Sekiro Ending Guide: Unlocking All 4 Endings in Shadows Die Twice

FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is renowned for its challenging gameplay and intricate storytelling. Beyond the intense sword fights and exploration, your choices throughout the game culminate in one of four distinct endings. These decisions, often subtle, revolve around the Divine Heir, Lord Kuro, and his unique bloodline – the source of immortality and the central conflict of Sekiro. Understanding these choices is crucial to experiencing the full narrative depth the game offers. This Sekiro Ending Guide will walk you through each path, ensuring you know exactly how to achieve your desired conclusion.

Before diving into the specifics, let’s outline the four Sekiro endings you can unlock:

Shura Ending (The “Bad” Ending): This is the bleakest outcome, achieved by siding with Owl and embracing a path of carnage.
Immortal Severance Ending (The Standard “Good” Ending): The most straightforward “good” ending, where you remain loyal to Kuro and fulfill his initial wish.
Purification Ending (A “Good” Ending with Sacrifice): A more nuanced “good” ending, requiring extra steps with Emma, focusing on purification and sacrifice.
Dragon’s Homecoming Ending (The “Best” Ending): The most complex and arguably “best” ending, involving the Child of Rejuvenation and a journey to return the Dragon’s Heritage.

This Sekiro ending guide will provide detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to unlock each of these endings, allowing you to experience every facet of Sekiro‘s captivating narrative. Be aware that major spoilers follow.

Shura Ending: The Path of Betrayal (Bad Ending)

The Shura ending is considered the “bad” ending and is the earliest you can achieve in Sekiro. Choosing this path cuts your playthrough significantly shorter than the others. If you’re looking for a swift, albeit dark, conclusion, this is your route.

Defeat the Guardian Ape: Venture into the Sunken Valley and overcome the Guardian Ape.
Retrieve the Lotus of the Palace: After defeating the Guardian Ape, proceed to the Sunken Valley > Guardian Ape’s Watering Hole Sculptor’s Idol. The Lotus is located in the cave behind this idol.
Defeat the Corrupted Monk (Mibu Village): Journey to Mibu Village and defeat the Corrupted Monk.
Obtain the Shelter Stone: Continue past the Ashina Depths > Wedding Cave Door Sculptor’s Idol to the Wedding Cave and collect the Shelter Stone.
Defeat the Folding Screen Monkeys: Conquer the Folding Screen Monkeys in the Hall of Illusion within Senpou Temple. After this encounter, you’ll be transported to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Inner Sanctum. The Child of Rejuvenation will grant you the Mortal Blade here.
Return to Ashina Castle: With the Lotus of the Palace, Shelter Stone, and Mortal Blade in hand, return to Ashina Castle. Many Sculptor’s Idols will be inactive at this point. Navigate from the Ashina Castle > Abandoned Dungeon Entrance back to the castle’s peak.
The Choice: At the top of Ashina Castle, a cutscene will unfold with Owl and Lord Kuro. When you approach Owl, he presents you with a critical choice: “Obey the Iron Code, forsake Kuro” or “Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro.”
Choose “Obey the Iron Code, forsake Kuro”: Selecting this option locks you into the Shura ending. You will face additional boss encounters exclusive to this ending, culminating in acquiring the One Mind skill. This path signifies Wolf’s descent into becoming Shura, a demon consumed by bloodlust.

Immortal Severance Ending: The Standard Path (Good Ending)

The Immortal Severance ending is the most direct “good” ending in Sekiro. It follows the main storyline closely and is achieved by remaining loyal to Lord Kuro. This path requires completing a significant portion of the game but doesn’t necessitate collecting any extra items beyond the Divine Dragon’s Tears.

Follow Shura Ending Steps 1-4: Complete steps 1 through 4 of the Shura ending guide above.
The Choice (Stay Loyal): When Owl presents the choice at Ashina Castle, choose “Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro.” This crucial decision sets you on the path to the “good” endings.
Defeat Great Shinobi – Owl: You will now face Great Shinobi – Owl at Ashina Castle. Defeat him to progress.
Continue the Main Story: Proceed through the game, eventually reaching the Fountainhead Palace.
Defeat Corrupted Monk (Fountainhead Palace): Face and defeat the Corrupted Monk once more, this time in the Fountainhead Palace.
Defeat Divine Dragon: Confront and overcome the Divine Dragon in the Fountainhead Palace. Upon victory, you will obtain the Divine Dragon’s Tears.
Return to Kuro: Fight your way out of Ashina Castle and return to Lord Kuro in the location where the game began (Kuro’s Room in Ashina Castle).
Defeat the Final Boss: Prepare for the ultimate challenge and defeat the final boss of Sekiro.
Give Divine Dragon’s Tears to Kuro: After defeating the final boss, present the Divine Dragon’s Tears to Lord Kuro to achieve the Immortal Severance ending. This ending results in severing Kuro’s immortality, fulfilling his wish to end the suffering caused by the Dragon’s Heritage.

Purification Ending: Emma’s Request (Good Ending)

The Purification ending is another “good” ending, adding a layer of depth and sacrifice to the Immortal Severance path. It involves a side quest with Emma that unlocks a crucial item, the Everblossom, which you’ll use in conjunction with the Divine Dragon’s Tears.

Follow Shura Ending Steps 1-4: Complete steps 1 through 4 of the Shura ending guide above.
The Choice (Stay Loyal): Choose “Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro” when prompted by Owl.
Defeat Great Shinobi – Owl: Defeat Great Shinobi – Owl at Ashina Castle.
Talk to Kuro and Emma in Kuro’s Room: After defeating Owl, go to the Ashina Castle > Upper Tower — Kuro’s Room Sculptor’s Idol. Speak to both Kuro and Emma until they exhaust their dialogue options.
Eavesdrop on Kuro: Position yourself behind the wall near Kuro and eavesdrop on him.
Eavesdrop on Emma: Rest at the Sculptor’s Idol and eavesdrop again until Emma moves to the top of the staircase nearby.
Talk to Emma (Agree with her): Speak with Emma and agree with her sentiments regarding Lord Kuro’s situation.
Talk to Emma Again (Old Grave): Rest again, then speak to Emma once more. She will relocate to the Ashina Castle > Old Grave Sculptor’s Idol to conduct research. Follow her there and talk to her again.
Eavesdrop on Emma and Sculptor: Travel to the Ashina Outskirts > Dilapidated Temple Sculptor’s Idol. Go behind the temple and eavesdrop on Emma and the Sculptor through the hole in the wall.
Talk to Emma in the Dilapidated Temple: Enter the temple and speak with Emma. Inquire about what you overheard and ask what she is concealing. She will give you the Father’s Bell Charm.
Use Father’s Bell Charm: Use the Father’s Bell Charm at the Buddha statue inside the Dilapidated Temple. This will transport you to a memory of the Hirata Estate. (Ensure you have already defeated Lady Butterfly to access this memory).
Defeat Owl (Father): In the Hirata Estate memory, you will face Owl (Father). Defeat him to obtain the Aromatic Flower, also known as the Everblossom.
Continue the Main Story: Proceed through the rest of the game, reaching the Fountainhead Palace and defeating the Corrupted Monk and Divine Dragon, acquiring the Divine Dragon’s Tears.
Return to Kuro and Give Items: After defeating the final boss and returning to Kuro, present him with both the Divine Dragon’s Tears and the Everblossom. This choice triggers the Purification ending. In this ending, Wolf purifies the Dragon’s Heritage but sacrifices himself, allowing Kuro to live as a normal human.

Dragon’s Homecoming Ending: The Child of Rejuvenation’s Path (Best Ending)

The Dragon’s Homecoming ending is the most intricate and arguably the “best” ending in Sekiro. It involves a lengthy side quest centered around the Child of Rejuvenation and requires gathering unique items from giant serpents. This path leads to a hopeful outcome where the Dragon’s Heritage is returned to its source.

The Child of Rejuvenation Questline

Obtain Holy Chapter: Infested (Before Genichiro): If you haven’t yet fought Genichiro Ashina at Ashina Castle, speak to the old woman praying on the bridge near the Ashina Castle > Ashina Castle Sculptor’s Idol. Then, go to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Main Hall Sculptor’s Idol and speak to the old man there to receive the Holy Chapter: Infested.
Obtain Holy Chapter: Infested (After Genichiro): If you’ve already defeated Genichiro, the Holy Chapter: Infested is located at the bottom of the pond near the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Temple Grounds Sculptor’s Idol. You’ll need the Mibu Breathing Technique (obtained by defeating the Corrupted Monk in Mibu Village) to reach it.
Give Holy Chapter: Infested to Child of Rejuvenation: After defeating the Folding Screen Monkeys and being transported to the Inner Sanctum, give the Holy Chapter: Infested to the Child of Rejuvenation. Collect the Mortal Blade while you are there.
The Choice (Stay Loyal): Choose “Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro” when Owl presents the choice at Ashina Castle.
Defeat Great Shinobi – Owl: Defeat Great Shinobi – Owl at Ashina Castle.
Get Rice from the Child of Rejuvenation: Return to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Inner Sanctum and obtain Rice from the Child of Rejuvenation. Use it or give it to the old woman at the temple. Leave and return to get more Rice. Repeat this process until the Child of Rejuvenation says she is unwell and goes to sleep.
Give Persimmon to Child of Rejuvenation: Visit her again when she’s unwell. Talk to her until she requests a Persimmon. If you have one, give it to her. Persimmons can be purchased from the Memorial Mob near the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Shugendo Sculptor’s Idol.
Receive Rice for Kuro: She will give you Rice for Kuro. Take this Rice to Lord Kuro in Ashina Castle.
Talk to Kuro and Eat Sweet Rice Ball: Rest at the Ashina Castle > Upper Tower — Kuro’s Room Sculptor’s Idol, then speak to Lord Kuro again. He will give you a Sweet Rice Ball. Eat it.
Return to Child of Rejuvenation (Halls of Illusion): Go back to the Inner Sanctum and speak to the Child of Rejuvenation again. She will move to the Halls of Illusion (where you fought the Folding Screen Monkeys). Find her near the large tree in the center and speak to her. She will ask you to find a High Monk.
Obtain Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return: Go to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Main Hall Sculptor’s Idol. Exit through the side door (left of the table and statue in the Main Hall). Follow the tunnel to the end and find the corpse of a monk in blue robes. Pick up the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return from the body.
Give Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return to Child of Rejuvenation: Rest at an idol and then give the Holy Chapter: Dragon’s Return to the Child of Rejuvenation. She will be back at the Inner Sanctum.
Gather Snake Viscera: She will now require two “fruits” – parts from giant serpents: Fresh Snake Viscera and Dried Snake Viscera.

Gathering Fresh Snake Viscera

Puppeteer Ninjitsu on Kite Assassin: Go to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo Sculptor’s Idol. Head right outside and drop down. Stealth Deathblow the short Senpou Assassin near the kite crank and use the Puppeteer Ninjitsu skill on him. He will fly the kite for you.
Grapple to Kite and Reach Sunken Valley Cavern: Head up the hill to the temple, through it, and climb the large tree where you gave rice to the old woman. Grapple to the kite and across the valley. Turn right and follow the wall to the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Sunken Valley Cavern Sculptor’s Idol.
Plunging Deathblow on Great Serpent: Go deeper into the cave and Sunken Valley Passage until you reach a pole over a large drop. Look below for the Great Serpent. Jump off and perform a plunging Deathblow to obtain the Fresh Snake Viscera.

Gathering Dried Snake Viscera

Bridge Destruction and Bodhisattva Valley: Ensure the bridge near the Sunken Valley > Gun Fort Sculptor’s Idol (where you encountered a Great Serpent earlier) is destroyed. Then, go to the Sunken Valley > Bodhisattva Valley Sculptor’s Idol.
Cave Behind Toxic Memorial Mob: Turn around from the Guardian Ape’s Watering Hole and head back up the valley. Look for the Toxic Memorial Mob on your right. Enter the dark cave behind him, avoiding the Giant Serpent.
Puppeteer Ninjitsu on Monkey for Dried Viscera: Continue until you see a lone monkey. Use Puppeteer Ninjitsu skill on it. It will distract the Giant Serpent. The Dried Serpent Viscera is in the house that the Giant Serpent was guarding.
Give Viscera to Child of Rejuvenation: Return to the Child of Rejuvenation in the Inner Sanctum and give her both the Fresh and Dried Snake Viscera.
Eavesdrop and Receive Frozen Tears: Rest at the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo > Inner Sanctum Sculptor’s Idol. Eavesdrop at the closed door, then rest again. When the doors reopen, talk to the Child of Rejuvenation one last time. She will give you the Frozen Tears.

Completing the Game

Continue the Main Story: Proceed through the rest of the game, reaching the Fountainhead Palace and defeating the Corrupted Monk and Divine Dragon to obtain the Divine Dragon’s Tears.
Return to Kuro: Fight your way out of Ashina Castle and return to Lord Kuro.
Give Dragon’s Tears and Frozen Tears to Kuro: Defeat the final boss and then present Lord Kuro with both the Divine Dragon’s Tears and the Frozen Tears. This will trigger the Dragon’s Homecoming ending. This ending sees Wolf, Kuro, and the Child of Rejuvenation embarking on a journey to the west, seeking to return the Dragon’s Heritage to its origin and potentially remove its influence from the world.

Understanding the Implications of Each Sekiro Ending

Choosing your ending in Sekiro is about more than just gameplay; it’s about shaping the narrative and deciding the fate of Lord Kuro and the world around him. Here’s a breakdown of the story implications for each Sekiro ending:

Shura Ending: A Descent into Darkness

By choosing to obey Owl, Wolf forsakes his loyalty and embraces the path of Shura.

[Spoiler alert: Shura Ending Implications] In the Shura ending, Wolf succumbs to the allure of power and becomes a merciless killer. He murders those he was sworn to protect and transforms into the Demon of Hatred, a being consumed by endless slaughter. This ending is a tragic fall from grace, highlighting the corrupting influence of power and the darkness that can consume even the most steadfast warrior.

Immortal Severance Ending: A Necessary Sacrifice

Remaining loyal to Kuro and choosing the Immortal Severance ending focuses on fulfilling Kuro’s wish to end the Dragon’s Heritage.

[Spoiler alert: Immortal Severance Ending Implications] In the Immortal Severance ending, Wolf grants Kuro’s wish by severing his immortality. He gives Kuro the Divine Dragon’s Tears, and in the most common interpretation, Wolf then kills Kuro with the Mortal Blade to fully sever the immortal ties. While fulfilling Kuro’s desire, it’s a bittersweet conclusion, signifying a definitive end to the Divine Heir’s lineage and the burden of immortality.

Purification Ending: Redemption and True Severance

The Purification ending, achieved with the Everblossom, adds an element of redemption and complete severance of immortality.

[Spoiler alert: Purification Ending Implications] In the Purification ending, Wolf uses the Everblossom with the Divine Dragon’s Tears to purify Kuro. Crucially, in this ending, Wolf chooses to sacrifice himself with the Mortal Blade after severing Kuro’s immortality. This act ensures that no immortal remains, and Kuro is free to live a normal life, untainted by the Dragon’s Heritage. It’s an ending of noble sacrifice, offering a more complete and arguably happier resolution for Kuro, albeit at Wolf’s expense.

Dragon’s Homecoming Ending: A Journey Towards Hope

The Dragon’s Homecoming ending, involving the Frozen Tears, offers the most hopeful, albeit uncertain, future.

[Spoiler alert: Dragon’s Homecoming Ending Implications] In the Dragon’s Homecoming ending, Wolf, Kuro, and the Child of Rejuvenation embark on a journey to the west, the birthplace of the Divine Dragon. This ending doesn’t sever the Dragon’s Heritage but seeks to remove its influence from the human world by returning it to its origin. It’s an ending filled with hope for a future free from the cycle of immortality and conflict, suggesting a quest for a more balanced and peaceful world.

Ultimately, the choice of which Sekiro ending to pursue is yours. Each ending provides a unique perspective on the game’s themes and characters. Use this Sekiro ending guide to navigate your path and experience the conclusion that resonates most with you.