Since the beginning of theAssassin's Creed franchise, the games have followed the memories of fictional individuals from different historical eras through a modern-day character. Desmond Miles was the original modern-era character featured in the first five games. However, despite his usefulness to both the Assassins and the Templars, Desmond's storyline came to an end in Assassin's Creed III.

The next entry in the series,Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag,took a completely different route with the modern-era plot, making it clear to players that Desmond's storyline was finished. However, a certain character who appears at the end of Assassin's Creed Valhalla has fans holding out hope that not all is finished when it comes to Desmond Miles.

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Who Is Desmond Miles?

Desmond stabs Lucy with his hidden blade in the ending of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

Desmond Miles was born into the Assassin Order, but he ran away from the lifestyle, hoping to pursue his own dreams. He was later captured by the Templars, who wished to obtain his ancestor's memories through the Animus to find Pieces of Eden. Desmond eventually escaped the Templars' grasp and went on to help the Assassins and fulfill his destiny.

Desmond was the ancestor of three of the series' protagonists and assassins: Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, Ezio Auditore, and Connor. His journey is turbulent and eventful, taking him all over the globe to uncover the many worldly secrets of those who lived before him. All of Desmond's work led up to one significant moment in Assassin's Creed III, his sacrifice on December 21, 2012, a date inspired by the Mayan calendar and real-world theories of the apocalypse occurring that day.

What Happened to Desmond Miles at the End of Assassin's Creed III?

Desmond Miles being placed in the animus

Through reliving numerous memories of his ancestors, Desmond learned that the world was going to be destroyed by a solar flare. Desmond and his other Assassin associates Shaun, Rebecca and William, headed to the Grand Temple, hoping to stop this looming disaster. Upon arriving at the Temple's central room, he was greeted by a glowing orb and Minerva, a member of the Isu. Desmond discovered that the orb is the global aurora borealis device created by the Isu, which can form a shield around the globe. Minerva warns Desmond that, if he used it to stop the impending doom, it would release Juno into the world and allow her to cause more chaos.

Desmond ultimately decides to save the world, stating that, although there is a slim chance Juno can be defeated, it would stop billions from dying. He instructed Rebecca, Shaun, and William to get as far away from the temple as possible before walking up to the orb and activating it. Desmond heroically sacrifices his life to save the world from a second disaster. However, Juno is seen walking away from Demond's body and thanking him for her release.

What Happens to Desmond Next?

Layla Hassan and Basim

A couple of hours after his sacrifice, Abstergo collected Desmond's body. His memories were uploaded to the Abstergo cloud, which seemed to be the end for Desmond. The series went on without him, choosing new routes to follow with the modern-day side to each story. However, now it seems that Desmond has returned -- but not as we know him.

Assassins Creed Valhalla introduces a brand-new character who resembles Desmond. The game's modern-day protagonist, Layla Hassan, had been searching for a way to stop another apocalyptic threat to the world. Despite Desmond's best efforts to save the world in 2012, the Earth's magnetic field has gotten stronger, creating an aurora borealis that covers the entire globe.

Layla's journey leads her to Norway where she finds Yggdrasil, a supercomputer created by the Isu that resembles the World Tree from Norse mythology. Layla connected herself to the computer and was able to access the Grey, where she comes across The Reader, a white silhouette with a rather familiar voice, that of Desmond Miles. The Reader uses Yggdrasil to explore all timelines, hoping to find a way to stop any further world-ending disasters. Despite being told that her body has no chance of survival in the Yggdrasil and she has to leave immediately, Layla stays, effectively sacrificing herself. She and The Reader continue to explore more timelines, hoping to find a way to stop any further apocalyptic happenings.

With Layla's staying behind in the Grey, the modern-day storyline switched to Basim, who was revealed to be a reincarnation of Loki. While The Reader may not be Desmond in physical form, it could pave a way for the character's return to the main Assassin's Creed storylines to stop whatever the Norse God of Mischief could be planning.

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