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Emperor Calus: Difference between revisions
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===After the Arrivals=== | ===After the Arrivals=== | ||
Following the disappearance of [[Mercury]], [[Mars]], [[Titan]], and [[Io]], Calus attempted to communicate with [[The Witness|the Witness]]. In conjunction with a small crew of Loyalists and a Guardian confidant named [[Katabasis]], Calus used [[Scorn]] and the [[Crown of Sorrow]], aboard a ship called the ''[[Glykon Volatus]]'', to demand an explanation for the fleet's actions, which Calus had seen as underwhelming. Further investigation would reveal that Calus also desired to obtain power from the Darkness using the same manner as the aforementioned communion | Following the disappearance of [[Mercury]], [[Mars]], [[Titan]], and [[Io]], Calus attempted to communicate with [[The Witness|the Witness]]. In conjunction with a small crew of Loyalists and a Guardian confidant named [[Katabasis]], Calus used [[Scorn]] and the [[Crown of Sorrow]], aboard a ship called the ''[[Glykon Volatus]]'', to demand an explanation for the fleet's actions, which Calus had seen as underwhelming. Further investigation would reveal that Calus also desired to obtain power from the Darkness using the same manner as the aforementioned communion and share it with the crew he had sent. By this point, Calus' physical form had become decrepit, and he spent much of this time within a containment frame which constantly supplied him with [[Royal Wine]].<ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/entry-1-charons-silhouette?highlight=royal+wine</ref> | ||
Calus had the ''Glykon'' anchor off of [[Phobos]], at the edge of the Anomaly left by the disappearance of Mars. Calus then made the Scorn wear the Crown, stitching their minds together through the use of [[Egregore]], and then have his Councilors channel his will through it and speak to the Darkness. Although the communions initially failed, eventually they succeeded, and the ''Glykon'' plunged into the Anomaly, then became overrun by Scorn and Egregore, while Calus disappeared. | Calus had the ''Glykon'' anchor off of [[Phobos]], at the edge of the Anomaly left by the disappearance of Mars. Calus then made the Scorn wear the Crown, stitching their minds together through the use of [[Egregore]], and then have his Councilors channel his will through it and speak to the Darkness. Although the communions initially failed, eventually they succeeded, and the ''Glykon'' plunged into the Anomaly, then became overrun by Scorn and Egregore, while Calus disappeared. | ||
The Emperor had actually managed to commune with [[the Witness]], and it told him to seek more in the anomaly of [[Mercury]]. Calus returned to the Leviathan and traveled to where Mercury once stood, plunging into the gravity shadow. Though he was afraid his ship would be torn apart like the ''Glykon'' had been, the Leviathan survived the trip, though changed. In this communion, Calus managed to truly converse with the Witness | The Emperor had actually managed to commune with [[the Witness]], and it told him to seek more in the anomaly of [[Mercury]]. Calus returned to the Leviathan and traveled to where Mercury once stood, plunging into the gravity shadow. Though he was afraid his ship would be torn apart like the ''Glykon'' had been, the Leviathan survived the trip, though changed. In this communion, Calus managed to truly converse with the Witness and understood what its plans were, even for him. He accepted his intended place as a [[Disciples of the Witness|Herald]], and resolved to prove his loyalty to their cause by shedding his body and becoming more than himself.<ref>[[Duality (dungeon)|Repressed Memories 9-12]]</ref> | ||
Sometime later, during the events of [[Lucent War|Opperation Elbrus]], Qabix, a member of the [[Psion Conclave]], began to broadcast Psionic propaganda that exhorted the members of the [[Imperial Cabal]] to mutiny and attempted to entreat them to defect. As Caiatl could not launch an attack on the broadcasting station without being viewed negatively in the army's eyes, she entreated the Vanguard to step in. A fireteam was deployed which managed to slay Qabix and shut down the broadcasts, despite the threat of an orbital bombardment being constantly present. Upon reaching the broadcast room, the fireteam discovered a chest and several other pieces of finery that appeared to have come from the Leviathan, and viewing of the propaganda revealed it to be a message involving a Psion, a golden statue of Calus offering "[[Darkness|Salvation]]", and a [[Pyramid]]. Calus would continue restocking the base with his cloned troops and resources, forcing the Guardians to periodically take it down again. | |||
===Ascension to Herald=== | ===Ascension to Herald=== | ||
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As the Typhon Imperator arrived at Neptune, Calus noticed the Guardian making their way through his fleet and was happy about their arrival. After asking them what they thought about his new [[Shadow Legion]] army, Calus laughed and told the Guardian to enjoy every small and hollow victory they could get, as he wanted them in the best of spirits when they eventually faced off against each other. Calus then took his Flagship and headed straight for the surface of Neptune, landing it on the outskirts of Neomuna in [[Ahimsa Park]]. | As the Typhon Imperator arrived at Neptune, Calus noticed the Guardian making their way through his fleet and was happy about their arrival. After asking them what they thought about his new [[Shadow Legion]] army, Calus laughed and told the Guardian to enjoy every small and hollow victory they could get, as he wanted them in the best of spirits when they eventually faced off against each other. Calus then took his Flagship and headed straight for the surface of Neptune, landing it on the outskirts of Neomuna in [[Ahimsa Park]]. | ||
As the Shadow Legion began invading and ravaging the city, Calus would stay aboard his ship to enjoy himself. He would later emerge from a dark sarcophagus in his new disciple armored form, boasting about how his semblance matched his inner beauty and how powerful The Witness had made him. After grabbing a crystalline object from a pedestal, Calus use his powers to transform it into a golden chalice. Grateful for his newfound powers, and noticing that the chalice was empty, Calus called for a toast to one of his [[Tormentor]] guards, only for it to not respond as it moved to stand guard at the Emperor's new throne, much to Calus' disappointment. [[The Witness]] would then manifest itself before Calus to check on his progress in finding the Veil. Calus would reassure The Witness that his forces were actively searching for the Veil and that the Neptunians, even with their advanced technology, wouldn't pose much of a threat. The Witness, then asked Calus if he had all that he ever wanted, to which Calus responded, that thanks to the Witness's power, he had become glorious. After The Witness left, Calus would turn to rest on his throne, ordering his troops to find the Veil as fast as possible so that he may move | As the Shadow Legion began invading and ravaging the city, Calus would stay aboard his ship to enjoy himself. He would later emerge from a dark sarcophagus in his new disciple armored form, boasting about how his semblance matched his inner beauty and how powerful The Witness had made him. After grabbing a crystalline object from a pedestal, Calus use his powers to transform it into a golden chalice. Grateful for his newfound powers, and noticing that the chalice was empty, Calus called for a toast to one of his [[Tormentor]] guards, only for it to not respond as it moved to stand guard at the Emperor's new throne, much to Calus' disappointment. [[The Witness]] would then manifest itself before Calus to check on his progress in finding the Veil. Calus would reassure The Witness that his forces were actively searching for the Veil and that the Neptunians, even with their advanced technology, wouldn't pose much of a threat. The Witness, then asked Calus if he had all that he ever wanted, to which Calus responded, that thanks to the Witness's power, he had become glorious. After The Witness left, Calus would turn to rest on his throne, ordering his troops to find the Veil as fast as possible so that he may move on and continue to live a life of luxury. | ||
Later, Calus's forces would discover the location of the Veil. The Guardian could do nothing as The Shadow Legion began setting up heavy fortifications around The Veil's containment area. The Witness would later contact Emperor Calus to check up on his progress again, but the Guardian's [[Ghost]] was able to intercept it. Calus would inform the Witness that he had successfully captured the area around the Veil, but it would take some time to break through, in addition to dealing with interference from both the Guardian and the Neptunians. The Witness acknowledged this and reassured Calus that they could not stop fate before instructing Calus to link the [[Radial Mast]] and make sure that the Veil was destroyed. Calus agreed as the Witness released the Guardian's ghost. | Later, Calus's forces would discover the location of the Veil. The Guardian could do nothing as The Shadow Legion began setting up heavy fortifications around The Veil's containment area. The Witness would later contact Emperor Calus to check up on his progress again, but this time, the Guardian's [[Ghost]] was able to intercept it, and ultimately became possessed by The Witness. Calus would inform the Witness that he had successfully captured the area around the Veil, but it would take some time to break through, in addition to dealing with interference from both the Guardian and the Neptunians. The Witness acknowledged this and reassured Calus that they could not stop fate before instructing Calus to link the [[Radial Mast]] and make sure that the Veil was destroyed once the link had been made. Calus agreed as the Witness released the Guardian's ghost. | ||
With the situation clear, the Guardian was tasked by both [[Osiris]] and the Cloud Strider [[Rohan]] to storm The Typhon Imperator and destroy the Radial Mast before Calus has a chance to link it up with the Veil. However, Calus anticipated this and used the Radial Mast as a trap. Upon arriving in the arena where the Radial Mast was kept, Calus appeared before the guardian in his psionic form to mock | With the situation clear, the Guardian was tasked by both [[Osiris]] and the Cloud Strider [[Rohan]] to storm The Typhon Imperator and destroy the Radial Mast before Calus has a chance to link it up with the Veil. However, Calus anticipated this and used the Radial Mast as a trap. Upon arriving in the arena where the Radial Mast was kept, Calus appeared before the guardian in his psionic form to mock them, excited that they were going to be "tonight's entertainment" in a final test of strength and also gloated that he had no riches to give them this time. Calus then unleashed a horde of [[Taken]] and a few of his [[Garaask, Undying Inferno|Shadow Legion]] [[Kar'uul, Indomitable Champion|champions]] on the Guardian while trying to convince them to join him all the while. The Gaurdian, however, ignored Calus's banter and was able to expose the Radial Mast, only for a Cabal shield to surround it before they had a chance to destroy it. As Calus sent more Taken and Shadow Legion into the arena, the Guardian was forced to use a [[Strand]] Anomaly to fend them off, but it would ultimately render them vulnerable and exhausted. Recognizing that the Guardian wouldn't be accepting his offer to join him, Calus sent in one of his commanders, [[Val Bho'kaurl]], to finish off the weakened guardian. Calus told the Guardian that they could not escape oblivion and that they should embrace their end. However, the Guardian would end up receiving surprising assistance from Empress Caiatl, who showed up in a Thresher and bombarded the arena, creating an opening for the Guardian, which angered Calus. With Caital's Help, the Guardian successfully escaped the Typhon Imperator with their life. But regardless, they still failed in their mission and Calus was able to secure the Radial Mast. | ||
However, Calus' | However, when the time came, Calus' attempt to establish a link using the Radial Mast and the Veil ended up failing due to the Guardian's efforts in clearing out the Shadow Legion fortifications around the Veil, killing Val' Bor'kaurl, and destroying the Radial mast, at the cost of Rohan's life. After which, Calus would inform the Witness about this setback while in a state of sleep. The Witness then explained that Calus feared loss and that fear was the cause of his failure. Angered by this, Calus began to scold The Witness on how he had led this invasion with vicious subjugation, broke through their enemy's defenses, and claimed the Veil with ease, all because he wanted it. while on the other hand, The Witness held the power of the universe within its grasp, yet never decided to do anything with it. The Witness Became furious at Calus and interrupted his rant by shouting "ENOUGH!" at him, cracking reality around him. The Witness then ordered the Emperor to secure the Veil and that It would create the link between The Veil and The Traveler when the time came. Utterly terrified as he looked upon the Witness, Calus begged for its forgiveness as he began bleeding from his head. He complied with his master's wishes and ensured that The Witness's will shall be done, after which he awoke from his nightmare. Looking at his chalice for a moment, he angrily crushed it in his hand and then tossed it away, feeling humiliated and knowing that he must take matters into his own hands. | ||
=== | ===Final Stand=== | ||
Calus began mobilizing his Shadow Legion for a massive full-scale assault on the Veil's containment, intending to take it no matter what. As he did so, the Emperor would try a different approach. Calus ordered his Shadow Legion and the Taken to force their way into the Vex Network so that they could attempt to infiltrate the CloudArk, disable Neomuna's Defenses, and gain access to the Veil. However, the Guardian and Rohan's apprentice, [[Nimbus]], caught wind of this incursion and moved in to stop them. The Guardian quickly mobilized a strike team and made quick work of the Shadow Legion forces outside of the Vex Network thanks to the guidance of Nimbus. The Guardian was able to successfully able to traverse through the network and destroy the source of the Taken corruption, [[Parthenios, Drifting Mind]]. | |||
With the Taken now purged from the Vex Network, Nimbus was successful in restoring Neomuna's Defenses. But even with Neomuna's Defenses online and the support of Caiatl's [[Imperial Cabal]] army, Osiris still believed that Calus's forces were still too strong for them to handle. The Guardian agreed and asked Caiatl and Nimbus to prepare themselves for the upcoming battle ahead while they and Osiris continued to train in mastering Strand and use it properly without suffering from any problems. The Guardian endured much training and eventually learned how to properly wield the power of Strand, just in the nick of time, as Calus's Shadow Legion army began their March through Neomuna and made their way towards the Veil. | |||
After the Guardian destroyed the Shadow Legion's Anti-air cannons, they eventually reached the Veil's containment and began to hold the line against Calus's forces. Nimbus would take control of the Defense Rely and Caiatl would later arrive on the scene with her army of Imperial Cabal Warriors. An intense battle unfolded as Calus threw everything he had at the Defense line, including Goliath Tanks and [[Imprint of Nezarec|Imprints of Nezarec]]. The Guardian and Caiatl held the line well, but as the onslaught of Shadow Legion continued, the defense relay Nimbus was controlling overheated and was rendered inoperable. With the Turrets and orbital laser offline, the Guardian, Catial and her forces were forced to retreat back against the vault door. But, after dealing with yet another wave of Shadow Legion troopers, Calus materialized in the sky in his psionic form yet again. The Emperor immediately recognized his daughter on the battlefield for only a brief moment and, before anyone could do anything else, Calus Unleashed a powerful Psionic blast, which obliterated everything in its path and blew open the vault door. When the dust settled, only The Guardian and Empress Caiatl were left standing. Without wasting any more time, Caiatl told the Guardian to go safeguard the Veil at all costs, while she would go deal with Calus herself. The Gaurdian obliged and made their way down through the vault until they reached the Veil. Meanwhile, Caiatl fought bravely, with all of her might. But was outnumbered and overwhelmed. The Empress was forced to withdraw and warned the Guardian that Calus was coming for them and the Veil. She also asked the Guardian to give Calus the end he deserved. | |||
But as the Guardian got closer and closer to where the veil was, Calus began smashing his way through the vault and managed to barely reach the Veil before the Guardian could. As Calus stood up in awe at the Veil, He turned around and noticed that The Guardian had finally caught up with him. He stated that he had been waiting for this day for a long time and was very excited to finally face off against the Guardian. Using his powers, Calus summoned his weapon, the [[Cabal Slug Launcher#Overview|Resonant Sun]] and called forth more of his Shadow Legion troopers to fight for him, including his two Tormentor guards. A great battle between the Guardian and The Disciple began as Calus was overcome with excitement and joy, stating that this fight exceeded anything he could have ever imagined. As The fight continued, The Emperor called out for The Witness, hoping that he could gain its favor and respect. Eventually, the Guardian managed to blast off some of Calus' armor and weaken him. In desperation, Calus split his Slug Launcher into two Resonant [[Cabal Severus|Severi]]. As if in response, the Veil trapped Calus and the Guardian in a paracausal dome arena using its roots. The two combatants continued to exchange blows with Calus still calling out for the Witness to see him, desperately hoping it would help him. Ultimately, the Guardian would land the final blow and finally defeat Calus, causing the Witness' Hereld to cry out in pain as the dark power within him began to overtake and consume him. Eventually, the Emperor's body exploded into some kind of Darkness tree, the same way [[Rhulk]] did when he was defeated. After Calus's Death, Caiatl arrived at the Veil and looked upon her father's lifeless body. In an honorable gesture, Caiatl told her now-deceased father that there was no more running away and told him to finally rest. | |||
===Legacy=== | |||
Despite his death, Calus' death would ultimately allow the Witness to link with the Veil and open the way into [[The Pale Heart]] of [[the Traveler]] by possessing the Guardian's Ghost again. | |||
==Personality and traits== | ==Personality and traits== | ||