The epic that is Assassin's Creed Odyssey has come to an end, at least in regards to major story DLC. The final episode of the Fate of Atlantis DLC released a few months back, giving players not only a sense of finality but perhaps interest in the modern-day storyline once again. Many consider the lackluster modern-day storylines between Assassin's Creed 3 and Assassin's Creed Origins as one reason for the franchise fatigue that plagued it so long, but that seems to be over now.
Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed Odyssey breathed new life into the franchise, not only with a brand new approach to gameplay and interesting Assassins, but with a brand new modern-day story. The ending to the final DLC left a ton of plot points in the air, with many ways it could move forward with AC 2020, so here's every detail that would need to be addressed.
WARNING: Due to the nature of this discussion, there will be MAJOR SPOILERS for the AC Odyssey Fate of Atlantis DLC. Those who have yet to play and want to experience it fresh should turn back now. Otherwise, read on.
Is Juno Making a Comeback?
In the Fate of Atlantis DLC, Juno appears for a short time, perhaps making many wonder if the Solar Flare storyline was making a comeback and would finally be resolved. However, that is simply not the case, as Juno's storyline is already resolved. While it was nice to see her in the flesh, Aletheia later remarks on how this simulation was actually part of her own memories. Therefore, the Juno of Atlantis is one of the past, not an indicator of the future.
For those who don't know, Juno's storyline was resolved in the comic series, Assasin's Creed Uprising. She is killed by Elijah, Desmond's illegitimate son and a Sage, and Charlotte de la Cruz, a modern-day Assassin. While there are a ton of elements that could make a comeback such as the Koh-i-Noor (perhaps the most powerful Piece of Eden introduced thus far) and Elijah, Juno isn't one of them.
The Fate of Otso Berg
Otso Berg has been a consistent factor of the modern-day storyline and has appeared in numerous games, but his role recently saw a rise in AC Black Flag and AC Rogue through Odyssey. At the end of the Fate of Atlantis DLC, it's clear that his legs have been damaged, likely to the point of paralysis, and he's likely seized as a POW by the Assassins. Without the use of his legs, it seems that he won't pose much of a major threat in the modern-day anymore, but that doesn't mean his story is over.
AC Rogue features a journal entry that describes Berg reliving his ancestor's memories, which was reportedly a viking raid on an English Island in 793 AD. While under Assassin control, it'll be interesting to see if Berg's memories could play a role in Assassin's Creed 2020 — or if said ancestor is playable and/or encountered — given that a Viking setting is the most high-profile rumor for the entry's setting.
The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus
Moving forward, the Immortality-giving Staff of Hermes will definitely play a role in the modern story, as many such as Otso Berg and Aletheia question whether Layla can control the staff or not. It has a corrupting influence, and that's clear when Layla kills Victoria and how she savagely paralyzes Berg (seemingly killing him at first). It's also clear that the Staff of Hermes has an insane amount of power, as it is responsible for the destruction of Atlantis's cycle, making it an incredibly dangerous artifact. The most likely outcome is that this somehow blows back on the Assassins, once again blurring the lines between the good guys and the bad guys. After all, while the Keeper of Memories role is explored in-depth, its exact purpose is evaded.
Layla Hassan
What's clear about Layla Hassan at the end of Assassin's Creed Odyssey is that she is alone. She has killed Victoria, her friend, and severely hurt Berg. She won't be accepted by the Templars/Abstergo because of her actions, and if the Assassins discover what she did to Victoria, it doesn't seem likely that they'll be quick to forgive her, especially given her change in countenance. What's more, the staff of Hermes may be the root of her demise, as she doesn't have as much Isu in her as Alexios or Kassandra, likely quickening the effects the staff has. Because of this, a real possibility is that Layla is forced into an Animus to heal in a vein similar to Desmond.
The overarching modern-day plot will likely build off these elements and introduce new ones, but if the Staff does drive Layla insane, that'll likely be the main point. Building beyond that, if the Staff of Hermes was modified with the Koh-i-Noor Piece of Eden, the next game may very well bring the franchise back to a forthcoming natural disaster, which makes sense since many endearing call it Assasins' Creed Ragnarok.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Stadia version also in development.