How to Achieve the “End of Fire” Ending in Dark Souls III: A Comprehensive Guide
The “End of Fire” ending in Dark Souls III is a significant and poignant conclusion to the game’s narrative. It deviates from the traditional linking of the flame and instead ushers in an age of darkness, albeit one where life still persists. Achieving this ending requires a specific set of actions after defeating the final boss, the Soul of Cinder. Simply put, to summon the Firekeeper ending, you must defeat the Soul of Cinder, then instead of interacting with the bonfire, you must look to the left of it and interact with the Firekeeper’s summon sign. This will trigger a unique ending cutscene and unlock “The End of Fire” achievement. Let’s break this down in more detail.
Understanding the “End of Fire” Ending
The “End of Fire” ending represents a significant departure from the cyclical nature of the world in Dark Souls III. Unlike linking the flame, which perpetuates the current age, the “End of Fire” allows the flame to die, bringing about a new era of darkness. However, this isn’t necessarily a destructive ending, as the world remains, though transformed. Instead, it’s an end to the age of fire, offering the potential for change. This ending is often considered one of the most impactful and thought-provoking outcomes in the game.
The Steps to Trigger the “End of Fire” Ending
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to trigger the “End of Fire” ending:
- Defeat the Soul of Cinder: This is the final boss of the game. Successfully overcoming this challenging encounter is the first requirement for all endings.
- Do NOT Interact with the Bonfire: After defeating the Soul of Cinder, a bonfire will appear in the center of the arena. This is the bonfire you would typically interact with to link the flame. To obtain the “End of Fire” ending, you MUST NOT interact with it.
- Locate the Firekeeper Summon Sign: Instead of interacting with the bonfire, immediately turn to your left. Near the edge of the arena, a summon sign for the Firekeeper will appear. This summon sign is unique to this ending.
- Summon the Firekeeper: Interact with the summon sign to call upon the Firekeeper. This action will trigger a cutscene unique to this ending, showing the Firekeeper ushering in the “End of Fire”.
- Watch the Cutscene: The ending cutscene will play, showcasing the darkness consuming the world. This action will also unlock the “The End of Fire” achievement.
Important Considerations
- No Pre-requisites: There are no specific actions you need to take before defeating the Soul of Cinder to make the summon sign appear, beyond finding the Eyes of the Fire Keeper in the Untended Graves and giving them to the Fire Keeper, to unlock the ending in the first place.. This ending is readily available to all players who meet the post-boss requirements.
- Unlocking the Achievement: Successfully completing the summon and witnessing the cutscene will award the player with the “The End of Fire” achievement.
- Missed Opportunity: If you interact with the bonfire instead of summoning the Firekeeper, you will get the “Link The First Flame” ending, and have to play through the game again if you want to see the “End of Fire” ending.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the “End of Fire” Ending
Here are 15 commonly asked questions about the “End of Fire” ending, providing further insights and clarity:
1. What are the primary endings in Dark Souls III?
Dark Souls III has four primary endings: “Link the First Flame,” “The End of Fire,” “Usurpation of Fire,” and a secret ending involving attacking the Firekeeper. The most commonly discussed and sought after are the first three.
2. What is the difference between “Link the First Flame” and “The End of Fire”?
“Link the First Flame” perpetuates the cycle, ensuring the Age of Fire continues, while “The End of Fire” ends the cycle and ushers in an age of darkness. They both happen by interacting with different options after defeating the Soul of Cinder.
3. How do I get the “Link the First Flame” ending?
After defeating the Soul of Cinder, simply interact with the bonfire that appears to trigger the ending cutscene. This ending is the easiest to achieve.
4. What is the “Usurpation of Fire” ending?
The “Usurpation of Fire” ending is achieved by completing the entire questline of Yoel of Londor, and marrying Anri, to “usurp” the flame for yourself, instead of letting it die or linking it.
5. Is there a secret ending in Dark Souls III that’s not “Usurpation of Fire”?
Yes, there is! If you attack the Fire Keeper in the last 8 seconds of her sequence after summoning her, you will get a special, dark-themed ending.
6. Does killing the Firekeeper after summoning her give you the “End of Fire” ending?
No, killing the Firekeeper after summoning her results in a unique ending that is NOT tied to the “End of Fire” achievement. This alternate ending is generally considered the true dark ending of the game.
7. How do I get the Fire Keeper’s Eyes?
The Eyes of a Fire Keeper can be found in the Untended Graves, a secret area accessible through a hidden path in the Lothric Castle. They are located behind an invisible wall in the same location where you’d normally find Irina of Carim in Firelink Shrine.
8. Is the “End of Fire” ending considered the true ending of Dark Souls III?
There’s no true canon ending, but some consider the “End of Fire” to be the closest to a “true” ending as it breaks the game’s endless cycle. But it is worth noting that all three endings could be considered the true endings.
9. What happens if I give the Fire Keeper the Eyes?
Giving her the Eyes unlocks access to the “End of Fire” ending, and changes the music of Firelink Shrine. You can always kill her to get the eyes back, as she respawns with no repercussions.
10. Does the “End of Fire” mean the end of all life?
No, “The End of Fire” does not signify the end of all life. It signals the end of the Age of Fire, ushering in an age of darkness. However, it is implied that life persists.
11. Does the Chosen Undead link the flame in Dark Souls I?
The Chosen Undead did link the flame in the first game and went on to become the Ashen One in Dark Souls III.
12. What is the significance of the Firekeeper in Dark Souls III?
The Firekeeper plays a crucial role in each ending, representing the choice between preserving or ending the cycle of fire. She is also an integral character in this ending, and plays a unique cutscene after being summoned.
13. How many endings are available to achieve in one play-through?
You can only achieve one ending per play-through of Dark Souls III. To experience all the endings, you will need to play through the game multiple times.
14. Can you change your mind after summoning the Fire Keeper?
No, once you summon the Fire Keeper the ending cutscene will start, and you cannot change your mind at this point. You must select to summon her with full understanding of what will happen next.
15. Is there anything to do differently to make summoning the Firekeeper easier?
No, there are no requirements other than making sure you do NOT interact with the bonfire, and instead, look to your left, to summon the Fire Keeper.
Conclusion
Achieving the “End of Fire” ending in Dark Souls III is a rewarding experience that provides a different perspective on the world. By following the steps outlined in this guide, players can unlock this significant ending and fully experience the game’s narrative. Remember to resist the urge to interact with the bonfire and instead, embrace the darkness by summoning the Firekeeper. This ending offers a profound conclusion that is sure to leave a lasting impression.