Editing Empress Caiatl
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|othernames= Princess-Imperial <br> Heir Apparent | |othernames= Princess-Imperial <br> Heir Apparent | ||
|image= [[File:Caiatl, the Princess-Imperial.jpg|300px]] | |image= [[File:Caiatl, the Princess-Imperial.jpg|300px]] | ||
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===Warrior Princess=== | ===Warrior Princess=== | ||
{{Quote|I will challenge Irkyn La to a battle and defeat her. Then my people will own everything in the universe."<br>"Yes, I think you would. But the empire has already defeated the Tiiarn. None of them are left. And with no one to believe in her, Irkyn La is dead as well."<br>"Then I will believe in her.|A young Caiatl and Ahztja discussing the creation myth of the Tiiarn}} | {{Quote|I will challenge Irkyn La to a battle and defeat her. Then my people will own everything in the universe."<br>"Yes, I think you would. But the empire has already defeated the Tiiarn. None of them are left. And with no one to believe in her, Irkyn La is dead as well."<br>"Then I will believe in her.|A young Caiatl and Ahztja discussing the creation myth of the Tiiarn}} | ||
As the daughter of [[Emperor Calus]], Caiatl grew up surrounded by his decadence and extravagant pleasures. At birth she was named by her father after the brightest star in Torobatl's sky,<ref>'''Bungie (2022/05/27)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSF9E997dEg Duality | Enter the Dark Shrine: "The Brightest Star in Our Sky"]''</ref>, which itself was named after a loanword from the [[Hive]] language - as its base form, "aiat", means "it is this way because it can be no other way", "caiatl" means "it does not always go as it needs to go"<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore]]: [[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]]'' </ref>. Caiatl had also shown a curiosity for the world beyond, which Calus recognized having the same fascinations as him despite his worries for her.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/05/27)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJ-kldPd-s Duality | Second Repressed Memory: "Grow Up Knowing Only Celebration"]''</ref> | |||
As the daughter of [[Emperor Calus]], Caiatl grew up surrounded by his decadence and extravagant pleasures. At birth she was named by her father after the brightest star in Torobatl's sky,<ref>'''Bungie (2022/05/27)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSF9E997dEg Duality | Enter the Dark Shrine: "The Brightest Star in Our Sky"]''</ref>, which itself was named after a loanword from the [[Hive]] language - as its base form, "aiat", means "it is this way because it can be no other way", "caiatl" means "it does not always go as it needs to go"<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore]]: [[Beloved (lore)|Beloved | |||
As her father was often busy in either his pleasures or depression, Caiatl spent much time in the company of the tutors and caretakers he sent to watch over her in his absence. One of them was the mythkeeper [[Ahztja]], who would regale the young princess with stories of the worlds the [[Cabal|Cabal Empire]] had conquered. One night she asked her to tell her a story of how another species claimed the universe was created. Ahztja told her of the [[Tiiarn]] how they believed Irkyn La, the First Host had thought herself into existence and then brought order to the chaos of the cosmos. Caiatl questioned where Irkyn La lived and Ahztja explained that the Tiiarn claimed she was woven into the very fabric of the universe and that the sky was her mouth. Contemplating this for a moment, Caiatl resolved to challenge Irkyn La to battle so that once she was defeated the Cabal would have claim over the entire universe. Her amused caretaker noted that the Cabal had already conquered and brought the Tiiarn to extinction, and that no one believed in Irkyn La any longer. Caiatl decided that she would believe in her so that she could be fought, amusing Ahztja further, who declared that she was so mighty a warrior she would wish her enemies into existence.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 1: STORYTELLER|Empress: CHAPTER 1: STORYTELLER]]''</ref> | As her father was often busy in either his pleasures or depression, Caiatl spent much time in the company of the tutors and caretakers he sent to watch over her in his absence. One of them was the mythkeeper [[Ahztja]], who would regale the young princess with stories of the worlds the [[Cabal|Cabal Empire]] had conquered. One night she asked her to tell her a story of how another species claimed the universe was created. Ahztja told her of the [[Tiiarn]] how they believed Irkyn La, the First Host had thought herself into existence and then brought order to the chaos of the cosmos. Caiatl questioned where Irkyn La lived and Ahztja explained that the Tiiarn claimed she was woven into the very fabric of the universe and that the sky was her mouth. Contemplating this for a moment, Caiatl resolved to challenge Irkyn La to battle so that once she was defeated the Cabal would have claim over the entire universe. Her amused caretaker noted that the Cabal had already conquered and brought the Tiiarn to extinction, and that no one believed in Irkyn La any longer. Caiatl decided that she would believe in her so that she could be fought, amusing Ahztja further, who declared that she was so mighty a warrior she would wish her enemies into existence.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 1: STORYTELLER|Empress: CHAPTER 1: STORYTELLER]]''</ref> | ||
As a child, Caiatl was gifted her own personal [[War Beast]] as a pet, whom she affectionately named [[Milos]]. She grew extremely attached to her newfound companion, spending every waking and dormant hour with Milos by her side as the pair became inseparable. Caiatl trained Milos herself and even fed him from her own plate. Calus, fearing her love for Milos threatened to eclipse his own, grown envious and had Milos butchered by one of their servants. Caiatl would be sent a correspondence from her absent father explaining the deed and delivered by the servant whose hand had slaughtered her War Beast much to their dismay. Instead, the princess chose to forgive the servant for their part on Milos' death, and started resenting her father henceforth. <ref>'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Unforgiven]]''</ref> | As a child, Caiatl was gifted her own personal [[War Beast]] as a pet, whom she affectionately named [[Milos]]. She grew extremely attached to her newfound companion, spending every waking and dormant hour with Milos by her side as the pair became inseparable. Caiatl trained Milos herself and even fed him from her own plate. Calus, fearing her love for Milos threatened to eclipse his own, grown envious and had Milos butchered by one of their servants. Caiatl would be sent a correspondence from her absent father explaining the deed and delivered by the servant whose hand had slaughtered her War Beast much to their dismay. Instead, the princess chose to forgive the servant for their part on Milos' death, and started resenting her father henceforth. <ref>'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Unforgiven]]''</ref> | ||
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===The Midnight Coup=== | ===The Midnight Coup=== | ||
{{Quote|Father, I will not be weak.|Caiatl to Calus during the Midnight Coup}} | {{Quote|Father, I will not be weak.|Caiatl to Calus during the Midnight Coup}} | ||
Caiatl and Umun'arath soon joined a conspiracy led by [[Dominus Ghaul|Primus Ghaul]] of the [[Red Legion]] and the exiled [[The Consul|Consul]] to overthrow Calus and end his negligent rule of the Empire. Knowing Calus' closest secrets, Caiatl was a key player in the [[Midnight Coup (event)|Midnight Coup]], securing the throne room and the [[Ahamkara]] bone he kept there as part of a special arrangement that helped secure his throne. As her father rushed into the throne room to utilize the bone in the midst of the coup, Caiatl greeted him and vowed never to be weak before crushing the bone, ending his chances of stopping the coup.<ref name="CBCaiatl"/> Calus' popularity with the common people prevented the plotters from executing him, and he was instead imprisoned aboard ''[[The Leviathan]]'' and exiled to the edge of the galaxy along with his [[Loyalists]] by the ascended Dominus Ghaul.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Midnight Coup]]''</ref> | |||
Knowing Calus' closest secrets, Caiatl was a key player in the [[Midnight Coup (event)|Midnight Coup]], securing the throne room and the [[Ahamkara]] bone he kept there. As her father rushed into the throne room to utilize the bone in the midst of the coup, Caiatl greeted him and vowed never to be weak before crushing the bone, ending his chances of stopping the coup.<ref name="CBCaiatl"/> Calus' popularity with the common people prevented the plotters from executing him, and he was instead imprisoned aboard ''[[The Leviathan]]'' and exiled to the edge of the galaxy along with his [[Loyalists]] by the ascended Dominus Ghaul.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]], [[Midnight Coup]]''</ref> | |||
Centuries later, Caiatl sensed an [[Shadows of Calus|assassin]] watching her. The assassin spoke and informed her they brought Calus's regards. Turning to face the assassin, Caiatl did not recognize their species but noted their pressure suit was styled with Calus's colors. She told the assassin her father could keep his regards, but they responded that the Emperor also had a message. Before they could relay it Caiatl charged them as they fired a [[Void]] weapon that tore into her bicep. Ignoring the pain, Caiatl knocked the assassin to the ground and grabbed them by the throat and inquired about the message. The assassin stated that she was nothing more than a child playing general and lacked the vision of her father and the drive of Dominus Ghaul. She was caught off-guard as the assassin plunged [[Heartshadow]] into her side and finished the message by stating that she would not be remembered. Infuriated, she rolled away to remove the blade as the assassin leveled their weapon at her head. Caiatl quickly placed her palm over the weapon's muzzle and jerked it away as it fired, ripping a hole into her palm. With the assassin now unarmed, Caiatl grabbed them by the head and slammed it into the ground repeatedly until it cracked and blood began to pour from her foe's broken form. She questioned if her father was listening and warned him that she would come for him no matter how far he traveled. The assassin gasped out that his death would not stop the end from coming and that their gods had foreseen the end. Pondering those words, Caiatl crushed the assassins skull with a blow from her good hand and declared that their gods were dead. She would then break the enactine blade in two and send it back to her father along with the head of his Shadow assassin.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 3: ASSASSIN|Empress: CHAPTER 3: ASSASSIN]]''</ref> <ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore]]: [[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]] - [[Beloved (lore)#I am centuries old.|Entry 2]]'' </ref> That would soon became a tradition between Caiatl and her father as both parties kept passing the ceremonial blade between each other, being their only effective means of communication for the time being.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Heartshadow]]''</ref> | Centuries later, Caiatl sensed an [[Shadows of Calus|assassin]] watching her. The assassin spoke and informed her they brought Calus's regards. Turning to face the assassin, Caiatl did not recognize their species but noted their pressure suit was styled with Calus's colors. She told the assassin her father could keep his regards, but they responded that the Emperor also had a message. Before they could relay it Caiatl charged them as they fired a [[Void]] weapon that tore into her bicep. Ignoring the pain, Caiatl knocked the assassin to the ground and grabbed them by the throat and inquired about the message. The assassin stated that she was nothing more than a child playing general and lacked the vision of her father and the drive of Dominus Ghaul. She was caught off-guard as the assassin plunged [[Heartshadow]] into her side and finished the message by stating that she would not be remembered. Infuriated, she rolled away to remove the blade as the assassin leveled their weapon at her head. Caiatl quickly placed her palm over the weapon's muzzle and jerked it away as it fired, ripping a hole into her palm. With the assassin now unarmed, Caiatl grabbed them by the head and slammed it into the ground repeatedly until it cracked and blood began to pour from her foe's broken form. She questioned if her father was listening and warned him that she would come for him no matter how far he traveled. The assassin gasped out that his death would not stop the end from coming and that their gods had foreseen the end. Pondering those words, Caiatl crushed the assassins skull with a blow from her good hand and declared that their gods were dead. She would then break the enactine blade in two and send it back to her father along with the head of his Shadow assassin.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 3: ASSASSIN|Empress: CHAPTER 3: ASSASSIN]]''</ref> <ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[Lore]]: [[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]] - [[Beloved (lore)#I am centuries old.|Entry 2]]'' </ref> That would soon became a tradition between Caiatl and her father as both parties kept passing the ceremonial blade between each other, being their only effective means of communication for the time being.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Heartshadow]]''</ref> | ||
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As the ''de facto'' ruler of the Cabal following the death of Dominus Ghaul, Caiatl presided over the Cabal Empire from the royal palace on [[Torobatl]]. When one of her generals came to her complaining of a horrendous stench coming from Umun'arath's quarters. Concerned, Caiatl visited her mentor's room and discovered it stank of death and poison. Instead of the neat and tidy war room of the Cabal's military leader she found the tables covered in papers and tomes which she did not recognize, and saw to her horror in the corner was a Hive [[Thrall]] chained to the wall. She questioned Umun'arath on what she was doing, noticing that the tome the general was currently reading was bound in flesh, and was disturbed as she explained that she saw the future of the Cabal in the ways of the Hive and their lack of fear towards death. Caiatl reminded Umun'arath that it was she who had taught Caiatl about how the bravery to defy death was what made soldiers. Her mentor dismissed that, and now proclaimed that with the rapidly deteriorating state of the galaxy they must embrace new ways and new gods to survive. After a long silence, Caiatl came to a decision and ordered Umun'arath to step down from her council.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 4: SOLDIERS|Empress CHAPTER 4: SOLDIERS]]''</ref> | As the ''de facto'' ruler of the Cabal following the death of Dominus Ghaul, Caiatl presided over the Cabal Empire from the royal palace on [[Torobatl]]. When one of her generals came to her complaining of a horrendous stench coming from Umun'arath's quarters. Concerned, Caiatl visited her mentor's room and discovered it stank of death and poison. Instead of the neat and tidy war room of the Cabal's military leader she found the tables covered in papers and tomes which she did not recognize, and saw to her horror in the corner was a Hive [[Thrall]] chained to the wall. She questioned Umun'arath on what she was doing, noticing that the tome the general was currently reading was bound in flesh, and was disturbed as she explained that she saw the future of the Cabal in the ways of the Hive and their lack of fear towards death. Caiatl reminded Umun'arath that it was she who had taught Caiatl about how the bravery to defy death was what made soldiers. Her mentor dismissed that, and now proclaimed that with the rapidly deteriorating state of the galaxy they must embrace new ways and new gods to survive. After a long silence, Caiatl came to a decision and ordered Umun'arath to step down from her council.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 4: SOLDIERS|Empress CHAPTER 4: SOLDIERS]]''</ref> | ||
Some time later, Caiatl was alerted by Advisor [[Taurun]] that Umun'arath had been apprehended in the central square of Torobatl's weaponsmith district, in the midst of conducting what appeared to be a Hive ritual. Caiatl arrived on the scene to confront the disgraced Evocate-General and was disturbed to find her nearly naked with glyphs carved into her skin and a sickly green fire burning behind her. Dismissing the guards, Caiatl demanded to know what new god her former mentor was rambling about greeting. Umun'arath stated it was the god of war, causing the ground to begin rumbling. Caiatl declared that her obsession had turned her into a threat to Cabal society and began to pronounce her sentence, but Umun'arath then raised her hands, which glowed with energy and made the fire burn brighter while a stranger chattering began. Concerned, Caiatl drew her ceremonial blade and drove it into Umun'arath's gut, seeking to halt the ritual, but the corrupted general only laughed. Disgusted, Caiatl kicked Umun'arath off her blade and into the fire, inadvertently completing the ritual and summoning [[Xivu Arath, God of War|Xivu Arath]], the Hive God of War, and her army to Torobatl through a massive portal.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS|Empress CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS]]''</ref> | Some time later, Caiatl was alerted by Advisor [[Taurun]] that Umun'arath had been apprehended in the central square of Torobatl's weaponsmith district, in the midst of conducting what appeared to be a Hive ritual. Caiatl arrived on the scene to confront the disgraced Evocate-General and was disturbed to find her nearly naked with glyphs carved into her skin and a sickly green fire burning behind her. Dismissing the guards, Caiatl demanded to know what new god her former mentor was rambling about greeting. Umun'arath stated it was the the god of war, causing the ground to begin rumbling. Caiatl declared that her obsession had turned her into a threat to Cabal society and began to pronounce her sentence, but Umun'arath then raised her hands, which glowed with energy and made the fire burn brighter while a stranger chattering began. Concerned, Caiatl drew her ceremonial blade and drove it into Umun'arath's gut, seeking to halt the ritual, but the corrupted general only laughed. Disgusted, Caiatl kicked Umun'arath off her blade and into the fire, inadvertently completing the ritual and summoning [[Xivu Arath, God of War|Xivu Arath]], the Hive God of War, and her army to Torobatl through a massive portal.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS|Empress CHAPTER 5: NEW GODS]]''</ref> | ||
A [[Fall of Torobatl|battle]] began to defend the Cabal homeworld, but the endless army of Hive ground down the Cabal's military. The capital city was quickly overtaken by [[Cryptolith]]s which emerged throughout its streets. Caiatl took to the skies in her starfighter to defend the world, but found that while every missile she fired destroyed one set of foes, they were soon replaced, and she was eventually shot down. Wounded and with her combat suit leaking gel, Caiatl reflected on her role in the invasion, reflecting that even if she had been unwitting it was still her blade that completed the ritual Umun'arath set in motion. Xivu Arath then spoke, declaring that the Cabal had long worshipped war and thus her, and that she had finally come to claim her tribute.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 6: BATTLE SONG|Empress: CHAPTER 6: BATTLE SONG]]''</ref> | A [[Fall of Torobatl|battle]] began to defend the Cabal homeworld, but the endless army of Hive ground down the Cabal's military. The capital city was quickly overtaken by [[Cryptolith]]s which emerged throughout its streets. Caiatl took to the skies in her starfighter to defend the world, but found that while every missile she fired destroyed one set of foes, they were soon replaced, and she was eventually shot down. Wounded and with her combat suit leaking gel, Caiatl reflected on her role in the invasion, reflecting that even if she had been unwitting it was still her blade that completed the ritual Umun'arath set in motion. Xivu Arath then spoke, declaring that the Cabal had long worshipped war and thus her, and that she had finally come to claim her tribute.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Empress#CHAPTER 6: BATTLE SONG|Empress: CHAPTER 6: BATTLE SONG]]''</ref> | ||
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===The Growing Alliance=== | ===The Growing Alliance=== | ||
Following the events of [[The Lucent War|Operation Elbrus]], Caiatl discovers that a sect of [[Psion]]s are using Psionic propaganda to force her Psions to defect to the forces of | Following the events of [[The Lucent War|Operation Elbrus]], Caiatl discovers that a sect of [[Psion]]s are using Psionic propaganda to force her Psions to defect to the forces of [[The Witness]]. She asks the Guardian to return to Mars, this time near the city of [[Freehold]] to stop the Psions responsible. The Guardian deploys to the abandoned Cabal bunker near Freehold with Caiatl and Zavala monitoring their activity and [[Amanda Holliday]] providing support for the assault on the bunker. The Guardian discover that [[Qabix, Insurgent|Qabix]] was the Psion Flayer spreading Psionic propaganda, and Caiatl orders them to eliminate the Psion Flayer. They all learn that [[Yirix]] and her conclave has allied with her father [[Emperor Calus|Calus]] and to a certain extent the Witness. They would learn more of the Psionic propaganda on subsequent incursions, including the history of the Psions prior to Cabal enslavement, the supposed resurrection of [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness|Eramis]], the [[Traveler]]'s Light tainted with Darkness, and the return of [[The Leviathan]]. Caiatl declares that the existing alliances in [[The Last City]] must grow stronger if the possible futures are to be prevented from coming to pass and to fight against the forces of the Witness. | ||
===Haunted Leviathan=== | ===Haunted Leviathan=== | ||
Two years after its disappearance, the Leviathan had mysteriously returned to orbit above | Two years after its disappearance, the Leviathan had mysteriously returned to orbit above [[Luna]] and began forming a connection to the [[Lunar Pyramid]] and becoming infested with [[Nightmares]]. Caital arrived on the scene with her fleet to hold the perimeter, as the Guardian was sent down to investigate the Derelict Leviathan to assess the situation. After Calus's Loyalists and the Nightmares drove the Guardian away from the Leviathan, Caiatl met with Zavala and [[Eris Morn]], who explained that the Lunar Pyramid was the cause of the Nightmares and how the Nightmares manifest their greatest fears and regrets. She then suggests a plan to use a hive ritual to bind these Nightmares to them, allowing them to move safely through the Leviathan. However, Caital rejected this offer, believing that Eris' ritual would play right into Calus' hands and that she would doom them all. Eris tried to reassure The Empress that her ritual would grant her protection, but Caital assured her that her armor would be all the protection she would need and that they would only need to follow her into battle as she led the charge. Despite the Empress' refusal to take part in Eris's ritual, Eris still conducted the ritual With Zavala and Crow. However, after the ritual was complete, as Caital continued to look upon the Derelict Leviathan, she failed to notice the [[Nightmare of Dominus Ghaul]] haunting her from behind. | ||
After the Guardian helped Crow conquer the [[Nightmare of Uldren]], | After the Guardian helped Crow conquer the [[Nightmare of Uldren]], Caital delivered a status report to the H.E.L.M. on the current condition of the Leviathan from her Psion Opti scouts, who confirmed that the ship was emitting psychic anomalies from the Nightmares manifesting aboard the Leviathan. Caital also added that Navigational Equipment showed that the Leviathan entered a Gravitational Anomaly where [[Mercury]] once was resulting in the ship somehow being both inside and outside the known universe for an indeterminate amount of time. When it reappeared, the ship had been completely mutated, overrun by a massive infestation of [[Egregore]] and most of the crew were missing. Caital went on to explain that the Cabal Loyalists still aboard were freshly grown mindless clones with no higher brain function. Saladin Forge suggested that Caital task Crow with reconnaissance missions to see if there was more that he could find out, to which The Empress agreed. | ||
After the Guardian helped Zavala overcome the [[Nightmare of Safiyah]], | After the Guardian helped Zavala overcome the [[Nightmare of Safiyah]], Caital would later contact the commander to congratulate him on conquering his demons, going on to state that other Cabal warriors have also done the same thing and are immortalized in legend. She even tells Zavala that the Cabal even have stories about the "Great Commander". However, Zavala told the Empress that he did not want to become a legend and that the confrontation with Safiyah was a battle he had never faced before. Caital assured Zavala that the battles fought within the mind and heart are just as brutal as battles fought in real life, and that Zavala had just won the most honest battle in his life. But Zavala only felt like he didn't win anything and just felt tired and old, to which Caital responded that despite all of his hardships, the commander was still standing. | ||
===Rage and Resolve=== | ===Rage and Resolve=== | ||
{{Quote|Do not interfere, Guardian. I am Cabal, and this conquest is mine to claim. There must be a proving. An acceptance from the old ways. So, as a gladiator entering an arena, I issue my challenge. Dominus! Are you listening? I am to finish what we began all those years ago. You won't stop me. GHAUL! I challenge you! In the depths of my father's tomb... we do battle!|Empress Caiatl challenging the Nightmare Of Ghaul}} | {{Quote|Do not interfere, Guardian. I am Cabal, and this conquest is mine to claim. There must be a proving. An acceptance from the old ways. So, as a gladiator entering an arena, I issue my challenge. Dominus! Are you listening? I am to finish what we began all those years ago. You won't stop me. GHAUL! I challenge you! In the depths of my father's tomb... we do battle!|Empress Caiatl challenging the Nightmare Of Ghaul}} | ||
As Caiatl watched the Guardian complete each severance ritual from her ship, the Nightmare of Dominus Ghaul continued to haunt her relentlessly. As the Nightmare of the Dominus was the only thing standing between her and Calus, | As Caiatl watched the Guardian complete each severance ritual from her ship, the Nightmare of Dominus Ghaul continued to haunt her relentlessly. As the Nightmare of the Dominus was the only thing standing between her and Calus, Caital prepared to assist the situation, by confronting Ghaul's Nightmare. However, Eris was afraid that severance wouldn't work because Caital was not bound by the initial binding ritual and advised the Empress to stay aboard her flagship until Eris could think of another solution. Unfortunately, Calus took advantage of this and manipulated his daughter. With her patience at its limits, Caital sent out a message to the Vanguard, issuing her challenge to the Nightmare of Ghaul. In a panic, Eris sent the Guardian to make sure that Caital was alright. As the Guardian continued to make their way towards Caital's position, the Empress kept asking the Guardian not to assist her. However, Eris kept telling Caital to at least wait until the Guardian made it to her location. All the while the Nightmare of Ghaul continued taunting her about how weak and pathetic she had become now, even mocking her about how she failed to protect [[Torobatl]] from Xivu Arath's Invasion. After the Guardian finally arrived at Caital's position and began the severance ritual, she looked upon the Nightmare of Ghaul and told it how she idolized and looked up to Ghaul as he taught her to be fierce. However, the Nightmare scolded the Empress, stating that she had forgotten his teachings which led to Torobatl burning under her banner and forcing her to seek the aid of humanity, who were originally her enemies. As the ritual commenced, Caital strained and struggled against the Nightmare of Ghaul as the Guardian fought another Nightmare of the Dominus. After slaying the second Nightmare, Caital was brought to her knees and became heavily exhausted as the Nightmare of Ghaul shouted at Caital, telling her that she was not "the Caital that Ghaul trained" and demanded to know where that Caital was. The Empress responded that "she died" when Torobatl fell along with Ghaul's lessons, which The Dominus's Nightmare acknowledged and stated that Torobatl is where the old Caital would stay. Eris informed the Empress that, without the binding ritual, the Severance ritual had failed. Furious, Caital told Eris that she didn't need a "Hive-tainted witch" to explain her failure. Eris obliged and ended the communication. | ||
After this failure, | After this failure, Caital shamefully met with Eris and asked if her ritual would have prevented her failure. At first, Eris mocked Caital, asking her if now she sought the aid of a Hive-tainted witch. Caital was angered and demanded to know if Eris saw enjoyment in watching her fail, to which Eris simply stated that she offered the Empress her support and that the offer still stands. Eris went on to explain that Caital's failure isn't what defined her and that she was only doing this for herself, not for the cabal. Caital tried to state that she was the Cabal. But Eris told her that she wasn't and that she was a woman with a burden, just as Eris was. Caital then explained the intense situation she was in, such as her failure to protect Torobatl, and that within her ranks are traitors and spies. In her eyes, there could be no quarter for failure. Eris recognized that the Empress was speaking Dominus Ghaul's words and understood that Caital's Nightmare was that her incompetence would jeopardize the future of her people. Eris comforted the Empress and told her to look past her shame and say that she was more. After being convinced, Caital agreed with Eris and asked her to prepare the binding ritual, to which Eris responded that it was already awaiting her. | ||
Thanks to Eris's binding ritual, | Thanks to Eris's binding ritual, Caital was bound to the Crown of Sorrow just as Zavala and Crow were. She was now ready to confront the Nightmare of Ghaul and sever Calus's connection to the Lunar Pyramid. Caital arrived on the Leviathan in a Drop Pod shortly after the Guardian arrived. Almost immediately after arriving, The Nightmare of Ghaul taunted her once more about her weakness, her new empire, and her attempt to challenge him again. The Guardian eventually met up with Caital directly speaking to the Nightmare of Ghaul with a Scorn [[Chieftain]] impaled on her blade. The Dominus's Nightmare demanded that Caital kill the Guardian and send their head back to the City, but the Empress told the Nightmare to be silent and that it was a weak interpretation of the Ghaul she knew. Angered that Caital stood beside the Guardian against him, the Nightmare of Ghaul continued to scold Empress, telling her that she had grown fat from weakness and drunk on the Vanguard's patronage. It kept trying to tell Caital that the Guardians were using her and her empire as cattle, that the Cabal will die alongside Humanity. Caital, however, disregarded the Nightmare and ignored its lies, stating that, with the aid of both the Guardians and the Light, the Cabal have become stronger than ever before. As Caital and the Guardian arrived at the severance site, Caital began the ritual as the Dominus's Nightmare continued to grow furious at her. The Guardian was once again forced to battle a second Nightmare of Ghaul and, as the fight continued, Caital cheered the Guardian on, telling them to crush the Nightmare with their light as [[the Traveler]] did to Ghaul. After the Guardian defeated the second Nightmare, the first Nightmare of Ghaul continued to scold Caital even in defeat, calling her nothing more than a child playing Empress. Caital stood back up and looked upon the Nightmare of Ghaul, telling it that the old ways were dead and that Caital forged a new Cabal in her own image that did not need his approval. The Empress then drew her blade and stabbed the Nightmare in the chest, purifying the Nightmare of Ghaul with light and turning into a Memory. After that, the Memory of Ghaul could see Caital's new Cabal empire and confirmed that she has finally surpassed him because of how she wields the Light on her War Council. Caital was glad to hear the Memory of Ghaul accepted this, but told it that she did not achieve this through conquest, but rather through compromise, which was an act that Ghaul's old traditions would never allow. The Memory acknowledged this and faded away, completing the final severance ritual. | ||
After returning to her flagship, | After returning to her flagship, Caital contacted the Guardian and stated how she and the Cabal looked at Ghaul as a hero. But when confronting his Nightmare, it allowed her to see Ghaul as the Vanguard did. She saw how ruthless and cruel the Dominus truly was and thanked the Guardian for their efforts before ending the transmission. Shortly after, Zavala would contact Caital and ask how she felt after challenging her idol. The Empress responded by saying that she felt tired and old, but now she understood what Ghaul was to humanity. She and many other Cabal Warriors believed Ghaul to be a hero, who rose to become a great legend. But she admitted that she was too blinded by his accomplishments to see that Ghaul was a lot more like Calus than she cared to admit and she still cared for both of them in spite of everything they became. Zavala comforted Caital and sympathized with the difficult experiences they both shared. The Commander explained that he'd never know Ghaul as Caital knew him, but he knew Caital and he saw her as she truly was. Caital thanked Zavala as that was all she asked for. | ||
===Catharsis=== | ===Catharsis=== | ||
Unfortunately, | Unfortunately, Caital's decision to brazenly challenge The Nightmare of Ghaul early gave Calus the time he needed to merge his consciousness with the Lunar Pyramid. However, Eris determined that, like a snail coiled in its shell, Calus had not fully slithered out of the Leviathan and taken control of the Pyramid yet. She estimated that if they strike now and perform one last severance ritual, they just might be able to stop Calus from taking control of the Pyramid. With the plan now in motion, the Guardian would return to the Leviathan and harvest the Nightmares necessary to conduct the final ritual. | ||
Once the Guardian finished, they began their final assault against Calus alongside Crow, Caital, Zavala and Eris. Caital and the others were tasked with setting up their amplifiers while the Guardian would distract Calus's forces. After Caital finished setting up her amplifier, she arrived in the throne room with Calus was nowhere to be found. As the Guardian made their way towards the throne room, Caital heard something mysterious right before her something jammed her comms. Worse of all, Zavala, Crow and Eris faced heavy resistance from Calus's Loyalists, cutting off their communications as well. It was clear the diversion did not fool the former Emperor. The Guardian tracked Caital to the room underneath the throne room, where all of Calus's robotic duplicates were. At the end of the room was a portal that led the Guardian down into the Lunar Pyramid. After leaping through it, the Guardian would meet up with Caital in the [[Chantry of the Darkest Hour]] surrounded by the bodies of Loyalists. Caital was upset that the others were not with the Guardian, but regardless stayed determined, recognizing that they must face Calus alone. Without wasting any more time, Caital turned around and called out her father, demanding to know if Calus saw her in all her glory and insisted that the former Emperor show himself. Both the Guardian and the Empress jumped down into the arena below and prepared for battle. As the Guardian placed down the Nightmare Harvester in the center of the arena, Calus materialized in front of them in his Psionic form. Calus expressed that he did see Caital, but he only regarded that he saw only her failure, her doubts and her fears, and stated that Caital could have ruled by his side, but instead chose this fate. An intense battle began as the Emperor unleashed an army of Scorn and Loyalists, all of which were led by the fading Nightmares of [[Nightmare of the Fanatic|the Fanatic]], [[Nightmare of Kethiks, Grief Unforgiven|Kethiks]], and [[Nightmare of Dominus Ghaul|Ghaul]]. With each Nightmare slain, the three memories of Uldren, Safiyah and Ghaul were called forth to greatly weaken Calus while the Emperor tried to fight back by unleashing a barrage of psionic projectiles that would be blocked by a shield deployed by Caiatl to protect her and the Guardian. After a long and hard-fought battle, the Guardian managed to slay the final Nightmare and complete the ritual, severing Calus's connection to the Lunar Pyramid for good. As his psionic form began to disappear, Calus tried to speak with Caital one last time, but was cut off before he could even start. | |||
Exhausted, Caital fell to her knees and removed her combat equipment. The Guardian wanted to help her up, but Caital refused their help. Zavala, Crow and Eris all arrived in the room with them, as did the memories of Uldren, Safiyah, and Ghaul. Zavala approached Caital and asked her where Calus was, to which the Empress responded that Calus was dead, that he had given himself over to the Witness, and that the man she once knew as her father was gone. Zavala comforted Caital, and together they leaned against each other as the memories of Safiyah and Ghaul faded away. However, despite succeeding in stopping Calus from taking control of the Lunar Pyramid, Eris did not see this as a victory, as Calus had succeeded in his ultimate goal. Calus had become the Herald of The Witness and the Harbinger Of The Second Collapse. | |||
===Season of the Seraph=== | |||
Caital had a brief appearance during the events of [[Season of the Seraph]]. She was called to a meeting by [[Mara Sov]] to discuss to the threat of [[Xivu Arath]], and her pursuit of the [[Warsat]] network. Mara explained that the Hive God's plan was to use the Warsat network to achieve the same outcome she did, to conquer Torobatl. She was waiting for the Guardians to restore [[Rasputin]], so that the Warmind could intentionally eradicate her army of [[Wrathborn]]. The resulting destruction would feed her worm greatly, as well as fueling a powerful ritual that would open a portal over Earth large enough to send her armies through and overwhelm the forces of [[The Coalition]]. At first, Mara suggests that they must cease their efforts to restore the Warmind. [[Ana Bray]] however, arrived at the meeting and voiced her objections, stating that Rasputin is more than a weapon but an ally that humanity needs. Mara then thought of of a compromise. She suggested that they aim not for total victory, but settle for a stalemate. Thereby, allowing the Guardians to finish restoring the Warmind, but at the same time, also ensure that Rasputin himself can't use his defenses. To which everyone in the meeting agreed. | |||
Caital would even be take part in the [[ABHORRENT IMPERATIVE]] mission. As the Guardian made their way through the [[Seraph Station]], Caital would take her fleet and engage Eramis's fleet. Although, one of the Ketchs was not fooled by the diversion and still attempted to bombard The Guardian from afar. When The Traveler attempted to leave Earth as Eramis prepared to fire the Warsats, Caital and Valus Forge watched the event unfold on The Empress's flagship. | |||
==Personality and traits== | ==Personality and traits== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Caiatl is voiced by [[Wikipedia:Courtenay Taylor|Courtenay Taylor]]<ref>[https://twitter.com/courtenaytaylor/status/1369687357763448833 Courtenay Taylor twitter - 2021/3/11]</ref> | *Caiatl is voiced by [[Wikipedia:Courtenay Taylor|Courtenay Taylor]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/courtenaytaylor/status/1369687357763448833 Courtenay Taylor twitter - 2021/3/11]</ref> | ||
*Caiatl's headdress looks similar to the head armor for [[Titan (class)|Titans]] from the [[Leviathan, Eater of Worlds|Eater of Worlds]] [[Raid Lair]]. | *Caiatl's headdress looks similar to the head armor for [[Titan (class)|Titans]] from the [[Leviathan, Eater of Worlds|Eater of Worlds]] [[Raid Lair]]. | ||
*Caiatl is the only antagonist in the series to end their war with the City via a truce where neither party's leader dies. | *Caiatl is the only antagonist in the series to end their war with the City via a truce where neither party's leader dies. | ||
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**''[[Season of the Witch]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Season of the Witch]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[Season of the Wish]]'' {{Mo}} | **''[[Season of the Wish]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
**''[[The Final Shape]]'' | **''[[The Final Shape]]'' | ||
*''[[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Beloved (lore)|Beloved]]'' {{Mo}} | ||