Desmond Miles is the modern-day protagonist who relives Ezio’s memories in Assassin’s Creed II.
Desmond uses the Animus, a machine that accesses genetic memories inherited from his ancestors. In this game, his ancestor is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young Florentine nobleman who becomes an Assassin during the Italian Renaissance.
Desmond’s role links the historical story to the modern conflict between the Assassins and Templars. After escaping Abstergo Industries in the first game, he joins Lucy Stillman and other allies, who use the Animus to train him and locate powerful Pieces of Eden.
A common mix-up is confusing Desmond with Clay Kaczmarek, another Animus subject whose memories appear in later Assassin’s Creed material. William Miles is Desmond’s father, not the protagonist.