The ever-evolving story of Destiny 2 means that it’s almost always able to explore new options. In the past, this has meant major narrative shifts and tipping over dominos whose effects are just beginning to be felt. With the release of The Witch Queen expansion, it feels like this is all happening again and Destiny 2 is gearing up for major confrontations with powerful enemies over the next year. However, until the Witness arrives and the Lightfall expansion releases, Destiny 2 players will have all of Year 5 and its included seasons to get comfortable with the current storyline as well as the fallout of their actions within Savathun’s throne world.
One of the most significant of these actions so far is the defeat of Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness. As the final boss for the Vow of the Disciple raid that was released this past weekend for Destiny 2, Rhulk has a lot of lore that will likely be explored in the coming weeks. While Rhulk’s story being filled-in posthumously is something that will likely play to Destiny 2’s strengths, his defeat within the Darkness pyramid that is located in Savathun’s throne world means that the Witness is now down a Disciple in the Sol system. With Savathun and Oryx being hypothesized, Disciples as well the Witness may have now lost three disciples in the shadow of the Vanguard and Traveler’s Light.
After Rhulk's Defeat
The defeat of the Vow of the Disciple's raid boss Rhulk at the hands of the Guardian and their fireteam leaves a pretty significant gap among the Witness’s underlings. It’s clear that while Oryx, the Taken King served the Darkness, he did still act in his interests, so his loss as a possible Disciple might not be as significant. The same goes for Savathun, the Witch Queen whose schemes were often designed, if not exclusively, to serve herself. Rhulk, however, is portrayed as a very devout follower of the Witness and Darkness and likely one of the most powerful - making his loss a major blow. However, his newly achieved death could pave the way for the return of Eramis, the Kell of Darkness.
In the Beyond Light expansion, she makes a harsh turn against the Traveler accepting the power of Stasis that the Darkness’ pyramids have to offer. While Europa’s history in Destiny 2 is marred by its connection to the Darkness, the action Eramis takes as the Kell of House Salvation is drastic considering the Eliksni’s traditional love and revelry for the Traveler and the Light. In short, Eramis’ actions split her people, and she truly becomes a Fallen as she and her lieutenants work to become more proficient with the powers of Stasis.
Despite this, Beyond Light’s campaign plainly shows that Eramis is unable to control the power in a significant way, and she’s left encased in Stasis on a platform in Riis Reborn. While she isn’t dead, she is incapacitated and no longer poses a significant threat to the Vanguard or others. However, the fact that she is alive does still make Eramis an ally of the Darkness, and her dedication to revenge against the Traveler is something that could have future consequences. It’s also something that the Witness could mold to serve its greater ambitions with the Darkness following the cutscene that players see at the end of The Witch Queen’s campaign.
Eramis, Disciple of the Witness on Europa
It's clear that the Witness intends on making an appearance in the solar system, and without Rhulk, Oryx, or Savathun, they will require powerful emissaries within Sol. Xivu Arath could still serve as one of these, and her strength as the Hive’s God of War makes her a uniquely viable candidate to be a Disciple. Eramis, Kell of Darkness’ affinity for Stasis and interest in destroying the Traveler could make the Fallen Kell a better option though, at least in regard to individuals readily available in the solar system. She has already shown her dedication to the Darkness, and her knowledge and power within the Fallen community could add even more numbers to the ranks of those that serve the Witness.
The Dark Kell’s opposition to the Tower and her residence on Europa could also serve as a strategic and fortified location for the Witness’s faithful within Sol to serve from. The moon is still scarred by Clovis Bray’s experiments with the Darkness as well as the current Darkness pyramid that resides on it. While Cabal defectors have tried to access and gain knowledge from the pyramid following the release of The Witch Queen and Season of the Risen, the majority of its secrets are still shut off to the world. Allowing Eramis to take command of this craft and house the Fallen that fly the banner of House Salvation would be a move that could benefit the Witness greatly and further extend the Darkness’ influence in the solar system.
The fallout of the Deep Stone Crypt raid also means that there’s a lot of Bray Industry’s technology that these forces could use for themselves. In the scattered debris of the Deep Stone Crypt is also the body of Taniks, the Abomination. While the powerful and ruthless Fallen is believed to be dead, interactions after the raid suggest he could be alive. This could make Taniks a powerful lieutenant for Eramis if she were chosen as a Disciple, and imbuing him with new Darkness powers following the Witness’ arrival in the solar system could make him even more lethal to allies of the Traveler and the Light. Using the power of this ally to her advantage again, Eramis could completely subjugate and control Europa, with the Vanguard able to do little in response.
Still, even with all the possible what-ifs around the future of Eramis, it seems clear that the Witness will eventually need a new Disciple to replace his fallen lieutenant. Whether that is someone players are already familiar with in Destiny 2 or a whole new character likely won’t be known until after the events of Year 5 have played out. However, given that even Destiny 2’s exotics are tied to storytelling, players could very well face an enemy that has already been hinted at but remains to be seen.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.