Rhulk serves as the final boss for the newest raid in Destiny 2. As a Disciple of the Witness, Rhulk wields incredible power that he derives from the Darkness and has also been instrumental in the Witness’ plans. When players meet Rhulk though, the lore they’re introduced to only covers the surface of his actions. It’s clear that Rhulk was working with the Worms in Destiny 2, but his greater role in the game’s universe isn’t made as apparent. As players play through adjacent missions to the raid and uncover more secrets, Rhulk’s role as a Disciple gradually becomes clearer and his influence on the Hive becomes more noticeable.
Before getting to this part in Rhulk's story where he becomes Disciple of the Witness, the Lubraean was known simply as Rhulk and lived on a planet that the Traveler had blessed. While the success of individual planets the Traveler visits is up for debate, it seems that the people of Lubrae corrupted themselves in the Traveler’s absence. A military dictatorship dug its roots deep and the Lubraean people were split between those that called the planet’s single city home and those that scraped by in the Wildlands. Rhulk’s life in the Wildlands sees his violent tendencies encouraged by his father and the foundations for Vow of the Disciple’s raid boss are laid.
Destiny 2: Rhulk's History with the Darkness
Even before Rhulk subjugated the Worm Gods of Fundament, he tore through the population of his planet with an insatiable thirst for blood. Ultimately, it seems Rhulk’s whole motive after being salvaged by the Witness was the extinction of the Lubraeans as he attempted to commit suicide after slaughtering his family and the Regime of Lubrae. However, after he failed in killing himself, he continued to serve the Darkness. In some ways, Rhulk might have seen this as his penance, but his actions after he devotes himself to the Witness and the Darkness suggest otherwise. Without even knowing in full who the Witness is, Rhulk accepted its help and committed unspeakable acts.
Rhulk’s early history serves as a reminder that the Traveler is not all-knowing in Destiny 2. While the agent of Light has blessed countless systems and does appear to have an overall positive impact, the disarray that Lubrae falls into is a testament to how the power of Light can be manipulated to oppress. This oppression might be the very reason that Rhulk comes to be a Disciple, and it serves as a reminder that not everyone the Traveler chooses to bless is right. Rhulk himself is responsible for the genocide of his people.
Since then, Rhulk has had millions of years to try and change, yet he doubled down in his violent ways. While the Hive may have the Sword Logic, Rhulk’s use of Lubrae’s Ruin, the inspiration for Destiny 2's different glaives, and power are just as terrifying. Right now, there’s no knowing how many species, worlds, and solar systems he was able to destroy, but it’s clear that a campaign of destruction followed Rhulk the Disciple wherever he went. That is up until the Witness influenced his Disciple to take an alternative approach.
With the Ahslid, the foundations for Rhulk’s actions to corrupt the Hive were laid. The Witness hoped to see its Disciple subjugate the race in a manner that was similar to Rhulk’s enlightenment by the Darkness. Rather than raze their society and force them into submission, Rhulk attempted to guide them from the shadows. He still corrupted them, but instead of using open and brazen violence, Rhulk used deceit and cunning to push the Ahslid towards the suffocating embrace of the Darkness.
Destiny 2: Rhulk and the Hive
These peaceful ways, if they can be called that, appear to have been short-lived. Once the Witness learned of the Traveler’s intent with the Krill, Rhulk was sent to bend the Worm Gods to the Darkness’ will. Rhulk dove to the core of Fundament’s oceans, maiming the same Leviathan creature that would later warn the Krill sisters Aurash, Sathona, and Xi Ro and subjugated the Worms before abducting Xita, the Nurturing Worm. All of this was to create a trap for the Krill and ultimately corrupt them. This corruption would change the species over time, turning them into the Hive players know now. Since then, Savathun and Oryx had both fallen, but the Hive continued to choke the Light of humanity through Season of the Risen.
Rhulk, however, becomes less prominent, although he didn’t completely disappear from the picture following these events. While there is plenty of time unaccounted for in Rhulk’s story, fans know Rhulk was tasked with helping to create new Worms once the Hive had joined the Darkness. This would help the Hive and Worms continue their symbiotic relationship, while also guaranteeing that the Hive would continue to wreak havoc on the universe. As he and his pyramid were ordered to remain within Savathun’s twisted throne world, Rhulk helped develop new Worms for the Witch Queen’s brood, continuing his service to the Darkness.
Up until Savathun’s rebirth in the Light, it seems this role is what Rhulk’s relationship with the Witch Queen was built on. Helping to create more Worms for her brood was important, and the powerful Disciple was tasked with doing it. Given that Savathun and Xivu Arath were at odds throughout Year 4 of Destiny 2, this could also suggest that neither Rhulk nor the Witness was concerned by Savathun’s behavior. At least until The Witch Queen’s campaign began, it might have been that Rhulk’s role remained unchanged so long as new Hive were being paired with Worms in order to spread the Darkness.
Leading up to The Witch Queen’s raid, this changes. Once players learn of Rhulk, it becomes apparent that the Disciple has moved on from his relationship with Savathun’s Hive and now commands the Scorn. The Witch Queen’s betrayal is not taken lightly and Rhulk seeks to break the curse that the once corrupted Krill placed on him and his pyramid. This draws in the Guardians, and it's then that players begin to learn of Rhulk’s story. The former Lubraean Wanderer turned weapon welcomes the Guardians into his pyramid, only to try and kill them, and once again return to spreading the Darkness through whatever means he sees fit.
Destiny 2 is now available on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.