Editing Taken

{{quote|The process is simple: an aperture opens, like a jaw, and swallows a living thing. It passes into — another place. Later, it returns. What returns is... I try to use the word 'shadow' but Eris hisses at me ''[...]'' insists that these Taken are more real, somehow. She uses words like inhabited, exalted, rendered final... ''[...]'' My Hidden tell me that the Taken shine with seething, negative light. As if the universe is curling up around them. As if they radiate some pathology that decays into our world as nothingness... The Taken serve Oryx. But I think those jaws lead elsewhere.|[[Ikora Rey]]<ref name="Taken">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken#The Taken|The Taken]]''</ref>}}

The '''Taken''' are [[Darkness]]-corrupted entities originating from multiple species that have been warped into the [[Ascendant Realm|Ascendant Plane]] and paracausally altered to serve their given purpose. The paracausal ability to Take derives from [[The Witness|the Witness]] and its power to move worlds between realities<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Memories of Ruin]]''</ref>, although they were the personal creation of [[Oryx, the Taken King|Oryx]] as his army after creating the [[Tablets of Ruin]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXVIII: King of Shapes|XXVIII: King of Shapes]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2021/8/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Lost]] - [[Mara Sov]]: [https://youtu.be/-4BNFvaUZZg?si=CddDjLehUi1DYjqB "Oryx did not invent the Taken... he merely borrowed them."]''</ref> More recently, they have come under the sway of various Darkness-aligned entities in the wake of Oryx's defeat, including [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]], [[Quria, Blade Transform|Quria]], [[Xivu Arath, God of War|Xivu Arath]], [[Riven]], and [[Disciples of the Witness]] like [[Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness|Rhulk]] and [[Emperor Calus|Calus]]. The [[Drifter]], a rogue [[Lightbearer]] known for experimenting with the Darkness, has also managed to achieve a level of control over the Taken using [[Mote of Dark|Motes of Dark]], while the [[Nine]] can create their own counterfeit Taken out of dark matter.

{{quote|IMPERATIVE CORRUPTED. SEEK LIGHT. DESTROY LIGHT. OBEY THE COLLECTIVE MIND, OBEY THE #$422*! ORYX. OBEY ORYX.|Recovered from Simulation Core of Corrupted Minotaur}}<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/classified-33 Mission Description]: [[Not Forged in Light]]''</ref>

The power to Take is derived from the Witness and allows one to move objects or individuals between different planes of reality. The Witness can use this power on a massive scale, moving entire planets out of the "normal" universe and into a self-contained reality under its complete control.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] -[https://youtu.be/jljMe2v6UUU?si=U5kKXg_xE3Z2q55K The Lightblade | Memory of Ruin | Witch Queen]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - Item Description: [[Osmiomancy Gloves#Lore|Osmiomancy Gloves]]''</ref> On several occasions, it has granted a more limited version of this power to several of its servants, most notably [[Oryx, the Taken King]], who used it with great dexterity to create his own personal army of Taken from members of various species he and his Hive had defeated.  

Although she did not have the power to Take herself, after her brother's death, Savathûn would use Quria, a Taken [[Vex Mind]] which was gifted to her by her brother, to paracausally simulate Oryx and thereby create and command her own Taken. Xivu Arath relies on complex, lengthy rituals, sometimes using remnants of Oryx's power, to create new Taken, though most of hers are believed to have been created by the Witness. Other, less immediate methods of Taking involve the use of [[Blight]]s. The Disciples have not been seen to create new Taken.

The process of Taking involves summoning a portal or aperture that rips an individual out of the universe and transports them to the [[Ascendant Plane]]<ref name="Guests"/>. There, the victim is spoken to by an unknown entity, presumably either the [[the Witness|Witness]] or the mysterious personification of Darkness known as the Winnower, who offers them a way to overcome their former weaknesses. The Taken being then returns to their original universe with new paracausal abilities and a compulsion to serve the one that Took them.<ref name="Taken"/><ref>'''Bungie (2024/06/04)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - Item Description: [[The First Knife#Lore|The First Knife]]''</ref> Taking has also been used as a form of necromancy, resurrecting [[Drevis, Wolf Baroness|long]] [[Urzok, the Hated|dead]] [[Valus Ta'aurc|creatures]] [[Val Ca'uor|in service]] of the Darkness.<ref name="Whisper"/><ref name="Salvage"/>

According to Ikora, when Taken are defeated in battle, they are sent back to the Ascendant Realm where they start over and begin their journey again.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Episode: Echoes]] - [https://youtu.be/PFOxfJIYOCU?si=tgw6SEgBSSuBi_8A Enigma Protocol (Corrupted) {{!}} Networked Grid-2: "When Taken Die, Where Do They Go?"]''</ref> Some Taken like [[Kelgorath, Risen from Bones|Kelgorath, Vestige of Failure]] have proven that Taken can survive death.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Overthrow]]: [[The Impasse]]''</ref>

{{Quote|The Hive entity Oryx/Aurash is deploying a paracausal ontopathogenic weapon that infects and subverts Ecumene forces. The weapon operates on individual targets. Targets are abducted and returned as compliant Hive slaves with inexplicable and physically illegal abilities. All Ecumene clients should IMMEDIATELY devote all economic and cognitive resources to a countermeasure. <br>Fight hard. We stop the Hive here, or see our galaxy devoured.|[[Ecumene]] Crisis Council}}

During the [[Golden Amputation]] Oryx Took the [[Tai Emperor Raven]] and assured the defeat of the [[Taishibethi]].<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XXX: a golden amputation|XXX: a golden amputation]]''</ref> When the [[Vex]] invaded his [[Ascendant Realm|Throne world]] Oryx Took and turned them against one another, eventually expelling the cybernetic machines from his domain.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes|XL: An Emperor For All Outcomes]]''</ref> Later, aboard the Nicha Thought-ship Oryx encountered and Took Quria<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XLIII: End of Failed Timeline|XLIII: End of Failed Timeline]]''</ref>, the Vex mind which had orchestrated the organized invasion of his Throne, and later gifted it to his sister Savathûn as a present.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XLIV: strict proof eternal|XLIV: strict proof eternal]]''</ref>

The [[Taken War]] was a major, system-wide conflict fought between the Hive, led by Oryx, and all other races in the system. The war began as a direct result of [[the Guardian]]s [[Crota's End|slaying]] Oryx's son, [[Crota, Son of Oryx|Crota]], to stop an attempted invasion of [[Earth]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014/12/9)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Dark Below]] - [[Crota's End]]''</ref> Oryx brought his fleet to [[Saturn]] and made free use of the power to Take in his assault on the Solar System. He Took [[Fallen]], Vex, and [[Cabal]] in enormous numbers, besides his own Hive, and began blighting the system with his Taken forces.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]]''</ref> When he unleashed his [[Dreadnaught]]'s superweapon against Queen [[Mara Sov]]'s fleet, he also Took the [[Techeun]]s [[Sedia]], [[Kalli]], and [[Shuro Chi]], and through them was able to spread his Taken forces into the [[Dreaming City]].<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Truth to Power|Truth to Power]]: [[Lore:Truth to Power#Medusa|Medusa]]''</ref><ref name="Awakening">'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Awakening (mission)|Awakening]]''</ref> There, he encountered the Ahamkara Riven, who tricked him into wishing she was Taken rather than using his own power, thus retaining a modicum of free will.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Armor of the Great Hunt (Warlock)#Hood of the Great Hunt|Hood of the Great Hunt]]''</ref>

With Oryx's defeat, his surviving Taken were released from his control and rendered independent but directionless.<ref name="Keksis">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken#Keksis, the Betrayed|Keksis, the Betrayed]]''</ref> Oryx was assumed to be the only known entity to date to have possessed the power to Take, but following the Taken War, others such as [[Malok, Pride of Oryx]] developed the ability to manipulate Taken and their blights.<ref name="Blighted Chalice">'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Blighted Chalice]]''</ref> In particular, with assistance from the Techeuns and [[Variks]], the [[Reef]] was able to capture a large number of Taken within their [[Prison of Elders]] and developed a reliable method for infusing Taken energy into their arms and armor.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken#Report: Taken Power|Report: Taken Power]]''</ref>

{{Quote|The Taken King is dead. Yet his armies writhe and claw at our worlds.|Eris Morn}}

Two years later, during the events of the [[Red War]], the Taken were found in the [[European Dead Zone]], having corrupted a [[The Dark Forest|forest]] outside of [[the Traveler]]'s shard. Initially considered just wandering monsters attracted to the shard's [[Light]], the [[Vanguard]]'s opinion changed when a [[Red Legion]] [[Grask, the Consumed|commander]] was also somehow converted into a Taken, even though Oryx had been defeated before the invasion.<ref name="Lake">'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Lake of Shadows]]''</ref>

At some point, Red Legion [[Psion]]s used their psionic powers to successfully harness and infuse Taken energy into themselves and their superiors, empowering them with Taken-powered weapons and shielding. However, this effort was stopped by the Guardian.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dark Alliance]]''</ref>

On Io, it was discovered by Ikora and [[Asher Mir]], that the Taken had established a foothold on [[Echo Mesa]] after being drawn there by remnants of the Traveler's Light.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Sacrilege]]''</ref> They had even attempted to open a portal into the Ascendant realm, but the Guardian intervened and closed said portal.<ref name="Guests">'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Unexpected Guests]]''</ref>

The Taken began to appear in greater numbers and were noted to have "interacted" with the Vex. The Guardians discovered that Taken affiliated with Quria had been kidnapping local Vex in Blights to corrupt them as Taken and form a new army after their many losses in the Taken War. Quria would employ [[Ir Arok, Tongue of Quria]] to accomplish this plan, but would be foiled by the Guardian, who killed [[Elatiox, Beloved of Quria|Elatiox]] and [[Erosus, Spawn of Quria|Erosus]], Ir Arok's lieutenants, and dismantled the Taken's plans of corrupting the Vex.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dynasty]]: [[Premeditation]]''</ref><ref name="CA">'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dynasty]]: [[Calculated Action]]''</ref> Ir Arok would then lead one final assault into the [[Pyramidion]] with the intent to capture the Vex collective like Oryx had done before but would be intercepted and destroyed by the Guardian. Though many Vex had become corrupted, their efforts prevented the Taken from corrupting the Vex collective once more.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Dynasty]]: [[The Long Play]]''</ref>

Through this, it became apparent that Savathûn had assumed control of the Taken, due to Quria being under her control according to the [[Books of Sorrow]].<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Toland]]: [[Toland#Quotes|Quria is the key. The mind simulates Oryx, and thereby masters the power to Take. But of course, Quria is no power unto itself.]]''</ref>

After his defeat on [[Mars]], the spirit of the Worm God [[Xol, Will of the Thousands]] found asylum among the Taken of Io, who began to stir. Following the trail left by these, Guardians ventured into the depths of the moon to find where they came from, and after defeating hordes of Taken led by resurrected foes from their past, Xol gave himself to them as a weapon, the [[Whisper of the Worm]].<ref name="Whisper">'''Bungie (2018/5/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]'': ''[[Warmind (expansion)|Warmind]] - [[The Whisper]]''</ref>

In the years following the Taken War, the Dreaming City was infested by leftover Taken and their [[Blight]]s undisturbed until Oryx's sister reached out towards the Taken Riven and gave her a new purpose.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Armor of the Great Hunt (Warlock)#Boots of the Great Hunt|Boots of the Great Hunt]]''</ref> Now able to exert her influence from beyond her prison, Riven manipulated the partially Taken [[Uldren Sov]] into unleashing an [[Voice of Riven|agent]] of hers from the City, which the Guardian quickly killed.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Nothing Left to Say]]''</ref> [[Petra Venj]], investigating the source of Uldren's corruption and the Taken within the city, surmised Riven as the cause after having made contact with Queen Mara Sov at the [[Oracle Engine]]. At the Queen's behest, Petra enlisted the support from the [[Vanguard]] to have Riven killed and her heart cleansed of her Taken essence.<ref name="Awakening"/>

However, upon the death of Dûl Incaru, the Dreaming City reverted to the state it was in when the curse was first unleashed. The curse then spread in the same manner it had previously, with it being revealed that the curse trapped the Dreaming City within a time loop that resets whenever Dûl Incaru is killed. Through messages left by an unknown sender, it is revealed that the loop was made possible through the wish Riven granted upon her "death", and modeled upon Vex simulations overseen by Quria, Blade Transform.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:Truth to Power|Truth to power]]: [[Lore:Truth to Power#asudeM|asudeM]]''</ref>

In the closing acts of the [[Battle of the Forges]], a small contingent of Taken would attempt to stop the Guardian from [[Lost Souvenir|recovering]] [[Ada-1]]'s memories but would be slain in the process.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/12/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Forge]] - [[Lost Souvenir]]''</ref>

Around the same time, a rogue Lightbearer with a modicum of control over the Taken emerged. This Drifter had managed to jury-rig his [[Ghost]] with parts salvaged from the Ghosts of his former crew, allowing it access to paracausal spectra beyond that of the Light, including the Darkness-aligned powers of the Taken.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]] - Item Description: [https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/illicit-reaper-bond Illicit Reaper Bond]''</ref> With it, the Drifter could create Motes of Darkness and employ them as part of a game called "[[Gambit]]", pitting Guardians against foes he attracts from all over the system, as well as each other, in a bid to harvest these Motes for himself.<ref name="Gambit">'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Gambit]]''</ref> Gambit would even give Guardians the experience of being Taken as "'''Invaders'''" through portals infused with sterile neutrinos.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Drifter]]: [[Drifter#Quotes|"This is what the Taken feel. Revel in this.]]''</ref> He was eventually gifted a subsection of [[Unknown Space]] from the Nine, which he dubbed [[The Haul]], where he caged the leftover Taken from Oryx's army whilst building his own.<ref name="A Gift">'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFtmr___dSw A Gift]''</ref><ref name="BSOABI>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:A Drifter's Gambit|A Drifter's Gambit]]: [[Lore:A Drifter's Gambit#Bright Side of a Bad Idea|Bright Side of a Bad Idea]]''</ref> Among these Taken summoned during these Gambit matches are exceptionally powerful and ancient Taken known as [[Primeval]]s, which he can summon using Motes of Darkness.<ref name="Gambit"/>

The Drifter would continue perfecting his methods, eventually unveiling [[Gambit Prime]] and [[The Reckoning]] to the Guardians.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]]''</ref> The [[Praxic Order|Praxic]] [[Warlock]] [[Aunor Mahal]], who had been studying him for some time, determined that he had obtained the ability to create "counterfeit" Taken and Primevals by coupling his [[Bank (Gambit)|banks]] to the Haul gifted to him by the Nine. These entities were modeled after what he feared the most, with the most powerful being a [[Likeness of Oryx]].<ref name="Potential"/>

Undeterred by the fall of the [[Hidden Swarm]] and the Guardians hunting [[Nightmare]]s on Luna, Savathûn [[The Festering Core|unleashed]] a Taken army upon a massive Vex computational array on Io, to corrupt and assume control over the supercomputer. However, the Vanguard detected a power surge beneath the [[Pyramidion]], where the array is located, and sent in a fireteam to investigate. The Guardians soon discovered the feud between the Vex and Taken as they fought for control over the array, and promptly made it their mission to prevent the Taken from assuming command over the machine, refusing to give the Witch Queen another advantage. Fighting past the array's Vex defenders and the invading Taken, the Guardians made it to the center, where the Taken infestation was anchored, to remove the Blight. There, the Guardians confronted [[Baurisk, Envoy of Savathûn]], slaying the Taken Incendior and clearing the array of blights, leaving to allow the Vex to finish off any lingering Taken.<ref>'''Bungie (2019/10/1)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Shadowkeep]] - [[The Festering Core]]''</ref>

After a heated meeting with Zavala, Eris enacts a [[Contact|plan]] to harvest the darkness from the [[Pyramid Scale]]s for the seed with the help of the Drifter and help to clear up the messages with the destruction of the Witnesses corrupting them. Detecting the ploy, Savathûn would deploy her Taken to sabotage these Darkness harvesting operations to prevent the Guardians from learning of the Black Fleet's messages to them.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]]''</ref>

Meanwhile, the Drifter would devise a plan to delve into the Nine's realm and meet with them once again to ask the question, "What is the Darkness?" The Guardian would venture into the Haul, which was rearranged to answer the question, and battle an army of counterfeit Taken led by the [[Kell Echo]]. After braving these encounters, they learned that the Darkness isn't that different from the Light, and should be utilized as a means to survival as the Guardian did with the Motes throughout the inscrutable corners of the realm.<ref name="Prophecy">'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - [[Prophecy]]''</ref>

Following Savathûn's failed attempts to interfere with the Black Fleet's messages to the Guardians, the Witch Queen was forced to go into hiding to avoid its retaliation.{{Citation needed}} In addition, Uldren Sov emerged, now risen as a Lightbearer named Crow. While working with Guardians to hold back the invasion of Xivu Arath, they would find that Taken had begun stirring in the EDZ again. The Guardian would travel to the region's dam, where they found Taken aligned with Savathûn. Guided by an ethereal hawk, the Guardian would defeat the Taken and head into a portal, which led them to the [[Hallowed Rift]], where a shard of the Traveler lay. The Guardian would defeat the Lightdrinker siphoning energy off of the shard, and find [[Hawkmoon]], now rebirthed in the Light. The Lighbearers would return over the weeks to protect the Shard from more Taken incursions.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/11/10)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Hunt]] - [[Harbinger (Exotic Mission)|Harbinger]]''</ref>

News of Savathûn's role in the Endless Night is brought to the public, due to [[Lakshmi-2]] and the [[Faction]]s, inciting paranoia towards the Eliksni, creating unrest within the Last City.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/5/11)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Splicer]] - [[H.E.L.M.]] Radio Messages: [[H.E.L.M.#Season_of_the_Splicer|Lakshmi's fourth broadcast]]''</ref> Despite this instability, the Guardians continue to work with Mithrax in combating Quria, fighting through Vex Domains infested with Taken, trying to pinpoint the Dreaming Mind's location and corner it. In time, Mithrax is successful in locating Quria, allowing the Guardians to enter the Nexus once more and confront the Dreaming Mind. Within the Nexus, the Guardians find it littered with Taken corruption but are ultimately able to face Quria. The Dreaming Mind uses its simulation powers and Taken abilities to combat the Guardians but is ultimately destroyed by the Guardians.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/5/11)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Splicer]] - [[Expunge: Delphi]]''</ref>

With the Endless Night's architect destroyed, daylight slowly returns to the Last City, but the situation between the Factions and the Vanguard reaches a boiling point. The Factions wish to expel the Eliksni from the Last City despite their aid in ending the Endless Night, even trying to influence new leadership in the Vanguard but the Guardians rebuff Lakshmi's entreaties. Aided by "[[Osiris]]", who Savathûn had taken the form of after he lost his Light, Lakshmi utilizes a Vex portal in an attempt to forcefully remove the House of Light but loses control, killing the [[Future War Cult]]'s leader, many of her followers, and allowing the Vex to attack the Last City.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/5/11)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Splicer]] - [[H.E.L.M.]] Radio Messages: [[H.E.L.M.#Season_of_the_Splicer|Lakshmi's final broadcast]]''</ref> Rushing to aid Mithrax and his people, the Guardians are able to seal the portal and destroy the Vex and Taken attacking the Eliksni Quarters.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/5/11)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Splicer]] - [[Override: Last City]]''</ref>

Following the destruction of Quria, Savathûn would lose control over the Taken.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/8/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Lost]] - [[Cocoon]]''</ref> Now under the presumed control of their original master, they began working alongside both the Hive forces of Xivu Arath and the [[Scorn]] to corrupt the [[Ley Lines]], hunt down Mara Sov's Techeuns, and ultimately capture Savathûn.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/8/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Lost]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnQb-JY_kk Cocoon | Wayfinder's Voyage | Season of the Lost]''</ref> Xivu Arath made use of the Taken as shock troops in her attempts to gain [[Astral Alignment|access]] to the Blind Well, yet these attempts were thwarted by Guardian forces. Additionally, Taken forces led by one of the Techeuns, now Corrupted, would occupy the [[Shattered Realm: Forest of Echoes|Forest of Echos]] in [[The Shattered Realm]] of the Ascendant Plane.<ref>'''Bungie (2021/8/24)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Lost]] - [[Shattered Realm: Forest of Echoes]]''</ref>

Following Xivu Arath's failure to prevent the exorcism of [[Savathûn's Worm]], the Taken would retreat and wouldn't be sighted outside of the Reef for some time. However, as the Guardian worked in investigating Savathûn's return to Mars and more importantly, her claiming of the Light, they would discover a [[The Sunken Pyramid|Sunken Pyramid]] within the outskirts of the Witch Queen's [[Court of Savathûn|Throne World]]. Mara Sov, aiding the Guardians in their investigation, would inform them that the Pyramid belongs to a powerful servant of The Witness, the supposed leader of the Black Fleet. This disciple, [[Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness|Rhulk]], was the one that had the Scorn worm their way into the Throne World and protected his Pyramid with a garrison of Taken.<ref name="VOTD"/>

The Guardians, forming a Raid team to prevent Rhulk from escaping his prison or using his superweapon, [[The Upended]], infiltrate the Sunken Pyramid to eliminate Rhulk. As they traversed the Pyramid, Rhulk would send legions of his Scorn and Taken minions to stop them, but despite their efforts, the Guardians reached the center of the Pyramid and confronted the Witness's Disciple. After a grueling battle against Rhulk, despite being aided by his Taken and Scorn forces, the Guardians prevailed, leaving the Taken without a master, though the Scorn would continue in making raids on their master's ruptured Pyramid to claim the secrets within but would be thwarted by the Guardians.<ref name="VOTD">'''Bungie (2022/2/22)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Witch Queen]] - [[Vow of the Disciple]]''</ref>

Following Rhulk's demise, the Taken would serve Xivu Arath in attacking Rasputin's [[Submind]] vaults.<ref>'''Bungie (2022/12/6)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Seraph]] - [[Heist Battleground: Mars]]''</ref> Afterwards, they would be found alongside the forces of [[Calus]], the Witness's newest Disciple, and his [[Shadow Legion]]. They would protect the [[Typhon Imperator]], landed in the [[Neptune|Neptunian]] city of [[Neomuna]], when the Guardian attempted to destroy the [[Radial Mast]], a device that could be used to establish a connection between [[the Veil]] and the Traveler.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Downfall]]''</ref> The Shadow Legion would also attempt to employ Taken to [[HyperNet Current|invade]] the Vex Network and from there gain access to the [[CloudArk]] that powers the city's defenses and life support. Fortunately, with the aid of Neomuna's [[Cloud Striders]], the Guardian was able to clear out the Taken before they could take root within the Network but would discover that a malignant force not just driving the Taken into attacking, but also attempting to infest the minds of the Neomuni. The entity would soon be revealed to be the dead Disciple, [[Nezarec, Final God of Pain]].<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[HyperNet Current]]''</ref>

Despite Calus's death at the hands of the Guardian, the Witness nonetheless succeeded in establishing a connection between the Traveler and the Veil, allowing it to form a gateway upon the Traveler.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[Desperate Measures]]''</ref> Nonetheless, the Taken would continue to serve the Witness's bidding. They first were ordered to destroy the [[Conceptual Mind]] within the Black Garden, as it was the original creator of the [[Black Heart]], which was discovered to be a Vex attempt to create a replica of the Veil. The Sol Divisive had refused to destroy the Conceptual Mind themselves, thereby leaving the task the Taken and leading them to invade the Black Garden. The Guardian, Osiris and [[Nimbus]] learned of the Conceptual Mind and believed its data core would help them understand the Veil and hopefully aid them in entering the gateway the Witness created upon the Traveler. Though the Taken complicated the Guardian's efforts, they nonetheless succeeded in destroying the Conceptual Mind and acquiring its data core.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/2/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Lightfall]] - [[What Remains]]''</ref>

With Xivu Arath's banishment from her [[Black Terrace|throne world]], many Taken would become scattered and purposeless. However, despite her waning power, Xivu Arath would still maintain control and influence over most Taken through her celebrants.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[Osiris]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxhvzI6v47o "Most still rally around Xivu's Celebrants, extensions of her will."]''</ref> Despite lacking a commanding will, the Taken would invade and occupy parts of [[Riven's Lair]]. Due to their rabid search for purpose, the [[Sol Divisive]] that were also invading the Dreaming City tried to contain them within the lair.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[Riven's Lair (activity)|Riven's Lair]]''</ref>

Upon catching one of Riven's eggs using the Ley Lines, the Guardian is sent to retrieve it. They fight their way through the lair, defeating Taken forces led by [[Ungoloth, Wayward Beast]] and successfully retrieving the egg.<ref>.'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[Tautology]]''</ref> Later, the Guardian is sent to secure the Observatory so they can commune with Mara's [[Harbinger]]. The Guardians fight their way through Taken forces and confront the [[Mukor, Soulkeeper|two]] [[Ugroth, Soulkeeper|soulkeepers]]. Despite their efforts, they were defeated by the Guardian, failing to stop their communion with the Harbinger.<ref>.'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[The Oracle Engine#Wishing All the Best|The Oracle Engine]]''</ref>

When another Ahamkara egg was caught by the Techeuns, the Taken would invade the lair to corrupt the egg. The Guardian would arrive at the lair, defeating Taken, and their champion, [[Roln'gur, Blade-bound to the Terrace]]. However, the Taken would succeed in corrupting the egg.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[Synchysis]]''</ref> Despite this setback, [[Mara Sov]] came up with a solution: they would acquire a Taken Essentia from completing an Ascendant Challenge, and then allow the whim to feed on their desires. Ultimately, the Guardian and their allies would succeed in cleansing the egg of its corruption.<ref>.'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - [[Wishing All the Best]]''</ref>

During the Dark Age, a castle belonging to the Warlord [[Naeem]] was raided by the [[House of Kings]]. Naeem was killed during the attack and would make one last wish of vengeance on the slain Ahamkara [[Hefnd]]. Many years later, Hefnd would take advantage of the Taken's desire for purpose, calling them to the ruined castle and using their corruption to raise the dead House of Kings members as [[Scorn]], as vengeance for the fallen Warlord.{{Citation needed}} Later [[Fikrul, the Fanatic|Fikrul]], leading his own group of Scorn independent from the Witness, sends his Broken Knights led by [[Rathil, First Broken Knight of Fikrul|Rathil]] to claim the Scorn at the castle.<ref>'''Bungie (2023/11/28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Wish]] - Item Description: [[Buried Bloodline#Lore|Burried Bloodline]]''</ref>

Following their failure to corrupt Riven's Clutch and the Vanguard's attempt at entering the Pale Heart, the Taken would once again find themselves under the command of the Witness. Now radiating with Light energy and some among their ranks possessing [[Prismatic]] Shielding, they would be sent by their master to search for the Guardian shortly after they crashed into [[The Threshold|the Threshold]] to prevent their entry into the [[The Pale Heart|Pale Heart]]. As they would engage with the Guardian in a sphere of concentrated Darkness detained by a resonance shell, the Young Wolf would discover that interacting with the shell created a pathway of possibilities. Defeating a [[Will-Crushed Centurion]] to receive an icon of Light, the Guardian then interacts with the resonance shell to make the pathway physical. Despite their uncountable numbers, and [[Weaver]] reinforcements from [[The Dread|the Dread]], the Taken fail to stop the Guardian as they successfully enter the portal into the Pale Heart.<ref name="Transmigration">'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Transmigration]]''</ref>

When the Traveler created a pool of Light at [[The Impasse|the Impasse]], the [[The Unwaking Mind|Unwaking Mind]] would detect this powerful source of energy and begin to obscure its signal to prevent its discovery by the Vanguard. As the Guardian began to travel towards this location, the Taken would launch an assault against the Young Wolf to prevent its discovery. Nonetheless, their efforts would prove to be futile as the Guardian would traverse up the mountain while defeating forces of the [[Sol Divisive]]. Eventually, the Guardian would confront the Unwaking Mind deep within the mountain, destroying it to expose the pool of Light's location. Uncovering the pool of Light at the place they were resurrected, the Guardian communes with it to harness new powers bestowed upon them by the Traveler itself. Striving to end their escapade, legions of Taken launch an onslaught against the Guardian to end their journey where they began it. However, the Traveler's power wielded in the Guardian's palms proves to be too formidable, as they slay the numberless Taken in their way.<ref>'''Bungie (2024/6/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[The Final Shape]] - [[Ascent]]''</ref>

With the Witness's death, the Taken identically to the Scorn would be left directionless once more with the lack of a commanding will. However, they would still continue their attempts at corrupting the Pale Heart, while persisting in their war against the Coalition and the Lucent Brood.<ref name="Final Shape ending cutscenes">[https://youtu.be/Q-14MWExkKE?t=330'''Youtube''' - Destiny 2 The Final Shape (Ending Cutscenes)]</ref>

In one of the [[Enigma Protocol|missions]] within the [[Vex Network]] in response to the [[Upheaval on Nessus]], a team of Guardians assisted by [[Failsafe]], [[Ikora Rey]], [[Saint-14]] and [[Osiris]] would come across a domain of the network infested by the Taken that had never left since [[Quria, Blade Transform]] brought them in and had survived because the Vex were too afraid to purge them.{{Citation needed}} The Taken were led by [[Gulletous, the Insatiable Hunger]] and intent on stealing, consuming and irradiating the data collected by the Vex.{{Citation needed}} Among their forces, there was also a coven of [[Taken Wizard]]s called "[[Choral Denial Agent]]s", who were denying the Vex from their own data. The presence of the Taken would lead the Guardian team to wonder if a new leader has already arisen capable of guiding them or if it was a Taken Mind remaining in the Network.{{Citation needed}}

The Guardian team would find, among the corrupted data recovered from the Taken, several queries coming not from the Taken or Vex but from "[[Maya Sundaresh|//COND]]", an entity interested in [[Human|Humanity]] [[Lightbearer]]s and the [[Last City]], the Taken and [[Quria, Blade Transform]], the Indecipherable Mind, flight logs to [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], "real estate" from pre-[[Collapse]] [[London]] and pre-Collapse bioscans of Mars, Venus, Titan, Neptune.{{Citation needed}}

The nature of the Taken was once described by the [[Ecumene]] as an "[[Paracausality|ontopathogenic weapon]]", designed to infect and subvert Oryx's enemies into his paracausal slaves with inexplicable and physically illegal abilities.<ref name="Eat the Sky"/> According to Oryx, the Taken serve as his ultimate embodiment of the Hive’s [[sword logic]] philosophy; the desired final shape that is free to exist without the need to insulate itself from reality.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow|Books of Sorrow]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Books of Sorrow#XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat|XLVIII: aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat, aiat]]''</ref>

It is possible, though rare, for entities of a paracausal nature to be partially Taken. In Deputy Commander Sloane's case, the corruption crawled upwards from her limbs. While her Light and her connection to Ahsa can hold it back, she can still hear the whispers of the Darkness and be susceptible to control from Xivu Arath.{{Citation needed}}

The Taken constantly exude a substance called [[Blight]],<ref name="Blighted Chalice"/> which resembles a black shadowy liquid or vapor, usually crackling with energy and exhibiting the same eerie luminescence as the Taken themselves. It can flow across the ground like a viscous fluid that smells of ozone, seeping into the soil and presenting a contamination hazard when it comes into contact with water supplies.<ref name="Lake"/>

Wherever Taken have become entrenched, spherical aggregations of Blight are commonly seen; these seem to serve a variety of purposes, including shield generators, area-denial, and interdimensional communication nodes.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/8/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Ghost scan]]s: [[Ghost scan#Echo Mesa, Io|IO-WM-3]]''</ref>

While all Taken are enslaved to their master's will, more powerful Taken retain a degree of independent thought and initiative, mostly at the discretion of the master themselves, to "keep them interesting." After Oryx's defeat, the Taken Knight Malok, Pride of Oryx, attempted to seize the vacant throne for himself.<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[April Update]] - [[Pretender to the Throne]]''</ref> Other Taken had been allowed or managed to keep a modicum of free will, such as Quria, Blade Transform and Riven, they were still subservient to the cause of the Darkness. While some Taken, such as [[Noru'usk, Servant of Oryx]], can possess aspirations to ascend,<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] - [[Grimoire:Enemies/The Taken|The Taken]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/The_Taken#Noru.27usk.2C_Servant_of_Oryx|Noru'usk, Servant of Oryx]]''</ref> many, like [[Keksis, the Betrayed]], are lost and leaderless<ref name="Keksis"/>.

By using the power of the Darkness, Oryx, the Taken King is able to create a Taken projection of himself in the form of the [[Echo of Oryx]]. These Echoes allow him to enact his will remotely where he can summon and command Taken troops. Oryx's power in an area fades once an Echo is vanquished and any Taken he summoned are recalled.{{Citation needed}}

The Taken enemies that appear in the [[Unknown Space|Nine Realms]] are not actual Taken. Instead of being living creatures corrupted through Darkness, they are artificial constructs of dark matter, created by the Nine themselves, who are sentient beings of dark matter. Vanguard intelligence notes that these counterfeit Taken have low counts of sterile neutrinos, typically associated with Taken, but instead have high ambient cold dark matter.<ref name="Potential"/> This is the reason many Taken forces encountered in Nine space are all-powerful echoes in imitation of Oryx and his [[Likeness of Nokris|son]], in addition to a Cabal [[Phalanx Echo|Phalanx]] and a Fallen [[Kell Echo|Kell]].<ref>'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]] - [[The Reckoning]]''</ref><ref name="Prophecy"/>

In addition, the Drifter learned to create his own counterfeit "Primeval-like" Taken from the Nine's use of pure potential; utilizing the dark matter of the Haul and through sheer force of will. These Taken were used by him in Gambit Prime, replacing the Taken he attracted for regular Gambit.<ref name="Potential"> '''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]] - [[Lore:Stolen Intelligence|Stolen Intelligence]]: [[Lore:Stolen Intelligence#Potential|Potential]]''</ref>

[[Primeval]]s are a class of Taken born from the depths of the Ascendant Plane rather than altered from physical reality. They are among the oldest and most powerful Taken, hence their name.<ref> '''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Lore:A Drifter's Gambit|A Drifter's Gambit]]: [[Lore:A Drifter's Gambit#A Matter of Trust|A Matter of Trust]]''</ref> Because of their age, Primevals are extremely powerful and are capable of mowing down an army of Cabal from the Red Legion.<ref> '''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - Item Description: [[Ancient Apocalypse Armor (Hunter)#Ancient_Apocalypse_Strides|Ancient Apocalypse Strides]]''</ref> Even rarer are [[Ascendant Primeval Servitor|Ascendant Primeval]]s; including one whose heart was used to craft the Blight-infused [[Hand Cannon]], [[Malfeasance]].<ref> '''Bungie (2018/9/14)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] - [[Quest (Destiny 2)|Quest]]: [[Darkness in the Light]] - [[Darkness_in_the_Light#Transcript|The Seething Heart]]''</ref>

They first came into prominence in Gambit, where Guardians compete in fireteams against each other to summon and kill their respective Primeval first. By the introduction of the activity, the Drifter had the power to summon Primevals from the Ascendant plane using Motes of Dark but with no means of taming them until he was gifted a pocket of the Nine Realms from the Nine.<ref name="A Gift"/> With the Haul in his possession, the Drifter could cage his poached Primevals in Nine space.<ref name="BSOABI/>

*According to the Drifter, the Taken have an aversion to methane, which makes it particularly difficult for them to operate on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]].<ref>'''Bungie (2020/6/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]] - [[Drifter]] & [[Eris Morn]]: [[Contact#Completed|"You ever seen Taken here? Before this?" "No." "Bingo. Methane makes them wig out." "Curious... The Witch Queen must feel threatened to direct Quria's forces to Titan."]]''</ref>