War of Salvation

The War of Salvation was a conflict between the Vanguard and Human-aligned Fallen houses against the House of Salvation. Each side began using the Darkness during the war to gain an advantage over their opposition.

Prelude
The roots of the War of Salvation would be found in the aftermath of the Scorn breakout from the Prison of Elders. The House of Judgement scribe, Variks, who had proved a reliable ally to the Guardians and the Reefborn Awoken, ultimately wished for the means to give his people a second chance at living in peace after seeing the myriad Fallen Houses suffer catastrophic defeat and humiliating failures at the hands of the Guardians, in their misguided ambition to claim the Traveler hovering over the Last City. Wanting to do something about the state of his people but knowing he can't do so while under the careful watch of his Awoken handlers, Variks conducted an elaborate diversion to provide himself the means to escape the Reef and gather those who wish to better their people. His diversion would be to cause a malfunction that would lead to a shutdown in the Prison of Elders' security systems following Cayde-6's hunt for the Scorned Barons and the leader, renegade Awoken Prince Uldren Sov.

His diversion worked as intended, as the malfunction caused nearly all the prison cells to open, leading to a massive breakout. Needing aid to contain the breakout, Petra Venj called for Cayde-6 and The Guardian where they managed to reset the security systems and prevented the majority of the prisoners from escaping. However, the Scorn Barons and Uldren managed to escape their cells and were close to exiting the prison. Cayde-6 would attempt to prevent this but would find himself surrounded by the Scorn. Despite the Hunter Vanguard's efforts, he was badly beaten and his Ghost, Sundance, would be destroyed, leaving him Lightless. Defiant to the end, Cayde-6 was nonetheless executed by Uldren Sov with his own weapon before either The Guardian or Petra could arrive to help him.

The Guardian and the Vanguard would learn of Variks' role in the Scorn Breakout, leaving them feeling betrayed and making him equally responsible for Cayde-6's death. Though they heard rumors of Variks' movements, their efforts to find him would prove fruitless.

During the chaos of the breakout, Variks gathered supplies and ultimately met with an old acquaintance, Eramis of the House of Devils, who likewise sought the goal of restoring the Eliksni people to greatness. Despite the bitterness between them, Eramis agreed to ally with Variks, as he still kept the history and customs of the House of Judgement. Believing that Eramis was the leader the Eliksni needed to unite and survive, Variks threw in his lot with her and her group of allies. Though Eramis originally sought to restore the House of Devils, her failed heist of the Old Tower thanks to the efforts of Mithrax and the Guardians, she abandoned those plans to build a new House where all were welcomed to join to build a new home for themselves in the Sol System. Many of the crumbling Houses would flock to Eramis' call on the frozen world of Europa, where they managed to build a settlement called Riis-Reborn upon the ruins of the Golden Age colony of Eventide. This new house would call itself, the House of Salvation.

However, Variks would notice a dark change in Eramis following the arrival of the Black Fleet in the Sol System, which led to the disappearance of some of the words in the system. One Pyramid, however, would remain hovering over Europa, and it left many Darkness related structures throughout the surrounding area. Eramis would even managed to access one of these structures and be granted the power of Stasis, an ice-like ability that she began to share with her lieutenants. Worse, and to Variks' dismay, Eramis gave in to her hatred towards the Traveler for abandoning her people during the Whirlwind, leaving them with nothing. With Stasis at her command, Eramis, calling herself the Kell of Darkness, turned the dream of creating a new home for the Eliksni into an opportunity to build an empire for herself and her followers, with the full intent on making the Great Machine feel the pain the Fallen have endured.

Disappointed and angry at Eramis, Variks would abandon the House of Salvation, stealing a Splinter of Darkness from Eramis, fleeing across Europa. The scribe evaded the Dark Kell and her hunters for as long as he could before getting tracked.

Hunt for the Traitor Variks
Variks' became aware that he was being hunted by Eramis' and her House, leaving him with little time. Managing to find a relay station at Charon's Crossing, Variks grew desperate enough to send out a distress signal to the Guardians, wishing for their aid in combating the House of Salvation and Eramis. However, unknown to Variks, the Exo Stranger would steal the Splinter he had brought with him but before he could do anything, Eramis would catch up and corner him as he finished his message. Variks would then find himself tortured by an enraged Eramis who used Stasis to encase half of his body. Though Variks tried to reason with Eramis, the Dark Kell would not listen, denouncing the scribe a traitor and a thief, Eramis demanded the Splinter he had stolen but Variks merely replied that it was safe from her.

The Guardian, who had been surveying the Pyramid on Europa after being "called" by the Darkness, would hear Variks' distress signal and work their way to him, encounter the House of Salvation Fallen for the first time. As the Guardian neared, Variks made one last plea to his old friend but once again, Eramis ignored him, claiming that he can cling to the Great Machine, while the Fallen, with the power of Stasis, will make their own fate. Gefore leaving, Eramis ordered her troops to make an example of him. The Guardian arrived just in time before the Salvation Fallen could execute Variks, freeing him from his Stasis confinement. However, Eramis ordered her forces to surround the station, not wanting Variks to leave alive. Still demanding answers from Variks, the scribe tells them that once they have dealt with the incoming forces, he will tell them everything.

The Guardian succeeded in eliminating the Salvation forces, leaving Variks grateful but the Guardian reminds him that they still want answers. Acknowledging this and aware that they no longer trust him, Variks asks the Guardian to set aside their distrust for him, telling them of the threat that Eramis poses and of her intent on building a army of Fallen powered by the Darkness. If she succeeds, then not even the Guardians will be able to stop her.

The Dark Kell
Despite their distrust towards Variks for his role in Cayde's death, the Guardian nonetheless heeds his words and begins searching for Eramis, with Variks informing them of the power that Eramis possesses: Stasis. Variks states that Europa was supposed to be a chance for the Eliksni to live in peace but after communing with the Pyramid and being granted Stasis, Eramis was led astray, claiming that the dark gift corrupted her, leading Variks to believe that Eramis has become a threat to his people. Though the Guardian and Ghost question why he came to Europa, Variks is aware of their resentment towards his part in Cayde-6's death, claiming that is not his intent and bears a great deal of regret for the Hunter Vanguard's demise. Variks states he will answer for his crimes but not before his people can be saved from Eramis.

Tracking Eramis to the ruins of Eventide, the Guardian would managed to enter the Eliksni settlement, Riis-Reborn, what was supposed to be a pinnacle of hope for his people, Variks would remark it now stands as a testament to Eramis' betrayal towards him. Despite the Salvation Fallen's efforts, the Guardian would enter deeper into Riis-Reborn but would have to find an alternate way to reach Eramis after find the main paths locked through the use of Stasis.

The Guardian would find Eramis making a grand speech to her followers, showcasing the power of Stasis and its potential. Granting the power of Stasis, through Splinters, to her closest lieutenants, Eramis claims that with this power the Fallen can at last claim vengeance against the Traveler for abandoning their kind centuries ago, stirring the gathered Fallen into a roaring applause. However, Eramis would notice the Guardian eavesdropping, calling her forces to kill them. Aware that the Fallen's Stasis powers are too great, the Guardian escapes Riis-Reborn despite the efforts of Eramis' lieutenants.

Claiming Stasis
Returning to Variks, the scribe would tell them of his former alliance with Eramis, lamenting that he once believed that she wished to start a new life for the Eliksni but her mind would be poisoned by the use of Stasis. Informing the Guardian that not all Fallen follow Eliksni and still worship the Great Machine but are currently in hiding, Variks, wanting to help his people, asks the Guardian to aid him in setting up a comms network to communicate with his allies and prepare for evacuation. After witnessing Eramis's Stasis powers first hand, the Guardian agrees. As they began setting the relays, the Guardian and their Ghost would hear voices, similar to the once who spoke through them. As they set up the final relay, a Crux of Darkness appears, beckoning them. Communing with the Crux, the Darkness speaks through their Ghost, beckoning them to follow a path that will lead them to a gift.

Following the path, the Guardian would find a clearing, Beyond, and see a Pyramid structure forming. A force of Salvation Fallen drew near but would encounter Eris Morn, The Drifter and the Exo Stranger barring their way. With the Guardian witnessing the battle, the three figures used Stasis themselves against the Fallen to devastating effect, eliminating all opposition.

Meeting with the trio at a nearby campsite, the Exo Stranger explains that while she had the Guardian destroy the Black Heart, to forestall the Darkness' arrival but now that it is here, she claims that with Stasis, they can hit their enemies where the Light cannot. Stating that their resilience in the Pyramids is proof that they are ready, she asks the Guardian to head to the formed structure, the Ziggurat, to accept the gift the Darkness is offering. As the first step in their training, the Exo Stranger gives the Guardian a Splinter of Darkness, instructing them to attune it to the Ziggurat. Despite their Ghosts being wary of this plan, the Guardian does as the Exo Stranger instructed, attuning their Splinter and heading towards another Crux to commune with found in Nexus, a Vex controlled area. As they neared the Crux, they picked up a transmission from Eramis who denounced the Guardians as pawns to the Great Machine, informing them that the Traveler will doom their kind as it did to the Eliksni. That it would sooner see other lives die than its own. Despite Eramis' rants, the Guardian proceeds towards the Crux, communing with it, granting them the power of Stasis for a moment.

Elimination of the Dark Council
Returning to Variks after claiming a portion Stasis, the scribe would voice his displeasure at the Guardian wielding it but understands that they seek to battle Eramis with her own weapons but refuses to believe that it is the only way to stop Eramis. Nonetheless acknowledging that the Guardian's path is their's to walk, Varisk directs the Guardian to dismantle Eramis' powerbase, beginning with Phylaks, the Warrior, described as the Dark Kell's most skilled warrior who made her name at the Twilight Gap and now leads her army. To draw her out, Variks advises the Guardian to prove themselves a worthy opponent by eliminating Phylaks soldiers in the Eventide Ruins after learning from his communication network that Phylaks was ordered to claim an area currently occupied by the Vex.

After taking out Salvation Fallen tasked with hunting defectors and setting up an ambush within the Eventide Ruins, the Guardian collected enough intel, learning that Phylaks as sent platoons patrolling the Asterion Abyss. Killing these platoons drew out Phylaks commander, Elenaks, allowing the Guardian to slay them. This act caught Phylaks' attention, who transmitted her location to the Guardian with Variks advising them to be cautious as Phylaks earned fame at the Twilight Gap for her ruthlessness. Tracking the transmission to Nexus, to the Well of Infinitude, the Guardian would confront Phylaks but despite her brute strength, cruel taunts, use of Stasis and even using Vex tech, the Guardians manages to slay her with their own use of Stasis, claiming her Splinter in the process. Without their general, Variks believes that her warriors will now scatter but it won't destroy the House of Salvation's army.

Bringing Phylak's Splinter to the Exo Stranger, who is thrilled that the Guardian has accepted the power of Stasis, she informs them that the Darkness can be used as a tool to build a better world if one does not fall into obsessing over they're desires. She further instructs the Guardian to claim the other Splinters in Eramis's hands after attuning the one they claimed.

After communing with another Crux of Darkness found in the Clovis Bray Exoscience labs, strengthening their connection to Stasis, the Guardian returned to Variks to plan their next move. Acknowledging that the Guardian is different than Eramis when wielding Stasis, as they didn't allow it to corrupt them as it did to the Kell of Darkness, Variks states their next target is Praksis, the Technocrat. the visionary mind behind the House of Salvation's technology, wringing power from the Darkness itself. He further revealed that in the Prison of Elders, they had neighboring cells and they shared dreams of a new world for the Eliksni. Not privy as to how Praksis was able to control the Darkness through his technology, Variks tasks the Guardian as to how, as he believes that should Praksis be defeated then Eramis' plans will come to a halt. Believing that Praksis is studying the Vex, Variks states that if the Guardian disrupts his experiments, then it will surely get Praksis' attention.

After thwarting Praksis' latest experiments with a Vex Conflux at Cadmus Ridge, a servitor Praksis sent to protect the Conflux that was destroyed bore a signal that allowed the Guardian to locate the Technocrat. Tracking Praksis to the Bray Exoscience Labs, the Technocrat would unleash his machines upon the Guardian as a way to "test" his creations. Despite his machines and reinforcements, his experiments failed to kill the Guardian, embarrassing Praksis. Proceeding deeper into the labs, to the Eternity chamber, and confront Praksis. Using his technology to create powerful shield generators to protect himself, Praksis proved a dangerous foe along with his use of Stasis. However, despite his technology, reinforcements and use of Stasis, the Guardian used their own abilities of Stasis to defeat Praksis, claiming his Splinter of Darkness.

Pleased with this, Variks believes that without Phylaks and Praksis, Eramis will grow reckless and careless, struggling to control the Dark power she possesses. In that, it would the perfect time for the Guardian to strike. True to Variks' predictions, Eramis is furious at the loss of Phylaks and Eramis, immediately desiring to retaliate against the Darkness. Ordering Atraks to return to the Deep Stone Crypt and prepare the "body", Eramis claims that she and Kridis can handle the Guardian. Kridis addresses her Kell, advising that they should take caution, stating that the power more than they thought but Eramis rebukes the wisdom of caution, fully desiring to grant destruction upon the Guardian. Taking Praksis' Splinter to the Exo Stranger's campsite, they would find, to their surprise, Commander Zavala had come to Europa, informing them that the Vanguard as kept an eye on Eramis. He confirms that the Guardian has clearly disrupted the Dark Kell's operations and now she has fled to the Cosmodrome on Earth, leading Zavala to suspect she is planning on looting old House of Devils hideouts but nonetheless believes Eramis is growing desperate. Therefore, Zavala orders the Guardian to travel to the Cosmodrome to find out what Eramis's plan is but before that, the Vanguard Commander expresses his discomfort in the Guardian's usage of Stasis despite understanding the tactic of "fighting fire with fire".

Traveling to Earth as ordered, the Guardian meets with Shaw Han, who informs them that Eramis is looking to recruit her old comrades from what is left of the House of Devils, desperate enough to do so in person. Intel also states that Eramis brought along a trusted sergeant, Bakris, the Adamantine and empowered her with Stasis to demonstrate the powers that are at her disposal. Knowing they must eliminate Bakris before the Devils follow through with the plan to relocate to Europa, the Guardian searches through an old factory complex and locate Bakris as she is loading a large supply of Spider Tanks. Using their abilities of Stasis, the Guardian manages to slay Bakris, denying Eramis the reinforcements she needs. Informing Variks of their success, the scribe, in turn, informs them that Eramis is infuriated at the Guardian's intervention and now she seeks to gain another form of reinforcements through the Vex, using a portal built by Clovis Bray that will lead her directly to the world of the Vex. However, doing so would threaten all life on Europa.

Racing back to Europa to stop Eramis, the Guardian delves deep into the Asterion Abyss with Variks getting into a heated argument with Eramis as he tries to appeal to her but the Kell of Darkness rebuffs all of his efforts. Despite heavy Salvation Fallen blocking their way, the Guardian manages to reach Eramis at the Glassway but are too late to stop her from activating the portal, leading Variks to believe that Eramis has truly gone mad and has become a monster despite her claims that she cares for her people. With the portal activated, the Vex Mind, Belmon, Transcendent Mind, emerges, threatening Europa with a flood of Vex to pour through the portal. To shut down the portal, the Guardian battles with the Transcended Mind and manages to destroy it, closing the portal but notices that all the radiolarian fluid is heading somewhere, leading a horrified Variks to wonder what Eramis has done.

Returning to the Exo Stranger, the Guardian is informed that while Darkness can act like a parasite that can turn a noble desire into something horrible until one becomes that which the Darkness wants them to be, she nonetheless believes that within everyone there in lies the strength to control the Darkness. Instructing them to attune the Splinter they gained from Praksis, Exo Stranger tasks them to commune with another Crux of Darkness at the Riis-Reborn Approach, ironically found in the same chamber where Eramis first made her speech to her followers. After completing the communion, the Guardian's Stasis abilities become at their strongest, allowing them to have the strength they need to confront the Kell of Darkness.

Fall of the Kell of Darkness
Regrouping with Variks, the scribe somberly comes to the realization that Eramis may have once wished to help their people but has allowed her anger to poison that intent and is now a danger to the Eliksni. As Variks states, she cannot save the Eliksni and they cannot save Eramis. Nevertheless, Variks resolves to save as many of his people from Eramis and give them the second chance that was originally promised.

Due to Eramis' actions at Nexus, the Vex make their way towards Riis-Reborn, leading Variks to plan an evacuation of the city. Further, he states that his allies are carrying something of great importance to the House of Light, though Variks cannot provide any details on the item as his allies swore him to secrecy. Asking the Guardian to protect the fleeing Eliksni as they depart Europa and once the task is done, the way to confront the Kell of Darkness will be clear. Agreeing to the request, the Guardian would head to the Eventide Ruins and help the Skiffs carrying the refugees, protecting them from Eramis' forces, the Kell of Darkness denouncing the fleeing Eliksni as traitors, unworthy of her empire. Despite the House of Salvation's efforts, the Guardian succeeded in protecting the skiffs and allowing them to flee to safety, with Variks directing them to the House of Light and it's Kell, Mithrax.

With his allies safe and fleeing Europa, the Guardian now begins the hunt for Eramis, leading them to reenter Riis-Reborn once more. As they did so, Variks would get into another tense argument with Eramis who justifies the acts she has done for the sake of claiming retribution against the Great Machine and how it led them to become "Fallen". As the Guardian reached further into Riis-Reborn, the find the Vex had already begun to invade the settlement forcing the House of Salvation to go on the defensive. Taking advantage of this, the Guardian is able to fight past both forces and proceed deeper into Eramis' fortress with Variks finally releasing his anger at Eramis, proclaiming that she is wrong about him and the Eliksni, that upon her act on releasing the Vex, she is the real coward. Infuriated, Eramis silences Variks over the comms as the Guardian breaches past her defenders and enters her command center.

Finally confronting Eramis face-to-face, the Guardian battles with the Kell of Darkness and her Stasis abilities. Though the Guardian puts up of fight with their Light, Eramis manages to encase them in a Stasis prison, disabling their Ghost in the process and destroying their Splinter as well, leaving them without the Light and the Dark. However, remembering the Exo Stranger's words, the Guardian looks within themselves and focuses, allowing them to break free and fully control their Stasis powers, sending Eramis back reeling. Furious at the Guardian's abilities to control Stasis, Eramis battles with them once more, unleashing the full force of her own Stasis powers and calling upon the aid of her closest forces. Despite this, the Guardian defeats Eramis, subduing her but the Kell of Darkness refuses to let it end with her defeat but as she struggles to stand, she finds her own Stasis encasing her body, much to her shock. Ultimately, the Kell of Darkness would be consumed by the power she sought to claim, rendering her nothing but a statue of Stasis reaching out towards the Pyramid, leaving the House of Salvation without their leader.

Taking Eramis's Splinter of Darkness with them to the Ziggurat, the Guardian is then able to enter into the Pyramid and fully unlock their Stasis abilities, allowing them to freely use them at will. The Exo Stranger is thrilled with the Guardian's success and progress, telling them how she is from another timeline and in it, another Collapse occurred, with the Darkness corrupting all but a few Guardians. However, now with the Guardian wielding Stasis without harm, the Exo Stranger has proven that it can be used for the good of humanity.

Returning to the Vanguard and meeting with Zavala, the commander admits that while he doesn't entirely agree with the Guardian's methods on how they defeated Eramis and her House of Salvation, it nonetheless proved useful. Further, it provides them the opportunity to reclaim Europa and its Golden Age knowledge. Reaching an agreement with the Awoken to grant Variks temporary immunity as he helps in reclaiming Europa, Zavala tasks the Guardian to aid in strikes to keep what is left of the House of Salvation.

Sabotaging House Salvation
The Guardian's first mission in destabilizing the House of Salvation would be to sabotage a large Fallen weapons factory. Returning to Variks on Europa, he agrees to aid the Guardian in their mission, though he is somber about Eramis's death all the same. Understanding that there is little time to mourn, Variks guides the Guardian back to Riis-Reborn as the House of Salvation deal with Vex incursions. Variks gives the Guardian his old security codes to access the manufacturing plant but are denied, forcing the Ghost to shut down a power plant powering the gateways.

Accessing the factory, the Guardian proceeds to sabotage a number of Fallen Brigs before reaching the main hub of the factory, where they encounter a massive Factory Brig. Despite its firepower, the Guardian manages to bring down the machine and power down the factory, giving the Vanguard the opportunity to establish a foothold on Europa. Further, Zavala has the Guardian take advantage of the Vex incursions against the House of Salvation to instigate more sabotage operations against the Fallen.

The Dark Priestess
Hearing reports of another Vex incursion against the House of Salvation at Riis-Reborn, Zavala has Variks guide the Guardians in taking advantage of the Fallen's distraction as they will not be expecting the Guardians as they struggle against the Vex. Entering deep into Riis-Reborn, at Kell's Rising, the Guardian would the House of Salvation holding their ground against the Vex better than they expected, leading Variks to believe that someone has risen to take Eramis's place. Delving deeper into the city, the Guardian encounters Kridis, Dark Priestess, a member of the Dark Kell's inner circle and who is leading the Salvation Fallen in Eramis's absence, explaining how the Fallen have been able to manage the Vex incursions.

Before the Guardians could battle with Kridis, she escapes and sends her forces to deal with them. Despite their efforts, the Guardian defeats the Salvation Fallen's forces but Kridis still got away, leading them to work with Variks in locating her. Variks informs the Guardian that his spies have learned that Kridis is sending her followers to collect remnants of the Darkness in Cadmus Ridge. Finding the Dark Priestess' followers, the Guardian takes them out and takes the Flecks of Dark they had been collecting as well as aiding more Eliksni evacuating from Europa who sought refuge with the House of Light.

Learning that Kridis has returned to Eramis's fortress in Riis-Reborn, the Guardian and Variks hear Kridis giving a wide-ranged broadcast proclaiming that Eramis is not dead but sleeping and the House of Salvation has the means to rouse her. Racing back through Riis-Reborn towards Eramis's command center to prevent this, the Guardian confronts the Dark Priestess and her Prime Servitor, Yamiks Prime, in the presence of the Stasis statue that Eramis had become. Despite her Prime Servitor and her own Stasis Powers, the Guardian manages to slay Kridis, claiming her Splinter of Darkness in the process. Thinking that they taken out all of Eramis's lieutenants, Variks proclaims that the reign of the Kell of Darkness is over. However, he believes that despite this victory, Eramis's deeds will become myth and legendary. Her legacy would continue to inspire new champions to rise in her name, leading Variks to state that they must stay vigilant as a result.

Returning to Zavala, the commander commends the Guardian for defeating Kridis but claims that despite it proving essential in defeating Eramis and her House of Salvation, the Guardians cannot use Stasis any further, believing that any compromise with the Darkness will only lead to disaster. Even after reading reports from Eris Morn on Stasis' potential, Zavala imposes a ban on the use of Stasis as official Vanguard policy, asking the Guardian to aid him in this. In contrast, the Exo Stranger wishes to further their understanding of Stasis by finding the lost personal journal of Clovis Bray I, revealing herself as his granddaughter, Elisabeth Bray.

List of appearances

 * Destiny 2:
 * Beyond Light