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Zavala: Difference between revisions
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====Disrupting the Rites==== | ====Disrupting the Rites==== | ||
{{Quote|Join my empire. You'll keep your title and gain a seat on my war council. With my army and your Light, the Cabal will crush the Hive. Then... the Black Fleet. Bow."<br>"No.|Zavala rejecting Caiatl's demand of subjugation}} | |||
Zavala soon received an invitation from [[Empress Caiatl]], whose fleet of [[Imperial Cabal]] had recently arrived in the Sol System, to meet and discuss the Black Fleet and Hive. Accompanied by Osiris, Zavala met with the Empress and her guards aboard one of their ships. The Empress offered peace between them, but Zavala was skeptical of her intent until she admitted that the Cabal homeworld of [[Torobatl]] had [[Fall of Torobatl|fallen]] to the Hive. Zavala offered his sympathies to her for her loss, but when she offered an alliance, Osiris advised Zavala that the Cabal did not ally but conquer and that Caiatl had betrayed her father Calus and would betray them as well. The Empress called her father soft and stated that he lacked ambition, which humanity did as well, and suggested they would not survive unless Zavala expanded his horizons. She offered for them to join the Cabal Empire and a spot on her [[War Council]] to Zavala, but required them to bow before her. Zavala rejected the offer, and Caiatl's guards immediately prepared for a fight. However, the Empress signaled her guards to stand down and allowed them to leave with a warning that they would meet on the battlefield.<ref name="BB">'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Battlegrounds]]: [[Behemoth (Battleground)|Behemoth]]''</ref> | Zavala soon received an invitation from [[Empress Caiatl]], whose fleet of [[Imperial Cabal]] had recently arrived in the Sol System, to meet and discuss the Black Fleet and Hive. Accompanied by Osiris, Zavala met with the Empress and her guards aboard one of their ships. The Empress offered peace between them, but Zavala was skeptical of her intent until she admitted that the Cabal homeworld of [[Torobatl]] had [[Fall of Torobatl|fallen]] to the Hive. Zavala offered his sympathies to her for her loss, but when she offered an alliance, Osiris advised Zavala that the Cabal did not ally but conquer and that Caiatl had betrayed her father Calus and would betray them as well. The Empress called her father soft and stated that he lacked ambition, which humanity did as well, and suggested they would not survive unless Zavala expanded his horizons. She offered for them to join the Cabal Empire and a spot on her [[War Council]] to Zavala, but required them to bow before her. Zavala rejected the offer, and Caiatl's guards immediately prepared for a fight. However, the Empress signaled her guards to stand down and allowed them to leave with a warning that they would meet on the battlefield.<ref name="BB">'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Battlegrounds]]: [[Behemoth (Battleground)|Behemoth]]''</ref> | ||
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====Phantoms in the Garden==== | ====Phantoms in the Garden==== | ||
[[File:Zavala garden assassin D2.png|350px|thumb|Zavala cuts down an assassin in the garden.]] | [[File:Zavala garden assassin D2.png|350px|thumb|Zavala cuts down an assassin in the garden.]] | ||
{{Quote|I wasn't sleeping well before. Now I'm not sure I will at all.|Zavala, reflecting on his near assassination and seeing the face of Uldren Sov}} | |||
As the struggle against Caiatl's Cabal continued, Zavala went out one night to clear his head with a stroll in the Last City's first garden, which he had helped dig centuries prior. He remarked to Targe that there was nothing better than a midnight stroll, but he sensed his Ghost's silent disapproval and acknowledged that he should rest, but after inhaling deep he claimed that he believed this counted. As he wandered the garden, Zavala reflected on how far the City had come and all they sacrificed. He then stared up at the Traveler and softly noted his amazement at how they had survived for so long thanks to its gifts. As he and Targe stared at the Traveler, both had the same thought on their minds: was it still watching over them, or were they on their own against the Darkness?<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Eternal Blazon]]''</ref> Zavala's reverie was soon interrupted when he felt eyes watching him, and he turned to see a the face of Uldren Sov watching him from the shadows of nearby bushes. Before he could react Uldren shouted a warning and Zavala heard a snapping noise in the trees behind him. Spinning around with his gun in hand Zavala swiftly killed a [[Psion]] that had been preparing to assassinate him. Believing the assassin was sent by Caiatl, Zavala turned back to where he saw Uldren but now saw nothing. Zavala told the Young Wolf of what transpired, unsure if what he saw had been real, and admitted that after having trouble sleeping he was sure he would not be able to rest at all now.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Haunted]]''</ref> | As the struggle against Caiatl's Cabal continued, Zavala went out one night to clear his head with a stroll in the Last City's first garden, which he had helped dig centuries prior. He remarked to Targe that there was nothing better than a midnight stroll, but he sensed his Ghost's silent disapproval and acknowledged that he should rest, but after inhaling deep he claimed that he believed this counted. As he wandered the garden, Zavala reflected on how far the City had come and all they sacrificed. He then stared up at the Traveler and softly noted his amazement at how they had survived for so long thanks to its gifts. As he and Targe stared at the Traveler, both had the same thought on their minds: was it still watching over them, or were they on their own against the Darkness?<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Eternal Blazon]]''</ref> Zavala's reverie was soon interrupted when he felt eyes watching him, and he turned to see a the face of Uldren Sov watching him from the shadows of nearby bushes. Before he could react Uldren shouted a warning and Zavala heard a snapping noise in the trees behind him. Spinning around with his gun in hand Zavala swiftly killed a [[Psion]] that had been preparing to assassinate him. Believing the assassin was sent by Caiatl, Zavala turned back to where he saw Uldren but now saw nothing. Zavala told the Young Wolf of what transpired, unsure if what he saw had been real, and admitted that after having trouble sleeping he was sure he would not be able to rest at all now.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Haunted]]''</ref> | ||
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====The Final Rite==== | ====The Final Rite==== | ||
{{Quote|Empress Caiatl - we invoke the Rite of Proving. The Vanguard sends forth its champions.|Zavala, issuing the formal challenge to Caiatl}} | |||
After several more battles against the Cabal, Zavala met with Osiris, Saladin, and the Young Wolf in the H.E.L.M. to discuss how they would end their conflict with Caiatl. Immediately upon his arrival, Saladin began demanding to know why they were not engaged in a full-scale war with the Cabal after all that had happened. Zavala reminded his former mentor that this was not an easy decision, but Osiris noted it might be inevitable given the Cabal's proud warrior nature and cautioned that if they did not end it soon the situation would spiral out of control. Saladin advocated eliminating Caiatl and that they could wipe out the rest in a matter of weeks. Zavala protested that doing so would lower them to their foe's level while Osiris doubted Caiatl would be so easily killed. The Warlock did suggest thinking like them though, proposing they challenge her to a final Rite of Proving with the winner dictating terms. Zavala and Saladin were skeptical, noting that while Caiatl might agree and hold true to her word if the Vanguard won, there was no guarantee her followers would. The Commander was swayed by Osiris noting that it was a gamble and questioned if he was willing to bet on their Guardians. Zavala stated he was and ordered Osiris to make preparations while he reached out to the Empress. Saladin began to address him in opposition to the plan, but Zavala cut him off and thanked them all for their cooperation. Nodding in farewell, Zavala departed from the H.E.L.M.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VI]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/the-chosen-strategy The Chosen Strategy]''</ref> | After several more battles against the Cabal, Zavala met with Osiris, Saladin, and the Young Wolf in the H.E.L.M. to discuss how they would end their conflict with Caiatl. Immediately upon his arrival, Saladin began demanding to know why they were not engaged in a full-scale war with the Cabal after all that had happened. Zavala reminded his former mentor that this was not an easy decision, but Osiris noted it might be inevitable given the Cabal's proud warrior nature and cautioned that if they did not end it soon the situation would spiral out of control. Saladin advocated eliminating Caiatl and that they could wipe out the rest in a matter of weeks. Zavala protested that doing so would lower them to their foe's level while Osiris doubted Caiatl would be so easily killed. The Warlock did suggest thinking like them though, proposing they challenge her to a final Rite of Proving with the winner dictating terms. Zavala and Saladin were skeptical, noting that while Caiatl might agree and hold true to her word if the Vanguard won, there was no guarantee her followers would. The Commander was swayed by Osiris noting that it was a gamble and questioned if he was willing to bet on their Guardians. Zavala stated he was and ordered Osiris to make preparations while he reached out to the Empress. Saladin began to address him in opposition to the plan, but Zavala cut him off and thanked them all for their cooperation. Nodding in farewell, Zavala departed from the H.E.L.M.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VI]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/the-chosen-strategy The Chosen Strategy]''</ref> | ||
Caiatl accepted Zavala's challenge, causing the Commander to request the Young Wolf meet him at the Tower. He asked them to be the Vanguard's champion in the Rite and explained to them the potential outcomes. Should Caiatl's champion, [[Ignovun, Chosen of Caiatl|Ignovun]], prevail, Nessus would be ceded to the Cabal Zavala would be forced to join Caiatl's War Council as Bracus Zavala to ensure the Vanguard's loyalty as a hostage. If the Young Wolf and their strike team proved victorious, then all Cabal would withdraw from Earth and cease all hostilities towards humanity. Adamant that the Cabal could not win, Zavala warned them that Ignovun awaited them deep within the ''Halphas Electus'' on Nessus. While an assault on the Imperial Land Tank was deemed impossible, Zavala was confidant that the Young Wolf's talent for achieving the impossible would lead them to victory once more.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VII]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/chosen-of-the-vanguard Chosen of the Vanguard]''</ref> | Caiatl accepted Zavala's challenge, causing the Commander to request the Young Wolf meet him at the Tower. He asked them to be the Vanguard's champion in the Rite and explained to them the potential outcomes. Should Caiatl's champion, [[Ignovun, Chosen of Caiatl|Ignovun]], prevail, Nessus would be ceded to the Cabal Zavala would be forced to join Caiatl's War Council as Bracus Zavala to ensure the Vanguard's loyalty as a hostage. If the Young Wolf and their strike team proved victorious, then all Cabal would withdraw from Earth and cease all hostilities towards humanity. Adamant that the Cabal could not win, Zavala warned them that Ignovun awaited them deep within the ''Halphas Electus'' on Nessus. While an assault on the Imperial Land Tank was deemed impossible, Zavala was confidant that the Young Wolf's talent for achieving the impossible would lead them to victory once more.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VII]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/chosen-of-the-vanguard Chosen of the Vanguard]''</ref> | ||
As the final Rite began, Zavala issued the formal challenge to Caiatl. The Empress accepted it, but warned that reaching her champion would not be easy as a legion of sworn soldiers stood between the Guardians and Ignovun. The two leaders debated the worthiness of their causes and why they fought as the Young Wolf led the strike deeper into the ''Halphas Electus'', with Zavala lamenting all the lives lost needlessly and suggesting that Caiatl was on the verge of becoming a tyrant like her father Calus and Dominus Ghaul. He had the Guardians take the opportunity to sabotage key systems aboard the Imperial Land Tank before they engaged Ignovun. Though the battle was fierce, the Young Wolf and their strike team emerged victorious. Zavala was impressed by Ignovun and Caiatal's honor in defeat and they subsequently arranged a meeting between them to solidify the terms of the armistice.<ref name="ProvingGround">'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Strike]]: [[Proving Ground]]''</ref> | |||
====The Truth Behind the Mask==== | |||
{{Quote|Without trust, we become like the Cabal: fractured and consumed from within.|Zavala, expressing his disappointment with the Young Wolf keeping Crow's former identity from him}} | |||
Zavala traveled to Nessus with Crow, who had been assigned as his bodyguard by Osiris in the aftermath of the assassination attempt in the Last City. They met with Caiatl, two of her bodyguards, and the Psion [[Valir]] to engage in a formal ceremony to end the conflict. Zavala, Targe, and Crow watched as the Empress cut her palm with a ceremonial blade and vowed that blood would be the last spilt between their species. As Valir approached to hand Zavala the blade, Targe was suddenly entrapped by Light-draining cage and disabled. Zavala fell to his knees and the Light left him and Valir charged him with the blade. However, Crow threw himself between Zavala and the fatal blow, while Caiatl killed Valir for his treachery. Zavala looked at her in shock as she vowed that she had not ordered his assassination and sent one of her bodyguards to pursue the [[Qalec|sniper]] who disabled Targe. Crow freed Targe from the cage and the Light swiftly returned to Zavala. Turning to his savior, Zavala asked Crow if he was alright but was shocked to discover that beneath the damaged mask of Crow was the face of Uldren Sov. Zavala quickly realized what this meant, but rather than hold Crow's past life against him he offered the Lightbearer his hand to stand up.<ref name="ProvingGround"/> | |||
Speaking with Crow during the return trip to the Last City, Zavala learned that Osiris, the Young Wolf, and Ikora had all been aware of the Hunter's former identity but hid it from him. Knowing that many Guardians and other citizens of the Last City would not be as accepting of Crow, Zavala offered him official instatement as a Guardian and recon agent of the Vanguard with orders to lay low and investigate the Psion conspiracy behind the Light-draining tech and attempts on Zavala's life.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VII]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/parting-ways-for-now Parting Ways For Now]''</ref> Zavala confronted Ikora upon his return to the Last City, but she insisted to him that Uldren was dead and that she had not lied. Speaking with the Young Wolf afterwards, Zavala angrily told them that without trust they would fall to infighting just as the Cabal's leadership had. Crow would remain on recon duties until Zavala determined the best path forward with him. He then stated that he was sure Caiatl would honor the armistice, but noted it was not an alliance, and that the Cabal who remained on Earth in defiance of Caiatl's orders were now criminals who the Vanguard could deal without issue. Zavala was sure that Saladin would not approve, but the Commander wanted Caiatl's forces to serve as an additional buffer between them and Xivu Arath's horde.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Quests (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Challenger's Proving VII]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/debriefing-5 Debriefing 5]''</ref> | |||
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