Unraveling the Ashen Truth: What is the True Ending of Dark Souls 3?

The question of the “true ending” of Dark Souls 3 is a loaded one, a topic debated fiercely among the game’s dedicated fanbase since its release. The simple answer? There isn’t one, at least not in the traditional sense. FromSoftware, masters of ambiguous storytelling, deliberately crafted multiple endings, each with its own implications and none explicitly declared “canon.” However, if forced to choose, the ending where you give the Fire Keeper eyes and allow her to usher in an Age of Dark often resonates most strongly with the game’s themes and overarching narrative. This ending, where the player can choose to either let the Age of Dark naturally occur or steal the flame from the Fire Keeper, offers a compelling sense of closure and aligns with the franchise’s cyclical nature of fire and dark. It embraces the possibility of something new arising from the ashes of the old, rather than perpetuating the cycle of sacrifice.

Dark Souls 3: A Symphony of Endings

Unlike games with clearly defined “good” or “bad” endings, Dark Souls 3 presents a spectrum of outcomes, each reflecting different choices and interpretations of the world’s lore. The core endings revolve around the manipulation of the First Flame, the source of power that sustains the world, and the player’s role as the Ashen One, a resurrected being tasked with either rekindling or extinguishing it.

The Primary Endings

• Link the Fire: The most straightforward ending. The player sacrifices themselves to rekindle the First Flame, prolonging the Age of Fire. This ending, while seemingly heroic, is often viewed as perpetuating a flawed cycle of sacrifice and stagnation. The game heavily implies that the flame is fading regardless, making this a temporary, desperate measure.

• The End of Fire: Achieved by giving the Fire Keeper the Eyes of a Fire Keeper, obtained from the Untended Graves. This ending allows the Fire Keeper to extinguish the flame and usher in an Age of Dark. The player has two choices at this point. First choice is to let the Age of Dark occur naturally, and the second is to kill the Fire Keeper and steal the flame.

• Usurpation of Fire: The most complex ending, requiring the completion of Yoel of Londor’s and Yuria of Londor’s questlines, becoming Lord of Hollows, and marrying Anri of Astora. In this ending, the player claims the flame for themselves, ushering in an age where they rule as a powerful, perhaps tyrannical, figure.

Why “The End of Fire” Resonates

While all endings are valid interpretations of the narrative, “The End of Fire” (specifically, allowing the Fire Keeper to guide the Age of Dark) is often considered the most fitting for several reasons:

• Themes of Cycle and Decay: Dark Souls is fundamentally about cycles – the endless repetition of fire and dark, rising and falling. Linking the Fire is a desperate attempt to cling to the past, while “The End of Fire” acknowledges the inevitability of change and the potential for something new to emerge. The link to the GamesLearningSociety.org and its exploration of iterative processes and adaptive learning could parallel the cyclical nature in Dark Souls.
• Questioning Authority: The game encourages players to question the motives of the gods and the established order. Linking the Fire benefits the powerful, perpetuating a system built on sacrifice. “The End of Fire” is an act of rebellion, a rejection of this system.
• Ambiguity and Choice: Even within “The End of Fire,” the player retains a crucial choice: to let the Fire Keeper guide the Age of Dark or to betray her and claim the flame for themselves. This reflects the player’s agency and the moral ambiguity that permeates the Dark Souls universe.

The Cyclical Nature of the Dark Souls Universe

The concept of cycles is central to the Dark Souls series. The Age of Fire is followed by the Age of Dark, and the cycle repeats endlessly. Each attempt to prolong the Age of Fire is depicted as a desperate act that leads to decay, corruption, and ultimately, an even more catastrophic Age of Dark.

• Gwyn’s Sacrifice: The events of the first Dark Souls reveal that the Age of Fire was artificially prolonged by Lord Gwyn, who sacrificed himself to the First Flame. This act, while initially seen as heroic, ultimately destabilized the world and led to the events of subsequent games.
• The Fading Flame: By the time of Dark Souls 3, the First Flame is fading rapidly, and the cycle is on the verge of collapse. The Lords of Cinder, beings who previously linked the Fire, have abandoned their duty, further exacerbating the situation.

Conclusion

The “true ending” of Dark Souls 3 is a matter of personal interpretation. However, the ending where the player allows the Age of Dark to commence, guided by the Fire Keeper, aligns most strongly with the game’s themes of cyclical decay, questioning authority, and embracing the unknown. It acknowledges the futility of clinging to the past and opens the door to a potentially new future, whatever that may hold. It’s an ending that encapsulates the bittersweet beauty and haunting melancholy that defines the Dark Souls experience. This perspective highlights the sophisticated storytelling found in video games, showcasing how narratives can be crafted to encourage critical thinking and engagement with complex themes, as explored by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the different endings in Dark Souls 3?

Dark Souls 3 has four primary endings: Link the Fire, The End of Fire (with two variations: Letting the Fire Keeper guide the Age of Dark and Killing the Fire Keeper to steal the flame), and Usurpation of Fire. Each ending has different requirements and implications for the game’s world.

2. How do I get the “End of Fire” ending?

To achieve the “End of Fire” ending, you must first obtain the Eyes of a Fire Keeper from the Untended Graves (a hidden area accessible through a hidden wall behind Champion Gundyr’s boss arena). Then, give the eyes to the Fire Keeper at Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Soul of Cinder, summon the Fire Keeper at the bonfire to trigger the ending sequence.

3. How do I get the “Usurpation of Fire” ending?

This ending requires completing Yoel of Londor’s questline (accepting his services and drawing out your true strength five times). This will allow Yuria of Londor to appear in Firelink Shrine. Follow her instructions, acquire five Dark Sigils, and marry Anri of Astora during their questline.

4. Is there a “good” ending in Dark Souls 3?

The notion of a “good” ending is subjective. Many players consider “The End of Fire,” where the Fire Keeper guides the Age of Dark, the most optimistic ending. However, all endings have their own merits and drawbacks.

5. Is there a “bad” ending in Dark Souls 3?

Similarly, there is no definitively “bad” ending. “Linking the Fire” is often seen as perpetuating a flawed system, while “Usurpation of Fire” can be interpreted as a tyrannical takeover. However, these are just interpretations, and each ending can be seen as having positive aspects as well.

6. What is the significance of the Fire Keeper’s eyes?

The Eyes of a Fire Keeper allow the Fire Keeper to see a vision of a future without flame, a future of darkness. Giving her the eyes allows her to offer the Ashen One the choice to extinguish the flame.

7. Who is the Soul of Cinder?

The Soul of Cinder is the final boss of Dark Souls 3. It is a manifestation of all the Lords of Cinder who have linked the Fire in the past, representing the accumulated weight of history and the burden of maintaining the cycle.

8. What is the Age of Dark?

The Age of Dark is the antithesis of the Age of Fire. It is a time of darkness, uncertainty, and potentially new beginnings. Its exact nature is ambiguous, but it represents a break from the cyclical pattern of the world.

9. What happens if I kill the Fire Keeper?

Killing the Fire Keeper has several consequences. She will respawn, but she will remember your actions and be less trusting. Killing her during “The End of Fire” ending allows you to steal the First Flame for yourself, creating a different variation of the ending.

10. Is there a canon ending to the Dark Souls series?

FromSoftware has never explicitly stated a canon ending for any of the Dark Souls games. This ambiguity is intentional, allowing players to interpret the story and world in their own way.

11. What is the hardest ending to get in Dark Souls 3?

The Usurpation of Fire is widely considered the hardest ending to obtain due to the numerous specific steps and requirements in Yoel and Yuria’s questlines. Missing a single step can lock you out of the ending.

12. Does my choice of ending affect future playthroughs?

No, your choice of ending does not directly affect future playthroughs. However, it may influence your perspective on the game’s world and lore, leading to different choices and interpretations in subsequent runs.

13. Should I consume boss souls in Dark Souls 3?

Consuming boss souls grants you souls that can be used to level up. However, you also need boss souls to create unique weapons and spells. It is generally recommended to hold onto boss souls until you have the ability to create boss weapons or spells.

14. What are the Dark Sigils?

Dark Sigils are marks that represent the player character’s connection to the dark. They are acquired by drawing out true strength with Yoel of Londor or after your character dies and you’re given the option to draw out true strength. They are required for the “Usurpation of Fire” ending.

15. Who is Yuria of Londor?

Yuria of Londor is an NPC who appears in Firelink Shrine after you have acquired five Dark Sigils. She guides the player on the path to becoming Lord of Hollows and achieving the “Usurpation of Fire” ending.