Based on some datamines and hidden triumphs, Destiny 2 players can glean that Empyrean Foundation will involve a community-wide effort to rebuild some building or edifice. The Triumph specifically asks players to donate Polarized Fractaline to the Empyrean Restoration effort, almost like donating building materials.
RELATED: Destiny 2 Adds More Clues that Trials is Returning
Building off that, the Destiny 2 theory suggests that the Empyrean Foundation will return the Lighthouse to its former glory and bring back the Trials of Osiris game mode. This Season has already let players move through time and bring back Saint-14, so why couldn’t it do more time manipulation?
At a glance, the theory might seem farfetched, but it is rooted in some believable evidence. For one, the shader connected to the Empyrean Restoration is called Lighthouse Sun and gives armor a color scheme similar to that of Trials of Osiris during Year 1.
Perhaps the biggest hint that Trials of Osiris is returning comes from the fact that Bungie flew popular Trials of Osiris streamers out to its studio for some event. The participants included Dr. Lupo, RealKraftyy, and BW – three streamers who gained a massive online following through Trials carries. Obviously, the participants could not say why they visited Bungie but the rest of the community believes it was to give feedback on the upcoming Trials revamp.
So by and large Destiny 2 players believe that Trials of Osiris is returning, and likely next Season. As a result, they have started to draw connections between what is happening in the game during Season of Dawn and how that could be used to bring back Trials of Osiris. Not that Trials needs a story-based motivation for its return, but Bungie might need to explain why ToO is back and not Trials of the Nine. Something within the narrative could help explain that.
Another popular theory is that the Empyrean Foundation will include some time travel element and Mercury will be sent back to its former state. This would, again, give Bungie the opportunity to bring back Trials of Osiris as it existed during Destiny 1.
Either way, the evidence is too compelling not to feel like the popular PvP mode is returning. How it will return, however, is up for debate. Players will find out if this theory was correct on February 4th when Empyrean Foundation goes live.
Destiny 2 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
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