It's 2026, and the spirit of Halloween in the Tower is as vibrant as ever. Every year, when Eva Levante makes her grand return, the air fills with a sense of playful spookiness, and Guardians like me get the incredible opportunity to dress up our characters in the most creative costumes imaginable for the Festival of the Lost. It's not just about collecting candy or completing quests; it's a massive, community-wide fashion show, a chance to pay homage to our favorite characters from across the gaming multiverse. This year, I decided to dive headfirst into that nostalgic pool and bring a true legend into the world of Destiny 2: the iconic Black Mage from Final Fantasy 9, Vivi Ornitier. Let me tell you, pulling off this look was a journey and a half, but the final result? Absolutely worth it.

When I first logged in for the 2026 Festival of the Lost, I knew I wanted to do something special. Scrolling through the incredible creations on forums like r/DestinyFashion, I saw everything from terrifying Pennywise clowns to sleek Marathon Runners. The bar was set sky-high. But Vivi held a special place in my heart. That little guy, with his huge hat and existential worries, is a cornerstone of JRPG history. So, I rolled up my sleeves on my Titan main and got to work. The goal wasn't just a vague resemblance; I wanted to capture his essence. The core of the look, obviously, was the hat. Finding a helmet that could mimic that classic, wide-brimmed, pointy Black Mage hat was the make-or-break moment. After sifting through my entire vault and every possible ornament, I found the perfect piece. It was a real 'Eureka!' moment.

The Armor Breakdown: Building Vivi, Piece by Piece

Creating Vivi in a game built for sci-fi warriors meant getting creative with the armor sets. Here’s a quick table of the key pieces I used to bring this fantasy mage to life:

Vivi Feature	Destiny 2 Armor Piece / Ornament	Shader / Color Notes
Signature Hat	Lost Pacific Helm (Ornament)	Crucible Solemnity (Dark Blue/Black)
Jawa-like Face / Mask	Festival of the Lost Mask (Current Year)	Default / Matte Black
Blue Tunic & Grey Details	Star-Crossed Plate (Chest)	Atmospheric Glow & Metro Shift
Armored 'Robes'	Dendrite Shimmer Greaves (Legs)	Crucible Solemnity
Mage's Gloves	Synaptic Construct Gauntlets	Metro Shift

Getting the face right was the next big hurdle. Vivi's face is basically two glowing yellow eyes peering out from darkness. Thankfully, the Festival mask from Eva Levante this year was a godsend. With the right, utterly matte black shader, it created that perfect, mysterious void where his face should be. For the body, I focused on a layered look that suggested robes but maintained the Titan's armored silhouette. A chest plate with a flowing, coat-like design became his tunic, colored in deep blues and accented with greys and silvers to mimic his classic outfit. The legs and arms followed suit, using sleek, form-fitting pieces to avoid looking too bulky.

The Weapon Dilemma: Staff vs. Gun

Now, here's where I had to make a tough call. Vivi's weapon of choice is, without a doubt, a majestic staff. Destiny 2, bless its heart, doesn't really do traditional staves for Titans. We have swords, axes, and glaives, but nothing that screams 'Black Mage's Rod.' So, I had to improvise. I decided that my Vivi had adapted to the Light and the Last City's technology. Instead of a staff, he wields a sleek, futuristic sidearm. I chose one with clean, almost magical-looking glowing lines and applied a shader that matched the blue-and-silver aesthetic of the armor. It's not perfectly lore-accurate, but it fits the Destiny universe. Sometimes, you gotta roll with the punches and adapt your fantasy to the reality of the game!

Why Vivi? The Legacy of a Legend

This project was about more than just a cool costume for me. Vivi's story in Final Fantasy 9 is timeless. It deals with heavy themes—questioning one's purpose, grappling with mortality, and finding your place in the world—all wrapped in a deceptively cute package. He's been a fan favorite for over 25 years, appearing in spin-offs and crossovers like Kingdom Hearts. Even recently, Final Fantasy 14 had a fantastic collaboration with FF9, proving his enduring appeal. While the rumors of a full FF9 remake in the style of FF7 Remake have been (sadly) shot down by the developers, characters like Vivi keep the game's spirit alive in the hearts of players. Bringing him into the Tower felt like a small way to celebrate that legacy.

The community reaction when I shared my look was the cherry on top. Other Guardians immediately recognized the reference. The comments were filled with:

• 😍 "OMG, it's Vivi! I love this so much!"

• 👏 "The hat and mask combo is chef's kiss."

• 🤔 "Now I want to make a Zidane or Steiner!"

It sparked conversations about Final Fantasy, about creative fashion in Destiny 2, and about our shared gaming histories. That's the real magic of the Festival of the Lost for me. It's a time when we can let our gaming flags fly high, show off our passions, and connect over the characters and stories that shaped us. Seeing my hulking Titan, a class known for punching first and asking questions later, transformed into the thoughtful, magic-wielding Vivi strolling through the Tower? That's a vibe you can't buy. It's a testament to the game's customization depth and the creativity of its community. Until next year's Festival, this little Black Mage Titan is ready to hand out candy—and maybe cast a Void Grenade or two in style.