Destiny 2's Emperor Calus has been an ally and antagonist to Guardians since he reemerged following Dominus Ghaul's defeat in the Red War. Calus has communed with the Darkness and been privy to what he claims are universal truths the Traveler neglects to tell. With this information, he is set to return as the primary antagonist in Destiny 2 with the upcoming Lightfall expansion. However, reports from Bungie indicate this may be it for Calus, which, if true, may not bode well for the story expansion.
Calus was the Cabal Emperor when he overthrew the Praetorate nobles, redistributing their wealth to the people and raising a populist government to replace the previous regime. As Emperor, Calus transformed the Cabal empire into one of hedonism and wealth. Eventually, Calus' favored Gladiator, Dominus Ghaul, whom he loved as a son, was swayed by The Consul to overthrow Calus. The former Emperor was too popular to kill and thus was exiled aboard The Leviathan on a pre-programmed course, which inadvertently delivered him to the Darkness.
Emperor Calus Before Lightfall in Destiny 2
Calus returned to Destiny 2 when he invited Guardians aboard The Leviathan, pleased with their role in defeating Ghaul. Aboard his ship, players soon discover that Calus is missing; instead, robotic automaton copies are placed throughout The Leviathan, and Calus taunts the Guardians about joining him, promising to reveal to them the secrets of the universe he has learned. He further requests their aid when his attempts to mine Nessus accidentally consume a Vex Mind.
Calus' communion with the Darkness takes further steps in Destiny 2 during the Season of Opulence, where Calus attempts to use the Crown of Sorrow - a Hive artifact that can link the user with Hive magics. Not wanting to test the Crown himself, Calus breeds the Shadow Gahlran to bear the Crown, unaware that the entire process has been a trap by Savathun, the Witch Queen. When the Crown instantly corrupts Gahlran, Calus asks for assistance from the Guardians, again promising them truths if they become his elite guards, the Shadows.
During Season of the Haunted, Calus and The Leviathan return to the Sol System when the Emperor attempts to merge with the Lunar Pyramid psionically; a transformation that will grant him more power and cement his allegiance as a Disciple of the Witness. Aboard The Leviathan, players witness the ship full of Egregore spores, a fungus associated with the Darkness. While Calus successfully connects with the Pyramid, his daughter, Caiatl, allied with the Guardians, defeats him before the transformation is complete.
Emperor Calus' Return in Lightfall
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Slated as the primary antagonist in Lightfall, it's been discovered that Calus has used the Egregore spores to manipulate Hive and Scorn to commune with and become the Disciple of The Witness. Accepting his role as Herald, Calus has laid siege to the hidden Neptunian city of Neomuna, a haven of different humans who have survived in secret since at least The Collapse. What secrets the city and its inhabitants hold in Destiny 2 that are so dire to Calus and The Witness have yet to be revealed.
Despite his antagonistic role in Lightfall, reports from Bungie have indicated that this expansion may be the last players see of Calus. If that is true, it may undermine the narrative thread of the story before players get a chance to play. By indicating Calus' defeat by the end of the expansion, the threat he poses as a Disciple seems mitigated, meaning some players may not be invested in him as an urgent threat.
Furthermore, if this is the end of Calus, Lightfall will have to use him uniquely to truly devastate the Traveler and the Light to have his narrative arc pack a punch. While the reports are scarce regarding Calus' ultimate fate, it's hoped by Destiny 2 players that Calus and his Shadow Legion have a longer shelf life than Lightfall, genuinely making him an antagonist worth fighting before most likely confronting The Witness.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.