Editing Nezarec, Final God of Pain

{{Boss infobox
|name= Nezarec, Final God of Pain
|othernames= Nezarec, Disciple of the Witness <br> The Purest Light <br> The Darkest Hour <br> Whispering Nightmare <br> Prime Tormentor
|image= {{Tabcontainer
|title1= Main
|content1=[[File:NezarecInfobox.jpg|300px]]
|title2= Damage
|content2=[[File:NezarecPhase2Info.jpg|300px]]
}}
|faction=[[Disciples of the Witness]]
|rank= [[Ultra]]
|class= [[Tormentor]] {{c|Basis}}
|gender= Male
|mission= [[Root of Nightmares]]
|weapon= {{icon|Void}} [[Tormentor Scythe#Overview|Night Terror]]
|ability= High Durability <br> Rapid Movement <br> Summon [[Cabal]] <br> {{icon|Void}} Null Paroxysm <br> {{icon|Void}} Suppression <br> {{icon|Void}} Abyssal Cleave <br> {{icon|Void}} Psionic Entropy <br> Nezarec's Hatred <br> Overwhelming Energy <br> Overwhelming Light <br> Overwhelming Darkness
}}
{{Article quote|Oh, a shame we can't entertain our one-sided conversations further! Ah, but this... this feels too good. Guardians! Let me devour your fear!}} 

'''Nezarec, Final God of Pain''' was a [[Disciples of the Witness|Disciple]] of [[The Witness|the Witness]]. An ancient being with powerful psychic abilities, he was known for bringing terror to entire worlds and species in order to feed on their collective fear; he was both feared and worshipped by various groups across time, including cults and sects among the pre-[[Cabal]] [[Psion]]s and pre-[[Golden Age]] [[Humanity]]. 

Nezarec led the [[Black Fleet]] in its assault on [[Earth]] during the [[Collapse]], carrying [[The Veil|the Veil]] aboard his [[The Lunar Pyramid|Pyramid]]. He was betrayed by [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]], who killed him and cursed his remains, leaving him entombed in his own Pyramid on the [[Moon]]. Nezarec's remains were later discovered by [[Fallen]] scavengers, who split his corpse into pieces that were then distributed amongst them as "relics" and talismans, leaving only his head inside the lunar Pyramid.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/3/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]:[[Lightfall]] - [[Armor|Armor lore]]: [[Bite of Trepidation Suit#Vest of Trepidation|Vest of Trepidation]]''</ref> These pieces would be gathered centuries later by two parties: The [[Guardian]]s of the [[Last City]] and [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness]] of the [[House of Salvation]] during ''[[Season of Plunder]]''. This in turn led to the Witness taking possession of Nezarec's head and encasing it within a sarcophagus aboard its [[Essence|Pyramid]].

Having long slumbered on the edge of death as a barely-living psychic presence, Nezarec became active again in the fallout of [[The Traveler|the Traveler]]'s attack on the Witness's [[Essence|Pyramid]], which resulted in his remains becoming infused with Light. As he gathered his strength, he haunted the citizens of [[Neomuna]] in the [[CloudArk]], bringing them nightmares as they slept. He would later fully resurrect in a new corporeal form imbued with both Light and Darkness, only to be defeated a final time by the [[Guardians]] as they [[Root of Nightmares|stormed the Witness' Pyramid.]]

As with [[Rhulk]] and possibly other Disciples of the Witness, The Witness used Nezarec as a template for its Dread soldiers, in his case the [[Tormentor|Tormentors]].

==Biography==
===Origins===
{{Quote|Rise, Disciple, and bear this gift with pride.|Rhulk to Nezarec}}<ref name="Whisper">'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Nezarec's Whisper]]''</ref>

Hailing from an unknown species gifted with immense psionic abilities, Nezarec was elevated and transformed by the Witness into one of its chosen Disciples, using [[Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness|Rhulk]]'s "blueprint" to empower him with pure primordial [[Darkness]].<ref name="TWID">[https://www.bungie.net/7/en/News/article/twid-05-23-24 This Week In Destiny - 05/23/2024]</ref> He was also gifted a [[Nezarec's Whisper|glaive]] by Rhulk as part of his exaltation.<ref name="Whisper">'''Bungie (2022/5/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Haunted]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Nezarec's Whisper]]''</ref> Nezarec's own blueprint would later be used by the Witness to create the [[Tormentor]]s, powerful and hulking brutes within its personal army known as the [[The Dread|Dread]]. 

[[Eris Morn]] and [[Micah-10]] speculated that Nezarec had the power to command [[Nightmare]]s, a previously-untapped power of the [[Darkness]] that he co-opted for himself and wove into the fabric of his Pyramid.<ref name="Visitation">'''Bungie (2023/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[The Visitation]]''</ref> These Nightmares would be encountered centuries after Nezarec's death during the Collapse, when his Pyramid was re-discovered on the Moon.

====God of the Psions====
{{Quote|The Psions kneel to you. Their faith is shattered, and they will look to you. For guidance. For truth.<br>Sow the seeds of discord that will pave the way for our victory.<br>Preach unto their greatest the truth of the Darkness... so that they may see beyond the Veil.<br>Go forth, Nezarec... and show them the power of the Veil. The Dark of the Deep. The edge of the knife.|The Witness to Nezarec}}<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_QumP8ZPjY</ref>

Nezarec would go on to become a force of terror across the known universe, with his psychic influence being felt by countless races. Notable among these were the [[Psion]]s, which revered him as a deity in their pre-Cabal history.<ref name="Psions">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6AUTpFszfs "Psions. Do You Still Adore Me?"]''</ref> Following the guidance of the Witness, Nezarec would share with the Psions the truth of the [[Darkness]] by showing them the power of [[The Veil|the Veil]], a primordial source of Darkness.<ref name="Visitation"/> 

A hidden cult of Psions would continue to honor Nezarec in modern times, offering up individuals with particularly powerful psychic abilities as sacrifices to him. One such unfortunate was [[Acasia]]'s partner, who was taken from his home and tortured by the cult in order to feed Nezarec's hunger for pain and fear.<ref name="Boots of Detestation">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Armor|Armor lore]]: [[Breath of Detestation#Boots of Detestation|Boots of Detestation]]''</ref> 

====The Acolytes of Nezarec====
{{Quote|He is that which is end. That which covets sin. The final god of pain—the purest light, the darkest hour. And He shall rise again.|Passage from "''Of Hated Nezarec''"}}<ref name="Sin">'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Armor]] lore: [[Nezarec's Sin]]''</ref>

Nezarec's influence was also present amongst humanity before the Golden Age, having formed their own [[Acolytes of Nezarec|cult]] dedicated to worshipping him. He was the subject of a pre-Golden Age text titled ''Of Hated Nezarec'',<ref name="Sin"/> a leather-bound tome containing apocrypha of the Disciple which survived in the possession of a human family into the Golden Age and post-Collapse eras.<ref name="Dream Demon">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Sparrow]] lore: [[Dream Demon]]''</ref>

===The Collapse===
{{quote|The Veil... So, the witch didn't ruin you during her escapade. Good.|Nezarec's remark towards the Veil}}<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoBLXzVSjdA "The Witch Didn't Ruin You During Her Escapade"]''</ref>

When the Black Fleet chased the Traveler to the [[Sol System]], Nezarec led the first invasion against humanity accompanied by [[Hive]] forces led by Savathûn, the Witch Queen.<ref name="Eido">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eido]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmmmso_uFaU "Nezarec Led the Witness's First Assault on Earth."]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]], [[Parasitic Pilgrimage]]''</ref> On [[Earth]], Nezarec's fleet engulfed the planet in such massive numbers that they turned day into midnight.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Echoes]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Polyphony#IV. MSUND12/Personal|IV. MSUND12/Personal]]''</ref> 

Just when victory seemed assured, Nezarec was betrayed by Savathûn, who mortally wounded the Disciple. Nezarec drew upon the Darkness to preserve his consciousness after death, but the Witch Queen cursed his body with her magic and forced his psyche to remain bound to his physical form. She stole the Veil and hid it away on [[Neptune]], leaving Nezarec to die on the floor of his Pyramid.<ref name="Conditional Finality">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Weapon]] lore: [[Conditional Finality]]''</ref> His Pyramid subsequently crashed into the surface of the Moon, entombing his corpse beneath the lunar surface.<ref name="Eido"/>

===The Relics of Nezarec===

[[File:Inaaks2.jpg|300px|left|thumb|[[Inaaks]] cuts apart Nezarec's corpse.]]

Following the Collapse, Nezarec's corpse remained undisturbed within his Pyramid until the [[Fallen]] arrived during their [[Long Drift]]. Eventually, [[Inaaks]], the then-[[Kell]] of the [[House of Wolves]], uncovered his derelict Pyramid during a spelunking expedition, despite the nearby Hive forces picking off her raid party.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Lore:Above All Else]]: [[Lore:Above All Else#II. The Whispering Dark|II. The Whispering Dark]]''</ref> Inside, Inaaks and her fellow Fallen scavengers discovered Nezarec's corpse and determined that it was a source of great power. They carved his body into pieces which were then distributed as morbid talismans amongst members of the Old Crews, including Inaaks's son [[Mithrax, Kell of Light|Misraaks]].<ref name="S18 Flashback>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9slzXnUNFk Sails of the Shipstealer {{!}} They Discovered Nezarec, Disciple of the Witness]''</ref> Over time, these pieces were stored within super-dense reliquaries to contain their radiating Darkness energies.<ref name="1st Relic">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eido]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF62BnpgM-U "Made of a Super-Dense Substance"]''</ref> According to Misraaks' daughter [[Eido]], the Darkness contained within the relics would dissolve anyone attempting to use them, with only beings of extraordinary fortitude being able to withstand their power.<ref name="6th Relic">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eido]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbL11nnCLRk "The Darkness Inside Would Dissolve You"]''</ref> 

This use of Nezarec's remains was not without consequence, however, as echoes of his consciousness continued to live within them, to haunt and torment their bearers. Among these was a Fallen pirate named [[Koraxis]], who pried one of the Disciple's seven eyes from his head and kept it for himself.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Bite of Trepidation#Vest of Trepidation|Vest of Trepidation]]''</ref> 

By the time Koraxis became a [[Captain]] of his own crew,<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Bite of Trepidation#Mask of Trepidation|Mask of Trepidation]]''</ref> he was in constant pain from an injured leg and paranoia stemming from his possession of the eye. After experiencing a nightmare that caused him to relive his expedition into the Pyramid,<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Bite of Trepidation#Grips of Trepidation|Grips of Trepidation]]''</ref> Koraxis made the decision to evoke Nezarec's presence with a ritual involving the eye, a pointed crystal, and a book of magic.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Bite of Trepidation#Boots of Trepidation|Boots of Trepidation]]''</ref> As Nezarec's voice beckoned for Koraxis to "free him", Koraxis reacted in fear and flung the eye out into the Reef with all the strength he could muster.<ref name="Cloak of Trepidation">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Bite of Trepidation Suit#Cloak of Trepidation|Cloak of Trepidation]]''</ref>  

Other pieces of the Disciple were enshrined by the Fallen into what became known as the Tombs of Nezarec;<ref name="5th Relic">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eido]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLx5gGcK1RY "The Many Tombs of Nezarec Are Well Known"]''</ref> [[Fourth Tomb of Nezarec|one]] of them being located in [[Jovian]] space.<ref name="Fourth Tomb">'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], [[Lore:A Drifter's Gambit#Artifacts and Old Friends|A Drifter's Gambit: Artifacts and Old Friends]]''</ref>  

During the [[Dark Age]], Nezarec's influence continued to plague the dreams of [[Lightbearer]]s and non-bearers alike with night terrors whenever the Moon was at perigee.<ref name="TWID"/> One of his victims was a [[Titan (class)|Titan]] named [[Briar]] of the Wild Brambles, who was psychically touched by the god of pain after unknowingly killing one of his prior victims out of self-defense.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Palate of Agony Suit#Helm of Agony|Helm of Agony]]''</ref> The Disciple's laugh echoed as Briar felt his malevolent shadow cast upon his mind and screamed in terror.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Palate of Agony Suit#Gauntlets of Agony|Gauntlets of Agony]]''</ref> Nezarec, having fed from his fear-driven scream, haunted Briar for more as the Titan couldn't shake the whispers plaguing him in his sleep, even setting fire to his own home with his [[Hammer of Sol]] out of desperation.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Palate of Agony Suit#Plate of Agony|Plate of Agony]]''</ref> Eventually, Briar had cut out his own eyes in a futile attempt to keep him from seeing the Disciple's visage, only for his [[Ghost]] [[Firethorn]] to restore his vision out of concern. At Nezarec's own bidding, Briar turned on Firethorn and killed him; piercing his lens with a knife before blinding himself a final time. <ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Palate of Agony Suit#Greaves of Agony|Greaves of Agony]]''</ref> 

Meanwhile, [[Mykel]] and his family continued to worship Nezarec and conduct rituals in his name to keep his hatred alive, with every new generation tested for loyalty and worthiness. On the night of his 18th birthday, Mykel was awakened after a nightmare caused by Nezarec, leading one of his parents to induct him into the cult by torturing a captive Eliksni in order to "extract its fear".<ref name="Dream Demon"/> Later in his adulthood, Mykel would lead the [[Acolytes of Nezarec]] by directing the god of pain's influence towards his ideal victims. He also reached out to other prior victims of his to recruit into their ranks, including Acasia,<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Breath of Detestation Suit#Bond of Detestation|Bond of Detestation]]''</ref> Briar,<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Armor lore: [[Palate of Agony Suit#Mark of Agony|Mark of Agony]]''</ref> and Koraxis.<ref name="Cloak of Trepidation"/>

At one point, the [[The Drifter|Drifter]] was contracted by the [[The Spider|Spider]] to retrieve a relic of the disciple at the [[Fourth Tomb of Nezarec]]<ref name="Fourth Tomb"/> Though he was accosted by both an unknown Acolyte (implied to be [[Nessa]]) and Nezarec's own [[Nightmares|powers]], he escaped unharmed with the artifact in hand.<ref name="Gift Of Cruelty">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Jumpship lore: [[Gift of Cruelty]]''</ref>

Around the time of the [[Severing of the Nightmares|Leviathan's Haunt]], Eris would investigate further into the Nezarec's ship, she found the [[Chantry of the Darkest Hour|chamber]] that housed Nezarec's ancient [[Nezarec's Whisper|glaive]], attempting to call out to him with no response.<ref name="Whisper"/>

===The Hunt for the Relics===
{{quote|As I've gathered, there was barely anything left of me for the Witness to collect. Hmm... has anyone suffered from the pieces they took? I wonder if I could track them down. Do you happen to know who took them. Consider the information reparations for my untimely death.|Nezarec comments on his scattered remains}}<ref name="Barely Anything Left of Me">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr96RCbN2gg "There Was Barely Anything Left of Me for the Witness"]''</ref>

[[File:NezarecRelics.jpg|300px|left|thumb|All eight relics of Nezarec.]]
After being released from her [[Stasis]] prison, Eramis, the Kell of Darkness, was tasked by the Witness with collecting the scattered pieces of Nezarec's corpse for an unknown purpose.<ref name="cutscene">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Lore]]: [[Lore:Between Stolen Stars#I. Thaw|Between Stolen Stars - I. Thaw]]''</ref> Having rallied the Old Crews of the [[Themis Cluster]] to her side, she tasked the Pirate Lords with recovering the relics of the ancient Disciple. When [[Iriks, the Sharpshooter|one]] of them attempts to extort Eramis with their possession of a relic, she immediately rebukes his threats.<ref name="2nd Relic">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eramis, Kell of Darkness]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLx5gGcK1RY "Deliver the relic as agreed, and I will overlook your attempts to extort me. Do it, or face the wrath of a power you cannot imagine."]''</ref> In retaliation, Mithrax along with his daughter Eido, the Drifter, the Spider, and the Guardian, would form their own pirate crew composed of Guardians and Eliksni alike as they took on the Pirate Lords in possession of the relics.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]], [[Pirate Hideouts]]''</ref> Meanwhile, the Hive of the [[Lucent Brood]] began their own plundering of the Disciple's remains for reasons unclear, overwhelming Eramis's forces in the process.<ref name=>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]], [[Pirate Hideout: The Coward]]''</ref>

During a parlay with Mithrax, Eido and the Guardian, Eramis revealed the true nature of the relics and the connection they share with Nezarec, Inaaks, and Mithrax's own bloodied past.<ref name="S18 Flashback/> The Drifter would also recall his past encounter with the relic he claimed back at the Disciple's Fourth Tomb a long time ago, which he tried gifting to Eris earlier as a sign of affection and was instead given an idea for Mithrax on the best usage of the relics for good.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[The Drifter]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asDiAOIK1Fs "long time back, I found myself at the Fourth Tomb of Nezarec. Recognized these relics the first time I saw one. That's why I needed you involved. Ain't nobody I trust with that kind of power more'n you. Well... after Eris. She gave me some ideas that might help Mithrax use these things for good. Whatever he does will show us just what kind of person he is... if we can stop Eramis from finding the last few relics and killing us all. So, uh... get on that, heh."]''</ref> <ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuPqQPPJRoY Semaphore Signals {{!}} Drifter — You'd Find a Fingerbone, Or a Knot of Old Hair]''</ref>  

Ultimately, Mithrax and the Guardians had successfully gathered the majority of the relics of Nezarec before Eramis and the Lucent Brood. Through her extensive research on the relics, however, [[Eido]] discovered a reference to the "Curse of Nezarec" in an ancient dirge as a potent side effect of the relics' usage. The curse is alleged to drain the life of the user, though to what purpose is unknown.<ref name="8th Relic">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Eido]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZvr5gdORiE "Now that we’ve collected all the relics, Misraakskel and I believe that we could harness their power. To what end... we’re still uncertain. While I believe in our abilities, I am concerned about the potential side effects such a process could have. An ancient dirge I discovered describes something called "the Curse of Nezarec", which is rumored to drain the life of the user. Of course, I don’t give credence to such superstition. Dark Age Humans were comically ignorant. Still, I would rather not take the risk."]''</ref> Mithrax took time to study the secrets of Nezarec's relics as they were connected by threads only he could perceive and whisper to him. He then performed a conversion that distilled a mass of primal Darkness from them to create something useful: a mentally revivifying elixir which was given to a comatose [[Osiris]] in the hopes that it would rouse him from his state. The brew worked as hoped, leading Osiris to finally awaken from his slumber.<ref name="Awake">'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAIpmG9-iLs Awake]''</ref> Though in distilling Nezarec's essence, Mithrax had siphoned all its corruptive elements into himself and is now currently afflicted with the curse.<ref name="TWID"/>

===Haunter of the CloudArk===
{{quote|This [[CloudArk|prison]] in-between... it will shatter. But I need power... I am pain. I am terror. I am Nezarec!|Nezarec's words echoed in the [[Vex Network]]}}

[[File:Nezarec CloudArk.png|300px|left|thumb|Nezarec's psychic hold on [[Neomuna]].]]

During the [[Shadow Legion]]'s [[Invasion of Neptune|siege]] of [[Neomuna]], the Guardian was sent on a [[Strike]] mission into the [[Vex Network]] to halt their sabotage of the city's [[CloudArk]] systems. When they first entered the network, [[Nimbus]] reported that the Neomuni had been having nightmares and hearing voices. Eventually, the voice within the network spoke to the Guardian and their Ghost, commenting on the abundance of fear and pain within the Darkness surrounding the CloudArk. Caiatl compared the phenomenon to the Nightmares they had previously encountered on the Leviathan. After the Strike team defeated [[Parthenios, Drifting Mind]] and stopped the [[Taken]] corrupting the network, the voice identified itself as Nezarec, who vowed to break free of his confinement within the network.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]], [[HyperNet Current]]''</ref>   

[[Jisu Calerondo]] of Neomuna Civil News reported on the ongoing psychic attacks inflicted by Nezarec on the [[Neomuna#Trivia|Neomuni]] in the CloudArk as they continued to experience widespread nightmares,<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Jisu Calerondo]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reJDhi8S3U "Cloud Strider Nimbus reports that recent CloudArk fluctuations are the result of new security measures to guard against intrusions. The Cloud Strider credits the Earth's Guardians for contributing personnel toward the dangerous operation. Despite this, more citizens have experienced nightmares. One name common to all? "Nezarec."]''</ref> including city archivist [[Quinn Laghari]],<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Quinn Laghari]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2415dZHbU "I Can't Figure Out What a 'Nezarec' Is"]''</ref> maintenance chief [[Viragni "Sid" D'Sydney]],<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Viragni "Sid" D'Sydney]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJSDwU6_V58 "We All Did Regrettable Things Thanks to Nezarec"]''</ref> rapid responder [[Sam Moleyn]],<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Sam Moleyn]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggrd70DTdio "CloudArk's Been a Bit Weird"]''</ref> and city administrator [[Tse Jingye]].<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Tse Jingye]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quSaS3unCDc "When I Close My Eyes, I See Everything Burning."]''</ref> Scientists from the city's Civil Defense Ministry determined Nezarec's CloudArk-disrupting signal to be a psychic carrier wave similar to the [[The Veil|suspended energy matrix]] which maintains the CloudArk.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Jisu Calerondo]]:[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQWDWHgT37E "Scientists with the Civil Defense Ministry report that the mysterious signal causing CloudArk disruptions appears to be a psychic carrier wave. The most common use of this technology, of course, is the suspended energy matrix which maintains our own CloudArk."]''</ref> Authorities would also speculated on the possible connection between Nezarec and the Psion race, with ethnographers noting recurring motifs in Psion art and ritual, as well as the psychic potent abilities exhibited by both parties.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Jisu Calerondo]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkm5z68SqcU "Authorities have questioned the connection between the entity Nezarec and the Psion people, a client species of the Cabal Empire. Ethnographers note recurring motifs in Psion art and ritual, as well as the psychic potent abilities exhibited by both parties."]''</ref> The ongoing disruptions and nightmares would also contribute to the city's first case of cryogenic murder, with [[Bhur Zhimri]] being suspected of homicide following the death of his wife from cryo-tank malfunctions.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Jisu Calerondo]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnIrtEaUWlI "Formal homicide charges have been filed in the case of Bhur Zhimri. Listeners may recall Zhimri was suspected in his wife’s death following cryo-tank malfunctions earlier this week. Prosecutors are describing it as Neomuna’s first case of cryogenic murder."]''</ref> Nezarec would later remark that if he had a modicum of his original power, he would kill one or even three other citizens to expedite the Guardians.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMSvofTO5uU "If I had a modicum of my original power, I'd have killed one — or three — of those citizens to expedite your arrival."]''</ref>

Additionally, multiple parties began speculating a possible connection between Nezarec and the [[Tormentor]]s under the Witness's command, as multiple [[Imprint of Nezarec|Imprints]] named after the titular Disciple are fought by [[Guardians]]. When first encountered, Osiris claimed that Tormentors are "the fruits of an unholy alliance between the Witness and Calus."<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]]'' - [[First Contact]]</ref> [[Quinn Laghari]] also speculated if they are the same species as Nezarec or clones made by the Witness of its generals.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Quinn Laghari]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ays25gide1Y "So, those Tormentor things are... what? The same species as Nezarec? Or does the Witness make, like, clones of its biggest, baddest generals?"]''</ref> 

In addition, whispers from the Disciple could also occasionally be heard by [[The Guardian]] while patrolling [[Neomuna]], particularly in [[Maya's Retreat]] and in the [[Thrilladrome]] Lost Sector. These whispers were ordinarily unintelligible, but whilst either [[Nezarec's Whisper]] or [[Nezarec's Sin]] was equipped they could be understood, and Nezarec would taunt them further during the [[Terminal Overload]] public event and within the Vex Network during [[Partition]] activities.

====The Root of Nightmares====
{{Quote|My memory will never extinguish. In your calmest moments, your deepest slumber... you will remember me, Guardians|Nezarec's final words after his defeat}}

[[File:Cataclysm2Info.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Nezarec's sarcophagus, pierced with the root from a [[Tree of Silver Wings]].]]
During the initial battle between the Traveler and the Witness in Earth's orbit, it was revealed the Traveler struck the Witness' [[Essence|Pyramid]] with a [[Light]]-infused terraforming beam. Its attack deformed the surface of the Pyramid, sprouting a massive, budding [[Tree of Silver Wings (Essence)|Tree of Silver Wings]] with huge roots of ostensibly benign paracausal flora growing wildly within the structure of the ship. One such root would pierce a large crystalline sarcophagus containing the disembodied head of Nezarec: the only remaining piece of the Disciple Eramis acquired for the Witness after the rest were taken by the Guardians. Nezarec, having been revived unintentionally by the Traveler's terraforming power, sought to use his newfound paracausal power for his own morbid curiosities.<ref name="Post-Raid">'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbhdR0I2aAQ Root of Nightmares Post-Raid Cinematic]]''</ref> Meanwhile, the god of pain would also terrorize the Shadow Legion aboard the Pyramid, with [[Zo'aurc, Explicator of Planets]] detailing his own nightmares and more reports of night terrors and violent incidents among his forces.<ref>[https://www.bungie.net/7/en/news/article/twid-05-02-2024 This Week In Destiny – 05/02/2024]</ref>

Seeking to find the source of the mysterious provocateur haunting Neomuna, [[The Guardian]] lead a fireteam of six to investigate the now-derelict ship. Upon exploration of the interior, Nezarec greeted the intrepid fireteam upon their arrival.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmh_7JjHhtE "Oh, You Have Arrived. Good"]''</ref> After hoping that his messages having reached them, the disciple had considered they would leave him to rot in his crystalline sarcophagus, but remarks that Guardians cannot resist unanswered questions or a challenge.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LETkwelS5eY "I'm Glad My Messages Reached You"]''</ref> Upon reaching his tomb, Nezarec began channeling his hatred into massive waves of overwhelming paracausal energies which threaten to wipe the team on top of the Shadow Legion reinforcements. The fireteam are forced into a relay race where they link nodes of Light together and supply paracausal energy into the root connected to the Disciple's sarcophagus. [[Cavum of Nezarec|Cavum]] Tormentors are also called forth at the beckoning of their progenitor but were also dispatched to keep his hatred momentarily delayed. Upon them completing the encounter, Nezarec is invigorated by how familiar and yet different his new power feels.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni9anzH41R4 "This Power is Familiar, Yet... Different"]''</ref>  

The fireteam traveled throughout the shattered interior of Essence, fighting the Shadow Legion while they overcharged the Tree's root with Light and Darkness energies, growing even bigger across the Pyramid's architecture and its energy fed into Nezarec's tomb to which he could hear its shifting and even taste the paracausality on his tongue.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWqDcTyQBMA "The Shifting Roots Across the Pyramid's Architecture"]''</ref> When enough energy was fed into the coffin, large contractions of Resonant energy began to pulse from it, threatening the fireteam with extermination if they failed to attune with it. Along the way, he recalls his past encounter with the [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Witch Queen]] having killed him and cursed his remains before whisking the Veil away to Neptune. Despite his loathing, he applauds her efforts.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmWM4BwyfKs "She Whisked Away the Veil to Neptune"]''</ref> Nezarec would also remark about the current state of his remains, asking the Guardians if anyone had suffered from the pieces they took and if they knew who currently possessed them.<ref name="Barely Anything Left of Me"/> 

Once the team reaches [[Zo'aurc, Explicator of Planets|Zo'aurc's]] location at [[Macrocosm]], Nezarec told them to tear the Cabal apart since he is not as accomplished as the Guardians in their short time there.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7XSIzNl6xk "Tear That Useless Sack of Meat Apart For Me"]''</ref> After killing the [[Incendior]] and overcharging even more paracausal energies into the root, the Disciple remarks how fascinated he is by the lengths they went to reach their goals, labeling them as "emissaries of pain and death".<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9XtTTW_cWQ "Emissaries of Pain and Death"]''</ref> As they approach back to his now terraformed [[Cataclysm|tomb]], he tells them to free him so he may experience the world again with his new perspective.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drD5vucIz08 "I Have Been Trapped for a Very Long Time"]''</ref>  

[[File:2023 Root of Nightmares Raid PressKit Boss Compressed 003.jpg|300px|thumb|Nezarec, fully revived with power from the Tree of Silver Wings.]]
With the fireteam returning to the sarcophagus, Nezarec's rebirth is complete as he bursts forth from the crystalline encasement of the tomb; now with a fully grown body fed on the Light and Darkness of the root thanks to the Guardians. Now reveling in his newfound powers, the resurrected Disciple demands to devour their fears as they engaged in battle.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukLRGWYhXWQ "Let Me Devour Your Fear"]''</ref> Armed with a massive [[Tormentor Scythe|Scythe]] and his [[Void]]-powered attacks, Nezarec unleashed both overwhelming energies of Light and Resonance at the Guardians only for them to avoid by attuning to his attacks with Light and Dark nodes surrounding the battlefield. By linking both sets of paracausal nodes, they could channel the radiating power of the overgrown root into the Disciple's sarcophagus and unleash a massive beam of terraforming and resonant energies directly at Nezarec: dropping his impervious defenses and leaving him briefly vulnerable for the fireteam to damage. After much effort, the Guardians successfully defeated Nezarec as he was preparing to unleash a final wave of overwhelming energy; destroying his physical form in much the same fashion as Rhulk, Calus and the [[The Dread|Dread]] had met their ends. In his final whispers to the fireteam that killed him, Nezarec reminded them that he will always be present in their memories and nightmares, being an inescapable impression upon the universe.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - Nezarec: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6FnfyBIjOo "My Memory Will Never Extinguish"]''</ref>

===Legacy of Terror===
{{quote|Is Nezarec truly dead? Can something that exists as an idea ever be destroyed?|[[Micah-10]]}}

Upon his latest death, Nezarec's psychic hold on the citizens of [[Neomuna]] was lifted.<ref name="Post-Raid"/> [[Jisu Calerondo]] issued a report on Neomuna Civil News detailing the demise of the Final God of Pain aboard the Witness's derelict Pyramid.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/02/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Jisu Calerondo]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJH0oaR_Rt8 "The Final God of Pain"]''</ref>

Sometime later, an unpartnered [[Ghost]] named [[Balthazar]] would attempt to enter the lunar Pyramid seeking information on the Witness. Out of concern, [[Micah-10]] had the Guardian venture back into the Pyramid to find the lost Ghost. Their own [[The Ghost|Ghost]] remarked that they thought the Nightmares would disappear after killing Nezarec, to which Micah responded by wondering whether or not something that exists as an idea could ever be destroyed. After entering the Pyramid and facing the Nightmares within, the Guardian found an artifact which contained a recording of an interaction between the Witness and Nezarec, instructing the Disciple to share the Veil's secrets with the Psions.<ref name="Visitation"/> 

Although Nezarec remains dead, his psychic influence nevertheless continues to torment Mithrax. Having previously taken on the corruption of the relics from their [[Search for Nezarec's Relics|search]], Mithrax now suffers from episodes where he hears the Disciple's voice in his mind, demanding that he rule.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Echoes]] - [[Lore:Polyphony]]: [[Lore:Polyphony#III. Heart-Truth|III. Heart-Truth]]''</ref>

==Gameplay==
''For an in-depth description of the battle against Nezarec in the Root of Nightmares Raid, see [[Root of Nightmares#Nezarec|Nezarec]]''

To open up Nezarec to damage, the team must link two sequences of Light and Dark seeds on the left and right sides of the arena respectively. Starting close to where the team enters this area are the first two usable seeds, highlighted by an aura surrounding them. Shooting this while inside the area of effect will grant the same buff as in previous parts of the raid. Similarly, a faint trail of Light or Dark will emanate from the shot seed, pointing to another which has just spawned and must be shot to create the link. Once linked, another aura will appear around a completed seed, and a Guardian must shoot this, obtain the buff, then travel to the next indicated seed to shoot it, and so on and so forth.

While this is being performed, many enemies will spawn in the arena. Colossi, War Beasts, and Legionaries will appear in waves to tarry the team. Also, Nezarec themselves will not sit idle, performing attacks similar to Tormentors. They will periodically throw Abyssal Cleaves at targets close to them, or spawn a floating pool of Void energy that will cast many of the same Abyssal Cleaves as it travels around the arena. Once enough time has passed, Nezarec will begin casting Nezarec's Hatred, which spawns a Psionic Blast beneath Guardians, which will blast them upwards after a set period of time, dealing damage. This will continue until Nezarec's chest weak point is broken. Once broken, Nezarec will jump down from their perch and begin chasing the Guardian who broke their chest, performing further Tormentor-like attacks, such as the Void suppression dive kick they are known for. The hunted Guardian will eventually lose the attention of Nezarec, then pick a new target and  start to chase them, but it can be regained by once more breaking their chest.

The timer for the fight that determines failure or success revolves around a spell Nezarec will begin casting, wherein they begin to exhibit a strong white glow. Once enough time has passed, Nezarec will unleash a pulse of Overwhelming Energy or Overwhelming Light, wiping the entire team if they are not sufficiently protected. Similar to the platforming section before Macrocosm, Guardians must create a refuge of Light or Darkness, matching the spell Nezarec will cast. To determine this spell type, the shoulder weak points of Nezarec must be broken. Once both are broken, Nezarec will display a Light or Darkness colored tattoo across his body for a brief amount of time, matching the spell they will prepare. Shoot the matching seed while holding the opposite para causal affinity, similar to the pre-Macrocosm relay platforming, to create a field that will grant a 14-second buff that protects against being killed by Nezarec's spell. Be careful not to shoot a seed that currently holds an aura field around it, as doing so will not create a refuge. Instead, it will provide the Field of Light or Flux of Darkness buff instead. The protection buff can be refreshed repeatedly by getting close to the seed once the refuge has been created, and the refuge will stay until Nezarec performs the Overwhelming Darkness or Light.

Once a side has fully linked their seeds, large pulses of energy will go off from them in sequence, indicating success. Once both sides have been completed, Nezarec will shortly become vulnerable, indicated by a blast of light striking them. During this vulnerable phase, Nezarec will display some new attacks, such as the ability to perform a teleport into a slam, a slam that spawns large spinning Void projectiles across the ground, mixed in with their regular Void slashes.

If Nezarec's health is depleted enough to reach Final Stand, Nezarec will roar, displaying more Resonant energy coursing through their body, turning black. Now it remains a race to deplete Nezarec's health before they prepare another Overwhelming Energy blast that will annihilate the fireteam.

==Personality and traits==
A known sadist who relishes in sowing fear and pain, Nezarec has a malevolent demeanor and a desire to feed off the terror of sentient beings to satiate his hunger. Even in his deceased state, however, the final god of pain uses his terrifying psionic powers to affect every being whether ally or enemy; showing no regard for who suffers under his influence. He also has a personal preference for screams which are "echoes that reverberate through eternity", especially when wrenched directly from his victims' throats before death. In battle, Nezarec expresses immense hatred and wrath as he immediately demands to devour the [[Guardian]]s' fear following his resurrection.
 
Nezarec is also a devoted follower of the Witness and its goal of the [[Final Shape]], which he believed would offer it "the fullest gamut of existence" based on his own interpretation. However, he would have a poor outlook on the [[Shadow Legion]] [[Cabal]] as their "new recruits" and the [[Vex]], whom he calls the [[Sol Divisive]] the best of their kind. This is in contrast to his enemies such as the [[Guardian]]s (especially [[Warlord]]s), whom he labels as "emissaries of pain and death" inflicting terror with their own chaos, and even [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen]], whom he applauds for her efforts despite his loathing of her.

Upon his initial resurrection with both paracausal powers of Light and Darkness, the Disciple was driven by morbid curiosity to experiment with his newfound power. After meeting his death a second time, however, he curses his killers to remember him in fear during their most peaceful moments.

==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=3>
File:Nezarec Cutscene.jpg|The silhouette of Nezarec's body as seen in a cutscene in ''[[Season of Plunder]]''.
File:NezarecCharge.jpg|Nezarec charging at a fireteam of [[Guardian]]s in [[Root of Nightmares]].
File:NezarecThumbnail.jpg|Closeup of Nezarec.
File:NezarecStatueRootOfNightmares.png|A statue of Nezarec found at the beginning of the raid.
File:NezarecCinematic.png|Nezarec in his sarcophagus in the post-raid cinematic.
</gallery>

==Trivia==
*Nezarec's true nature as a Disciple remained largely mysterious until ''[[Season of Plunder]]'', with most information coming from the lore entry for the [[Exotic]] [[Warlock]] helmet [[Nezarec's Sin]] and the [[Glaive]] [[Nezarec's Whisper]].<ref name="Whisper"/> It is also implied that Nezarec is the one speaking in the description of the [[Delicate Tomb]] [[Exotic]] [[Fusion Rifle]].<ref>'''Bungie (2022/8/23)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Plunder]] - [[Weapon|Weapon Lore]]: [[Delicate Tomb]]''</ref>
*The revelation that Psions once worshipped Nezarec may explain the design of the Exotic helmet [[Nezarec's Sin]], which strongly resembles the helmets worn by many Psions. The helmet itself is similar to Nezarec's actual head and facial structure, with his horns being more vertically aligned in contrast.
*The [[Nightmare Harvester]] seasonal artifact from ''[[Season of the Haunted]]'' can summon a scythe, alluding to the connection between the [[Nightmares]] and Nezarec, who also wields a scythe.
*Nezarec has seven eyes, perhaps a nod to Bungie's recurring use of the number seven in their games.
*According to lead Bungie concept artist Tobias Kwan, Nezarec's heterochromia is caused by him being a "chimeric fusion"; it is unknown to what degree this description applies to in-game canon. <ref>https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/060/357/384/large/tobias-kwan-tk-nezarec-02.jpg?1678378292</ref>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Destiny 2]]'' {{Fm}}
**''[[Forsaken]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Haunted]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of Plunder]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Seraph]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Lightfall]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Season of the Deep]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Season of the Witch]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Into the Light]]'' {{Nc}}
**''[[The Final Shape]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Episode: Echoes]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Breakdown]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
<references/>

{{Bosses|D2}}
{{Dread}}

[[Category:Black Fleet]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Enemies]]
[[Category:Paracausal entities]]
[[Category:Main antagonists]]