What Do You Become at the End of Dark Souls?
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At the conclusion of the original Dark Souls, you don’t transform into a grand mythical creature or ascend to godhood in the traditional sense. Instead, your fate hinges on a crucial decision, one that defines the very future of the world of Lordran. You become either the Dark Lord, ushering in an Age of Dark ruled by humanity, or you become the one who perpetuates the Age of Fire, rekindling the First Flame to stave off the inevitable darkness. Your final identity, therefore, is profoundly shaped by this pivotal choice. There is no right or wrong answer and the endings serve more as allegorical expressions of the two philosophical paths the world could take.
The Choice at the Kiln of the First Flame
After defeating Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the final boss of Dark Souls, you are presented with a pivotal moment. A bonfire appears in the arena. This bonfire is key; it is the gateway to rekindling the flame. However, if you ignore the bonfire and exit the arena, you trigger the alternative ending.
Becoming the Dark Lord
Choosing not to link the fire leads to you becoming the Dark Lord. The world is plunged into darkness, a stark contrast to the fiery landscape that you’ve navigated throughout the game. This ending is not necessarily evil; it’s a liberation from the artificial cycle perpetuated by Gwyn and the gods. You, as the chosen undead, will become the ruler, the sovereign over all of humanity, inheriting the power of the Dark Soul passed down through the ages from the Furtive Pygmy. The game concludes with the line “Let true dark be cast upon the world,” emphasizing the dawn of a new era and the end of the Age of Fire.
Linking the Fire
Alternatively, if you choose to interact with the bonfire, you sacrifice yourself to rekindle the First Flame. This action, which continues the Age of Fire, prevents the world from succumbing to complete darkness. In essence, you become a fuel for the fire, perpetuating the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. While this appears heroic, this ending doesn’t fix anything for the undead. It’s ultimately a temporary fix that will inevitably have to be done again.
Implications of Your Decision
Neither ending is presented as unequivocally “good.” Both carry their own sets of implications and neither represents a true cure for the curse. The Dark Lord ending signifies humanity embracing its natural state, free from the control of the gods, while the linking the fire ending is a continuation of the status quo, maintaining the established world, even if it is a decaying world. The game’s ambiguity in its conclusion is deliberate, forcing players to ponder the deeper philosophical themes and making them part of the story’s creation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many endings are there in Dark Souls 1?
There are two distinct endings in Dark Souls. You either become the Dark Lord or you link the fire, each with its unique outcome for the world.
2. Is one ending considered the “good” ending?
The game intentionally leaves it ambiguous. There’s no clear “good” or “bad” ending. Both are simply different paths that the world could take, each with its own implications. It’s a matter of interpretation and what the player believes is the best path for humanity, if any.
3. What happens in the Age of Dark?
The Age of Dark is an era of humanity’s ascendency, free from the influence of the gods. It is an era where the Dark Soul will be the defining power and where humans will not be cursed.
4. What happens when you link the fire?
By linking the fire, you become a sacrifice to reignite the First Flame. This perpetuates the Age of Fire, continuing the cycle of undeath and decay. It essentially puts a temporary stop to the slow but certain end of the world.
5. Can you play Dark Souls after the ending?
Yes. After completing either ending, the game gives you the option to continue your current playthrough or start a new one. If you want to access the other ending, you must start a new playthrough.
6. How does the Dark Lord ending work?
To become the Dark Lord, you must defeat Gwyn and then ignore the bonfire that appears in the arena and leave instead. This will trigger the ending where darkness falls over the world, and the chosen undead will assume their new role as the Lord of humanity.
7. Can you achieve 100% in one playthrough of Dark Souls?
No, achieving 100% completion requires at least two and a half playthroughs (NG++), because you need access to all of the covenant rewards and to see all the story elements.
8. Does the ending of Dark Souls have any impact on Dark Souls 2 or 3?
No, the endings of Dark Souls don’t have a direct impact on the storylines of Dark Souls 2 or Dark Souls 3. Each game tells its own unique story, although the lore and themes are shared, and events of the other games may be indirectly affected by the consequences of the others.
9. Is there a max level in Dark Souls?
Yes, the max level in Dark Souls is around 709-713, depending on your starting class. Reaching it is an extremely long and tedious process.
10. Is there any romance in Dark Souls?
Dark Souls is not known for romance in the traditional sense, but it does have a few instances of romantic elements and implied love between the characters. These are subtle, and not part of any character’s dialogue, but can be seen through their actions.
11. Who is the final boss of Dark Souls?
The final boss of Dark Souls is Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. He is the final hurdle before you must decide on the fate of the world.
12. What happens if I join the Dragon Covenant?
Joining the Dragon Covenant allows you to use special dragon-themed items and abilities, including transforming your head into that of a dragon, and engaging in PVP against other players.
13. Can you invade other players in Dark Souls 1?
Yes, you can invade other players‘ worlds in Dark Souls 1 if you are online. There are also NPC invaders with stories that are similar to player characters.
14. How long does Dark Souls usually take to complete?
A standard playthrough of Dark Souls focusing on the main objectives will take around 42 hours. Getting full completion of the game is likely to take around 105 hours.
15. What is the secret rite in Dark Souls?
There isn’t a single, universally called “secret rite” in Dark Souls. However, it could refer to the methods of restoring humanity, like the one done by clerics, or the Rite of Kindling to maximize Estus Flasks, which is another secret mechanic of the game.