Opening of the Second Vault

Lore & Background

Throughout the history of Pandora, the Vaults were believed to be repositories of immense wealth left by ancient aliens known as the Eridians. Handsome Jack spent his life obsessed with controlling this power to secure Hyperion's dominance. However, the truth hidden within the Second Vault challenged every assumption made by corporations and scavengers alike. The structure itself is an Eridian gateway rather than a storage facility. When activated correctly using Siren powers, it opens a pathway through space-time. This revelation explains why previous attempts to access the Vaults often resulted in catastrophic failures or madness; the technology was never meant for human hands without specific genetic keys. This event fundamentally alters the lore of the universe by confirming that the Vaults are connected to other worlds. The Second Vault on Pandora serves as a portal leading directly to Elpis, the moon of Eden-6 (distinct from the mobile base Sanctuary III), where Handsome Jack was ultimately defeated after opening it. Furthermore, the narrative establishes that the immediate sequel focuses on the conflict unfolding on Elpis itself, setting the stage for the events of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the chamber hummed with static electricity, thick enough to taste like copper. Lilith stood before the massive circular door, her boots sinking slightly into the dust of millennia. Her hands glowed with violet fire, a stark contrast to the cold blue glyphs etched into the metal. She could feel the weight of the planet's history pressing against her skin. Behind her, the silence was heavy. They had fought through legions and storms to reach this spot. With a deep breath that steadied her trembling resolve, she pushed her will forward. The ground shook as the ancient mechanism groaned in response. Slowly, impossibly, the door began to turn, revealing not gold or guns, but a staircase spiraling up into the stars.

Reader's Guide

The event culminates after the defeat of Handsome Jack at his orbital fortress. With the antagonist neutralized, the Vault Hunters descend to the final chamber deep within Pandora's crust. Lilith steps forward as the sole Siren capable of interfacing with the ancient Eridian mechanism. She channels her bio-electric energy into the massive circular door, bypassing standard security protocols. The structure groans and shifts, revealing not a treasure hoard, but a towering staircase ascending into the stratosphere. This discovery recontextualizes the entire history of the Vaults on Pandora; they are not banks for riches, but gateways to other worlds. The immediate impact is the liberation of the planet from Hyperion's tyrannical grip, though the threat remains as the Eridian technology is now accessible. The Vault Hunters realize their journey is far from over, as the path leads directly toward Elpis and the Third Vault. This moment marks the transition from a local conflict to an interplanetary saga, setting the stage for future adventures beyond Pandora's dusty horizon.

Did You Know?

• The Second Vault reveals that Eridian Vaults are actually gateways connecting different planets.
• Lilith is the only character capable of opening this specific vault without a physical key due to her Siren powers.
• Handsome Jack was defeated on Pandora inside the Vault at the end of Borderlands 2, not on Elpis.
• Elpis is canonically referred to as the moon of Eden-6; 'Sanctuary' refers to the mobile base/ship (Sanctuary III), not the moon itself.