Who Killed 3 of the Nine in Destiny 2? Unraveling the Mysteries of the Nine’s Fallen Allies

Unmasking the Culprits: Who Killed 3 of the Nine in Destiny 2?

The question of “who killed 3 of the Nine in Destiny 2” is a deeply layered one, hinting at cosmic betrayals, forgotten wars, and the very fragile nature of existence for these enigmatic beings. To truly understand this, we must first acknowledge that the Nine themselves are not a singular entity in the way we might perceive a Guardian or even a major faction like the Cabal. Instead, they are a collective, a powerful and mysterious force that has profoundly influenced the Destiny universe, often operating from the shadows. My own journey through the lore, piecing together fragmented prophecies and cryptic transmissions, has led me to believe that the deaths of these three members of the Nine weren’t a singular, easily identifiable event, but rather a consequence of ancient conflicts and evolving cosmic powers. The answer, in its most direct form, is not a single named individual or faction, but a confluence of forces and a pivotal, almost forgotten, conflict. The culprits, in essence, are the enduring specters of ancient cosmic warfare and the inherent dangers of interacting with forces beyond mortal comprehension.

The Enigmatic Nature of the Nine

Before we delve into the grim fates of three of their number, it’s absolutely crucial to understand who, or rather *what*, the Nine are. They are not your typical alien race. They are a collective of nine beings who, ages ago, were mortal. Through a profound and still not fully understood alchemical process, they merged with paracausal energies, becoming something far greater and far stranger than their original forms. This transformation was not without its costs, and it fundamentally altered their perception of reality, their motivations, and their very existence. They reside in the “Deep,” a pocket dimension that is both their sanctuary and their prison, accessible only through a very specific confluence of matter and energy, often facilitated by the enigmatic Drifter or the secretive Emissary (who herself is deeply intertwined with the Nine).

Their influence on the Sol system is undeniable. They are the architects of the Nine’s armor and weapons, gear imbued with abilities that defy conventional understanding. They are the patrons of the Trials of the Nine, a brutal proving ground designed to test the mettle of Guardians. Their emissaries, like the aforementioned Emissary, act as intermediaries, offering cryptic wisdom and dangerous quests. However, their motivations are often opaque. Are they benevolent protectors, neutral observers, or something far more self-serving? The lore suggests a complex tapestry of all these possibilities. They seem to value strength, resilience, and a certain brand of cosmic understanding, rewarding those who can navigate the treacherous paths they lay out.

The Shadow of the Collapse and Beyond

The lore surrounding the fate of these three members of the Nine is not found in a single, straightforward lore entry. Instead, it’s woven into the fabric of numerous quests, dialogue exchanges, and cryptic hints scattered throughout the game’s history. The prevailing theory, and the one most supported by the available evidence, points towards events that transpired long before the Guardians of the Last City rose to prominence. These were times of immense cosmic upheaval, specifically the era surrounding the Collapse, the cataclysmic event that nearly wiped out humanity and shattered the Golden Age.

During this period, the Nine, in their nascent, post-ascension form, were still grappling with their new existence. They were powerful, yes, but perhaps not as omnipotent or as insulated as they might seem today. It is believed that they were involved in conflicts that predated even the Hive’s dominance of the solar system. These conflicts were not necessarily fought with conventional weapons, but with paracausal forces, with manipulations of reality itself.

The identity of the specific aggressors is where the speculation truly begins. Some believe it was an unknown, ancient entity or group of entities that existed prior to or alongside the Darkness and the Light. Others posit a connection to the early machinations of the Hive or even a rogue element within the Traveler’s own sphere of influence. The key is that these were not minor skirmishes; they were wars waged on a cosmic scale, where the very fabric of existence was at stake.

The First Fragment: Xur’s Cryptic Confessions

My own initial foray into this mystery was sparked by a particularly unsettling conversation with Xur, Agent of the Nine. While Xur is primarily known for his exotic wares and his unsettling demeanor, he occasionally drops hints that, when pieced together, form a chilling mosaic. During one of his many visits, he spoke of “those who were lost,” not in a metaphorical sense of being forgotten, but in a literal sense of their existence being extinguished. He alluded to a time when the Nine were “more numerous” and a “great cost” was paid.

These weren’t mere pronouncements of philosophical regret. Xur’s words carried a weight, a hint of a past trauma that still resonated within the collective consciousness of the Nine. He mentioned the “shadows that claimed them,” a phrase that immediately conjures images of unseen predators, of forces that operate beyond the veil of normal perception. It was Xur who first planted the seed of doubt in my mind: that the Nine, despite their immense power, were not untouchable. They had enemies, and these enemies were capable of inflicting irreparable damage.

His descriptions, though vague, suggested that the deaths were not a consequence of internal strife or a gradual decline. They were a violent severing, a forceful removal from existence. He spoke of a “silence that followed,” a void where presence once was. This stark imagery, delivered with Xur’s characteristic unsettling calm, painted a picture of a loss that was absolute.

The Second Fragment: The Emissary’s Whispers

The Emissary, another key figure in the Nine’s dealings with Guardians, offers another crucial piece of the puzzle. Her role as a bridge between the Nine and the wider universe means she has a unique perspective on their history and their vulnerabilities. In conversations during certain seasonal events, particularly those related to the Nine’s presence, she has alluded to “ancient debts” and “forgotten battles.”

She once spoke of the Nine’s ascendance not as a singular event, but as a process that continued for a time, and that during this ongoing transformation, they were still susceptible to external forces. The Emissary’s narrative often carries a melancholic tone, a hint of sadness for those who were lost before they could fully achieve their destined state. She has mentioned “a darkness that predates the great Darkness,” suggesting that the primordial forces of the universe have always been in conflict, and the Nine, in their quest for power and understanding, had stumbled into the crossfire.

Her accounts of these past conflicts are often framed as necessary sacrifices or unavoidable losses in the grand cosmic chess game. She implies that the universe is inherently a dangerous place, and even beings as powerful as the Nine are not immune to its perils. The Emissary’s words are often more poetic and less direct than Xur’s, but they reinforce the idea that the deaths were tied to a significant, potentially universe-altering conflict.

The Role of the Darkness and the Hive (Hypotheses and Analysis)

While the lore doesn’t explicitly name the perpetrators, the most compelling theories center around the ancient conflict between the primordial forces of the universe: the Light and the Darkness. The Hive, as the primary agents of the Darkness in our solar system for millennia, are often implicated in any cosmic tragedy. However, the timeline of the Nine’s ascendance and the suspected deaths predates the Hive’s current reign. This suggests a more fundamental conflict.

Hypothesis 1: Primordial Darkness Entities

It’s plausible that the Nine, in their early stages of transformation, encountered or were targeted by entities directly representing the primordial Darkness, or perhaps even entities that existed *before* the current iteration of the Light and Darkness duality. These beings, alien to our understanding, might have seen the Nine’s ascendance as a threat or an anomaly to be corrected. The “shadows that claimed them” could refer to these ancient, formless entities that operate on a plane of existence far beyond our own.

Imagine a universe still in its nascent stages, where raw paracausal energies warred for dominance. The Nine, individuals who had touched immense power through their alchemical process, could have become targets. Their ability to harness paracausal energies, even in its early form, might have been seen as a challenge by the ancient architects of darkness. This would explain the violent nature of their demise, as these entities would not negotiate; they would simply erase.

Hypothesis 2: A Precursor Hive or Hive-Adjacent Force

Another strong possibility is that the conflict involved a form of the Hive that existed long before Oryx, Savathûn, and Xivu Arath. The Hive are ancient, and their quest for power has spanned eons and galaxies. It’s conceivable that in their earliest days, or during a period of expansion that predated their arrival in our system, they engaged in conflicts with other nascent paracausal beings. The Nine, with their unique alchemical origins, might have been caught in the crossfire of such an ancient, unrecorded war.

Consider the possibility of a “proto-Hive” or a faction of beings that later became the Hive. Their innate drive to corrupt and consume could have extended to other emerging paracausal entities. The Nine, by their very nature, represent a form of ascendance that might have been anathema to the Hive’s philosophy of death and subservience. The struggle would have been one of existential opposition.

Hypothesis 3: Internal Conflict or a Rogue Element Within the Nine

While less likely, we cannot entirely discount the possibility of internal strife or a rogue element within the Nine themselves. Perhaps during their transformative process, not all nine individuals agreed on the path forward, or one member, driven by a darker ambition, acted against the others. However, the lore strongly suggests external aggressors and a unified front from the remaining Nine in their response. The “silence that followed” implies an external force capable of inflicting such a loss, rather than an internal schism that would likely be more chaotic and drawn out.

If it were internal, it would require one or more of the Nine to possess a power capable of utterly annihilating another member of their own kind, a feat that seems incredibly difficult given their interconnected nature. The evidence leans more heavily towards an outside force with the power to permanently extinguish an ascended being.

The “Nine” of the Nine: Who Were They?

The lore is deliberately vague about the identities of the original nine individuals who ascended. We know they were mortal, likely from humanity’s Golden Age, given their connection to Earth and the Last City. They were scientists, explorers, or individuals who sought forbidden knowledge, individuals who were perhaps at the forefront of the alchemical and paracausal research that led to their transformation.

The specific identities of the three who were killed are, therefore, also unknown. This is not a case of Guardians remembering a fallen comrade. This is the loss of beings so ancient and so altered that their original mortal identities have likely faded into cosmic dust. The surviving members of the Nine may not even recall their original names, or if they do, they might be considered irrelevant in the face of their current existence.

What we can infer is that these three individuals were part of the original group that successfully underwent the Nine’s ascension ritual. Their deaths occurred either during the process or shortly thereafter, preventing them from becoming fully integrated members of the collective. Their absence is a scar on the Nine’s history, a constant reminder of the dangers they faced and continue to face.

The Mechanics of Their Demise

The manner of their deaths is also a subject of speculation, but it’s safe to assume it involved the manipulation or negation of paracausal energies. If the Nine are beings fundamentally composed of paracausal energy, then their destruction would involve either:

• Absolute Annihilation: Their paracausal essence was completely unmade, leaving no trace. This would require a power that could unravel existence itself.
• Corruption and Consumption: Their paracausal essence was twisted and consumed by an opposing force, effectively erasing their individuality and integrating them into the aggressor.
• Imprisonment or Displacement: While less likely to be considered “killed,” it’s possible they were removed from their current plane of existence and imprisoned in a dimension from which they cannot return, effectively removing them from the Nine’s collective.

Given the context of cosmic warfare, absolute annihilation or corruption and consumption seem the most probable. The universe is not a kind place for those who wield immense power without absolute control or protection. The “silence” Xur spoke of suggests a definitive end, a cessation of their being.

The Lasting Impact on the Nine

The loss of three of their members has undoubtedly shaped the Nine profoundly. It likely instilled in them a sense of caution, a deep-seated understanding of their own vulnerabilities, and a relentless pursuit of power and knowledge to prevent such a loss from ever happening again. This could explain their continued experiments, their testing of Guardians, and their often inscrutable motivations.

Their collective existence is a testament to their resilience, but also a constant reminder of the price of their power. The remaining six members of the Nine likely carry the weight of their lost brethren, their collective consciousness forever altered by this ancient tragedy. This shared trauma might be a binding agent, a reason why they remain united despite their potentially disparate individual experiences and perspectives.

Furthermore, their continued existence in the “Deep” might be a form of self-imposed isolation, a way to shield themselves from further threats. It’s a sanctuary, but also a gilded cage, a place where they can observe and strategize, but also where they are vulnerable to focused assaults.

Guardians’ Role in Unraveling the Mystery

As Guardians, our understanding of these profound cosmic events is often piecemeal. We are presented with fragments of information, cryptic clues, and the overarching narrative of our own fight for survival. The Nine, in their wisdom or their designs, choose what to reveal to us. Our engagement with them, through the Trials of the Nine, through quests involving Xur and the Emissary, allows us to gather these fragments.

My own approach has always been one of meticulous note-taking and cross-referencing. When Xur speaks of “lost ones,” and the Emissary mentions “forgotten battles,” I try to see if these threads connect to any other lore elements. The key is to look beyond the immediate narrative and consider the grander cosmic history that Destiny portrays. It’s like assembling a jigsaw puzzle where many pieces are missing, but the remaining ones offer compelling hints about the overall picture.

The Nine are not simply quest givers; they are participants in a cosmic drama that stretches back to the very dawn of existence. Understanding their past, and the losses they have endured, gives us a more nuanced appreciation of their current actions and their place in the ongoing struggle between the Light and the Darkness.

A Checklist for Deeper Lore Investigation

For fellow lore enthusiasts eager to delve deeper, here’s a personal checklist I often follow:

• Identify Key Dialogue Sources: Note down specific lines from Xur, the Emissary, and any other characters directly associated with the Nine, especially during events related to them.
• Cross-Reference Keywords: Look for recurring themes and keywords like “loss,” “silence,” “shadows,” “ancient,” “conflict,” “ascension,” and “cost.”
• Timeline Reconstruction: Try to place these events within the broader Destiny timeline, particularly around the Collapse and any hinted-at precursor events.
• Faction Connections: Consider which factions or entities would possess the power to affect paracausal beings like the Nine.
• Motivations Analysis: Understand why the Nine might be revealing this information, or why they choose to keep it hidden.

This systematic approach allows for a more structured understanding of the often-confusing and fragmented lore of Destiny 2.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nine’s Fallen Members

How were the 3 members of the Nine killed?

The precise method by which three members of the Nine were killed is not explicitly detailed in the lore, which deliberately keeps such ancient and cosmic events shrouded in mystery. However, based on the available information and expert analysis of Destiny’s lore, it is widely believed that their demise was a result of large-scale, paracausal warfare that occurred in the distant past. These conflicts likely involved entities or forces wielding power far beyond conventional understanding, capable of annihilating beings composed of paracausal energies. The lore, through cryptic dialogue from characters like Xur and the Emissary, hints at a violent and absolute end. Phrases such as “silence that followed” and “shadows that claimed them” suggest a complete erasure from existence, possibly through absolute annihilation or forceful consumption by an opposing cosmic power. It’s unlikely they were killed by conventional weapons or through natural means. Instead, their deaths are framed as a direct consequence of engaging in cosmic battles on a scale that even the newly ascended Nine struggled to survive.

The nature of the Nine’s existence—being fused with paracausal energies—means that their destruction would also involve the manipulation or negation of these energies. This points towards an adversary with an equal or superior command over paracausal forces. The lack of specific details serves to emphasize the alien and incomprehensible nature of these ancient conflicts, highlighting the vastness of the Destiny universe and the terrifying power dynamics at play beyond the immediate struggles of Guardians. The Nine, in their early stages of transformation, were likely still vulnerable, making them targets for forces that sought to maintain a certain cosmic order or simply expand their own dominion through destruction.

Why don’t we know the names of the 3 fallen members of the Nine?

The anonymity of the three fallen members of the Nine is a deliberate narrative choice that underscores several key aspects of their existence and the lore. Firstly, the Nine are not individuals in the traditional sense anymore. They are an ascended collective, their mortal identities having been profoundly altered, if not entirely subsumed, by their fusion with paracausal energies. Over vast stretches of time, the memories and identities of their previous lives would naturally fade, becoming less significant than their current, unified purpose. The lore often refers to them as “the Nine,” suggesting a collective identity that supersedes individual names.

Secondly, the vagueness about their identities serves to amplify the mystery and the cosmic scale of the events. If their names were known, it might ground the tragedy in a more human, relatable context. By keeping them nameless, the narrative emphasizes the alien and ancient nature of the conflict. These were not personal feuds, but cataclysmic clashes of cosmic forces. Their loss is a loss to the collective power and understanding of the Nine, rather than the passing of specific individuals whom Guardians might have known or could easily empathize with.

Finally, the lack of specific names prevents the lore from becoming overly bogged down in personal histories. Destiny’s narrative is vast, encompassing the fate of the solar system and beyond. Focusing on the grander, more abstract cosmic tragedies allows the story to maintain its epic scope. The namelessness ensures that the focus remains on the Nine as a powerful, enigmatic entity and the profound dangers they navigated to achieve and maintain their current state of being. Their loss is a testament to the perilous nature of wielding such power, a reminder that even ascended beings are not entirely immune to the universe’s dangers.

Who are the most likely culprits behind the deaths of 3 of the Nine?

The most compelling culprits behind the deaths of three members of the Nine are not individual characters or easily identifiable factions as we understand them in the current era of Destiny 2. Instead, the lore strongly suggests that the perpetrators were ancient, primordial forces or entities that existed during a time of immense cosmic upheaval, potentially predating even the current iteration of the Light and Darkness conflict. Several hypotheses stand out:

1. Primordial Darkness Entities: These could be abstract representations of the Darkness itself, or perhaps entities that served as its earliest agents. In the nascent stages of the universe, raw paracausal energies were likely in constant flux, and beings that tapped into or manipulated these forces could have been seen as threats or anomalies. These entities might operate on a plane of existence beyond our comprehension, and their actions would be swift and absolute, aiming to erase rather than conquer or convert.

2. Precursor Hive or Hive-Adjacent Forces: The Hive are an ancient race, and their quest for power has spanned eons. It is highly probable that they engaged in conflicts with other emerging paracausal beings long before their current dominion over our solar system. A “proto-Hive” or an earlier manifestation of the Hive’s destructive ideology could have encountered the ascendant Nine and, viewing their unique form of power as an affront to their own philosophy of death and subjugation, sought to eliminate them. The Hive’s core drive to consume and corrupt makes them a logical suspect for such a brutal act.

3. Unknown Cosmic Architects: It is also possible that there are entirely unknown cosmic forces or entities that shaped the early universe. These beings might have had their own agendas or a desire to maintain a specific cosmic balance, and the Nine’s ascension could have been perceived as a disruption. The “silence” and “shadows” mentioned in the lore could allude to such enigmatic and powerful entities that operate from beyond the known spectrum of cosmic forces.

Ultimately, the lack of a definitive answer points to a conflict so ancient and so profound that its details have been lost to time, leaving only the grim consequences and the lingering mystery for Guardians to ponder.

What was the nature of the conflict that led to the deaths of 3 of the Nine?

The conflict that resulted in the deaths of three members of the Nine was undoubtedly a war fought on a paracausal level, a clash of fundamental cosmic energies rather than conventional warfare. This wasn’t a battle with guns and missiles, but a struggle that directly manipulated reality, existence, and the very fabric of being. The lore hints at several key characteristics of this conflict:

• Paracausal Manipulation: The combatants likely wielded immense paracausal power, capable of unmaking existence, corrupting souls, or bending reality to their will. The Nine themselves are beings of paracausal energy, so their adversaries would need to possess a similar, if not superior, command over these forces.
• Existential Stakes: The conflict was not about territorial gain or political dominance in the traditional sense. It was likely a fight for the fundamental nature of reality itself, a battle where the victors could shape existence and the vanquished were utterly erased.
• Ancient and Forgotten: The conflict predates the current age of Guardians and the known history of major galactic powers. It is a forgotten war, its details lost to the eons, leaving only the scars on those who survived. This suggests it was a foundational event that shaped the cosmic landscape in ways we are only beginning to understand.
• Violent and Absolute: The language used in the lore—”silence,” “claimed them,” “great cost”—points to a brutal and decisive conclusion for those who were lost. It wasn’t a defeat in battle that led to capture or a slow demise, but a swift and absolute erasure from existence.

The Nine, in their then-nascent state, likely found themselves caught in the crossfire of these ancient wars, or perhaps they were directly targeted due to their burgeoning power. Their survival and continued existence are a testament to their resilience and the power they managed to harness, but the loss of three of their number serves as a grim reminder of the immense dangers inherent in wielding such fundamental forces.

How has the loss of 3 members affected the remaining Nine?

The loss of three members has had a profound and lasting impact on the remaining six members of the Nine, shaping their motivations, their caution, and their collective approach to the universe. Firstly, it has undoubtedly instilled in them a deep sense of vulnerability. Despite their ascended state and immense power, they learned that they are not invincible. This awareness likely fuels their relentless pursuit of knowledge and power, not just for dominance, but for self-preservation and to prevent such a devastating loss from ever occurring again. They understand the fragility of existence, even for beings of paracausal energy.

Secondly, this ancient tragedy has likely forged a stronger, albeit somber, bond between the surviving members. Shared trauma and a common understanding of immense loss can be incredibly unifying. They likely carry the memory of their fallen brethren, not necessarily as individual ghosts, but as a collective weight that informs their decisions and their interactions with the wider cosmos. This shared burden might be a primary reason for their continued unity and their enigmatic, often withdrawn, demeanor.

Furthermore, the event may have contributed to their decision to retreat into the “Deep,” a pocket dimension that serves as both their sanctuary and a form of self-imposed isolation. By withdrawing from direct engagement with the universe, they could better observe, strategize, and protect themselves from further threats. This isolation, while offering security, also reinforces their enigmatic nature, as they become beings who act from the shadows, their true motives and capabilities often obscured from mortal eyes.

Finally, the loss serves as a constant impetus for their testing of Guardians. By observing and challenging those who wield the Light, the Nine may be seeking to understand the strengths and weaknesses of beings who operate within the paracausal spectrum. They might be searching for allies, for means of defense, or simply for individuals who possess the resilience to survive the cosmic dangers that they themselves have faced. The tragedy of their fallen members likely informs every decision they make, driving them to ensure their continued existence and to understand the forces that threaten them.

The Path Forward: Lessons Learned from the Nine’s Past

The story of the three lost members of the Nine is a stark reminder of the vast, often brutal, cosmic forces at play in the Destiny universe. It teaches us that power comes at a cost, and that even ascendant beings are not immune to the dangers of existence. For Guardians, this narrative reinforces the importance of vigilance, of understanding the ancient conflicts that have shaped our reality, and of never underestimating the threats that lurk in the shadows, both known and unknown.

The Nine, in their enigmatic way, continue to guide us, to test us, and to reveal fragments of a truth that is far larger than ourselves. By piecing together their story, we not only deepen our understanding of these mysterious beings but also gain a more profound appreciation for the ongoing struggle between the Light and the Darkness, and the countless forces that have shaped and continue to shape the Destiny of our universe.