Deathrise Theory (All Reckoners Spoilers)

[Ataraxian Wist]

Short version: 

Deathrise is a parasite, and it infected Calamity. 

Long version: 

Deathrise doesn't behave like the Darkness described by other Epics, which seemed odd at first, but makes a lot more sense now. It does have some things in common, however. Like Epic Darkness, it engenders disdain for other beings, but not in the normal form of callousness and seeing violence as the best solution. Instead, it sparks annoyance and hatred for those around the affected person, hereafter the "Host." Regular Darkness is ever present, meaning when an Epic uses their powers, they feel godlike and lose their morality, and when they don't, they feel an overwhelming desire to use them. Deathrise, however, is sporadic, affecting its host in bursts that seem disconnected from their power-use.

Of the two people who have been confirmed to carry Darkrise, one (Lifeforce) repeatedly tried to inject others with their own blood, for mostly unexplained reasons. Sure, he thought it was "for science," but why would Lifeforce want other people in possession of his entire collection of powers? And why would he inject non-Epics, who at present pose no threat and would be unlikely to make use of those powers anyway, as the action-potentials are basically unknown, and may be out of reach for mere humans? It serves no clear purpose.

Unless Deathrise is a parasite. If Deathrise is a parasite, and it can affect the behaviours of its Host (the latter being confirmed) then it would naturally take actions to preserve its own existence, or the existence of its kind. The primary directives of living things are to survive and multiply.

So Deathrise might be a bloodborne parasite. So what? While I won't address how Lifeforce might have come to be infected, his attitude toward humans seems to match that of one other character we know: Calamity.

Calamity didn't believe he was interfering. He legitimately thought humans were pathetic and evil on their own, and that giving them power just gave them more potential to express their innate tendencies. Why? He was infected with Deathrise, or at least, another parasite like it.

Obviously this theory doesn't explain everything, and there are some areas where we simply lack the requisite information to prove or disprove it, but what do you think?

Edited January 2, 2022 by Ataraxian Wist
Typos

[bmcclure7]

On 12/31/2021 at 4:53 PM, Ataraxian Wist said:

Short version: 

Deathrise is a parasite, and it infected Calamity. 

Long version: 

Deathrise doesn't behave like the Darkness described by other Epics, which seemed odd at first, but makes a lot more sense now. It does have some things in common, however. Like Epic Darkness, it engenders disdain for other beings, but not in the normal form of callousness and seeing violence as the best solution. Instead, it sparks annoyance and hatred for those around the affected person, hereafter the "Host." Regular Darkness is ever present, meaning when an Epic uses their powers, they feel godlike and lose their morality, and when they don't, they feel an overwhelming desire to use them. Deathrise, however, is sporadic, affecting its host in bursts that seem disconnected from their power-use.

Of the two people who have been confirmed to carry Darkrise, one (Lifeforce) repeatedly tried to inject others with their own blood, for mostly unexplained reasons. Sure, he thought it was "for science," but why would Lifeforce want other people in possession of his entire collection of powers? And why would he inject non-Epics, who at present pose no threat and would be unlikely to make use of those powers anyway, as the action-potentials are basically unknown, and may be out of reach for mere humans? It serves no clear purpose.

Unless Deathrise is a parasite. If Deathrise is a parasite, and it can affect the behaviours of its Host (the latter being confirmed) then it would naturally take actions to preserve its own existence, or the existence of its kind. The primary directives of living things are to survive and multiply.

So Deathrise might be a bloodborne parasite. So what? While I won't address how Lifeforce might have come to be infected, his attitude toward humans seems to match that of one other character we know: Calamity.

Calamity didn't believe he was interfering. He legitimately thought humans were pathetic and evil on their own, and that giving them power just gave them more potential to express their innate tendencies. Why? He was infected with Deathrise, or at least, another parasite like it.

Obviously this theory doesn't explain everything, and there are some areas where we simply lack the requisite information to prove or disprove it, but what do you think?

This would explain some unanswered questions from the reckoners