Lore — The Menagerie

LoreSeason of Opulence

The Menagerie

The Menagerie

Transcript

The Lamplighting

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Calus: Behold my Menagerie! A place of wonder and delight. A place of… gratification.

Or alternatively

Calus: I keep the Menagerie for your amusement… And mine.

Or alternatively

Calus: I promised you true power. Here, you shall find it.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Leviathan was once a prison ship. The Menagerie was my cell. It's beautiful in its own way.

Or alternatively

Calus: Ghaul and the Red Legion imprisoned me here, long ago. [laughs] Look at them now!

Or alternatively

Calus: The Menagerie was once my prison. Now it's your proving ground.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Menagerie is the oldest deck on the Leviathan. My home in exile.

Or alternatively

Calus: My first home in exile was the Menagerie. Cozy, isn't it?

Or alternatively

Calus: The Menagerie is where I was reborn in the image of perfection. So, too, shall you be.

Or alternatively

Calus: [boisterous laughter] |title2=Hunter-exclusive |content2=

Calus: Your people pride themselves on their cunning, Hunter. Are you worthy of your tribe?

Or alternatively

Calus: Lost treasure awaits you, Hunter. [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: You will have to be quick to survive my Menagerie, Hunter.

Or alternatively

Calus: Light the way, Hunter.

|title3=Titan-exclusive |content3=

Calus: Your people pride themselves on their bravery, Titan. Are you worthy of your tribe?

Or alternatively

Calus: I can taste your determination, Titan.

Or alternatively

Calus: Have you the strength for my Menagerie, Titan?

Or alternatively

Calus: Light the way, Titan.

|title4=Warlock-exclusive |content4=

Calus: Your people pride themselves on their wisdom, Warlock. Are you worthy of your tribe?

Or alternatively

Calus: I can smell your anticipation, Warlock.

Or alternatively

Calus: We shall see whether you wits win the day, Warlock.

Or alternatively

Calus: Light the way, Warlock.

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The Guardian begins the Lamplightning encounter.

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Calus: Ah, this shall be amusing.

Or alternatively

Calus: What is a Menagerie without an array of peoples, of places, of delights?

|title2=Vex |content2=

Calus: Welcome to my Menagerie! I thought I'd introduce you to my Vex, first.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your first challenge shall be lighting the way. And do take care with my Vex.

Or alternatively

Calus: I've sent my Vex to greet you. Do tell me if they prove inhospitable.

Or alternatively

Calus: Come! Step into the Menagerie! Do you like my Vex?

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex are organic. Beneath that armor, they're soft. Delicate. Take them apart.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex are a viral Tribe. Their very nature fascinates me.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex understand nothing but their core algorithms. They will never stop until their directives are complete.

Or alternatively

Calus: These Vex belong to me. When one indoctrinates a Vex Mind, its entire subtype comes with it.

Or alternatively

Calus: I am trying to teach my Vex boundless pleasure. So far, the results have been… mixed.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex are indifferent to the sweetmeats of the Dark, but the Light seems to compel them…

|title3=Hive |content3=

Calus: As every empire expands, it must bring new peoples into its loving embrace. Behold my Hive.

Or alternatively

Calus: These Hive serve me. But they're still Hive. Annihilate them.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive are an unimaginative people. I believe I can show them the way.

Or alternatively

Calus: My Hive are somewhat… unruly. [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: You are as much a part of this Menagerie as the Hive.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Menagerie is a proving ground for all my new Tribes. I am eager to see how my Hive fare.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive understand nothing but power. Show them yours.

Or alternatively

Calus: Traveler-spawn and worm-spawn. Can either be swayed to a new god?

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The Guardians light all the lamps.

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Calus: [dark laughter]

Or alternatively

Calus: Ah, for something so frail and small, you have such strength!

Or alternatively

Calus: You relish destruction as I relish you.

Or alternatively

Calus: Well, that was a pleasant diversion, was it not?

Or alternatively

Calus: Revel in your victory, Light-born.

Or alternatively

Calus: You grow mightier with every fight.

Or alternatively

Calus: You cast your light wherever you go, young one.

Or alternatively

Calus: How I admire your tenacity! Your will!

Or alternatively

Calus: You are… [sigh] …singular.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your people do not appreciate you as I do.

Or alternatively

Calus: I will need a worthier challenge for you, Light-born.

Or alternatively

Calus: Now that you're warmed up, let's get to the rest, shall we?

Or alternatively

Calus: Through the dark towards the bliss of salvation! [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: [hearty laughter]

|title2=Vex |content2=

Calus: You'd think the Vex would do a better job of predicting your victories by now. [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: I'll need more Vex. You Little Lights keep tearing them apart. It's delightful.

Or alternatively

Calus: Those Vex were unworthy of my Menagerie. Press on.

Or alternatively

Calus: My favorite Vex Mind has built an algorithm to erase your Light. Perhaps you'll meet, in some dark corner…

|title3=Hive |content3=

Calus: I need a new Hive Shadow. One of your people took his head off. It was quite the melee.

Or alternatively

Calus: Ugh, what a slaughter! If I am to ever find a new Hive Shadow, I will have to extend my search. }}

The Gauntlet

Calus: Here, I honor my Ace-Defiant. Agile! Lean! And thoroughly dead. [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: I love my Gauntlet. You, too, will love my Gauntlet.

Or alternatively

Calus: How is your endurance?

Or alternatively

Calus: This should be rich. [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: Amuse me, Traveler-spawn.

Or alternatively

Calus: Show me that you can think on your feet.

Or alternatively

Calus: Many Guardians have impressed me in this Gauntlet. It will disappoint me if you fail. Do not disappoint me.

Or alternatively

Calus: It would be a great shame to see you fall to the Vex.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex seek a perfect future. Instead, show them a perfect end.

Or alternatively

Calus: You must be as the Sindû. Fly swiftly, my hero.

The Guardians complete the Gauntlet.

Calus: Good. Very good.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your speed is striking!

Or alternatively

Calus: [chuckles] Ah, the Gauntlet never gets old…

Or alternatively

Calus: A modest performance, but it could be improved.

Or alternatively

Calus: Have I made you breathless? [chuckles]

Or alternatively

Calus: It is still incredible to me to see you reconstructed from cinder and ash. I've met no other creatures like you Guardians.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your agility is… stirring.

The Hunted

Calus: Oryx and Crota could not finish you. But those they serve might.

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Calus: Light and Shadow, intimately intertwined. Will you light the way, or will you be snuffed out.

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Calus: These Hive are mine, commanded by my Hive Shadow. I have asked them to test all that you are.

Or alternatively

Calus: These Hive will give their all to end you. Because that's what I've asked of them.

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Calus: The Hive tribe is stubborn, inflexible. Those who do not pledge loyalty must be culled.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive are governed by power. Show them you have the right to rule.

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Calus: Step lightly, young one. My Knights are hungry.

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Calus: There is a certain thrill in being chased, pursued by a voracious horde…

Or alternatively

Calus: Stand united and fall. But divide, and you shall conquer!

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Calus: I have seen the end of all worlds. And the Hive are there to play a part.

The Guardians complete the Hunted.

Calus: The darkness comes from a vast emptiness, and the Hive have hunger to match.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive will be present at the dimming of the world. I have high hopes you'll be there to meet them.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive believe that they'll win this system through sheer tenacity and force of will. That simply believing they're right makes it so. Ha! You're living proof they will fall.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive are an older race than you. Nobler, they believe. Led by royalty with cosmic legacy. You've shown them that legacy means only as much as they can live up to.

Or alternatively

Calus: Scribes! The Knights have fallen. Call for fresh fodder, we must restock our larder…

Or alternatively

Calus: These Hive are mine. You know they're mine. And you killed them anyway. Why do you do this, when you know I can end you for it? [laughs] I enjoy you, Guardian.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive cannot be convinced they are wrong. Sword logic is the only argument they understand.

Or alternatively

Calus: Delightful how you carved them up. You understand sword logic better than the Hive themselves.

Or alternatively

Calus: You prove again and again that you can best the Hive according to their own vaunted sword logic. But they will never stop. [scoffs] Hypocrites.

Or alternatively

Calus: Left unchecked, the Hive will consume all. They understand strength. And growth.

The Mockery

Calus: [dark laughter]

Or alternatively

Calus: Many demand your trust. The Traveler. The Awoken Queen. Trust only in me, your beloved Emperor Calus.

Or alternatively

Calus: Here, this room is my little joke. A fitting tribute to the Awoken Queen. [chuckles]

Or alternatively

Calus: The Awoken tribe is a puzzle to me. I should like some of them for my Menagerie.

Or alternatively

Calus: There is a great riddle between the Awoken and the Hive in the city that dreams. Your people would do well to ignore it.

Or alternatively

Calus: If I stocked my Menagerie with specimens from the Awoken tribe, would you waver? Or would you fight on?

Or alternatively

Calus: Another test of your mettle. Begin.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Awoken Queen believes she can forestall the end that is coming. She's a stupid child. A fool. Let us mock her here.

Or alternatively

Calus: This trial always sets my Hive into a frenzy…

Or alternatively

Calus: Light and Dark, Sky and Deep, misery and war... Why fret over such things when you can simply enjoy yourself?

The Guardians complete the Mockery.

Calus: Stunning. Scribes! Mark this down!

Or alternatively

Calus: Ah, what vigor! You deserve to be rewarded.

Or alternatively

Calus: Cleverly done. You please me.

Or alternatively

Calus: Hmm… you have a talent for balance, but you will have to unlearn it. Excess! In all things, excess!

Or alternatively

Calus: Are you weary, brave warrior? You could always repose upstairs in the royal baths.

Or alternatively

Calus: Good. Good. Now, will you consider living here upon the Leviathan? If you do, you must never return to the Dreaming City.

Or alternatively

Calus: If it pleases you, we shall depose the Awoken Queen and her Wrath. We will gild their bones and fashion you a beautiful collar.

Or alternatively

Calus: All that labor for the Awoken --- but they will never love you as I do.

Or alternatively

Calus: Onward!

Or alternatively

Calus: All glory to you, Guardian of Guardians!

The Arkborn

Calus: Let us see how you fare in this trial.

Or alternatively

Calus: Paracausality. A property of your tribe. Let us see it in action.

Or alternatively

Calus: Guardians, Hive, and Arkborn. What a delight. What a truly unprecedented delight.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your people have an ability to commune with powers that some might call magic. So, too, do the Hive.

Or alternatively

Calus: There are captive Arkborn all around you. Bathe in them. Dab their essence behind your ears.

Or alternatively

Calus: This room honors the Fulminator, another of my former Shadows. She… was a delight.

Or alternatively

Calus: Have you ever tried to free an energy-people from their interstellar conduits? It is a task only I, Emperor Calus, could undertake.

Or alternatively

Calus: My Hive will harry you, Light-born. Step lightly!

Or alternatively

Calus: Ah, the Arkborn! Sentient energy, crackling with potential. And the Fulminator was brightest of them all…

Or alternatively

Calus: I'm afraid I had to break an agreement with one of my former Shadows. A tiny detail. No matter to you.

The Guardian completes the Arkborn.

Calus: Electrifying. [chuckles]

Or alternatively

Calus: Cleverly done.

Or alternatively

Calus: Ah, brave adventurer, your cruelty makes me jealous. You will kill with barely a thought. Everything is an unthinkable, unfeeling target. Marvelous!

Or alternatively

Calus: Your capacity to absorb energy seems… boundless. We shall have to test your true limits someday.

Or alternatively

Calus: Once again, the Light proves dominant. Ah, you are a ferocious little thing, aren't you?

Or alternatively

Calus: Tomorrow is for reflection. Today is for glory.

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Calus: My Councilors wrestled only a fraction of the Arkborn free of their world. Together, you and I could take them all.

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Calus: The Arkborn will know your name. I will make sure of it.

Or alternatively

Calus: Revel in your victory. Let it fill you with joy and mirth.

Or alternatively

Calus: You are worthy of the Fulminator's legacy.

The Crystals

Calus: The soil of Nessus makes a fine wine. One with a slightly metallic nose and the afterbite of Vex radiolaria…

Or alternatively

Calus: When the end comes, the Vex will die like everything else. But until then, they have you to help with that.

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Calus: Rip off their heads, Little Light. I crave your ferocity.

Or alternatively

Calus: Have you seen my robots? An idle amusement, inspired in some small part by the Vex.

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Calus: The Vex have fed my Leviathan well during my time here. She is fatter and more glorious than ever.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Vex labor toward a future where they are the last living things. [chuckles] If they only knew what I know!

Or alternatively

Calus: On my journey home from the deep black, I encountered many races. None as joyful as the Vex.

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Calus: The Vex are harmony incarnate. Give them time, and they will solve life itself.

The Guardians complete the Crystals.

Calus: The fluid at the center of a Vex is just a body. Crushable. Killable. Delightful.

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Calus: Humanity of Earth is the only opponent I have ever seen contend with the Vex and win.

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Calus: The Vex are slow, plodding. But they will never stop, never waver.

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Calus: The Vex crafted what they thought was the perfect algorithm to end you. To see it fail… You must have a magnificent brain.

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Calus: The Vex are mechanical shells, cocoons for something grander. Ah, their methods inspire me.

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Calus: Left to your own devices, how many Vex would you kill? Where would you stop? Are they the machines? Or are you?

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Calus: The Vex are merciless. Cold. Like heat death at the end of the universe.

Or alternatively

Calus: Good. You met their force with force. Pace yourself. The Vex will never stop.

The Riposte

Calus: A new test. I expect you'll be worthy of it.

Or alternatively

Calus: Mmm, this one will make you sweat… [chuckles]

Or alternatively

Calus: When my enemies rose against me, I took their greatest talents and twisted them to my advantage.

Or alternatively

Calus: They call it "sword logic." Ha! Let us make that a little more tangible…

Or alternatively

Calus: Show me you know how to seize an advantage, Guardian.

Or alternatively

Calus: Let me see you use your hands, Light-born.

Or alternatively

Calus: Whet yourself against this challenge. Gleam with wicked sharpness.

Or alternatively

Calus: Rend them. Tear them. Sunder them with your vicious edge.

Or alternatively

Calus: Skewer them upon their own logic.

Or alternatively

Calus: In the end, there will be no bombs and swords. No logics at all.

The Guardian completes the Ripostes.

Calus: What a show! Such finesse to your technique, such... style. I could watch you all day.

Or alternatively

Calus: Did you enjoy the massacre? You were a wonder to behold.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive are driven by their hunger. There is weakness in their grasping, and you punished them for it.

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Calus: As I expected. You are resplendent in victory as ever.

Or alternatively

Calus: Ha! I will drape you in the spoils of your victory, my champion. I will bathe you in the green fire.

Or alternatively

Calus: Scribes, take note of this victory. Take note!

Or alternatively

Calus: If only your frail face had tusks, I would cap them with gold.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive are such a desperately uncurious tribe, and that… that is what will doom them…

Or alternatively

Calus: Very good, my champion. But your mighty works are not yet finished.

Or alternatively

Calus: For all the Witch-Queen's cunning, her nieces and nephews grow no wiser. Such a pity.

Bosses

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Calus: I have a very serious question for you, Little Light… Can you dance?

Or alternatively

Calus: Are you worthy of my Menagerie? Are you worthy of my regard?

Or alternatively

Calus: I do enjoy this Minotaur. Play nicely with my little toy.

Or alternatively

Calus: I want to remember this performance as I fall asleep tonight, Guardian. Exceed my expectations.

Or alternatively

Calus: Come now! Don't lose momentum!

Or alternatively

Calus: You are nearly at the end. Declare yourself.

Or alternatively

Calus: You are nearly at the end. Declare yourself.

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Calus: And now, the finale…

Or alternatively

Calus: One final test of your skill and cunning.

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Calus: I see what you can be. Show me what you ARE.

Or alternatively

Calus: Live to your potential!

The Guardians destroy Hasapiko, Beloved by Calus.

Calus: The mightiest Vex you have felled are but farmers, engineers, managers. The day they send real warriors… [laughs]

Or alternatively

Calus: You were made to become my Shadow. Of this, I am sure.

Or alternatively

Calus: You made it kneel for you. [boisterous laughter] And you are so small!

Or alternatively

Calus: Uncompromising! Let me stud you with jewels! Gild you with the purest alloys!

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Calus: Every bristle on my hide is standing on end, o champion mine. What a performance.

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Calus: You never cease to entertain. We will make an inspired pair, you and I.

Or alternatively

Calus: Encore! Encore!

Or alternatively

Calus: You were more than worthy of my Menagerie today, but your endurance over time will prove your true value.

Or alternatively

Calus: Ah… What a delicious performance. I shall cherish it as I drift off to sleep tonight.

|title2=Arunak |content2=

Calus: In the gladiator pits of Torobatl, I saw dozens of mighty boxers compete in hand-to-hand combat, armorless and glistening with blood. This Ogre is worthy of them.

Or alternatively

Calus: You are so close to victory, Guardian. Can you taste it? I can.

Or alternatively

Calus: I hope you've sharpened your sword logic.

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Calus: This one is fat with strength… A worthy final opponent for you.

Or alternatively

Calus: I have one more pet for you to overcome. I think you two will put on a marvelous show.

Or alternatively

Calus: Show me again the eternal struggle between Guardian and Hive.

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Calus: You'll have to get intimately close to finish this, Light-born. Don't be afraid.

Or alternatively

Calus: One final test awaits you.

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Calus: The final act is always my favorite. Will you triumph, or will you fall? It’s delicious to wonder.

The Guardians defeat Arunak, Beloved by Calus.

Calus: The Taken King and his son are not the pinnacle of Hive evolution. I have seen the end. Stronger, subtler foes make their way to you.

Or alternatively

Calus: You use your foe's own power against him. You can see weakness in the Dark… and exploit them. I'd be offended if I didn't enjoy you so much.

Or alternatively

Calus: You've proven your dominance time and again by rite of sword logic. And yet the Hive will never stop. Ha! Hypocrites.

Or alternatively

Calus: You peeled that Ogre's armor like a shell off a beetle. How vulgar. I'd like to see that again.

Or alternatively

Calus: You know how to play by Hive rules. Have you ever considered you might make a good Hive? Hah. That'll be the day.

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Calus: The end of everything is coming. And the Hive have long been carving a path to welcome it.

Or alternatively

Calus: You know how to exploit a Hive ritual. Magnificent. Perhaps I can convince you to dance with the dark…

Or alternatively

Calus: Death and destruction will amuse me 'til the day I die. But the efficiency with which you plow through my horde is slightly alarming.

Or alternatively

Calus: Your passion and joy reminds me of my own, Guardian. You are a wonder to behold.

Or alternatively

Calus: The Hive can be beaten. But what they serve is another matter entirely.

|title3=Pagouri |content3=

Calus: You've come too far to hold back now. Free yourself from all distractions. This fight, this moment? This is all there is.

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Calus: May your triumph here be decisive.

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Calus: I am watching, Little Light. My Scribes stand at the ready to record your every action.

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Calus: I expect a grand finale. Do not disappoint me.

Or alternatively

Calus: Do you even see your enemies as you cut them down? You will see this one. I've made sure of it.

Or alternatively

Calus: You can rush headlong into battle with joy in your heart. But can you bait a wary opponent into attack?

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Calus: You've reached the end of my Menagerie, but can you conquer this final challenge?

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Calus: My Hydra is cautious. It must know how many Vex you've felled here today.

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Calus: Here is where you prove yourself.

The Guardians destroy Pagouri, Beloved by Calus.

Calus: Ohoho, you've proven once more that your frail little body holds so much promise…

Or alternatively

Calus: Good, good, very good! Come! Enjoy my gifts!

Or alternatively

Calus: Ha! I will need another Hydra. You've ruined this one.

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Calus: A glorious execution! A marvel of a bloodbath!

Or alternatively

Calus: [laughs] Yet another glorious execution!

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Calus: There are none quite like you, Guardian of Guardians.

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Calus: Feast on this victory, my friend! And know that your beloved Emperor Calus led you to this succulent trough!

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Calus: The riches of my Menagerie are yours. You've earned them.

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Calus: I always suspected you were the zenith of your kind. Come. Be rewarded.

Or alternatively

Calus: Yes! Victory. Triumph. Taste it; let it melt on your tongue. This moment is yours.

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The Menagerie (transcript) - Season of Opulence (2019)