Before Destiny 2 wraps up the long-running Light and Darkness saga in The Final Shape expansion, there are still plenty of loose ends to tie up. While some of the events set in motion during the Lightfall expansion are still very much unresolved, the previous expansion is still due for some closure as well. The upcoming Season of the Deep in Destiny 2 is a perfect opportunity to revisit the Witch Queen’s impending return as well as give Xivu Arath some more exposure.

Thanks to the surge of recent leaks in the Destiny 2 community, it’s widely believed that Season of the Deep will focus on Hive activity. With this in mind, Savathun may come back into the picture, as well as Xivu Arath and Hive Lightbearers. The next season will also introduce the first of Lightfall’s dungeons, so between the seasonal playlist activity, seasonal story, and the new Dungeon, there’s plenty of room for revisiting some familiar faces.

RELATED: Predicting Destiny 2 Lightfall's First Dungeon's Enemies

Savathun, Xivu Arath, and Hive Lightbearers Returning to Destiny 2

Destiny 2 Hive Lightbearer Knight Enemy

The Witch Queen expansion was far more concerned with Savathun’s origin story than it was with Guardians actually defeating Savathun, and the ending in particular threw a twist at the community. The expansion let players learn about the deceiving relationships between Savathun, the Witness, and the Traveler, but it ended with Savathun surviving. Much like the Hive Lightbearers, Savathun is known to now wield the Light and is even in possession of a ghost, thanks to infiltrating the Vanguard’s secrets while disguised as Osiris. The expansion ended with the guardians defeating Savathun, only for the Hive God to be revived by the Traveler to return and fight another day. Savathun’s return is essentially a given, so it’s only a matter of time.

Since Savathun’s newfound identity as a Lightbearer and their discovery of the Witness’ manipulation, Savathun may return as an ally instead of an opponent this time. Guardians wielding the Stasis and Strand Darkness Subclasses have been a large indicator of the times changing. Ultimately a lot of events since the Beyond Light expansion have led the Vanguard to desperately rely on more and more forces of Darkness. A lot of signs toward the ending of the Witch Queen expansion pointed to Savathun reconsidering her relationships between the Witness, the Traveler, and the Vanguard’s Guardians.

Another reason Savathun and also Xivu Arath might return sometime soon in the Lightfall expansion is their ties to the Strand. The final cutscenes of the Witch Queen expansion all but explicitly revealed that Savathun learned about the Strand at some point while possessing Osiris. Xivu Arath is due for a return because supposedly this Hive God has been able to wield the Strand for a long time already. The death of Sagira and Osiris' consequent capture was only possible because Xivu Arath suppressed Osiris’ Light with Hive magic that shares a lot in common with the Strand Subclasses. While Savathun may not be able to wield the Strand like Xivu Arath allegedly does, Savathun was well-informed about Neptune way before the Vanguard ever was. Neither of these 2 Hive Gods appeared at all in the first season of the Lightfall expansion, so it’s only a matter of time until they resurface.

Hive Lightbearers in particular are some of the most underutilized enemies in Destiny 2, and a recent feature of Lightfall strongly hints at their return. The new Root of Nightmares Raid weapon perks apply to Hive Lightbearers, which is suspicious because none of the weaponry in the expansion that exclusively features these enemies applies to Hive Lightbearers. This new weapon perk is either too little too late or it’s very clearly advertising Hive Lightbearers returning in the very near future. Hive Lightbearers are essentially Savathun’s personal army, so they are sort of a package deal, and if one of them returns the others won’t be far behind.

Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

MORE: Destiny 2: Season of Defiance's Final Mission Disappoints Players