Destiny 2: The History of the Darkness Explained | Game Rant
A term that Destiny 2 likes to throw around when describing the series' deep lore is "paracausal," or the concept of entities violating the concept of causality. Causality basically meaning that every occurrence has a cause and effect, and elements of the paracausal being causeless. For as much as humanity deals in absolutes, entities in the world of Destiny don't always follow the principle of causality. One such entity that's plagued many life forms across the cosmos is the Darkness, Destiny's main antagonist. Nearly every human account of the Darkness describes the entity as a grim reaper, though that characterization may not be inherently accurate.
Now that the Darkness is an ever-present threat in the game, it's important to look back on how this god-like entity has affected humanity prior. The Darkness used to always be considered a merciless enemy, but according to a Shadowkeep lore book in Destiny 2, the Darkness is actually a pivotal portion of the creation myth. It certainly doesn't excuse the Collapse, or the many underlings of the Darkness that have continually threatened humanity, but it at least provided some context. Both the Darkness and the Traveler exhibit a sort of yin and yang relationship, a relationship that's been at the center of Destiny's main conflict since the franchise's beginning.
Humanity first met the Darkness in Destiny lore back when human society was at its absolute peak. Centuries after humanity had discovered the Traveler and entered the Golden Age, an expedition to the Moon (Luna) by Clovis Bray had discovered the first hints of this dark force. An artifact known solely as the "Anomaly" was discovered under Luna's surface, which slowly poisoned the minds of all who came in close proximity to it, except for Clovis Bray. That Anomaly would lead Bray to Europa and the Deep Stone Crypt, where the veiled "Clarity Control" statue taught Clovis Bray how to give life to Exos, the humanoid robots with the uploaded consciousness of humans.
It wouldn't be until much later where the full force of the Darkness would return to assault humanity, during an event known as the Collapse. Information is sparse on what the Darkness actually did, but the after-effects were devastating. According to data reports from the Warmind Rasputin, an extinction-level event had begun in the galaxy, with very few firsthand recollections of the event describing a "smothering" of darkness. It wasn't until the Traveler arrived and defended humanity from the Darkness where the malevolent force was driven away. Many figured the Traveler was a selfless ally, but the Traveler and the Darkness have battled each other a long time.
The reality of the situation is that the Darkness and the Traveler are two complementary forces of nature that dictate life in the universe. Existing since the beginning of time, both the Darkness and the Light are paracausal beings that have influenced the cycle of life and death among all natural beings. In the "Unveiling" lore book, introduced in Destiny 2's Shadowkeep expansion, there's an allegory that seems to reference Darkness and Light. Titled "Gardener and Winnower," this metaphorical literature explains how the Traveler and the Darkness began their everlasting conflict in the universe, and how the Darkness could not exist without the Light.
Analyzing that story, alongside the other entries in the "Unveiling" lore book, and it's clear that the Traveler wishes to expand life all throughout the universe. However, it's the Darkness' job to test and eradicate any existences that cannot persevere in the face of its adversity. The relationship between the Darkness and Light is to manage each other, but the formerly equitable relationship always resulted in the life and death of existences. Light, or more specifically the Traveler, endeavored to create boundless life in opposition to the Darkness' desire to manage life. This is why the Darkness always refers to itself as humanity's "salvation," as opposed to its inherent destroyer.
Fast forward to the current events of Destiny 2, and now it at least makes a little more sense as to why the Darkness' narrative is tied to salvation. The Darkness was, at one time, meant to keep boundless and ambitious life in check. The Traveler directly opposed this notion, demonstrating that freedom of life and ambition can create existences that it deems majestic or beautiful. According to the "Dreams of Alpha Lupi" Grimoire cards from the first Destiny, the Traveler sees "hope" in the Sun and humanity's galaxy. The Darkness aims to dismantle that boundless freedom granted to humanity by the Light, and it's almost succeeded in doing so before.
Obviously with the Darkness finally making its way into humanity's galaxy, and even tainting guardians in Beyond Light, it's planting roots to enact another Collapse. This "salvation" is how the Darkness intends to test humanity through adversity, in the same way it nearly destroyed the Fallen. However, guardians wielding Darkness through Stasis is not an inherent sign of evil, as dark power can be controlled without being intrinsically tied to Darkness. Guardians will likely have to deal with Savathun in The Witch Queen expansion before taking on the true Darkness, but it's clear Bungie is planting the narrative and thematic seeds for an ultimate showdown in Lightfall.
Destiny 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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