Could Cayde-6 Come Back? Exploring the Possibilities of a Guardian’s Return
The question hangs heavy in the air for Destiny 2 players: could Cayde-6, the beloved Hunter Vanguard, actually return from the dead? The short, impactful answer is: it’s complicated, but signs point towards a potential return, albeit not in a straightforward way. While his death in the Forsaken expansion was portrayed as permanent, the nature of Destiny’s universe, especially with the upcoming Final Shape expansion, leaves room for a resurrection that sidesteps the usual rules. It won’t be a simple Ghost resurrection, or a reboot, but the possibility is strongly implied.
The Challenge of Bringing Back Cayde-6
The Problem of Ghost Resurrections
The core issue lies in the mechanics of Guardian resurrection. Guardians are revived by their Ghosts, tiny robotic companions imbued with the Traveler’s Light. When a Guardian dies, their Ghost can typically bring them back, memories and all. However, when a Ghost is destroyed, as Sundance, Cayde’s Ghost, was, the Guardian’s ability to be resurrected in that manner is gone. A new Ghost can not just simply revive a dead Guardian, making Cayde’s initial death appear permanent.
The Impact of Memory Loss
Another hurdle is memory. Even if another method were to revive Cayde-6, it’s unlikely he would be the same. Rebooting his Exo frame would erase his memories, including the deep bond he shared with Ikora Rey and his time as the Hunter Vanguard. Resurrecting him as a “new” Cayde with no memory of his past would be a heartbreaking betrayal of his character. The Cayde players knew and loved cannot be brought back in a traditional method; a more significant event is required.
Beyond the Standard Rules: The Final Shape and Time Shenanigans
So, what makes a return possible? The key lies in the narrative direction of The Final Shape expansion. With the return of Nathan Fillion as the voice actor, and the hints in the story, the character’s return is strongly implied. The potential exists for manipulation of time and space, akin to what happened with Saint-14. The story is strongly suggesting that some sort of timeline or dimension manipulation will be coming. This could enable Cayde-6 to be pulled from an earlier point in time, thus bypassing the issues of rebooting and new Ghosts.
Why the Return is Significant
Fan Favorite
Cayde-6 was a huge fan-favorite, whose humorous and lighthearted banter endeared him to the player base. His death marked a significant emotional moment, one which drove the narrative of Forsaken. A return would be more than just a character comeback; it would be the return of a beloved member of the Destiny community.
Narrative Implications
Cayde’s return has massive narrative implications. It could signify a shift in how death and resurrection are handled in the Destiny universe. It could introduce entirely new concepts about the nature of time, destiny, and what it means to be a Guardian. The ramifications for the story would be significant, potentially shaking up the entire framework of Destiny’s lore and leading to a new era in the saga.
Nathan Fillion’s Return
The return of Nathan Fillion, the original voice of Cayde-6, is also incredibly telling. After his absence in the Forsaken expansion, his presence signals a commitment to authenticity and a desire to give the fans the return they have been waiting for.
Potential Resurrection Scenarios
While the exact mechanics of his return remain a mystery, several theories abound:
- Time Manipulation: As seen with Saint-14, time travel or alternate timelines could allow Bungie to bring back Cayde from before his death. This would be a significant narrative point, altering what is known about death in the universe.
- Light and Darkness: The interplay of Light and Darkness, core to the Destiny narrative, could reveal new methods of resurrection. Perhaps a manipulation of both forces could bridge the gap between life and death in a way not yet explored.
- Parallel Dimension: Given the nature of the universe, Cayde could exist in a different dimension. A narrative could be constructed that has the Guardian pull Cayde from this alternate dimension.
Cayde’s return, in whatever form it may take, will be a momentous occasion, changing the destiny of the narrative and the player base as a whole. While the exact details remain a mystery, the fact that it seems possible is enough to excite the Destiny community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cayde-6’s Return
1. Is Cayde-6 permanently dead?
Yes, in the conventional sense, Cayde-6 is dead. His Ghost, Sundance, was destroyed, preventing a normal resurrection. However, the narrative of Destiny allows for unorthodox methods of return, and indications are that this may be the case for Cayde-6.
2. Why can’t another Ghost revive Cayde-6?
Ghosts are bonded to their specific Guardians. Once a Ghost is destroyed, that Guardian can no longer be resurrected by another Ghost through standard means. A new Ghost would be unable to bring Cayde-6 back.
3. Will Cayde-6 be revived?
While not definitively confirmed, all signs point to a return in some form with the Final Shape expansion. The presence of Nathan Fillion, his original voice actor, is a big indication. The narrative points toward a special and unusual revival instead of a regular Ghost-led resurrection.
4. Is Cayde-7 confirmed?
No. Bungie has stated that there will not be a “Cayde-7”. This implies that Cayde’s return will not be a simple reboot of his Exo frame, preserving the memory of Cayde-6.
5. Why wasn’t Cayde-6 revived after his death?
As his Ghost was destroyed, a normal resurrection was impossible. The standard way of bringing back a Guardian was closed off. Bungie also made a narrative decision to emphasize the finality of his death.
6. How is Cayde-6 returning in the Final Shape?
The exact method is unknown, but potential scenarios involve time travel, alternate timelines, or other manipulations of reality. The narrative is leaving room for a grand return that breaks the rules.
7. Who killed Cayde-6?
Uldren Sov, manipulated by Riven, was ultimately responsible for killing Cayde-6. The Scorn, led by Uldren and Fikrul, were directly involved in his death during the breakout at the Prison of Elders.
8. When did Cayde become an Exo?
Cayde sold his body to Clovis Bray to pay off a significant debt. He was converted into an Exo at the Bray Exoscience facility on Europa, although he did not know what he was signing up for.
9. Who is Ace to Cayde-6?
Ace was Cayde’s son before the Collapse (the event in Destiny lore that led to the fall of humanity and the arrival of the Traveler). Cayde found his name written in a journal, connecting him to his past life.
10. Can Exos be revived?
Yes, Exos can be revived by their Ghosts, just like any other Guardian. However, if their Ghost is destroyed, that Guardian’s ability to be normally resurrected by a Ghost is also lost.
11. What was Cayde-6’s Ghost’s name?
Cayde-6’s Ghost was named Sundance. She was destroyed during the Scorn breakout from the Prison of Elders.
12. Who will voice Cayde-6 in the Final Shape?
Nathan Fillion will return to voice Cayde-6 in the Final Shape expansion, marking his first return to the role since before the Forsaken expansion.
13. Why did Bungie kill off Cayde-6?
Bungie killed Cayde-6 to take a creative risk and motivate players to seek revenge in the Forsaken storyline. It was meant to have an emotional impact and move the story in a new direction.
14. What was Cayde-6’s Vanguard Dare?
Cayde’s dare stated that if he was killed by another Hunter, that person would inherit his riches and take over as the new Hunter Vanguard. This was left unfulfilled as the killer was Uldren, not a Hunter.
15. How long has it been since Cayde-6 died?
It has been approximately five years since Cayde-6’s death in the Forsaken expansion. The expansion has since been vaulted.