

---

The Guardian locates and speaks with Orin.

• Orin: My message found you. I'm Orin, once a Guardian like you. When I last reached out to the Vanguard I warned you of the Nine's fallibility. The results of that fallibility are in play now, I think. You will fix it. But… how isn't clear. Everything I knew is scattered. My will, cleaved from service and rough-hewn clay… It wasn't bloodless, but I know I chose this for a reason. I did. In my memory, when I touch my hand to the moment, I am overcome with dissonance, and another shape buried in noise, assuming my place. I must speak sharpness to the Drifter, a tint on knowledge held, but still unknown. I'll need your help hunting down the fate that brought us here.

Orin rises to her feet and transmats away.

• Drifter: So Orin, you quit, and now you're just… here?
• Orin: Mitosis. Annoying you had to see me like this now. Scrambled eggs and someone else's shoes. How have you been?
• Drifter: Oh! Busy. Feet planted on the ground more often than not. Seeing someone new these days.
• Orin: Oh! Oh, good! Good for you. Can't say the same―I've been too busy corralling my electrons. Who are you seeing?
• Drifter: It's, uh… Eris Morn.
• Orin: [chuckles] You have a type, Drifter. I'm happy for you both. Really.

Step 7

Access the Altar of Relativity to begin tracking down the lost strangelet capsules.

• Altar of Relativity accessed

With Orin's signal no longer disrupting the Altar, you can access the Aionian network for clues about how to track down the stolen strangelet capsules.

---

As you access the interface, it melds with Rosetta, speaking words from an Aionian in your inner voice.

"Anomaly-blessed. I am Rojin, the Altar's technician, and the one honored to deliver what help we can. We offer, in awe, our findings to aid you. Should you see fit, your impressive drone will receive actionable data to locate strangelet capsules, and use the Altar's relativistic connection with them as a cipher to pass into the cordoned regions on Kepler. With our current integrations and research, you will gain access to the Central Academy and Exile's Accord."

There is a brief pause as Ghost accepts the data transmission.

"Most gracious, Anomaly-blessed. Transfer commencing."

"We shall continue our research into the other stolen strangelets. With further integrations, the remaining capsules will increase synchronicity with the Altar and allow us to impose a shifted perspective that ignores the cordons by our observation of the strangelet beyond them. It is a delicate alignment, but our efforts can only improve through iteration."

Step 8

Visit the Altar of Relativity to begin tracking strangelet capsules in the Central Academy and Exile's Accord.

• Central Academy strangelet research acquired
• Exile's Accord strangelet research acquired

Research and strange equations found at the Altar of Relativity direct you towards strangelet capsules in the Central Academy and Exile's Accord. Lodi tells you that the equations are called an "Observer Cipher." He tells you to think of it like a key that shifts open a lock, relative to you observing it or not. Ghost seems to understand.

Step 9

Recover strangelet capsules across Kepler and return them to the Altar of Relativity.

• Central Academy strangelet capsule integrated
• Exile's Accord strangelet capsule integrated

With the ability to breach the Time Latches around Kepler now at your fingertips, the remaining capsules are within your grasp. Recover them from Exile and Vex possession, and return them to their rightful place at the Altar of Relativity to open the way to the singularity.

Note

See The Central Academy Strangelet and The Exile's Accord Strangelet for full transcripts

Step 10

The strangelet capsule is ready for integration. Return to the Altar and perform the integration.

• [Central Academy/Exile's Accord] strangelet capsule integrated

The Altar of Relativity has malfunctioned and requires some arcane method of maintenance to get it working again. Between Lodi, Ghost, and your fireteam, you should be able to figure it out.

---

[After completing Commencement]

• Ikora: Their identity is so tied to this place, to this work… I wonder if they would be happy if we evacuated them from the City. To take them away from it would be the same as if we left Sol and the Traveler behind. Our purpose becomes null.
• Lodi: I need a little air. Um… Guardian, come find me in the Temple.

The Guardian returns to Caldera and speaks with Ikora Rey

• Ikora: We've cleared the path for the Aionians to approach their field study site once more. One of them said "Thank you" to me as they were walking by. Lodi mentioned teaching them some phrases. He's been helpful. The Aionians approach science as faith: utmost belief in understanding through study. Certainty not in the result, but in the process. And in their faith, room for failure. The necessity of it, to try again with new understanding. I think I should follow my intuition, with Lodi. I should… form a new hypothesis.

Ikora transmats away

[After completing Gouge]

• Ghost: One Prime Servitor down, one capsule in the Guardian's hands.
• Ikora: And one Strangelet to help stabilize Kepler. We're not out of the woods yet, but every bit helps to stop that singularity from growing. Orin's informed me the Aionians need our assistance again.
• Drifter: Get that back to the Caldera, hero. Keep me in the loop if we gotta move. I don't think we've seen the last of our boy, Levaszk.
• Lodi: Speaking of being in the loop… Mr. Drifter, Orin had mentioned you two used to know each other.
• Drifter: There was a time when that'd have been a line, and you'd be crossin' it. But―that was a long time ago. yeah, we knew each other.

As the Guardian leaves the Exile's Accord, they receive a call from Levaszk

• The Archon: Before the Giver was found to Exiles, the Long Drift eroded our spirits for eons. Our Ketch was poisoned by Ether-hunger and treachery. But just when Exiles were near our House-death… the Giver's gravity-reach led us to its dark matter. And inside, discovery of the voice invisible. Words of mind, alone. The power to speak as one. And in Giver's reach we also found―Aionians. For many lives, we shared discovery. The ways of dark matter, open to all. Integration, and Ether-life for our House. Then came the Deathless warriors, from beyond the Giver's orbit. Strong. Impressive. With power beyond stars. The Exiles share no hatred with you. We want only the gifts of the Giver. But if the Deathless steal from our House, they will be met with blades. All will perish who take what is freely Given.

The Guardian returns to Caldera

Note
The Following dialogue occurs only if the Exile's Accord Strangelet is gathered first.

• Ikora: I thought there would be a connection to the invitation and the timelost objects we're seeing here. As you said, Lodi, something is indeed wrong with time. But we're only seeing timelost objects from our past on Kepler, not subjects ripped from alternate timelines.
• Lodi: Alternate timelines? What kind of technology can do that?
• Ikora: None that we have access to.
• Lodi: Can they be sent back?
• Ikora: No. The Vex can manipulate timelines, but they can't send a subject back in time.
• Lodi: At all? Not even after they've been brought forward? Can ANYONE do that?
• Ikora: No. Not even the Light can do that.
• Lodi: This is bad. This is extremely bad.
• Ghost: Lodi?
• Lodi: Just put the damn thing in the thing, I need to figure out how to word this.

Step 11

Restore Power to the Altar of Relativity.

• Altar power restored X/2
• Altar restarted

Despite the Aionians's resourcefulness and ingenuity, the Singularity's instability has overloaded the Altar's systems once more, leading to a total shutdown. You'll need to repower and restart the integration systems.

---

• Lodi: [grunts] Just my luck, of course it's broken!
• Ghost: Check outside, there might be another. If we can't get through, we're never going to reach the anomaly.
• Lodi: This―this is very, very bad. I could handle abduction, but this? I-m-I'm imperiled. I-I can't return i have to abandon Odysseus Protocol. Guardian, can you get everyone on comms?

The Guardian finds the first power switch and performs the Rite of Ignition.

• Ikora: What's going on?
• Lodi: I want you all to know at once that I sincerely apologize. I withheld the nature of my arrival. It was for the sake of the place I'm in service to… My people protect many secrets. But now it's clear I'm―I'm too imperiled to continue this deception. I've concluded I'm in deep shit.

The Guardian finds the second power switch and performs the Rite of Ignition.

• Lodi: Miss Rey, you explained how―how Guardians used to be just people who died, then were reborn. You said they―they forget everything from their old lives. Maybe part of you knows… you can believe me?
• Ikora: Out with it, Lodi.
• Lodi: My people and I discovered a signal in deep space, which connected to an object we found under our city. It brought me here… all the way from the Space Age… before the Collapse. I'm from… the past.
• Ikora: How?
• Lodi: I picked up a phone.

The Guardian returns to the Altar of Reletivity and performs the Rite of Maintenance.

Step 12

The strangelet capsule is ready for integration. Return to the Altar and perform the integration.

• [Central Academy/Exile's Accord] strangelet capsule integrated

Now that the Altar of Relativity's functionality has been restored, you can now integrate your strangelet capsule. In theory.

---

{Cutscene begins}

• Lodi: I felt the ringing more than I heard it.

Dressed in a suit, Lodi opens a door and enters a room with an unconnected telephone handset with Nine markings on the speaker and receiver ringing on a tale in the center.

• Lodi: The when and where… doesn't matter anymore. It's all gone.

Lodi steps around the table, his gaze focused on the handset.

• Lodi: What does matter is that the unknown was calling… …Long distance.

Hesitantly, Lodi reaches out for the handset.

• Lodi: I knew if I didn't pick up that phone, I'd regret it for the rest of my life.

Lodi picks up the handset as the lights in the room briefly flicker. He holds it to her ear, hearing a dial tone, then a distorted noise.

Light flashes from the room marked Anomaly in Containment. The scene cuts back to inside the room with Lodi and the phone gone and only a brief cloud of dark matter.

• Lodi: But whatever was on the other end wasn't chatty.

A train appears and strikes Lodi, sending through a dark matter rift.

• Lodi: It reached out. Pulled me through time and space. I should've been afraid…

An uncountable number of Lodis clutch their heads and cry out.

• Lodi: Because it was one horror show after another…

The camera passes through the mouth of the Lodis as he tumbles past a rocket that's taking off, then ascends past a skyscraper in Chicago during the Collapse, as the city burns and Pyramid Ships hang in the sky.

• Lodi: And I was skipping around like a needle across a record. Jumping from track to track, as if… …My will was… not my own.

Lodi passes into a dark matter rift. He cries out as his form briefly distorts.

He lands through a water's surface.

• Lodi: But I wasn't afraid.

The scene's perspective flips as Kepler is partially in view and tendrils of dark matter reach towards Lodi.

• Lodi: Not of aliens. Not of… whatever this was.

One of the tendrils attaches to Lodi's forehead. His eyes briefly glow blue before four more heads split from him. All heads cry out in pain before merging into one and the screen turns white.

{Cutscene ends}

---

• Ghost: Only the Vex have come close to time travel, but not like this.
• Drifter: Can you go back?
• Orin: Not as neon.
• Lodi: Orin's right. I don't think I can now.
• Ikora: You could have told us at any time. Why conceal the truth?
• Lodi: Protocol. I-I… didn't know if I could trust you. In my time, I worked for an organization called the Department of External Observation. The DEO was trying to make contact with extraterrestrials, so we had protocol to follow in the event of abduction. That protocol meant concealing who I was and where I was from to keep my people safe, but… they're all gone. I'm… alone. And I need help.
• Drifter: Hell of a trip you hitchhiked. Yeesh, I've got a drink if you need one, kid.

Step 13

Meet Drifter in the Caldera.

• Spoken to Drifter

Drifter has an invitation to Kepler, same as you. Only difference is that his is trailing behind his ship. He'd like to meet on Kepler to discuss how it might impact both of your fates.

---

• Drifter: Eons ago the Nine gave me something. Said I'd know what to do with it when the time came. Now, I ain't above looking a gift horse in the mouth. But this horse… well, it ain't got a mouth. You've seen it. That Haul I got strapped to the back of the Derelict. Time came and went. I all but gave up. Thought I was doomed to drag half a planet's worth of dead weight behind me until old Sol froze over. But listen, hero. Ever since we got here, something's been scratching at the back of my brain. The Haul's acting up. I don't reckon I "know" what to do with it, but I've got a thought. You could go so far as to call it an inkling. You've banked a lot of Motes over the years… Maybe it's time to cash out.

Step 14

[If the Central Academy Strangelet quest is completed first]
Locate and acquire the strangelet capsule located in Exile's Accord.

• Exile's Accord Strangelet integrated

With the Central Academy strangelet capsule integrated into the Altar, the Exile's Accord remains untested. The strangelet capsule there is your next goal.

[If the Exile's Accord Strangelet quest is completed first]
Acquire the strangelet capsule located in Central Academy.

• Central Academy Strangelet integrated

With the strangelet liberated from the Archon's Prime Servitor and integrated into the Altar, you feel it's time to secure the Central Academy from the Vex and retrieve the strangelet capsule they stole from the Aionians.

Step 15

[If the Central Academy Strangelet quest is completed first]
Integrate the Exile's Accord strangelet capsule at the Altar of Relativity.

• Exile's Accord Strangelet integrated

The Exile's Accord strangelet capsule is still in your grip. Shifting its place in space takes effect, as if it is affixed at whatever point it rests. As you walk you can feel it drag, even in the quantum space of your loadout pack. But still, you feel drawn toward the Altar of Relativity, where the strangelet capsule can be integrated.

This will help the Aionians narrow down the location of remaining capsules.

[If the Exile's Accord Strangelet quest is completed first]
Integrate the Central Academy strangelet capsule at the Altar of Relativity.

• Central Academy Strangelet integrated

The Central Acedemy strangelet capsule vibrates through your glove, and flesh, and bone, into something at your core. You feel drawn toward the Altar of Relativity, where the strangelet capsule can be integrated. An additional integration will help the Aionians narrow down the location of remaining capsules.

---

• IV: [distorted soundwaves]

TREASURED BIOLOGY.

HAVE WE PIQUED

YOUR ATTENTION?

Step 16

Access the Altar of Relativity to begin tracking the stranglet capsule in Outer Steppes.

• Altar accessed

Integrating the second strangelet capsule has further strengthened the Altar's relativistic connection to the remaining stolen strangelets.

Access the Altar of Relativity to acquire the Aionians's research and align with the next strangelet capsule's location.

---

As you access the interface, it melds with Rosetta, Rojin's words form in your mind.

Anomaly-Blessed, your field work is efficient and thorough. We are fortunate to have found favor with you. With the return of another strangelet, we are able to cull bad data from our hypothosis. We've narrowed your next destination to the Outer Steppes. We are locking the Altar to that strangelet capsule now."

"Go in certainty."

Step 17

Locate and acquire the strangelet capsule from Outer Steppes.

• Outer Steppes strangelet capsule

Visit the Altar of Relativity to begin tracking a third strangelet capsule hidden in the Outer Steppes.

Note

See The Outer Steppes Strangelet for full transcript

---

• Ikora: Lodi, as the Guardian tracks down more Strangelets, we're wanting to better understand the presence of dark matter on Kepler. You have an Aionian contact we could speak with?
• Lodi: Sure do. Dr. Carnahan's gonna be your gal. She's, uh… heh, she's a bit of a recluse, doing a bunch of research out here in the sticks. She was one of the first Aionians I met when I landed here. I say "met." She did point some ind of thingamajig at my head. Not a gun, mind you―more like a Swiss arm medieval gauntlet?

Step 18

Integrate the strangelet capsule from Outer Steppes at the Altar of Relativity. Then only one remains.

• Outer Steppes strangelet integrated

You've secured a third strangelet capsule, this one again from the House of Exile. Bring it back to the Altar of Relativity for integration. Hopefully the Aionians have made progress in tracking down the fourth.

---

• Ikora Rey: Lodi, Drifter. We have another Strangelet. The Guardian's dropping it off at the altar. Drifter, any updates on the Haul?
• Drifter: It's starting to drift toward… [grunts] Almost like a gravitational pull. I'm burning thrusters just to keep it in place. I dunno what'll happen when I let this bird loose. But I'm seeing this through, even if my instincts are telling me to scram.
• Lodi: I'd be worried if our instincts weren't telling you to run from a black hole. Glad to have you here with us, Mr. Drifter.
• Ikora: We have one more Strangelet to find before our work here is done.
• Orin: It's almost time to meet III.

Step 19

Meet with Lodi and Ikora at the Altar of Relativity.

• Lodi and Ikora met

Your fireteam has earned Lodi's trust over the course of collecting three strangelet capsules. He wants to share a message with you and Ikora. Find them at the Cenote.

---

The Guardian approaches Lodi and Ikora, the former is holding out the phone that brought him to the future, as if trying to find a signal. After a few moments, Lodi holds a hand to his head.

• Lodi: They want to talk to you… to help you understand. Both of you.

Ikora approaches Lodi and reaches for the phone, but Lodi stops her.

• Lodi: Oh, no don't don't don't touch it, sorry. I don't know what happens if you touch it.
• Ikora: You hold it. Guardian, get close.

Lodi jerks his head back as his eyes glow blue and the phone becomes translucent, similar to Starhorse. He returns his gaze to Ikora.

• II: II speaks - on behalf of III - that you may grasp - your necessary presence - at this point in space - in time
• II: Commander - your first death - scheduled at our hand - an intervention necessary - to ensure attendance
• Ikora: The Nine killed me to get me here?
• II: From simple perspectives - a technicality
• II: Lightbearer - thank you for your attendance - with minimal interference
• II: To you we say - vengeance required - the culprit lies within - the Drifter must - prepare his gift - Emissary - reveal the truth
• II: Wake the dead - they will speak - you will listen
• Ikora: Why would we listen? The Nine manipulated our lives―how far back?!

Lodi staggers as he returns to normal, aside from his right eye still glowing.

• Lodi: II showed me how you died… but… I already knew the rest. You deserve to know the truth. I'm sorry, Ms. Rey.

{Cutscene begins}

A woman dressed in orange trousers, orange shirt and a green jacket enters her car with a lunch bag with Mom written on it. She pulls out and drives away as Dreamin' of the Past plays on the radio, revealing her to be Ikora Rey before her first death.

She's briefly stopped at an intersection before she continues towards the city of Chicago. A nearby billboard for dogfood has the first two letters of "CANINE" broken.

The woman walks over a symbol for the DEO on the floor and enters an elevator. By the time she's the only one in the elevator, she exits, passing several other employees of the DEO including Lodi.

The camera briefly focuses on a picture of Ikora's child as she works with several large tape recorders. A picture of Graviton Lance can be seen hung on the wall.

Brief snapshots of Ikora at work, looking at the picture of her daughter, making a call.

As she works, Lodi taps the window of her office as he walks by to get her attention before tapping his wrist.

Ikora waves back and goes to have her lunch. When she unwraps something, a pair of pink asters fall onto her lap. Ikora picks on up and smiles.

Ikora walks, one of the aster flowers on her jacket flap. She stops as she hears a ringing coming an Anomaly Containment room. She looks inside to see an unconnected telephone handle.

Another DEO employee touches Ikora's shoulder and speaks with her. His voice is muffled, drowned out by the ringing of the phone and a high-pitched tone. But as he talks, Ikora becomes distraught and touches the daisy on her flap.

Ikora turns and bumps into Lodi, dropping the files she was carrying. Before he can say anything, Ikora runs past him to the elevator as Lodi turns to the unconnected phone in containment.

Ikora speeds down the road in her car. She's forced to stop at a red light, but no other traffic is there. In frustration, she tries to drive through it, only for a train to emerge from a dark matter rift and hit her.

{Cutscene ends}

The Guardian's vision clears.

• Ikora: What was your name?
• Lodi: Louis. Agent Louis Yero.
• Ikora: Thank you, Louis.

Ikora turn and transmats away.

Lodi transmats away.

• Ikora: How long did you know?
• Lodi: From the second I saw you.
• Ikora: Why didn't you tell me?
• Lodi: Because you're not her! I figured the Nine put you here to torture me. The one face I'd recognize, and she had no idea who I was. If I told you, it would be because I wanted that. Not because it would help you.
• Ikora: Well, you're right. It doesn't. You know that much about me. Lodi… did the Nine kill me just to ensure I would end up here?
• Lodi: Yes. [pauses] Maybe your body had to be in the right place for your Ghost to find you?
• Ikora: I woke up by a car in the desert with a flower in my hand. Ophiuchus chose me as his Guardian… and every choice I made led me here.
• Lodi: Catastrophic interference. That flower was an aster. She―
• Ikora: I don't want to know! Don't tell me her name. Don't tell me anything about her. She's dead.

Step 20

Access the Altar of Relativity to begin tracking the stranglet capsule in The Gorge.

• The Gorge strangelet research acquired

Integrating a third strangelet capsule has further strengthened the Altar's relativistic connection to the remaining stolen strangelets. Now only the final strangelet capsule remains to be retrieved before the way to the singularity can be opened.

Access the Altar of Relativity to acquire the Aionians's research and align with the next strangelet capsule's location.

---

As you access the interface, it melds with Rosetta, Rojin's words form in your mind.

"This is all that is needed to align with the final strangelet."

There is a brief pause as calculationsare run and ciphers are drafted. The Altar hums along.

"The Gorge can be accessed. Be wary, Anomaly-Blessed. The automatons that attacked Kepler have made the Gorge their home. Orin, saint of the Anomaly, has already departed to face them. Together, you will prevail."

---

• Ikora: Guardians forget their past life for a reason. Who we were is immaterial to our potential as paracausal beings. I am Ikora Rey, Warlock Vanguard. I am an accomplished scholar, pioneer thanatonaut… I've won hundreds of Crucible matches, and I have thwarted humanity's most dire threats time and time again. The woman I saw, the woman Lodi knew… she wasn't me. I don't even know her name. Yet… I mourn her. She had a life. A vocation. A family she loved. The Nine took that from her. And for what? So they could throw the very same train that killed her at me centuries later? Sprinkle a clever little trail across Sol for us to follow? For what? I have no desire to see more of that woman's life. But I need answers. She deserves them.

Step 21

Locate and acquire the strangelet capsule from The Gorge.

• Gorge strangelet capsule integrated

The Aionians's updated strangelet data indicates the final capsule is located somewhere in the Gorge.

Note

See The Gorge Strangelet for full transcript

---

• Drifter: Orin, that you?
• Orin: Yes―there, and here. I was expecting Ikora's tone.
• Drifter: Right, I'm patching her in… Look. We left off on the wrong foot, and I know right before you run off with the Guardian to stomp Vex into dust ain't the best time. But… I'm sick of counting seconds not taken for words that should've been said. Someday soon, I'd… like to clear the air. Just… watch your back out there. House's Archon's still at large. There's trouble brewin', and I thin you're in the middle of it.
• Orin: Where we need to be. I think the Vex seek the Nine, through a trace of their influence. Their operation is coiled wires. But, with the Guardian, we can cut through. When they pushed out the House, they claimed a capsule or quantum threads. if we want to know why we were brought here, we need it.

Step 22

Speak with Orin in the Assimilated Easement.

• Orin spoken with

Rendezvous with Orin before you go back to the Altar to integrate the final strangelet capsule.

---

• Orin: My will is my own. It's as frightening as it is freeing. Don't misunderstand me. I didn't choose to be a Lightbearer. I did choose to be an Emissary. And I chose to leave. I don't miss either life. I chose to bear truth. To share fragments I've stowed away from beyond the borders of known space. The knowledge I keep will save others. But first, there is a piece of myself that I left buried to grow in old soil. My Ghost, Gol. We planted… violet petals, from the Golden Age. My hands, their shell. After we leave here, that's where I'll go. One brief respite until fates calls us back to right the impossible.

Step 23

Complete mission "Criticality" to shut down the overloading reactors and save the Aionian settlement from obliteration.

• "Criticality" completed

Lodi and the Aionians have troubling news that their reactor has suddenly begun showing signs of a meltdown. This needs to be resolved. Outside of unstable integration, the time spent integrating another strangelet capsule before resolving the looming meltdown would almost certainly spell doom for Kepler and everyone on it.

Note

See Mission: Criticality for full transcript

---

• Ghost: Everyone! We have the last strangelet capsule! Guardian, we need to take this to the Altar of Relativity and get that door open!
• Lodi: This is it… I'm finally going to learn why I'm here. Big moment. For all of you too, I'm sure.
• Drifter: Yeah, yeah, round of congrats to everyone. But we're not of of the doghouse yet.
• Ikora: Drifter's right. I'm sure the Archon will be on the move soon now that the quarantine is down. And when he does―
• Maya Sundaresh: Quiet! Yes, you have reached your goal and torn down my Collective's quarantine. This is marginally impressive, but not beyond expectations. You are free to enter and play out your adventure. As I have said, I concluded my business there long ago. All that is left is to see if the Guardians really do make their own fate, or if you will let the Nine puppeteer your power to their whims. Remember that it is they who manipulated you. They who have spent your lives so recklessly to save themselves. They who see you as something lesser. All I am doing is all I have ever done: improving a broken system. You may remain sheathed… or be drawn into a losing battle. Goodbye, Guardian.
• Ikora: Guardian, drop everything you're doing! The reactor for the Academy is experiencing criticality. If we don't halt meltdown, it'll bury not just the Aionians, but trigger the singularity's expansion! It's all at risk! Guardian, lead us in.

Step 24

Integrate the strangelet capsule from The Gorge into the Altar of Relativity.

• Altar restarted
• Final strangelet capsule integrated

You've narrowly averted a meltdown and preserved the Altar of Relativity. With any luck, the final strangelet capsule should still successfully integrate into the Altar. Head to Caldera and attempt the capsule integration. Ghost is hopeful that we won't have to power cycle it again.

---

• Lod: Wait, wait, Guardian, Orin, hold up. I feel like the L train during rush hour, all of 'em are queuing up in here. The Nine need us.
• Orin: The vote. Of course they want to do it now. I remember my own transfer. There wasn't much fanfare. Xûr was… miscreated. They seemed eager to move on.

Step 25

Meet with Lodi and Orin near the Altar.

• Be weaponized

The final strangelet capsule has been accounted for and returned to the Altar of Relativity, opening our path to the singularity.

Before we depart to face the Archon and the Vex, a call from beyond rings through at the Altar.

---

• Lodi: Guardian, hurry. The Nine wanna talk―formally―and they're not keen on waiting.
• Orin: Yes: pressed glass―light shining. Standard procedure. Let them in. They're here.
• Lodi: Oh good, I was worried they would start without―

Lodi's eye glow blue and he ascends off the floor as his lower half begins glowing with starlight.

IX's symbol appears over his head.

• IX: .nice o|f you to an|swer. .quit|ter | your ves|sel is re|quired.
• Orin: You may… borrow.

Orin's eyes glow blue and she ascends off the floor as her lower half begins glowing with starlight

VI's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• VI: YOUR CAPTURED AUDIENCE ASSEMBLES

II's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• II: Invitation - to notarize transfer - to knight the Weapon - answered

V's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• V: S P E A K W H A T 8 H A V E S P O K E N

IX's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• IX: .quiet you|r clods a|nd glasses. .we all ha|ve else-thens | to be. .but only| one |right no|w.

IX's symbol appears over Lodi and Orin's heads.

• IX: .I |hold the ves|sels. .|old. .a|nd new|. .this| quit|ter is an |out|cast. .but still con|nected and use|ful. .this beaut|iful boy is the | emissary-to-be. .paper|work permit|ting. .a|nd you. .guardian. you| are the |weapon| we chose | by rite and trial.

I's symbol appear over Orin's head.

• I: The Weapon guides the transfer. On the edge of its paracausality. To shroud this chained sequence. To fell Vex and parry prediction. Be ours.
• IX: .k|neel. .k|neel | and let your k|nobby quarks pr|ess to had|rons. .do a|ll pre|sent here rat|ify th|is contract. aye o|r nay.

V's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• V: D E N I A L
• IX: .hm. .pre|dict|able. .|my| vote. is aye..|obviously|.

VIII's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• VIII: emissary appointment = declination weaponized flesh tool = affirmation

IV's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• IV: AS YOU SUSTAIN US YOU WILL SUSTAIN US. IV ACCEPTS.

VII's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• VII: yea + unsheathe the weapon + but reactionary choices + empty seated + nay to the emissary

II's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• II: Stupid - to ignore threat - Arm ourselves - We never move - without intermediaries - Aye to all

VI's symbol appears over Orin's head.

• VI: COMPLETE ABJECT INSULTED REFUSAL

I's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• I: Ridiculous, VI. We are at war. I casts our vote in the affirmative.

IX's symbol appears over Lodi's head.

• IX: .this cou|ncil se|es the |weapon| loosed. .but sta|nds un|moved to rat|ify an em|issary. eight |votes| cast. o|ne re|mains. .it is |required. .|weapon|. .you a|re charged| with |seeking the |final vote. .III. .our va|cant| gives |you what you| ne|ed.

Lodi and Orin teleport away.

• Orin: [exhales] Never again…
• Lodi: [coughs] I'm gonna throw up…
• Orin: Seek III at the Altar. All paths converge, Guardian-Weapon.

Step 26

Complete mission "The Message."

• "The Message" completed

The House of Exile and the Choral Vex of the Nessian Schism stand between a weapon and the singularity.

There is one fated outcome.

Note

See The Message for full transcript

---

• Lodi: Guardian, all the Nine seem to know what the Weapon is for, but I don't have a clue.
• Orin: All I felt when they were talking about whatever you were for was… terror.

The Guardian enters the unsealed hatch in the Altar of Relativity. At the end of the chute, they receive a call from the Drifter.

• Drifter: I know folks speculate about my Haul behind my back. But what they don't realize is… I don't know a damn thing about it either! Aunor called it an "engine of pure potential." But potential for what, I never knew. Or cared. Long as I fed it Dark Motes, it kept spitting out Primevals, and that was good enough for me. But since we arrived here, that 'ol Haul's been acting real squirrely. Like it's trying to give me the slip. I never thought of the Motes we put in there as… sentient. 'Course all the baddies you dusted prob'ly felt some kinda way about it… But the Motes themselves, I reckoned they were just leftover scraps from your target practice. But the way the Haul's yapping at me, I think maybe they wanted to be dunked! And now… they want out.

Step 27

Meet with Lodi and your fireteam to discuss what you've learned.

The Archon lays broken under its "Giver." A message has been delivered and heard. And the Conductor remains one step beyond reach. Your fireteam waits in the Caldera to help forge a path forward.

---

• Ikora: We're asked to do something we're told is impossible, on threat of universal extinction. All three of our lives altered by the Nine to bring us here. To receive the message. Guardian, Weapon. Ambassador Lodi. And me. Vanguard Commander. Apparently.
• Lodi: And I never meant to go into politics. I still don't know what I am now. But I know I'm still me. I want to help; I want to… say hello.

Lodi briefly looks up.

• Lodi: The heavens aren't raining fire yet. All we can do is pray III bought us the time we need and get to work.

The Drifter transmats in.

• Drifter: It's back. The Haul is back. Like it never left. Take a good hard look. Nine-touched. They won't let me go. We eat our hearts out trying to help, but things always get worse. That's fate. Long life just means you get a good view of the carnage.
• Lodi: We're not out of the game yet.
• Drifter: Yeah, we're in it. As pawns.

Drifter walks away and transmats out.

• Ikora: I'll go after him. We will figure this out.
• Lodi: Yes ma'am. You both know my situation. This is my time now. I want to be of service. Is there a place for me on Earth?
• Ikora: What kind of colleague would I be to leave an agent behind?

Ikora and Lodi transmats away.

Step 28

Meet with Lodi in the Caldera to discuss his intel.

• Met with Lodi

Lodi has received information from the Nine regarding an artifact from the Department of External Observations. He wants to speak with you about what he's learned.

---

• Lodi: When III spoke through me… I… I think I saw time the way they do… Flat. Like I was high up and could see my life all at once. It was hard to make out where I came from; it was so far away, but… I could see where I am. I fit here… like III knew I was the best agent to poach. What can I say, I bring that special something you won't find for another thousand years. From that vantage way up high I saw that I don't go back, and that someday I'll be OK. Because I'm needed here. I can be the emissary humanity needs. Create a bridge between us and the extra-dimensional suits. "Bind the Nine." It'll be dangerous. Sounds fun.

Step 29

Examine the Altar's new state.

• Altar examined

As you return to the Caldera, Ghost picks up a transmission from the Aionian Altar technician, Rojin, it melds with Rosetta, speaking words into your inner voice.

"Anomaly-Blessed, we rejoice in your victory. As does the Altar. It finds synchronicity with a new object on Kepler, but not a strangelet. We have not seen this type of connection before, and believe it is for you."

It seems the Altar, or the Nine, have more to show you.

---

• Lodi: I'm the emissary now. Two feet in two worlds. Orin said first thing she did was make a new look for the role. I think she was on to something. Everyone in the future just has the WORST sense of style―I'm sorry. I-I can't hold it in anymore: you are wonderful people, but you all… look ridiculous. Anyway. If, er, if you're looking for next steps, Weapon, I've―I've got intel on something that might interest you. The Nine found something from the old office. Thought you might be interested.

---

As you approach the Altar, you feel a strange kind of hum. It is not audible, but you can feel it both physically and paracausally within you.
There is something else there, a new… feeling? It's not anything you've experienced before. It's some kind of resonance beyond the physical and paracausal.
You feel satiated, and yet there is a sense that there is much more to whet your appetite on this planetoid… and elsewhere.
It seems that you've taken your first step into a larger, stranger world.