The Crimson Tether, or as it is known to Darius Valleman, Id, is the overarching antagonist of the Ascension horror duology.
It is an enigmatic power possibly originating from Satan that allows the user to control the minds of other people. The power has been a part of human history since it's beginning and is responsible for the extinction of the human race, which allowed for the Animen to forgo forced evolution and repopulate the world from the ashes of what was. The Tether eventually found Darius Valleman, intending to restart the cycle of torment once more.
The power was also stated to have been used by Alexander the Great, Adolf Hitler, Senator Joseph McCarthy, and Vladimir Putin.
Biography[]
Past[]
| “ | Nobody knows where it came from, nor who created it. All that is known is that it is supernatural in nature- and it is not from the heavens. | „ |
| ~ The opening monologue, describing the Tether's past. |
Though it has been theorized by many scholars and theologists, the true origin of the Tether's power is shrouded in mystery. What is known about it, however, is that the power had been with mankind since the beginning of human civilization. For example, Egyptian hieroglyphs depict a red blob of string to Pharaoh Ramses II; he would not be the first nor last person in history to obtain the power of the Crimson Tether. Notable users of the Tether included Alexander the Great, Adolf Hitler, U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy, and Vladimir Putin.
This cycle of perpetual torment and suffering continued until eventually, a user of the Tether took things too far and initiated complete nuclear warfare that wiped out the entirety of the human race, leaving the world a wasteland for many years to come. Eventually, surviving animals were forced to undergo forced evolution to repopulate the Earth, and for hundreds of years the Animen society developed to a point where their society mirrored even the Humans, now known as the Predecessors. To honor them, they kept the names of their nations and their religions.
It is here where the Tether decides to restart the cycle of torment once more.
Ascension[]
On the rainy day where Darius Valleman is beaten and left to bleed, the Tether appears to him, and beckons him. Darius approaches the blob, and touches it, the sheer power of the absorption of its power knocking him unconscious. When Darius woke up, his fur was a different color and became woozy and unwell upon returning to his home from the hospital. When Darius washes his face, a being materializes behind him, and he looks back to see, only for there to be no one behind him. The being tells him that he cannot see it, but can hear it. The being names itself Id, and tells Darius about how his power works, and explains that the power is in it's young stage, with further use making it grow in power.
Id materializes once again in Darius's class, reassuring him that despite people with "the Holy Names" being able to see the tether, they still cannot see him. He urges Darius to test out the power, even though Darius had already been contemplating its use.
When Darius returns to his home after beating John, he materializes and asks what Darius's next moves with John would entail.
As Darius prepares to carry out his plan to kill John, Id appears and seemingly attempts to persuade Darius to not go through with his plan. Darius disregards his advice and carries out his plan. In the aftermath, Id gives Darius more information, impressed with his execution of his plan, if not outright amused.
At John's funeral, Darius asks Id why he tried to stop him from killing John, to which Id denies ever doing. He continues to deny, only to slightly mock Darius and disappear when Gabriel arrives, who asks him who he was talking to.
Later in the week, Darius's mind begins to fragment. He bickers with Id about not being able to see him, and tells Id that he plans to tell Gabriel about his power. Id expresses doubt to this decision, but Darius is insistent. Id mocks him again, but Darius shrugs it off.
However, Id's concerns turned out to be true, and Gabriel attacks Darius. He begs Id for help, who only tells him that there is nothing he can do, and must take things into his own hands. As Darius continiously stabs Gabriel over and over again. Id watches from behind as Darius slips further into psychopathy.
Descension[]
As Darius's power continues to grow, Id tells Darius about the only power able to expose him; the Azure Eyes. Although he cannot pinpoint who exactly bears them, he does help Darius figure out who it is.
Id doesn't do much else during the events of Darius's torment of Michael, except expressing amusement.
After Darius's mother stabs him and he lays dying from his wounds, he tries to call out to Id for help, who cruelly disregards his calls for help and never shows himself to the dying Darius. As he lets out his last breath, the Tether departs from his body and disappears, perhaps to one day return and begin another disastrous cycle.
Personality[]
Despite being a supernatural power that bonds to people, the Tether has sentience and exhibits personality. The manifestation of Id shows itself to be very sadistic, taking pleasure from the millions of years of suffering it caused the human race, only being disappointed when they killed each other off with nuclear weapons. The whole reason the Tether is sent to Darius was to restart the cycle again, merely for its own entertainment. When materialized as Id, the Tether also exhibited enjoyment of Darius's killings, though he didn't like Darius as a person, believing him to be stupid despite his intellect.
If one doesn't serve Id's pleasures anymore or they reached the end of their life, Id does not hesitate to abandon them, leaving to start in another victim for its sick gratification. This is most exemplified when Id left Darius as he lay dying from his wounds.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Immortality: The Tether itself has lived for as long as humanity's first emergence. There isn't a method out there that is known to kill the Tether itself, as it is possibly a creation of the devil itself.
- Mind-Control: The Tether's main power. When connected to a victim, the Tether can control their actions, with near limitless possibilities. When a user reaches their peak, they are able to control people within a 500 mile radius. However, there are few limitations to this power; for one, the Tether cannot override the victim's will to live (in other words, they cannot tell the victim to off themselves). Secondly, it can't override someone's kill drive toward the user, as their will will always be stronger than that of the controller. Thirdly, people with Holy Names or the Azure Eyes can see the Tether itself, with Azure Eye holders being immune to its effects.
- Intangibility: When materialized as Id, nobody, not even a Tether User, can see him. However, it is implied that Azure Eye holders can bear glimpses of the figure.
Quotes[]
| “ | You can't see me. (Darius tries to look behind him) Don't bother. You're not a very good listener, are you? | „ |
| ~ Id's reveals himself to Darius |
| “ | Hmm. Your predecessors had many names for who I am. But I'd like for you to call me Id. | „ |
| ~ Id's introduction. |
| “ | I told you not to bother trying to look at me. You really aren't a good listener. But yes, the Tether can control others. Right now, your power is growing. The more you use it, however... the more it grows... the more people it controls. | „ |
| ~ Id explains the Tether's power to Darius |
| “ | You seem to be enjoying yourself. | „ |
| ~ Id's response to Darius laughing to himself after realizing the authenticity of the power. |
| “ | I'm very surprised...I thought they wouldn't keep the religions after the humans were wiped out. Still, it must have been awkward to attend the funeral of someone whose life you ended. | „ |
| ~ Id at John's funeral. |
| “ | Darius: Why did you try to stop me? Id:... I said nothing of the sort. Darius: I heard your voice. You were trying to discourage me from doing it. Id: I don't remember anything Darius: Is that how you're gonna be?... Maybe I made a mistake... Id: You are entertaining. |
„ |
| ~ Id and Darius's exchange at the funeral. |
| “ | It's amusing. All these smarts... but no brain to go with it. You are entertaining. | „ |
| ~ Id on Darius's plan to tell Gabriel. |
| “ | There is nothing I can do. Remember when I said... You can't overwrite someone's survival instincts? You'll have to take matters into your own hands. | „ |
| ~ Id reminding Darius of what he must do. |
| “ | There have been those who took their own lives when they were granted this power. Those who remained with me made their mark on history. | „ |
| ~ Id reassuring Darius. |
| “ | Disappointing. You did not go as far as I hoped you would. It was fun while it lasted, I will give you that. | „ |
| ~ Id's last words to Darius as the Tether leaves his dying body |
Trivia[]
- While it is confirmed that Id truly exists, there are few sequences in the story where Id's presence can be questionable as to whether it's a figment of Darius's psyche or if he's really there. For example, when Id tries to persuade Darius to call off his plans to kill John.
- "Id" is just a name he gave himself during his time with Darius. For other users, he has gone by other names, including the Devil himself.
- Despite that, there is significance in his chosen name. In Freudian psychology, the "Id" is the part of the psyche that represents innate desires not bound by ethics or morality. If unchecked by the ego, it can lead to destructive behavior. Throughout the entire story of the duology, Darius acts on his desires to control others and garner respect, all for his own gratification.
- Id is featured on the Moon and Death tarot cards. His face is depicted on the moon while figures resembling John and his friend in agony, reaching out toward it. His infobox picture is the Death illustration, signifying the death that lays ahead of Darius's dark path. This time, however, the cards have their normal meaning; the Moon foretells darkness and danger, which Darius encounters in his murder of John and the others, and Death marks the end or corruption, something that happens once Darius finally murders Gabriel.