What Happens If I Link the Fire? A Deep Dive into Dark Souls’ Most Consequential Choice
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At the culmination of your arduous journey through the bleak and unforgiving world of Dark Souls, you are presented with a choice that resonates through the very fabric of existence: Link the First Flame, or let it fade. Choosing to link the fire is not a simple act of kindling a bonfire; it’s a profound decision with far-reaching consequences, both for the world of Lordran and for the cycle of ages itself.
When you choose to link the fire, you are essentially perpetuating the Age of Fire. You, like many before you, become a Lord of Cinder, channeling your accumulated souls into the First Flame. This act, a sacrifice of the self, revitalizes the flame, pushing back the encroaching darkness and sustaining the world as it is known. The immediate consequence is a dramatic visual spectacle: the flame envelops the player character, then consumes the entire Kiln of the First Flame, and the screen fades to black, followed by the game’s ending credits.
However, the implications of linking the fire are more nuanced than simply extending the world’s lifespan. Let’s break down what it means to link the fire and explore the details of this critical choice.
The Mechanics of Linking the Fire
Fueling the Flame with Souls
The act of linking the fire is not just a ritual; it’s a process of transferring power. The First Flame, the very source of life and order in the Dark Souls universe, requires fuel to stay alight. This fuel is the souls gathered through your journey. By kindling the bonfire after defeating the Soul of Cinder, you offer your accumulated souls to the flame, causing it to flare anew, and extending the Age of Fire. This act effectively becomes your sacrifice to prolong the era the Gods created.
A Temporary Respite
It’s important to understand that linking the fire is not a permanent solution. The flame will eventually begin to fade again, initiating the cycle of undeath and the need for another champion to rise. This creates an endless loop of sacrifice and renewal, perpetuated by the actions of past Lords of Cinder like Gwyn, The Chosen Undead, Yhorm the Giant, and others.
The Consequences of Linking the Fire
The Undead Curse and Its Perplexity
One of the most common misconceptions is that linking the fire breaks the Undead Curse. While the Age of Fire is temporarily prolonged, the Undead Curse itself is deeply rooted in the very act of linking the fire. It was through Gwyn’s initial linking that the course of nature was altered, resulting in the birth of the Undead Curse. It is not an ailment which is entirely undone by rekindling the flame.
The Cycle Continues
Ultimately, linking the fire simply delays the inevitable. It preserves the current power structure, with Gods remaining in control, and humanity held in a state of stagnation. This choice also upholds the fear that the gods of the Dark Souls universe, namely Gwyn, has of what may come if the flame was allowed to fade, and humanity’s potential to rise in power.
A Familiar World
By linking the fire, you maintain the familiar world of Dark Souls, with all its established hierarchies and power structures. The world remains within the image of the Gods, as intended by Gwyn in his sacrifice, rather than the alternative which leads to something unknown, with the potential for new order and new powers.
The Cost of Sacrifice
Choosing to link the fire is a sacrifice. You give up your own being to fuel the flame, becoming part of the never-ending cycle. This is not a triumphant victory but an act that ensures the status quo, even if temporarily, by delaying the transition to an unknown future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Linking the Fire a “Good” Ending?
The concept of a “good” ending is subjective in Dark Souls. Linking the fire perpetuates the Age of Fire, but it does so by delaying the inevitable. It maintains the existing power structures, and the Undead Curse remains a factor. Whether it is “good” depends on your interpretation of the world’s needs.
2. Who Has Linked the Fire Before?
Notable figures who have linked the fire include Gwyn, The Chosen Undead, Yhorm the Giant, Ludleth of Courland, The Abyss Watchers, Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, and possibly even The Bearer of the Curse from Dark Souls II.
3. Does Linking the Fire Break the Undead Curse?
No, linking the fire does not fully break the Undead Curse. It might temporarily suppress it, but the curse is intricately tied to the act of linking itself.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Link the Fire?
If you choose not to link the fire, you get the “Dark Lord” ending. This signifies the beginning of the Age of Dark, with the potential for humanity to rise in power and usher in a new world order without the influence of the Gods.
5. Why Did Gwyn Link the Fire?
Gwyn linked the fire out of fear. He was terrified of the approaching Age of Dark and the prospect of losing control over the world and humanity. This fear motivated his sacrifice and the establishment of the current cycle.
6. Is Linking the Fire Canon?
The notion of a “canon” ending is debatable. However, the narrative of Dark Souls often emphasizes the theme of endless cycles, which aligns with the act of linking the flame.
7. What Does it Mean to Be a Lord of Cinder?
A Lord of Cinder is an individual who has previously linked the fire. They have sacrificed their own souls and power to fuel the First Flame, ensuring the continuation of the Age of Fire.
8. How Does Linking the Fire Affect Humanity?
The act of linking the fire is intended to stabilize humanity by controlling the power dynamic. By maintaining the fire, humanity’s strength remains in check, and the Age of Fire continues, allowing the gods to remain in control.
9. Is Gwyn the Final Boss in Dark Souls?
Yes, Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, is the final boss in the original Dark Souls. His sacrifice to link the fire sets the stage for the entire cycle of the game.
10. Does Solaire Link the Fire?
In his own timeline, Solaire may potentially link the fire; however, if you were to assist Solaire in your own timeline, then he would not be the one to link the fire, as he is from a parallel universe and would not have affected the events of your world.
11. What is the Fire Linking Curse?
The Fire Linking Curse refers to the Undead Curse, which originated from Gwyn’s initial linking of the fire. It condemns individuals to an eternal cycle of life, death, and resurrection unless they become Lords of Cinder, thereby sustaining the flame.
12. What is the True Ending of Dark Souls 3?
The notion of a true ending is also debatable. However, the ending in Dark Souls 3 that allows the Fire Keeper to handle the flame is often seen as a preferable alternative to the traditional ‘Link the Flame’ ending, as it allows the player to have an alternative to the perpetual, self-sacrificing loop.
13. Is the Ashen One Undead?
Yes, the Ashen One in Dark Souls 3 is a failed Lord of Cinder who, having failed to link the fire, is resurrected to seek out and return those who have failed to rekindle it before.
14. Is Gwyn Good or Bad?
Gwyn is a complex character, neither wholly good nor bad. His actions are driven by fear and a desire to maintain control, leading to the establishment of the cycle which is the heart of Dark Souls’ lore. He can be seen as a tragic figure, as well as the primary antagonist to the series.
15. Is Gwyn Scared of the Dark?
Yes, Gwyn harbors a deep fear of the Dark and the rise of humanity’s potential power within that age. This fear is the catalyst for his self-sacrifice and the perpetuation of the Age of Fire.
In conclusion, linking the fire is a significant decision with intricate layers of meaning within the Dark Souls universe. It’s not merely about prolonging the world but about upholding a system that has existed for millennia, even if it means sacrificing yourself for it. The choice of whether to link the fire or not is a reflection of the player’s own understanding of the world and their desired ending for it.