As much as i consider myself read up on lore, this passed me by quite stealthily. Brilliant job in this analysis! Makes me love the gun even more!! As a last addition to the post i recommend others to read the grimoire "insight" which can be found in "enemies" and "darkness" but is not unlocked yet as far as i know for anyone so read it online. It speaks of oryx's prediction of his defeat and so he makes a plan to become one and the same with touch of malice, writing a book/s (the book/s of sorrows) to guide guardians in forging this weapon. In a sense he leads us on and once we have touch of malice, oryx lives on within it which now makes sense to me since his worm is at the center.