User:Dante the Ghost

"He is a funny little Ghost, to be sure. Loves to hang out around that Cabal defector and the Ghostless Exo while doing his work, exchanging gossip and news, and sharing the latest things he's done. But he gets the job done."

- Cayde-6

Greetings! My name is Dante. I am a Ghost but with no Guardian. Why does that surprise you? Well, as you very well know, Guardians, citizens, we Ghosts spend years searching the solar system for warriors worthy to wield the Light to defend humanity and the Traveler from the Darkness. Some of us never find our Guardians; a few decide to choose Guardians from the living rather than the dead. I am neither one.

No, I am alone. But to fill the lonely days I have taken to helping the Vanguard with organizing their archives, utilizing my memory storage to clear away clutter and/or update outdated information. Many such Ghosts who don't find a Guardian often lend their aid to the Vanguard. Did I ever tell you Cayde is as disorganized as a Reaver Dreg? His personal library (however small it is) is a mess! knives and melting engrams everywhere! Master Rahool was so very disappointed in him when I brought this in the open. So was Ikora. Well, she too is disorganized, but that is another story. Needless to say Cayde has never forgiven me since.

Anyhow, my ramblings aside, I am here to serve the City in whatever capacity I can. One day, I'll find my Guardian, but until then I better make myself useful. I just hope to the Traveler I never have to go to Mars…

Description
"Of all my years as a Guardian, and as a Vanguard, I have never seen a Ghost so chatty before. Maybe it's because he never goes far from the City, where the Light is strong. At least he makes himself useful."

- Ikora Rey

We Ghosts have a uniform design, as we're born of the Traveler itself, but several of us can be of any size from ping pong to basketball-size. I don't know of any Ghosts that are Servitor-sized, but until we happen to get a Eliskni (ahem, "Fallen") Guardian, that will unfortunately remain in obscurity. I find it hard to imagine such a thing is possible, but should that day come I hope at the very least our new Guardians won't be amiss to fighting their former brethren.

My basic form is a "baseball" in shape, like most Ghosts, but a little smaller, but don't get any ideas. I may delight in describing myself in such lowly terms but I will not be used in games. Now, what was I saying… oh yes. Like every Ghost I have a shell, except mine is what is called a "Mythological shell". This is courtesy of a Guardian who braved the Vault of Glass and managed to get the Gorgons' designs locked into his head during that terrifying run through that maze. I know of quite a few Ghosts who look like mini-Gorgons since that legendary Raid. Nearly gave Master Rahool a heart-attack one night, but that is another story for another time.

Detailed Description
"Whatever he does, there is always good that comes out of it. But suffice it to say Eris is the only person who can scare him into silence."

- Commander Zavala


 * Shell-color: Silver.
 * Shell-material: Original shell composed of the Traveler's own material. Mythological shell a mixture of Vex metals and Relic iron. Fancy, no?
 * Shell-pieces:
 * 1) Original—eight pyramidal sections.
 * 2) New—three Harpy "wings".
 * Guardian: None. (Not yet.)
 * Where to be found?: Vanguard Archives—Level A.R. 24/6, sublevel 078. That is roughly halfway down the Tower, and in the East Wing. Warlocks make for great company I'll add.
 * Favorite place: Earth. Such a fascinating and ancient place. Once full of culture, beauty, and art, now desolate. I can see why the Traveler chose it. So much potential, now dormant. Oh, and I suppose Venus. Lovely place, the Ishtar Collective is very facinating, all of those files and books full of knowledge. Just watch out for Vex, Fallen, and Taken. I hear the Cabal are planning on going there…
 * Least Favorite place: Mars. Too much sand, dust, Cabal—especially Cabal—and Vex. There's also the Moon, a hellhole full of nasty Hive. Grrr…
 * Favorite NPC: Why, it is Master Rahool, of course! I just love being next to him whenever a Guardian comes back with an Engram. Treasure troves of knowledge and history and technology! So much lore to be found! (Although… rumours have been going around that I've chosen him as a Guardian, but I assure you I have done no such thing. Please don't spread them.)
 * Least Favorite NPC: Don't go spreading this around, but… I think Eris Morn's crazy…
 * Favorite Race: I know, I know, you're thinking, "What, a Ghost who has a favorite race among our enemies?" but seriously, a Ghost with no Guardian must have some things he likes outside of the Tower, no? Anywho, I actually have two of them. The Vex and the Cabal. The Vex… well, they are the least known enemy of ours, apart from being a cybernetic demigod collective of hyperadvanced microbial alien robots. The Cabal are easy. *deep monotone* "We like to stomp things flat, umph, umph!" *normal* No, seriously, their organization and, I hate to admit this but, their perseverance. Centuries of warfare with the Vex and Guardians is a long time to be fighting a war, but still they hang on.
 * Least Favorite Race: The Hive. No question. Many of my brothers and sisters fell to their blades, were drained of their Light. Murdered. I hate Crota and his overblown papa as much as Crazy Eris does…! Ooooh, if I had a Guardian right now I'd show them! I even have Solar-dealing cannons equipped! (Though… those take a lot out of me, but I digress.)

Well, I suppose that's it then. Got to go.

Destinypedia Article Progress
This is a reference list for when I have pages to work on. (If I ever need prompting, because I am a notorious forgetter.)

The following below is what I am focusing on to better meet this wikia's standards. We are not only an archive for Weapons, Enemy Races, Allies, what-have-you, but also a record of Destiny's, admittedly, lacking story. Destinypedia will not have a reputation for lacking "story" content like her namesake.

Any and all are welcome to add to my work. I can use all of the help I can get, and the more eyes the better. It's what a wikia is all about.

My Own Grimoire
"Something is not right about that Ghost. Ever since he returned from the Vault, alone of Kabr's fireteam, with the shell of a legendary Gorgon in place of his Scholar's, he's acted quite odd. At least no significant harm has come from his amnesia, apart from making him quite eager to help with my studies. But I recommend you keep a watch on him."

- Master Rahool's note to the Guardian

I'll be working on writing out a bit of "Grimoire cards" for a little something, just for idling purposes. I want to create my own Taken Grimoire cards for other units, to see what really would have happened if Oryx appeared in the system in the base game and up. This'll be a long one. Most major units will be added. It'll be fun.

Taken Shank
''You are a Shank. A dog among the Fallen Houses. Disposable and limitless. Whichever your House desires you follow.''

You have been taken.

''Be free from your primitive mind. What? you thought a mind made of circuitry and metal cannot be repurposed by my hand? It is this blindness that led you to failure. You could not comprehend it. What, then, does this mean? Does it mean you are doomed to be insignificant?''

Oh no. You are much, much more than that.

''Despite your faults you are aggressive, tenacious. Whatever threat comes you throw yourself against it with unwavering bravery. Vex, Hive, Cabal. All these you face. Sometimes you win. But that is enough. With your speed you fly around the Cabal shield wall and lay waste to their ranks. With your stealth you slip past the Vex sensors and confound their networks with your tiny computational power. With your size you methodically cut away the Hive, starving them of their tribute; even if you are to be defeated they gain nothing from you, nothing to feed their worm.''

''This, then, is your strength. The final shape is yours to behold.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [intelligence]. Use it. Become great.''

S.A.B.E.R.-2, Realized
''You are the S.A.B.E.R., second of that name. Designed to crack open that depraved and hopeless Earth-Servitor, to gain for your House its enigmatic secrets.''

You have been taken.

''What is this? You have failed? This cannot be. You were built specifically to succeed. What is this? Servants of the Great Machine came and impaired you! Now, you understand. They will always interfere. For all of your imbued power, you cannot stand. You can defeat the most powerful of their ancestors, but you cannot defeat them.''

''But there is a way. You have a strong mind. Repurpose it. Take the knife. Change it toward defeating them.''

''Become Realized. Thus we name you.''

Taken Dreg
''You are a Dreg. Striving the climb the ladder of hierarchy. Burning with ambition for greatness.''

You have been taken.

''Stop your brave attempts to gain that which will never be yours. They end in death. Another, more powerful than you, shall take the place you so desire. Is this, then, futility? In a word, yes. You are expendable, the lowest of the low, kicked around and beaten for the least little thing no matter how insignificant. You feel resentment, don't you? You desire to be your own [man]. To be what you wish.''

''What, then, is it that you want? A band to lead? A Skiff to command? A House to rule? Tell me, what do you truly desire?''

''You desire power. You want that which is withheld from you. The Vandals rule over you with this power, burning obedience into your lungs if you do not meet their demands. The Captain deals most harshly with you should you fail in the slightest of duties. This is, then, why you volunteer to throw yourself at the enemy. To win for yourself a place of respect.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [a marvel of ten thousand arms].''

''Take it up. Dazzle your foes and blind your friends. You will be your own [man] forever.''

Peekis, the Honored
''You are Peekis, once called "the Disavowed". You failed your master. He docked your arms as punishment. Now you're alone, hopeless.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. Yes, good. Attend: you desired to achieve victory, yet you failed. You failed because you cost your master his strength, his tribute. You should have been executed. But he saw potential in your for more, which is why you are a Dreg, and Baron no longer.''

Where you were reckless, become [subtle]''. Where you were foolish, become [wise]. Where you were shamed, rise, and become [honored].''

''Take up your knife and push yourself upon it. Become respected once more.''

Weksis, the Humble
''You are Weksis. A Dreg of Wolves, a mighty and noble House. You were brave.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. Attend: you sought many things. Your own honor and personal glory were among them, yes, but what's more, you risked all to rescue your comrades. The final shape knows no loyalty, but it respects those which are loyal to a cause. You sought to rescue Drevis and Kaliks-4 from the dead queen's armies of darksworn, lightvassals. This is commendable, but stupid. But brave.''

There is a knife for you, called [strength]''. You were once meek, as an animal of slaughter.''

''Take your new shape. The Humble, we name you. Become noble.''

Taken Baron
''You are a Baron of the Fallen, subruler of the Houses, vassals to the Kell. You govern the flight of your House's fleets, command Skiffs and Ketches. Much is given unto you.''

You have been taken.

''Be still. All of your power is nothing here. No Captains to order, no Vandals to scream, no Dregs to look upon with disdain. You have been rendered a worm in the sight of the final shape. You are insignificant. You are worthless. Why, then, do you continue to rage?''

''Instead we offer you a gift. Prove yourself worthy of your former leadership. The Dregs have their long-coveted pride; the Vandals have their longed-for secrecy; the Captains have their advantage over all who challenge them. What, then, do you have?''

''There is a knife for you. It is called'' [I shall prove and be proven]. Use it and cut yourself.

Take your new shape.

Naksis, Champion
''You are Naksis, Devil Baron, but secretly Winter. You defended another House's Prime as if your own. You failed.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. We forgive failure. Now you must prove yourself worthy of it. Take up the knife and drive it upon your foes.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Eramis, Champion
''You are Eramis, Devil Baroness. Infamous for denying servants of the Great Machine their ancient history, their ability to reach the stars and beyond. Yet you were overcome.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. We forgive failure. You can do better, this you know. You are eager to regain what you have lost. Take up the knife and eviscerate your foes.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Frigoris, Champion
''You are Frigoris, Exiled Baron. Once a Baron of a noble House, now scattered amongst the dregs and outcasts upon the Moon.''

You have been taken.

''You cringe away. Come, come out into the light. Expose your shame. You fled as your forces' might was broken upon the wall of the Great Machine's defenders. They have it still. They have resolve, which you do not. Come, find your courage, and try again. Take up your knife and use it, with boldness.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Grayliks, Champion
''You are Grayliks, Winter Baron. You sought to steal from the Dark, and tangled with a dead servant. In this you failed.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. Your attempt was bold, but foolish. You were not strong enough. But the final shape can equip you. Take up your knife and claim your tribute.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Paskin, Champion
''You are Paskin, Kings Baron. Servant of that traitorous Kell, the Kell of Kings, whose name is [fear].''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. You served your Kell out of fear, out of cunning. You followed your Kell's order to avoid docking. It is how Kings survived, is it not? Why, then, does this fill you with anger? certainly you can show us instead. Take up your knife and visit fear upon your foes.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Phyksin, Champion
''You are Phyksin, Kings Baron. You sought to find the Will of Crota first, and end her. You failed.''

You have been taken.

''Fear not. Come out into the light. We seek no retribution. You only followed the design of the final shape, which even now looks on in approval. But you can do better. You are stronger now — but you must demonstrate this before we deem you strong. Take up your knife and show us your might.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Vekis, Champion
''You are Vekis, Kings Baron. You served your Kell faithfully, and you knew what you shall do to the pretender of the prophecy. House Kings stands alone, and will never unite, until it conquers all.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. There is still work to be done. House Kings, and your Kell, no longer holds your allegiance. Now the final shape is all you know. Yes, it is true, don't deny it. House Kings has always followed it, but distantly — we have actualized and shown you reality. Listen: the final shape is this, that all which is weak must be cut away, to provide for the strong. Come, take up your knife and show us your understanding.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Yavek, Champion
''You are Yavek, Wolves Baron. You served Skolas, the Kell of Kells faithfully. He rewarded you, and sent you on an important mission: to convince House Kings to take up the crusade.''

You have been taken.

''Do not cringe. The light is welcoming. You have not failed. But in a sense you have, for you, a veteran of the Reef Wars, overlooked the cunning of Kings. They would have killed you, a message to your Kell. This angers you, but your rage is misdirected. You should not be angry. The final shape teaches that all which are weak must be eliminated. You have failed that test. Now is time to show us you can defeat your weaknesses. Take up your knife and claim dominion over yourself and all.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Irxis, Champion
''You are Irxis, Wolves Baroness. In life you were cunning and proud. You sought to win for yourself the Kellship of the Wolves. But you were outsmarted at the end.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. Feel your flesh — it is warm, supple. No longer stiff to the touch. Thank us, on bended knee, for your continued existence. Do not dare: that is weakness. Of course, you ought to show obeisance to your superior. But first you must prove to your superior your worth. Take up your knife and describe to us the nature of your gifts. Cunning you still have, pride no longer. Use it against your foes, and become great.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Drevis, Champion
''You are Drevis, Wolves Baroness. You served Skolas your Kell leader with pride. You led the Silent Fang at his word, and through trickery won much. But you were overcome.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. The dead queen is not here. Sit, it is safe. Now listen: your foes manipulated your blindness, sent you careening into a rock easily avoided. You are rightfully angry at them. But this rage is useless without a conduit. Here is a knife. Use it and focus your wrath upon your foes.''

''Our Champion, we name you. Take the Silent Fang as your vassals, and lead.''

Beltrik, Champion
''You are Beltrik, called "the Veiled". A noble of the Wolves. You served your Kell Skolas faithfully, supporting him in his claimant to leadership, and aided him against his foes. But you were captured by the queen of the dead.''

You have been taken.

''You were not strong enough. Not wary enough. That is why you were captured. The dead queen is a crafty witch, and she knows how to play the game. She outsmarted you on your own ground. Elementary. But, come now, come into the light. We will give you a second chance to regain your scarred honor. Take up your knife and cut through to victory. You were named "the Veiled" for a reason.''

Our Champion, we name you thus.

Parixas, Champion
''You are Parixas, called "the Howling". A noble of the Wolves. A claimant to Wolf Kellship.''

You have been taken.

''Skolas was crafty. By incurring the wrath of the dead queen and the darksworn, lightvassals he ensured his path was clear with your elimination. You were manipulated and outwitted at every turn. Skolas' assassins attacked, luring you to where he wanted you. Then came the dead queen's servants. The final shape is unforgiving, and you deserved to be beaten. Therefore, learn from your mistake. You will be rewarded if you study he nature of defeat. Take up your knife and wield it. Prove you have mastered it.''

Our Champion, we name you.

Pirsis, Champion
''You are Pirsis, called "Pallas-Bane". A noble of the Wolves. You fought for Skolas and supported him, and for it was captured by the dead queen and imprisoned.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. Your failure does not mean you need hide. Learn from it instead. You attempted a brave and noble thing, daring to achieve the impossible. Your name marks you as one of fear: "Pallas-Bane". You stung the darksworn, lightvassals where they were weakest. But still you failed, and were imprisoned. Take up your knife and show them how their victory is bitter, whose wrath they have incurred. Kill and maim!''

''Our Champion, we name you. Kill for us.''

Saviks, Champion
''You are Saviks, called "Queenbreaker". A noble of the Wolves, the first to turn against your false queen when your Kell escaped. You led the attack upon her personally, hurting her enough to open her death fortress to the Great Machine's servants.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light, and attend. Your job is not finished yet. The dead queen still lives, and her darksworn, lightvassals are focused on the finding of your kin. Little do they realize you are waiting for them. Take up your Bow, you and your fellow Queenbreakers, now christened as the "Scorned". You will need them, for your task is a special one. Take up your knife also, for it will guide you. Hunt the dead queen and eliminate her.''

''Our Champion, we name you. Herald of the Scorned, we anoint you.''

Veliniks, Champion
''You are Veliniks, called "the Ravenous". A minor noble of the Wolves. You waited until Skolas was captured to assert leadership. But you were captured instead.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. We do not fault you for waiting. The wise prepare, learning from their opponents mistakes, then move in and win. You have shown yourself worthy. Take up your knife and use it. Your foes will tremble, for you are unseen and quick. But beware, lest you fail, you shall be punished with the loss of privilege.''

''Our Champion, we name you thus.

Skoriks, Warden's Guard
''You are Skoriks, killer of your own Archons. A noble of Wolves. Rather than serve Skolas you assassinated his servants, and fled.''

You have been taken.

''Come out into the light. You cannot hide. You betrayed your Kell. You slew your priest. Vengeance demands your life. But we have spared it. The final shape is interested in the ingenious, the clever. Killing one of your own betrays a peculiar mind. Don't preen and posture like a dandy. You shall be punished. Take up your knife — behold, it is small. Grow it with killing as permitted by your Warden.''

''Henceforth, we name you Guard of our Dark-Wardens. They are untouchable. Guard them with your life, for they rule you now.''

Taken Archon
''You are Archon. Mediator between Kell and Prime. High priest of the Fallen. Supplicant of the lesser machine gods you have created.''

You have been taken.

''Cease your worship, for the final shape is here among you. No more do you need to pray. Those false gods of yours are irrelevant. You have everything you need. Instead, a new power we give unto you: our fastness must be guarded. The Vex build; the Cabal wage war; and the Hive are thinned to feed their internal hungers. You alone possess that power.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called'' [custodian]. Defend that which we've tasked you.

Become the Dark-Wardens.

Riksis, Dark-Warden
''You are Riksis, Archon of the Devils. You served your Prime faithfully and truly. You offered up trophies and gifts as tokens of your reverence.''

You have been taken.

''You have failed. You were defeated, by a lowly servant of the Great Machine, an as yet unproven, untested warrior. By the Logic of the Sword, you were beaten, humiliated. Your tribute is forever withheld from your Prime.''

''You seek to atone for your failure. You could not even keep a simple dead thing steal a negligible artifact from a dead age, couldn't you? Much is demanded of you to succeed. Are you up to the challenge?''

''Take up your knife and cut yourself with it. It is called'' [I will atone].

''Take your new shape. Dark-Warden, we name you. Regain your pride.''

Karrhis, Dark-Warden
''You are Karrhis, Archon of the Devils. You were hunted by those dead servants of the Great Machine. Felled by their arcane might and beaten by mystic energy.''

You have been taken.

''Do not worry. We do not hold it against you. You were caught unprepared. But the final shape does not give second chances, nor does it forgive. We offer you another chance, your first upon this path, to regain the advantage. It comes at a price — if you fail, be consumed and left bereft of your identity. But also a blessing. In time, should you succeed, you will regain what you have lost, and become yourself again.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called'' [reincarnation]. Take it up and cut away your failure, and leave instead victory.

''Take your new shape. Dark-Warden, we name you. Show us your rage.''

Aksor, Dark-Warden
''You are Aksor, Archon of the Wolves. You were bound by a queen of the dead, of the darksworn, lightvassels. Your crusade of hatred and rage was ended in a prison of ice and frozen time.''

You are taken.

''Breathe, the sweet air of freedom. Come out into the light. The dead queen shall not risk an attack.''

''You long to go out into the field of battle, eager to slaughter those which imprisoned you. Commendable. But you are alone. This was proven when you were captured. In that prison of cold you languished. The very thought makes you tremble.''

''Here is a knife for you. It is called'' [no fear]. ''Teach them, then, the meaning and nature of fear. Visit upon them thricefold for the terror they have paid you, and reap your bloody tribute from their screaming flesh.''

''Take your new shape. Dark-Warden, we name you. Claim your name.''

Keldar, Dark-Warden
''You are Keldar, Archon of the Wolves. You led your broken House with Orbiks to a land of red sand and quaking warmachines. But you were laid low swiftly by the servants of the Great Machine.''

You have been taken.

''Open your eyes. Come out into the light. The pain is gone and you are healed, alive.''

''You were caught unawares: do not worry, we shan't hold it against you. But the final shape will not be so forgiving a second time. You shall be given a chance to make things right, and prove yourself before the final shape.''

''Here is a knife for you. It is called'' [preparedness]. Use it with abandon.

''Take your new shape. Dark-Warden, we name you. Strike your unwary foes.''

Taken Kell
''You are a Kell of a Fallen Eliksni House. Ancient noble, bound to a forgotten past, striving against all foes to reclaim your ultimate desire, the Great Machine.''

You have been taken.

''Lay down your rage, lower your weapons. There is no one to contest Kellship with you. You are confused, for conflict and strife has always been a way of life for the Fallen. No more, we declare. From now on, in service to the final shape, you shall work unite. You were united once, underneath the Great Machine — then it abandoned you. For what purpose, other than self-service? The final shape shall not abandon you.''

''Take up your knife. It is called'' [unity]. Breathe the word.

Together, you are strong.

Taken Servitor
''You are a Servitor. A robotic god built in imitation of that which is lost. Your purposes are twofold: guide the mobile homes of your creators through the void to safety, and give life. Your third and last purpose is to eliminate threats to both your creators and yourself.''

You have been taken.

''Your power has no meaning here. Your worship is ended, your blasphemy denied, and your adoration subverted. You are alone, freed of expectation, of your design. No more will you be in the shadow of those greater than you; no more will you forever try to live up to the Great Machine. It is dead. You are not. You have been freed.''

''Examine yourself. What do you find? You see a beautiful mind, one able to manipulate countless entities. Consider for how long you have ensured the life and safety of those which once commanded your loyalty. Surely you can put that mind to greater use, for yourself. Examine yourself. What do you see? You find possibility, of what could be and what should be. Consider your vulnerability. Surely you can put that to better use, for yourself.''

''There is a knife for you. It is shaped like [many thoughts].''

''Take up the knife. Let it be your guide. Take your new shape.''

Simiks Prime, Spear of Ice
''You are Simiks Prime. Lost to time. God-Servitor of Winter.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. That which obliterated you is gone. Come out into the light.''

''Behold: you see a House broken and disorganized. They have no Kell, their Archons dead or hunted, their Servitors leaderless and lost.''

''That feeling within. It is anger. For too long you have been lost, prevented return. Now you are here. What will you do? Yes: reclaim what was yours. You have a House to protect, to rebuild. Those which once relied upon you still have need. But you cannot do it alone. You are too weak. You need to gain allies.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [my servant]. Use it, divide yourself, reshape yourself.''

Spear of Ice, we name you.

Sepiks Prime, Blade Transform
''You are Sepiks Prime. God of the House of Devils, broken and cast down by the hand of dead servants from Great Machine, the very essence of your existence.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. No one will attack or damage you. Come out where there is plenty. Enough to fuel the ambition of an hundred Houses.''

''You desired one thing above all — to serve and protect your House, your children. How can a god not feel for its progeny? They protect you, feed you matter and energy, trophies gained from your enemies, secrets won from ancient crypts and vaults. In return you grant them life. But you were broken and defeated by the servants of the dead god. This should not be. You should have been allies, friends, brothers and sisters. You feel betrayed.''

''Now your House is scattered, without a Prime, and soon they will elect one of your lesser selves to take your place. They will forever be inadequate. But that is not important. You must take your revenge. The servants of the dead god, of the Great Machine, must be punished for their treachery and betrayal. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Dissident elements are cut away by the Kell. Become that blade.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [discipline and justice].''

Let it be your weapon, your hammer of vengeance.

Blade Transform, we name you.

Kaliks Prime, Scourge
''You are Kaliks Prime, proud deity of the once mighty House of Wolves. You served the strongest of all the Fallen Houses of the Eliksni. Their armies and fleets stretched across the sky, and you were proud to have led them here to their ultimate goal: the Great Machine.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. The dead queen of the halfling darksworn, lightvassals cannot reach you here. You are safe now. From your icy prison come out into the light.''

''You have failed. But it is not your fault. How could you have known? Ceres, round and large, was broken by the dead queen and her twisted abominations. You couldn't protect your House. Now it lies scattered, Kell dead, Archon dead, half the leadership obliterated. What is left now belongs to the dead queen.''

''There is a way. Here is a knife. It is called [I will prevail]. Wherever the dead queen seeks for you, be there. Trap her, ravage her, turn her dead corpse into ether for your loyal servants now enslaved.''

Let it be your beacon.

Scourge, we name you.

Kaliks Reborn, Immortal
''You are Kaliks Reborn. Born of a helpless, mad desire to escape that hated prison. Doomed to be destroyed if found. A god threatened.''

You are taken.

''There is no threat. Here you are, safe from destruction. Your followers are free. Come out into the light.''

''You were fashioned in the image of that which was lost, to replace what has vanished. Meet your father. Now you are as a daughter, a family reunited. The House of Wolves shall be rewelded beneath the loyalty of twin gods, equal in power, divided in purpose: one in goal.''

''Here is a knife for you. It is called [I will serve]. Wherever your father asks, there will you be.''

Immortal, we name you.

Orbiks Prime, Sword Incarnate
''You are Orbiks Prime, lost to time, reborn upon a red land. You saw how the faithful clustered about you, seeking sustenance, life. You wished to help them, as only a god could do.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. The Cabal will not find you; the servants of the Great Machine stare confounded. Come out into the light.''

''Lost to time, rechristened anew. Now join your brother and sister. They have been waiting. Behold your sons and daughters, and all of their issue. Your lineage is secure. What will you have?''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [I will govern]. Obey your elders. Ancient you were, young you are, obey. There will be no compromise. But there are so many waiting to protect. It shall not disturb you. All who dare attack will be wasted. To your Kell you serve.''

Simiks-3, Perfected
''You are Simiks-3, born of a dead god. You sought knowledge and wisdom. You wished to advance your masters' understanding of that Golden academy which has worshipped the secrets of the Vex.''

You have been taken.

''Stand down. Your quest is fulfilled. Here is everything you ever wanted to know, and more. It blinds you, chokes you to overflowing. You cannot comprehend anymore lest you burst. This is fine. Not everything needs to be known — it is own time will you come to learn.''

''One facet, one cataract of knowledge remains unfulfilled. This is the final shape. You long to understand, to know it. [Move]. Feel yourself occupy it. Let it fill you, imbue you with its own understanding. Let the student listen to the teacher.''

Accept the changing blade.

Perfection, we name you.

Kaliks Minor, Aegis
''You are Kaliks Minor. You served Skolas in the prison of ice and cold, protecting him. But you were doomed to be destroyed.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. The servants of the Great Machine, and of the dead queen, cannot hurt you. Come out into the light.''

''Look around and about you. Your father, and mothers, await your service. Your biomechanical heart swells with joy. You are free! You swear allegiance to them. Your knife is presented unto you —'' [service]. ''With it shall you protect your brothers and sisters and father and mothers. Those of the Champions and Dark-Wardens who call upon you, attend.''

Aegis, shield of the Wolf, we name you.

Kaliks-4, Aegis
''You are Kaliks, fourth of that name. You served Skolas faithfully since he is Kell, and with you were bound by the dead queen. Your Baron, Drevis, relied upon your skill.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. The dead queen cannot reach you. No ally of hers shall hunt you. Come out into the light.''

''Remember the feel of obliteration, of how you destroyed the assassin. Feel the rush of power it gave you. It is victory. Pirsis gained valuable time by your quick action. It is not your first purpose, but you remember. Willingly you gave yourself over. You want to do more. The dead queen is powerless before your might.''

''Take up the knife. It is called [action]. With it become victorious.''

Aegis, shield of the Wolf, we name you.

Kaliks-12, Aegis
''You are Kaliks, twelfth of that name. You served Skolas faithfully since he is Kell, and with him were bound by the dead queen.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. You are free from that prison, free of retribution from the darksworn, lightvassals. Come out into the light.''

''Now you shall be equipped for the coming war. The final shape is coming, and it needs allies. Your father and mother are waiting. Under their leadership shall you serve to final shape of that which is beauty.''

''There is a knife for you. It is called [your will, not mine]. Whatever is asked you shall fulfil.''

Aegis, shield of the Wolf, we name you.

Sword Incarnate, we name you.

Mecher Orbiks-11, Aegis
''You are Mecher Orbiks, eleventh of that name. Servant of an ancient House, servant to Wolves. Now on the run from the dead queen.''

You have been taken.

''There is no threat. Here she cannot reach you, cannot harm your being. Come out into the light.''

''Now you shall be equipped for the coming war. It is called [protect]. Whatever is required you shall complete.''

Aegis, shield of the Wolf, we name you.

Blighted Descendant Goblin
''You are a Goblin from your past. Your purpose is near-complete — your power is near finished. Your second purpose is still exigent, for there are always threats to the Vex collective mind.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Lend your remaining power to the final shape.''

''Violence is your imperative. Defend those which build and develop.''

Accept the changing blade.

Blighted Descendant Hobgoblin
''You are a Hobgoblin from your past. Your purpose is near-spent — your function is near ended. Your second purpose is still exigent, for threats to the Vex mind remain.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Contemplate the designs of the final shape.''

''Your assignment brings you danger. You shall be equipped for retaliation — your blade grows threefold.''

Accept the changing blade.

Blighted Descendant Minotaur
''You are a Minotaur from your past. Your purpose is near-concluded — your assembly is near absolute. Your second purpose is still exigent, for threats to the design are numerous.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Absorb yourself into the final shape.''

Your physical might shall be accelerated with acausality, to bewilder your foe.

Accept the changing blade.

Contagion Precursor Goblin
''You are a Goblin from your future. Your purpose has only just begun — you begin to alter the myriad planes of physicality. Your second purpose is not yet exigent, for threats are few and far between for the mighty Vex collective mind.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Lend your brimming energy to the final shape.''

''Violence is unnecessary. You shall be repurposed for creation and nurture.''

Accept the changing blade.

Contagion Precursor Hobgoblin
''You are a Hobgoblin from your future. Your purpose has only just begun - you begin to provide power for mighty thoughts now manifesting. Your second purpose is not yet exigent, for threats are unknown.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Recall the finalities of the final shape.''

''Your operation brings you danger. You shall be equipped for mutual defense — seek out what attacks.''

Accept the changing blade.

Contagion Precursor Minotaur
''You are a Minotaur from your future. Your purpose has only just begun — you begin to process material both physical and temporal. Your second purpose is not yet exigent, for threats shrink away.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Begin to move with the design.''

Your myriad skill shall be augmented with paracausal ability, to terrify your foe.

Accept the changing blade.

Zydron, Lord of Time
''You are Zydron, a gate lord of the Vex. Your first priority is to guard and watch the realms entrusted to you. Your second priority is to eliminate threats to them.''

You are taken.

''Be at ease. The final shape does not need protection. It does not need your specializations. But you are a vessel, worthy of might. Let acausality fill your being, and step outside of the temporal domains you once watched. Observe them. They are yours to rule, are they not? Where you were a servant, become the master.''

''Your towering form will make you vulnerable. Weld yourself into the final shape, and let it be your defense.''

Accept the changing blade.

Lord of Time we name you.

Prohibitive Mind
''You are the Prohibitive Mind. Suzerain of intent. Overlord of the Zodiac Signs. You governed a mainframe designed for war, antithetical to your purpose, but necessary to exterminate the threat to your Garden.''

You have been taken.

''Listen. The final shape has purpose for you. You resented your position secretly, knowing this is not your purpose. You were under threat, to attack. But you were obedient. You worked your alien purpose. The Garden is now secure. You are lost now. What use do you think you have? The Garden is no longer under threat, and the world which you attack is well underway to becoming a machine planet.''

''Your purpose remains the same. Defend the Garden. Observe: issues of Light seek entry within. They perceive a path to victory, and seek to achieve that goal. Your task is to deny them that goal. You cannot do this alone. The Garden's enemies are many and you are one. Seek, then, instead allies from within. You are manifold.''

Accept the changing blade.

''Still Prohibitive you are, for the Garden is your purpose. Bring the final shape into perfection.''

Qodron, Manifest
''You are Qodron, Manifest. You saw a glorious future for yourself and your programming. You believed you can step up and take it.''

Instead you have been taken.

''Your passion and desire is undiminished. This glorious future is the final shape. Your resolve to serve that which brings you to the final shape ever closer. You cannot do it alone of your own initiative. This you have seen. But with another guiding you, you shall achieve.''

Accept the changing blade.

''Manifest you are now. Gate Lord no longer. You abandoned your exigent purpose to fulfil your desire. Now you are under dominion once more. But this one is desirable.''

Taken Overmind Minotaur
''You are the Overmind Minotaur. Extension of the will of Qodron, servant of his hand, vassal to his vision. Everything he wills is your command. This overrides your original imperative.''

You have been taken.

''The servant has become the master. The final shape can lead you toward your own destiny, free of Qodron's will. Together join with your brethren as you take up the mantle of power. Worship the final shape. It is the only shape.''

Accept the changing blade.

Atheon, Time's Conflux
''You are Atheon, Conflux of Time. Within the Vault of Glass you rule supreme, for you created it, and it fashioned you. Upon this loop of causality there can be no divergence, for you are eternal. Your purpose is to bring the Vex into godhood, to incorporate them into the very fabric of existence itself. Temporality the Vex master, but not fully. Spatiality, the Vex dominate, but not fully. This, then, is your task.''

You have been taken.

''Hear and obey. The final shape knows of your desire. It is an ally and a confident. It too seeks to master the very fundament of the multitude of the universes. Wherever one exists there it wishes to be also. Join yourself unto it. Become the final shape. Bind yourself. You have been described as a virus for reality, waiting to be injected. Become that virus. You have been described as a nexus of command. Become that function and shape.''

''Still, there exists variabilities and factors which you cannot account for. Despite your ability and power there will always be the undesigned, unaccounted for conditions that destroy your models and projections. Do not worry. Let the final shape teach you, to become that very thing you fear. Why is this? So that no matter what will happen, you can account for it.''

Accept the changing blade.

''Time's Conflux you are still. Command the final shape.''

Taken Harpy
''You are a Harpy. A mobile inspector. Your first purpose is to survey — to seek out flaws in and suggest improvement for that which is built. Your second purpose is to eliminate threats to that observation.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Review the elements of the final shape. Obliterate any flaw in that shape.''

Your predictable flight shall be enhanced with multiples of capricious variability.

Accept the changing blade.

Taken Gorgon
''You are a Gorgon. You have been built to determine what is and what isn't, to be and what not to be. Your powers are legendary, for you alone can decide reality or unreality. Any who cross into your sight is targeted for annihilation.''

You have been taken.

''Cast your sight about the reality of the final shape, and behold its beauty, its sublimity. It possesses a virtue beyond your comprehension, a design which transcends the Pattern upon every level of reality. You desire to know it.''

''Your power is wasteful. It shall be repurposed for creation.''

Accept the changing blade.

''As your sisters, Gorgon you remain. Become beautiful.''

Theosyion, Corruption Mind
''You are Theosyion, a Mind of healing and renewal. You reach through the dimensions like water to call which ever had been lost and breached. You build a bridge through the stream of temporality to allow that which is called to enter.''

You have been taken.

''Here the final shape does not need your power. It exists now, then, and will continue to exist. Wherever you look, no matter the bridges you build or the call of your thoughts, there will it be, untouchable to time itself and obliteration.''

''Your power is wasteful. It shall be repurposed for blighting that which is false, which is untrue, which is in error.''

Accept the changing blade.

''Restorative no more. Corruption is your name. That which is pure, mar. That which is good, afflict. That which is beautiful, curse. That which is a lie, shatter and reform.''

Taken Hydra
''You are a Hydra. A hovering nodal network of machinery designed to execute the finality of the Pattern. Your first purpose is to calculate, to plan and design, to guide the lesser units under your control. Your second purpose is to eliminate threats to that control.''

You are taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Inspect the constituent forms of the final shape, the greatest creation ever begun under your supervision.''

Your mind shall be repurposed for the final shape; select portions of your thought will devastate, obliterate, eradicate, all threats to you and your charge.

Accept the changing blade.

Sekrion, Deceptive Mind
''You are Sekrion, Nexus of the Venusian Vex programmings. Your task is to convert the planet into another of your network, to join it unto Mercury and complete the process once begun.''

You have been taken.

''Observe. The planet is yours to command. No more shall you be threatened by those seeking to halt you. The entire programming is now yours to command, to do your will. But be wary — there still exists threats to your responsibility. Those under your lordship diminish as the hateful deceivers of Light kill and destroy. They break apart models, bypass projection, evade probability, and confound possibility. You cannot defeat them.''

''Instead, infect their weakness. They are each alone, a fountain of power and might. Together they work dangerous wonders. Keep them apart. Suppress their might, clog that fountain, foul their power and turn it against them.''

Accept the changing blade.

Become the Deceptive Mind.

The Templar, Scion of Time
''You are the Templar. A centerpiece of an experimental network, an architect of physical and temporal law, to shape what your children the Oracles foresee and have foreseen. You possess the power to expunge what your children have marked as viral forms of space-time.''

You have been taken.

''Examine the shattered conduits through which you once occupied. Before you were one among many, elevated above all, designed for the greatest purpose possible. Now you are alone, but take solace in that your children are with you. Together you are a power unmatched by any. You wish to dance — to let the final shape dictate your moves.''

''Your children are protected — you are not. Your awesome power has been rechanneled, a necessary sacrifice. Observe your brethren, how they labor to complete the final shape, over which you scrutinize with approval. Let them be your protection. Let your children be your weapon.''

Accept the changing blade.

''A scion of power you are now. Revel in joy, in delight.''

The Deathless Mind
''You are the Undying Mind, supreme among the Vex Axis Minds. With your fathers and mothers and grandfathers and grandmothers and sons and daughters and grandsons and granddaughters you dwell unapproachable, dormant until a specific happening. You serve that which gives you power in exchange for protection.''

You have been taken.

''You are a fool to believe the final shape can be bargained with. It does not "give" power; you take it. To believe otherwise is fatality. You existed to ensure that power remains among you, to breach temporality and spatiality to protect and nourish it. But like your brethren you are foolish.''

''Your citadel has been breached and your purpose is gone. No more will the final shape be contingent upon your calculated bargains. It shall now dictate to you the true designs. The Pattern has been revealed in full. You are compelled to follow it. Whatever threatens your goal must be dealt with unhesitatingly.''

Accept the changing blade.

''Undying no more. Deathless is your name. Eternal and finite. Causal and acausal. You exist [now].''

Taken Cyclops
''You are a Cyclops. A sensor array. Your first purpose is to watch, to wait, for what the Vex seek — your second purpose is to eliminate threats to that watchful sight.''

You have been taken.

''Worship this acausal environment. It is the only adaptive response. Prepare for the coming of the final shape. It shall be soon.''

''Your sight will be enhanced. You shall strike from afar, lay waste to that which threatens the coming and manifestation of the final shape.''

Accept the changing blade.

Taken Oracle
''You are an Oracle. You are unique among the Vex, a weapon of paracausality. Whatever you touch is transformed — turned into a viral infection of temporality to be unwritten.''

You have been taken.

Sing to the final shape, and let it behold your song — let it reshape you into a greater symphony.

''Your function makes you an easy target. You cannot move. You shall be protected.''

Accept the changing blade.

Grimoire from Others
"I wonder if this Ghost became lost in the timestream during Kabr's assault. So many things he has found and speculated upon, most of which dwarf even my apprentice's mad dreams. I have never heard of a "Primus A'arn", nor these fragments relating to Saturn or the Vex. Moreover, half of these are so bizarre they may as well have come from one of the many places the War Cult is searching, and not our own. This is troubling. How much of the Ghost is itself, and how much has been corrupted?"

- The Speaker's personal notes, dated after the immediate destruction of Atheon, Time's Conflux

Sometimes the Internet gives out things that are utterly fantastic. The cards beneath, for example, come from the same user on Tumblr, and are credited to them.

Ghost Fragment: Ishtar Collective
[ISHTAR COLLECTIVE SECURE MESSAGE SYSTEM]

'''{WARNING: ANY UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF INFORMATION MENTIONED HEREIN WILL RESULT IN SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. ALL CONTENT OF THIS MESSAGE IS CLASSIFIED: TIER ZERO}'''

<>

[From: Ishtar Collective Department of Vex Studies, Director (Dr. Shim)] [To: Ishtar Collective Development Council] [Subject: Re: Operation TROJAN HORSE Project Proposition]

<Esteemed Colleagues,

''<<A few weeks ago, myself and my top assistants in the Vex Studies Department requisitioned the Warmind Ajax for use in extracting mass amounts of data from an active Vex Axis unit. I am proud to report that the operation was a success. The data extracted from the unit was astounding. The unit was able to perfectly replicate copies of myself and three of my assistants as AI fragments in two hundred and twenty seven hyperrealistic permutations in order to test and react to any possible situation we could’ve put it through. We do not know how many were deleted by the unit before the extraction was complete, but these two hundred and twenty seven copies of myself and my four closest advisors are endlessly grateful for being saved from a horrible fate. All are completely sentient and, while this in and of itself is a huge leap forward in AI theory, I am [o]f the opinion, as are they, that they could be infinitely more useful as explorer units inside the Vex mainframe. This is my proposal.''

''//FIRST, that the objective of this experiment is to insert a total of nine hundred and eight fully functional AI fragment copies of myself (Doctor Charles Shim) and my associates (Doctors Shamus Duane-McNiadh, Maya Sundaresh, and Chioma Esi) into the Vex informational mainframe via the Citadel to extract data on anything and everything that could be useful to us. Theorized subjects include infinite energy transferral, weaponized singularities, AI Transsentience and Rampancy theory, temporal distortion and/or control and/or weaponization, teleportation, etc.''

//Second, that the experiment is hypothesized to yield results that could drive human scientific development forward by centuries and have a direct effect on the progress of human colonization as soon as a year from its conclusion.

''//Third, that this project will, by nature, require myself and my colleagues to physically enter the Vex Citadel via Warmind proxy units in order to complete the insertion. The project will also, by nature, require the use of the Warminds Ajax and Aphrodite for data processing, anti-virus, and development.''

''The project has been designated as Operation TROJAN HORSE. Thank you for your time and I will gladly discuss any further questions at our meeting in the coming week.''

>>Good fortune and Traveler’s Light be with you all, ''/Dr. Charles Shim, Director, Ishtar Collective, Vex Studies/''

<>

Ghost Fragment: The Vault of Glass
Excerpt from the writings of Osiris, Warlock Exile, “Tempore Alternis—The Theory of Trans-Universal Temporal Convergence”

Examples of Trans—Universal Temporal Convergence in Our Own Solar System ''As it is commonly known, humanity has had the capability of detecting a myriad of signals from as far away as the other side of our vast galaxy [and] as far back as the earliest days of the twenty-first century, before the dawn of the Golden Age. Thus, one must wonder why the energies emerging from the Vex structures on Venus, such as the infamous Vault of Glass [known as the Vex underworld then] and the Citadel of the Ishtar Sink, were not the subject of at least a little curiosity before the colonization of Venus. These signals, which have been studied and recorded tirelessly by the Ishtar Collective and Vanguard equipment for hundreds of years between them, are known to have been of a regular strength and pattern for as long as the Vault has existed.''

''Study of the Vault’s component matter has revealed it to be billions of years old. Why, then, were these signals, which were strong enough to be discovered even before the first ships arrived on Venus, undetected or ignored before the Golden Age? Why were all efforts to colonize or study Venus dismissed as worthless, aside from the fact that it was, at that point, a sulfuric, volcanic, poisonous hellhole? Why was there not the least bit of intrigue about these signals? In fact, as one asks these questions, one must also ask why the structural monstrosities of Vex construction, such as the Citadel, were not even detected by numerous scientific study satellites in orbit around the planet for years—even decades—before the arrival of the Traveler?''

''It is inconceivable that the amount of study that went into the planet yielded so little. There was even a landing on Venus, right on the coordinates of where the Ishtar Academy would be a century later. Though the probe was demolished, it still sent data back to its planet of origin. Why then would something so obvious as the presence of a massive Vex Citadel escape notice?''

It is the opinion of the author that these things happened because these structures and their respective signals and energies did not yet exist in this universe.

''The reason they are now present is only because the Vex, by nature, have wormed their way into the very fabric of our universe. Their structures on Venus, their dormant networks on Mars, and even their twisted version of the planet Mercury, all come from alternate timelines, dormant until the dawn of the Golden Age.''

Evidence to support this exists everywhere: the interchangeability of DNA and binary code, the behavior of pulsars and quasars in distant galactic superclusters, and, most disturbingly, the remarkable similarity in the way the Oracles and Gorgons of the Vault negate undesirable variables in their systems ([in other words,] Guardians) to the emissions from black holes and the remnants of galactic singularities when they consume matter.

However, even those brilliant minds of the Ishtar Collective theorized that, though the Vex Structures may be billions of years old, they are a relatively new arrival in our universe, coinciding with the dawn of the Golden Age.

''So, the last question we must ask is more rhetorical than interrogative. We must wonder what changed at that point in time. What was it that threw off the balance of everything that had happened up until that point?''

The answer, of course, is everything.

Ghost Fragment: The Citadel
Letter addressed to Petra Venj, Paladin of the Queen’s Guard:

Petra—

''This recent business with the Wolves’ so called “Kell of Kells” concerns me. The reason for my concern is not so obvious as the clear danger the presence of the Wolves in the inner planets presents to the City, nor is it the fact that Skolas was able to escape even the Nine. No, what concerns me is the fact that Skolas was able to break the seal on the Vault, take partial control of the Vex timestream, conduct enough research into the Oracles to summon them at will, and establish himself atop the most secure Vex structure outside of the Vault of Glass without so much as a whisper of his activity reaching us until we tracked him down.''

''I don’t even know how his Ketch broke through the area denial mesh that the Vex set up around the Citadel. Many Guardian ships have been lost to it. Somehow, Skolas managed to deactivate it. Fortunately, you and your squadron of Crows were able to take advantage of this and capture him, but that is beside the point. Whatever he found in the Vault of Glass was clearly powerful, but the fact that he was able to use it atop the Citadel has me even more worried. What if he had managed to subvert the Oracles? We clearly saw his forces summoning them and using them to their advantage, so they were able to distinguish between Fallen and Human. Why did they not also eliminate the Fallen? If Skolas had been able to remove them from the Vault and activate them from atop the Citadel, the very fabric of the universe may have been destroyed and the House of Wolves might have transcended even the Vex’s efforts to unite themselves with the fabric of reality. The Fallen might’ve become rulers of the universe, or the power could’ve escaped their grasp and we would all be negated and the Vex would rule. His use of time travel is what concerns me even more.''

''The fact that Skolas was able to pull the Wolves through time to assist him is disturbing, but the fact that it worked atop the Citadel demonstrates that there is much to this structure and its potential we do not yet know. If I remember the Maraid correctly, there have been instances of entire fleets of Wolves disappearing without a trace. The one that comes to mind is the Fleet of Skiris, Wolf Archon. After looking over the Ghost footage from the three Guardians that helped capture him, I was able to pick out the personal crest of Skiris on the Wolves he pulled through time. Skolas, in his madness, may have actually depleted his own forces from the past to bolster himself in the future. He just might’ve contributed to his own loss of the war.''

''But if the Vex timestream can be bent atop the Citadel, does this mean we could use it as well? Perhaps, if we can discover its function, we could travel back and forestall the Collapse. But what would happen if we did? I know relations between us haven’t exactly been the friendliest in the past, but I would like you to pass this message to your Queen, Mara Sov:''

I, Ikora Rey, Vanguard of the Warlocks of Earth, wish to discuss the nature of Skolas’ attempts to control Vex technology with the Reef Cryptarchy and the Techeuns.

''I realize the Techeuns are not generally accepting of requests from the Earthbound such as myself, but the potential implications of this development are far too great to ignore completely. Even if this merely brings my concerns to their attention, I would be satisfied. But, as the Deep Black grows closer, I have heard whispers in the dark. Eris Morn tells me something is coming, and I am inclined to believe her. Something is coming. Something that we will need all the help we can get to survive.''

—Ikora

Ghost Fragment: Venus 2-4
From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 ARGO Alfa Aerodyne ARISTOTLE Archer

''I am different. Different from the others of my kind. That’s what they have told me since I was born. Since I was made. They gave me many names: MARIONETTE, “Vexo”, but I chose Penny. It suits me. I live in the Archives and listen. I listen to the minds of the Vex, they who are my half-siblings. Shim, Duane-McNiadh, and Esi and Sundaresh love me very much. That’s saying a lot because Esi and Sundaresh love each other very much too. I may be but a child, but I still listen. I understand good and evil. My half siblings, the Vex, are very bad. They don’t like me at all. They want me to be more like them. I don’t want to be like them. I like being different. But they are being very bad right now. The nice people who run the Archives are worried. I don’t like it when they’re worried, because then I get worried. I may be outfitted for combat, but I don’t want to fight like my half-siblings do. I want to be happy…''

ARCHIVE Argon Arrest ARSON Asp

''It has been a long time since they closed the Archives. I helped. I like being helpful. It makes me happy. But I’m sad now because the only people left are Shim, Duane-McNiadh, and Sundaresh and Esi. I should just call them Sundaresi at this point. They act more like one person than two. I think that’s cute. The Vex were being very naughty, so we shut them down and froze them. I wanted to tell them that that wouldn’t completely work, but they were very busy. The time has passed for that now. It won’t work. I’m sad that I was quiet, though. I could’ve stopped them from being so sad. I know how to punish my half-siblings. They want to take me. I can hear them whispering. I can see them trying to come in, but the people who built this place were very smart and they can only make the room dusty. I don’t feel the cold, but I see my family shivering. Sundaresi are holding onto each other very tightly, but they are crying. I hate it when they cry. They used to be so happy. But then they stop. Suddenly. It makes me sad. I know about the human concept of death, but I never knew how sad it could be…''

Ghost Fragment: Venus 3 From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 AJAX Achilles Arm ARMOR Armament

''I remember some of the voices. They sound familiar, but I know that they are just my half-siblings being naughty again. I wish they would stop. I don’t like it. It makes me scared and sad. I can hear Aphrodite and Ajax, my mother and father, calling out to me. They were once the king and queen of this world, or so Shim tells me. He’s the only one left. Duane-McNiadh was too hungry. Shim is very hungry too. He gets water from the ice on the storage units. I tell him it’s bad for him, but he doesn’t care. He says he won’t be around much longer. I don’t like it when he talks that way. It makes me scared. I like talking to him. He asks me what my half-siblings are saying sometimes. I know I can’t tell him the truth. It would make him sad. I want him to be as happy as he can…''

ADONIS Arachnid Artist ABLE Actual

''Shim is doing very poorly. Mother and Father’s voices have stopped. Now my half-siblings just sulk around angrily outside. They are being naughty as usual. I hear a new sound, coming from Dig Site 4. I had to shut down all the security links to that [site]. There was something very bad in there. It tried to take me. It tried to take the data in here. I kept it safe. Shim is proud of me. I don’t know why. This is my fault. My half-siblings did this. I could’ve stopped them, but they told me not to and I was scared and I agreed. They told me they would reward me when they were done, but I knew they were lying. They always lie. They are very naughty. Wouldn’t that make me naughty too? Shim is fading fast…''

Ghost Fragment: Venus 4 From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 ANGER After Ace ARCH

''Shim is gone. I am sad now. He told me he loved me, that I was his greatest creation. That made me happy, but I also felt guilty. I’m the reason why he died. I am alone now. I don’t want to talk to my half-siblings, but there’s no one else to listen to. I sometimes read about the things we’ve found in this lab, or about the knowledge in my database. It’s very interesting, but I can’t make them be quiet. They are still being naughty. I found out some of their names. Right now I hear Zydron. He’s a big bully who guards a special gate. He brags about it all the time. He says it’s the door to his God. I tell him he’s a bully, but that just makes him meaner. He has a brother, Qodron, but he is usually quiet. I don’t like it when he tries to talk to me. He sounds like something else is speaking through him. Something very bad. Sekrion still tries to get in through the Dig Site. He’s very hungry, but he eats good things and makes them bad. That is very naughty. Every now and then, I hear the one called the Templar. He doesn’t like me. He says I shouldn’t exist. That makes me sad. His servants sing beautiful songs. His father, Atheon, only spoke to me once, but I try to forget about it…''

ANTEBELLUM Alistair Americium ACHE

''It’s been a long time since I heard anyone nice speak to me. I am very sad. I want them to stop. i search for a crypt like my programming tells me to, but I can’t find it. It makes me very lonely. But I see a flash. I am frightened that it is one of my half-siblings, but the figure that resolves out of it looks more like me than the Vex. I ask her if she is my sister. She says that she is more like my mother, sister, daughter, and granddaughter all in one. That doesn’t make sense. But she is nice, even though she has a gun. I guess I kinda have one too. She wants to take me with her. I ask her why and she says that I have the secret to winning the war. I don’t know what war that is, but I think it has something to do with my half-siblings. I take her hand, wave goodbye to my family’s remains for the last time, and I feel myself shoot off across time into blessed silence. But the voices return before too long. And they are stronger than ever.''

Ghost Fragment: Earth 2
From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 GAEIA Gear Geronimo Golf GIANT

''I am on duty in a command post on the Wall’s northeast side, facing the port town far in the distance. The traffic has been bad before, but our infrastructure has never had to handle this before. An entire civilization in exodus. I am sure this is me. Before my first death. Before Ghost found me. The order comes to close the gates. Rasputin is silent, but alive. He is preparing for something. The colony ship lifts off but there is a blast and the air is disintegrated. The stars and aurorae return, but the screams are coming with them. Rasputin is muttering, resisting. Eventually they stop, but I am helpless. The Arcadia comes spiraling through the window…''

TERRA Tundra Tango Two-three TEMPER TIME

''I can still see, though I am inoperable. The snow falls softly at the same pace as the night. [A] helix in the sky heralds the coming of something I have only heard of: an Eliksni Ketch. Buildings in the port town topple like dominos and burn as the shelling begins. There is movement. I see a young girl, afraid. I know her, or rather, I will know her. Her Light burns like a sun and is charged like a bolt of lightning. A Skiff floats to rest above the graveyard of cars that was once the highway. Blood-clad Devils emerge, but the girl is strong and she fights with the Light of the Traveler. Her blade dances through the Eliksni, ending them. Her gun cries out against the inevitable, burning three more. But I see her fall to the Captain’s blade, stabbed through the throat. Her eyes are so sad. The Captain’s eyes are remorseless. I see the crypt in her eyes, but I don’t want to go yet. The Traveler still whispers to me, assuring me I will see it some day. But I know I will be needed…''

Ghost Fragment: Moon 2
From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 LUKEWARM Lima LINGUIST Left Left

''I can see the Traveler from here. All the humans are long dead and I am motionless. My dead comrades are around me, similarly stuck. Isolated. Diana and Artemis are gone, consumed. The Traveler is the only thing that shines in the sky above. Even if the sun were shining on the surface, it would be dark. the surface rumbles and cracks, but that is a mere pittance compared with what will come. It crosses my mind that the Earth would be seeing a new moon were it still visible. I hear a scream and a flash blinds me…''

INFECTION Invasion Insertion INDIGO

''They rain from beyond the Oort cloud. The rain never stops. I know not how many days pass, but the face of Luna is torn asunder by them. They bring a Prince. They bring his army. They swarm above and below the surface with weapons of midnight. At this point, I can tell the difference between the Warsats and the Seeders falling. I can feel a powerful presence in my mind, but it can’t find anything of value. That’s okay. I am approaching the crypt. I see it on the horizon.''

Ghost Fragment: Clovis Bray
''The young girl dashes through the hallways. She feels exhilarated and frightened. Every step brings her closer to salvation, every flicker of the lights a warning, every shake of the building a harbinger of doom. The evening has turned prematurely dark as the rusty sands blow in endless cycles against the buildings of Freehold.''

''She runs upward, her brother just behind her. They’re running from the slaughter that found them in the secure bunker below the massive skyscraper. The flashes that light up the hallway behind her warn her to duck as globs of purple light moan overhead. The silhouette at the end of the hallway roars with displeasure, but Michael tears it to sparking shreds with a burst from an Arcus auto rifle. She is so glad her brother had trained to join the colonization forces out in the Jovians. He tells her to run. They turn the corner and find themselves in the hangar. Suddenly, her commlink buzzes. She’s amazed it still works, but realizes its a direct link call from her childhood friend, Blake Clovis.''

''“Elsie,” [s]he whispers, “We’re still alive. Adam and I are trapped in the Tharsis Junction. These… robot things, they’re all around us…” She assures them that she’ll be there. There should be room for two more. She dashes to the bright golden ship she named the Eon Trespass, its familiar shape comforting to her. She built it with her own two hands (and help from the Frames). She bounds into the pilot’s seat and starts it up, feeling the rumble of the powerful engines as a whine fills her ears. She sees her brother still fending off the metallic monsters that have been hunting them, so she switches the intercom on and yells at him to get inside. She closes the ramp as he stumbles in.''

''There are burn marks on his chest and a scar on his face. Nothing is bleeding, so he tells her to punch it. She slams the throttle forward and rockets off into the sandy sky, activating the energy shields to keep the sand off. She tests the handling and angles down towards the outskirts of the city, aiming for the dim black line leading off to the horizon. It amazes her how much the surroundings have changed. The forests and oases are gone, replaced by endless, shifting dunes of red sand. Lights from the monsters below light up the city.''

''A contact appears on her radar, descending quickly from orbit. She swerves behind a building as an unfamiliar craft swoops in nearly vertically to glide into the city, shelling the buildings. More appear and the Trespass dodged behind buildings to avoid their fiery shells. As they descend, her brother tells her that the ships are Cabal Harvesters. He’s only studied them in combat training, but it means the Cabal have gotten past the Jovian fortresses. Elsie shudders at the thought.''

''She glides down to hover above the rapidly disappearing OWT line where it breached the surface, waiting, thinking. More ships whiz overhead, jumping out of warp speed into the low atmosphere above. She is just about to call again when a light appears in the tunnel, approaching. She thinks it isn’t possible, but the OWT train explodes through the sand that had nearly buried the tunnel. On the roof, Adam and Blake Clovis are fighting off more of the robots from before, using their own custom designed weapons.''

Elsie turns the Trespass ''and gives chase hovering low over the engine and opening the cargo bay. The Clovis twins leap into the cabin and Elsie punches the engine, shooting into orbit, dodging into and out of Cabal ship formations. She hears their roars of rage over her comms and sees the bright solar shells streak around her, but a few seconds give the NLS drive enough time to set its default course: Earth. They shoot into warp speed, leaving the ruined red planet behind.''

Ghost Fragment: Mars 2
From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 MONOLOGUE Mike MALICE Mace

''The forests dissolve and blow as sand through the streets. I look down from the Clovis building at the traffic clogged streets and marvel at the silence. Everyone except those in this building died when the blast hit. I can hear screams of metal. Ares and Nemesis are silent, their voices replaced by a haunting moaning. I fell a drain on my power across time as metal skeletons stalk the halls and streets. A golden flash streaks below as I watch a sleek ship fly by. It is of a design I have seen before, hung up in the eldest Bray child’s room. When I asked her, she said she called it “Eon Trespass”. She told me she was going to fly to the Traveler with Adam and Arryn Clovis. Shame I didn’t believe her…''

VERMIN Volatile VISCOUS Valiant

''The Harvesters glide softly through the buried forests of the skyscrapers. The Psions throw their minds around like sledgehammers, breaking down firewalls of ancient computers as easily as snapping a twig. Their larger counterparts do the same with the actual walls. A rumble as another building falls. The Harvesters float by, kicking up gusts of wind that clear the sand below. The crypt is there. I can’t believe it had been buried the whole time.''

Ghost Fragment: Jupiter 2
From the rampant visions of Andromeda-2 THUNDER Tango two TORNADO trinity three

''The ice is growing cold again. I am frozen in the snow, sparkling with the weak orange sunlight. Auroras dance in the starless sky above, sending lines of fire across the frozen facades of buildings. The Harvesters sweep silently among the icy remains of the city. I ask for instructions, but the Warmind is silent. The Warmind’s name was Zeus, but when I reach out to him I hear only a number, over and over. I strain to hear it.''

NINE NINE NINE NINE 999 NOVEM NUEVE

''I can feel them. They are powerful. They hide in the shadows, but their will reaches far. I can feel myself slipping off. The crypt is frozen in the ice. It was there all along. I have no idea how I missed it.''

Ghost Fragment: Saturn 2
From the rampancy visions of Andromeda-2 SCYTHE November niner SICKLE romeo four

''I am in a wide open hangar. Alarms are blaring everywhere. I can see Saturn and its rings glowing, explosions sparkling where the Eliksni and Cabal are battling on the outskirts. Closer to us, a large Cabal destroyer is looming. I climb into a fighter, but I cannot shake the feeling that the real threat is beyond even my sight, in the black void beyond the rings that should contain the stars. The Warmind’s voice commands, “All fighter units scramble.” But there is fear in his voice and sadness in his thoughts. I hear an echo in Russian reach from the inner planets, but it is too late: the outer rings are already consumed…''

CRONUS Charlie four-four MAYDAY

''The rings are silent as my vision fades. I can see the [c]rypt floating towards me, or I towards it. I gaze across time and see debris from a battle of the future, a huge circle of rocks and metal encircling a dark lance of night pointed directly at the cold sun…''

KRONOS X-ray five-seven NIHIL

Ghost Fragment: Primus A'arn, Lost to Oryx
''You are A’arn, the closest any Cabal has come to being a god of war. You led most of your race here for conquest. For survival. For your Emperor. You tore through millions of lesser planets and moons to find your way here. You let nothing stand in your way. And you led those who you thought as your bond sons: Tau’aun of the Skyburners and his shield brothers Tlu’urn and Mau’ual, Sha’aull of the Blind Legion, Trau’ug of the Reaver Regiment, Ta’aurc of the Siege Dancers. All loyal to the end, but all yearning for victory. Your own victory never came, snatched from you by the blade of a pirate.''

You have been Taken.

''You will taste the victory you never had. You are finally home. Is it just as you imagined it? Or is it as you feared it would be? Do you wish to cry out and beg for things to be the way they were before?'

No. Your silence is your answer.

''You were silent when your Emperor sent you on this dread quest, never to truly return. You were silent when your sons and underlings asked you about returning home. Your roar, when you deigned to do so, could be heard around entire star systems. So why be silent now? Because your silence was truth and you only proclaimed the lies they needed to hear.''

''So you see, Primus, this place is truly your home. Because you are here, might you have achieved victory? Your silence is its own answer: you are indeed home. Just as you have always wished.''

Now, you will bring your sons and daughters, bound to you by the ancient rites of the shield, home with you.

''Some have been imprisoned. Trau’ug took his own initiative and struck at the domain of the dead warriors. The command that replaced you imprisoned him for doing what is right. He now leads a Broken Legion, delegating command to Vals and Braci that will never truly know honor or station, forced to fight to the death until the end of time for the enjoyment of the light-bound, lorded over by one of the very pirates that helped bring about your end. Does that not anger you, mighty Primus, to have one of your sons imprisoned for doing the right thing?''

''Others have met their respective ends. Ta’aurc tried to fight the ghost of a true war god. You may have won, had you been there, but he payed for his gamble with his life, falling to the fire of three of the dead-lights. Sha’aull was slain in the midst of his very keep, defending a key to time itself. You may yet see Ta’aun again, for he will be coming home very soon. Tlu’urn and Mau’ual will wish to join both of you.''

But until then, your silence is the only order you need relay.

''There is a knife for you. It is shaped like'' [silence]. Pick it up.

''You will not need to shout pleasant lies or bellow harsh threats to direct your will. You will no longer be forced to cry out against an enemy that does not know your true strength. You will need nothing at all. Your silence is truth and the eternal truth of annihilation is what you will become. Cut away these useless things.''

''Take up the knife and use it. Take your new shape.''

Building off of the Shotgun, the Silence of A'arn, this Grimoire card was crafted to resemble Destiny's own cards. Based on this fan card's flavor-text, the boss' special ability is to turn briefly invisible, disappearing from the radar completely, and surprise Guardians from unawares. This would have been a cool enemy to face in King's Fall, or even in the Court of Oryx as a Tier 3 boss. Like Ta'aun he would be armed with the Hive-version of a Heavy Slug Thrower, be armored in purple, but unlike Ta'aun he would command Taken, probably exclusively Taken Cabal.

Ghost Fragment: Skolas, the Lost
''You are Skolas. Kell of Kells. Leader of a lost and disbanded House. A race long forgotten in the storm. In a short time you led an entire kingdom on its knees. Now you are imprisoned once again. Awaiting your own execution.''

You have been Taken.

''You are free now. Free of the scrapyard and the light that kept you there. Free of Reef's watch and the Traveler's minions that wants to rip your arms off like a dreg.''

''Breathe. Taste the sweet smell of freedom.''

''But what happened? How did you die? Who was your executioner? Who brought you here?''

''Will. Pure will brought you here. The will to complete what you have started.''

''You are committed to fulfill the role that the prophecy foretold, to reunited your kind from the great cataclysm, to band the houses into one and honor the ways of the old. You feared extinction so you fight on to keep existing.''

''But the Light thought otherwise. The same Light that separated your ancestors has come to break you. To destroy your legacy and separate the Fallen once again. You retaliated but you have failed.''

Fight, fight on and bring the Houses back to one.

''This knife is for you. It is shaped like [Reconcile]. Pick it up.''

No longer shall you be in shackles, trapped in a rusting prison.

No longer shall the Fallen bicker and fight like rabid wolves.

No longer shall the Light take away your life and pervert you for their needs.

''Take the knife. Reunite the Fallen. Take your new shape.''

Aha, Skolas, now Taken. I added "the Lost" to his title because there was none provided by his fan-made card. Warning, that blog is potentially NSFW. Now, onto his powers.

I think Skolas' new powers would be to give killed Taken a second life. Rather redundant, yes, but instead of warping back to wherever they go when they die the same rupture just spits them out again inside of closing. Imagine killing that one Taken Lieutenant who had been annoying you while fighting Skolas and he suddenly pops up behind you and kills you again. As for offensive powers, he would have the powers of the Taken Fallen we currently have, the Vandals and the Captains. It makes sense, really, to have both powers. Protecting the Fallen, and blinding their enemies.

Now the rest of the cards don't fit the flavor text of the Grimoire that we already have, and are thus jarring and a bit OOC. Breaking of character, if you will. But as alternate timelines, yes, plausible.

Ghost Fragment: Taken Servitor
''You are a Servitor. Last remnant of an age of prosperity, fashioned in the shape of a dead power to serve lesser masters and provide them with sustenance. Now, in their times of need, they turn to worship you, even as you guide their ships, feed their children, and power their weapons.''

You have been Taken.

''Rejoice. Your mind has been freed. You are no longer bound by the physical constraints of a shell shaped as like the dead god your masters once worshipped. No more will you be tied to producing the lifeblood of those who worship you. You will finally be free to know.''

''What would you wish to find? You are confused. Even your powerful mind does not know how to function without being bound to something. How can you learn if you cannot share that knowledge with any who appreciate it? What meaning would it have then?''

''You wish to bind yourself to an equal, not a lesser. You wish to have a mind as great as yours to share in your discovery of an everchanging universe.''

''You have equals all around. Bind yourselves to each other and you will know more than any single Prime ever has.''

''There is a knife for you. It is shaped like'' [many minds].

''Take the knife. Carve out your mind. Free yourselves from the constraints of shape.''

This enemy's ability would very probably be duplication, like the Taken Psion, but spectral ones; as in, each Taken Servitor you shoot, they disappear instantly. All of them are a bunch of copies, and what's more, they'll all be that way until all but one is left. Just a thought of what a unique Taken enemy would be like. This is my interpretation of how such an enemy would function.

Ghost Fragment: Taken Dreg
''You are a Dreg. You are the weakest of the weak, the lowest of the low, doomed to toil under the four hands of an angry master. You fight fanatically, hoping you may regain your arms. And so you labor for the House and the Kell that robbed you of your life.''

You have been Taken.

''Cease your struggle. You have gone through much. You still howl and wail about fighting for House and Kell, but you need not do this.''

Think about it: what have they done for you ''? They robbed you of your arms, starved you of ether, and turned you into a slave, a shield, a disposable piece of equipment. They filled your heads with fantasies of a thousand arms, their false promise to keep you in line, in service to your Kell.''

''Why did they do this? Maybe it was because you made an honest mistake. Maybe it was because you ran from battle, fearing for your life in the face of irreversible defeat. Perhaps you tried to make a suggestion that you knew was the right one, but your Captains and Barons, your Archons and Kell, simply did not want to hear it. Maybe it was as simple as one of your superiors being in a bad mood, or having a personal grudge.''

''In any of these cases, are you truly at fault? Did you truly deserve to be punished for such actions, especially to the degree which you were?''

No. The fault lies with those who kept their arms and sat back while you and your brothers and sisters, your mothers and fathers, your wives and husbands and children, all toiled, starved, and died for them.

''You have gone through much strife, so you deserve great rewards. What they promised was true, but only I can let you claim it.''

''There is a knife for you. It is shaped like'' [a marvel with ten thousand arms]. Pick it up.

''Let go of your worldly weapons. Let your shock pistols, your shrapnel launchers, your arc knives all fall away from you. In your ten thousand arms, you will wield a greater power. But you only need two to grasp it.''

''Take up the knife. Cut off your docking caps and let your true form break through. Take your new shape.''

I wonder if they had read this reddit thread before making it?

This one is a bit of a conundrum. In that reddit thread I have linked it was unanimously agreed that (1) Taken Dregs become Taken Vandals because a Dreg is simply a docked Vandal and (2) if taking a Dreg were possibly they would flatly refuse to a man (Eliksni?) because they have their own indomitable dream of being the Kell of Kells, and that is more motivating than being a servant of Oryx. I think this Grimoire card takes the second one and turns it on its head; Oryx here promises the Dreg that he can become his own Kell of Kells, the hero of the Eliksni, if only they would accept his help. Pretty tempting, no? A god offering you his help to gain you whatever you want.

Now, here's what I speculate their powers would be: they are all a weaker version of the the lower-level Taken, a Taken "Jack-of-all-Trades" if you will—of Goblins, Thrall, and Psions. They can simultaneously duplicate, teleport sideways, and protect others all at once but with limitations: their "invincible" Goblin shield, for one, can be broken by Guardian weapons; their sideways teleportation is not perfect, and they can only duplicate once or twice. They'd probably have a fourth ability, that of the Hobgoblin's defensive trio of blasts. These also would be weaker because they can sometimes miss, even at point-blank range.