Is Oryx, The Taken King, Permanently Dead in Destiny? A Deep Dive into Hive Lore
The short answer, and it’s a bit of a Destiny paradox: Oryx is dead, but his influence persists. While his physical form and soul were obliterated within his throne world, his essence lingers, woven into the very fabric of the universe, and even manifested within the Touch of Malice weapon. This makes his ‘death’ a complex state, far from a simple end. Let’s unravel this intricate web of Hive lore and examine the nature of Oryx’s demise.
The Fall of a King: Understanding Oryx’s Demise
Oryx, born Aurash, was one of the three siblings who formed the core of the Hive pantheon: Oryx, Savathûn, and Xivu Arath. Driven by the insatiable Worm Gods and their hunger for tribute, these siblings embarked on a crusade of conquest and annihilation across the cosmos. Oryx, through his mastery of the Taken power, became a terrifying force, capable of bending reality and enslaving entire species.
The King’s Fall raid in the original Destiny game saw Guardians venturing into Oryx’s Dreadnaught, a colossal warship crafted from the remains of a Worm God. Within his throne world, a pocket dimension fueled by his own will and power, the Guardians confronted Oryx.
Crucially, Oryx’s death in his throne world had profound consequences. According to Hive metaphysics, death within one’s throne world carries a weightier finality. While Oryx was defeated before outside of his throne world, he took himself and went to his Ascendant Realm. This time, the Guardians succeeded in completely destroying him, soul and all, inside his own throne world. This ensured that he could not revive himself through the same Hive magic that had resurrected him and his sisters in the past.
Essence vs. Existence: The Lingering Echoes of Oryx
While Oryx’s soul was destroyed, his essence survives. The Touch of Malice, a powerful exotic scout rifle, is a testament to this. The weapon is constructed from pieces of Oryx himself and resonates with his power. Furthermore, the knowledge and power he wielded continue to influence events within the Destiny universe.
The Taken, creatures warped and enslaved by Oryx’s power, remained a threat even after his demise. While initially leaderless and disorganized, various figures, including Savathûn, have since sought to control the Taken and wield their power. His impact reverberates through subsequent conflicts, highlighting the enduring consequences of his reign.
Oryx’s Legacy: A Continuing Influence
Oryx’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power and the endless cycle of violence. The Hive, driven by their insatiable hunger for tribute and the demands of the Worm Gods, remain a persistent threat. Even in death, Oryx’s actions continue to shape the destiny of the solar system, influencing characters, conflicts, and the overall narrative. His death created a void, which Savathun and Xivu Arath fight to fill.
Understanding Oryx’s story provides valuable insight into the complex lore of Destiny. It also illuminates the themes of power, corruption, and the enduring consequences of one’s actions, even beyond death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oryx
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further explore the nuances of Oryx’s fate and impact on the Destiny universe:
1. Is Oryx TECHNICALLY dead?
Yes, but it’s complicated. His physical form and soul were destroyed in his throne world, preventing traditional resurrection. However, his essence lives on, influencing the world and manifesting in items like the Touch of Malice.
2. How did Oryx revive Savathûn and Xivu Arath?
According to the Book of Sorrows, Oryx revived Xivu Arath through war and Savathûn through trickery. These revivals were tied to their respective domains of power: Xivu Arath drawing strength from conflict and Savathûn from deception.
3. What happened to the Taken after Oryx died?
The Taken became leaderless and scattered, but they remained a significant threat. Various figures, including Savathûn, attempted to seize control of the Taken and wield their power for their own purposes.
4. Does Oryx live in the Touch of Malice?
Not in a literal sense. The Touch of Malice is constructed from pieces of Oryx and channels his power, but it doesn’t contain his soul or consciousness. It’s more of a conduit for his lingering essence.
5. Could Oryx revive himself?
No. Because his soul was slain in his throne world. The destruction of his soul within his throne world prevents any possibility of self-resurrection.
6. Was Oryx originally a girl?
Yes. Oryx, born Aurash, was designated female at birth. She underwent a transformation into Auryx and then into Oryx, a king, during the ritual with the Worm Gods that granted her immense power. This makes Oryx a transgender male character.
7. What were Oryx’s last words?
Oryx’s last words were “Light! Give your will to me!”, spoken to the Guardian who defeated him.
8. Where did Oryx’s body end up?
Most likely, Oryx’s body fell into the atmosphere of Saturn or drifted into deep space. The scale of his destruction suggests his physical form was largely dissipated.
9. Why hasn’t Immaru revived Savathûn sooner?
Immaru revived Savathûn immediately after her death in the Witch Queen campaign. After Savathûn tricked the Traveler into giving her the Light, she was assassinated by the Guardians. This act ensured that Savathûn was resurrected by Immaru as a Guardian of the Light.
10. Did Oryx take himself?
Yes. Using his powers to Take, he “took” himself and went to his Ascendant Realm.
11. Who was Oryx’s wife?
Oryx’s wife was Thyshik, Matron of Oryx.
12. Who were Oryx’s sons?
Oryx had two sons: Crota and Nokris.
13. Who was Oryx’s Worm?
Oryx’s Worm was Akka, the Worm of Secrets. Oryx slew Akka to learn the secrets of Taking.
14. Did Oryx ever take a Guardian?
Oryx cannot Take paracausal beings like Guardians. He can only take biological organisms, which is why he can Take Vex (due to their mind fluid) but not machines like shanks.
15. How did Aurash become Auryx?
Aurash and her sisters consumed the larvae and Aurash transformed into the king morph of their species, renaming herself to Auryx.
Beyond Death: The Enduring Allure of Destiny Lore
The story of Oryx is a testament to the intricate and compelling lore that defines the Destiny universe. It highlights the game’s ability to weave complex narratives, explore profound themes, and create characters whose actions resonate long after their demise. It demonstrates that even death in Destiny is not always the end, and the impact of powerful figures can endure through their legacies, their artifacts, and the ripples they create in the universe.
To further understand and appreciate the complexity of game narratives and their impact on player engagement, resources such as those available at the Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org) provide valuable insights into the intersection of gaming, learning, and social interaction.
Oryx’s story remains a fascinating and enduring aspect of the Destiny universe, reminding us that even in a world of gods and monsters, the choices we make have lasting consequences.