Marika's Fate In Elden Ring Exploring Post-Ending Scenarios

Understanding the fate of Queen Marika the Eternal after the various endings of Elden Ring is crucial for grasping the game's lore and the Tarnished's role in shaping the Lands Between. Marika, the vessel of the Elden Ring and the goddess of the Erdtree, is central to the narrative, and her actions and ultimate destiny are intertwined with the player's choices. This article delves deep into what happens to Marika after the default ending, the Elden Lord ending, and the Perfect Order ending, exploring the implications of these outcomes and their significance in the broader context of the game.

Marika's Role in Elden Ring's Narrative

Before delving into the specifics of her fate in different endings, it’s essential to understand Marika's significance. Queen Marika the Eternal is not merely a ruler but a god, the vessel for the Elden Ring, and the embodiment of the Erdtree's grace. Her shattering of the Elden Ring sets the stage for the entire game, scattering its Great Runes among her demigod offspring and initiating the events that lead the Tarnished back to the Lands Between. Marika's motivations for shattering the Elden Ring are complex and multifaceted, ranging from rebellion against the Greater Will to a desperate attempt to forge a new order. Her dual nature, also embodying the shadowbound beast Radagon, adds layers of intrigue to her character and her actions.

Marika's actions are driven by a desire to challenge the established order of the Greater Will, the outer god that exerts control over the Lands Between through the Elden Ring. The shattering was not an act of mere destruction but a calculated disruption intended to create an opportunity for change. Her demigod children, each inheriting a fragment of the Elden Ring, were meant to vie for the title of Elden Lord, potentially forging a new path for the Lands Between. However, this plan went awry, leading to the Shattering War and the subsequent decline of the Golden Order. Marika's imprisonment within the Erdtree is both a consequence of her actions and a testament to her enduring power. Even in captivity, her influence is palpable, guiding the Tarnished through cryptic messages and veiled prophecies. Understanding Marika's role is paramount to interpreting the various endings of the game, as each ending reflects a different resolution to the chaos she unleashed.

The Tarnished, guided by grace and destiny, are drawn to the Lands Between to mend the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. This quest is not merely about assuming power but about choosing the future of the Lands Between. The Tarnished's actions directly influence Marika's fate, as each ending represents a different way of dealing with the shattered Elden Ring and the fractured world it has created. Whether the Tarnished seeks to restore the Golden Order, usher in a new age, or embrace chaos, their choices dictate the ultimate outcome for Marika. Therefore, understanding Marika's role and her motivations is essential for players to make informed decisions and fully appreciate the narrative depth of Elden Ring.

The Default Ending: Elden Lord

The default ending of Elden Ring, where the Tarnished mends the Elden Ring and becomes the Elden Lord, offers a resolution that is both straightforward and ambiguous. In this ending, the Tarnished collects the Great Runes, defeats the final boss, and enters the Erdtree to claim their place as the new Elden Lord. This act involves interacting with Marika's shattered form within the Erdtree, piecing together the Elden Ring and restoring order, of a sort, to the Lands Between. However, the specifics of what happens to Marika herself are left somewhat vague.

Upon becoming the Elden Lord, the Tarnished essentially takes Marika's place as the vessel for the Elden Ring. The game's final cutscene shows the Tarnished sitting on the throne, holding the repaired Elden Ring, and assuming the mantle of power. Marika's physical form, which was shattered and crucified within the Erdtree, appears to be reconstituted, but her consciousness and will are uncertain. Some interpretations suggest that Marika's essence merges with the Elden Ring once more, becoming an integral part of the restored order. This would imply a kind of reconciliation, where Marika's rebellion is ultimately subsumed by the restoration of the Golden Order, albeit under a new Elden Lord. Others argue that Marika's fate is more ambiguous, with her consciousness potentially suppressed or even erased in the process of mending the Elden Ring. The lack of explicit narrative clarity invites players to speculate on the true nature of Marika's destiny in this ending.

The implications of the Elden Lord ending for Marika are significant because they raise questions about the nature of order and control in the Lands Between. By becoming the Elden Lord, the Tarnished assumes responsibility for maintaining the balance of power and ensuring the stability of the realm. However, this also means perpetuating the cycle of the Elden Ring and the influence of the Greater Will. Marika's initial act of shattering the Elden Ring was a rebellion against this cycle, a desire to break free from the predetermined path set by the outer gods. In the default ending, this rebellion is seemingly quelled, and the Tarnished takes on the role of maintaining the very system Marika sought to dismantle. This raises philosophical questions about the true meaning of order and whether the Tarnished has truly achieved a lasting solution or simply perpetuated a flawed system. Therefore, while the Elden Lord ending provides a resolution, it is one that is fraught with ambiguity and open to interpretation, particularly concerning Marika's ultimate fate.

The Perfect Order Ending: A New God Emerges

The Perfect Order ending, achieved by completing Goldmask's questline, presents a stark contrast to the default Elden Lord ending. This ending focuses on the flaws within the Golden Order and seeks to rectify them by introducing a new fundamental principle to the Elden Ring. In this scenario, the Tarnished does not merely mend the Elden Ring but infuses it with the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, which was created by Goldmask to address the inherent imperfections of the existing system. The consequences for Marika in this ending are profound and suggest a significant transformation of her role and essence.

In the Perfect Order ending, the Elden Ring is reforged with a focus on the principle of causality, aiming to eliminate the inconsistencies and contradictions that plagued the Golden Order. This new order is meant to be more rational and just, guided by the immutable laws of cause and effect. When the Tarnished interacts with Marika's shattered form to enact this change, the implications for Marika are immense. The introduction of the Mending Rune of Perfect Order essentially overwrites the existing framework of the Elden Ring, potentially reshaping Marika's role within it. Instead of merely being the vessel, Marika's essence may be altered to align with the new principles of the Perfect Order. This could mean a reduction in her autonomy or a transformation into a more symbolic figurehead, embodying the ideals of the new order rather than wielding independent power.

The Perfect Order ending implies that Marika's will and consciousness are subsumed by the new fundamental principle embedded within the Elden Ring. She becomes an integral part of a system designed to be devoid of the ambiguities and contradictions that led to the Shattering. This outcome can be seen as both a resolution and a loss. On one hand, the Lands Between are potentially brought under a more stable and just rule. On the other hand, Marika's individual agency and rebellious spirit are effectively extinguished, replaced by the cold, immutable logic of the Perfect Order. This ending raises complex questions about the cost of order and the potential sacrifice of individual will in the pursuit of a flawless system. Therefore, the Perfect Order ending offers a dramatically different fate for Marika, one that highlights the philosophical underpinnings of Elden Ring's narrative and the profound implications of altering the fundamental laws of the world.

Contrasting Fates: Rebellion vs. Order

The contrasting fates of Marika in the default Elden Lord ending and the Perfect Order ending underscore the central themes of Elden Ring: the tension between rebellion and order, and the complexities of choosing a path for the Lands Between. In the Elden Lord ending, Marika's rebellion is, in a sense, contained. The Tarnished becomes the new vessel for the Elden Ring, perpetuating the established order, albeit under new management. Marika's essence is likely reintegrated into the Elden Ring, her individual will subsumed by the overarching system. This outcome suggests a restoration of the status quo, where the cycle of power and control continues, potentially setting the stage for future conflicts and rebellions.

In contrast, the Perfect Order ending represents a more radical solution, one that seeks to address the inherent flaws of the Golden Order by fundamentally altering the Elden Ring itself. This ending effectively silences Marika's rebellious spirit by embedding the principle of causality into the very fabric of reality. Marika's fate in the Perfect Order ending is perhaps more tragic, as her individual agency is sacrificed for the sake of a seemingly flawless system. The Perfect Order promises stability and justice, but at the cost of personal freedom and the potential for dissent. This outcome raises profound ethical questions about the balance between order and liberty, and whether a perfectly ordered world is worth the price of individual expression.

The choice between these endings reflects the player's own values and beliefs about governance, freedom, and the nature of order. The Elden Lord ending offers a sense of continuity and tradition, while the Perfect Order ending proposes a radical transformation. Marika's fate in each ending serves as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in shaping the future of the Lands Between. Understanding these contrasting outcomes is crucial for appreciating the philosophical depth of Elden Ring's narrative and the complex moral choices it presents to players. Ultimately, what happens to Marika is not just a plot point but a reflection of the player's decisions and the values they choose to uphold.

Conclusion: Marika's Enduring Legacy

In conclusion, the fate of Marika after the default Elden Lord ending and the Perfect Order ending in Elden Ring is a complex and multifaceted issue, deeply intertwined with the game's themes of rebellion, order, and the nature of divine power. In the default ending, Marika's essence is likely reintegrated into the Elden Ring, her rebellious spirit contained within the restored order. This outcome suggests a perpetuation of the cycle of power, with the Tarnished taking on the mantle of Elden Lord and maintaining the established system. However, the specifics of Marika's consciousness and will remain ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation and speculation.

Conversely, the Perfect Order ending presents a more radical transformation, where Marika's agency is effectively sacrificed for the sake of a seemingly flawless system. The introduction of the Mending Rune of Perfect Order overwrites the existing framework of the Elden Ring, embedding the principle of causality into the very fabric of reality. This outcome promises stability and justice but at the cost of individual freedom and the potential for dissent. Marika's fate in this ending serves as a poignant reminder of the ethical dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of a perfectly ordered world.

Ultimately, Marika's enduring legacy in Elden Ring lies in her role as a catalyst for change and a symbol of the tensions between rebellion and order. Her actions set the stage for the game's events, and her fate is inextricably linked to the choices made by the Tarnished. Whether her rebellious spirit is quelled or transformed, Marika's influence resonates throughout the Lands Between, shaping the destiny of its inhabitants. Understanding her fate in the various endings is crucial for appreciating the philosophical depth of Elden Ring's narrative and the profound implications of the player's decisions. Marika's story serves as a reminder that the pursuit of order and justice is often fraught with ethical complexities, and the choices we make can have far-reaching consequences for the world around us.