Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | How to Get the Purification Ending

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, there are a total of four endings you can end up with. There is one that is generally bad because you miss some late-game bosses and end the game early, but it can be worth keeping in mind for perhaps a speedrun. The other three are variations of staying true to the Divine Heir and what you do before that does net you an alternate ending. This guide will go straight into how to get the ending first, assuming you reached the part with Owl and Kuro. If you haven't, skip to the "Prerequisites" section first.

How To Get the Purification Ending

This ending is similar to the Immortal Severance ending, but you'll mix an additional item with the Divine Dragon's Tears before handing them over. Achieving this requires some extra steps. Follow the same path as the Shura, which ends up at the point where Owl gives you a choice—choose to stay loyal to Kuro.

After defeating the Great Shinobi Owl in Ashina Castle, head to the Upper Tower - Kuro's Room Sculptor's Idol, and speak with Kuro and Emma until they run out of dialogue. Then, eavesdrop on Kuro behind the wall. Keep resting at the idol and eavesdropping until Emma moves to the staircase nearby.

Talk to her, agree with her about Lord Kuro, rest, and speak with her again. Emma will eventually move to the Old Grave Sculptor's Idol for research—follow her there and talk to her. Next, travel to the Dilapidated Temple in the Ashina Outskirts. Circle around the back of the temple and eavesdrop on Emma and the Sculptor through the hole in the wall. Enter the temple, confront Emma about what you overheard, and ask what she's hiding. She will give you the Father's Bell Charm.

Use this charm at the Buddha statue inside the temple to return to a different version of the Hirata Estate. After defeating Lady Butterfly, fight Owl (Father) to obtain the Aromatic Flower. From here, continue the game as usual. Defeat the Corrupted Monk in the Fountainhead Palace, face the Divine Dragon, and retrieve the Divine Dragon's Tears.

Fight your way out of Ashina Castle and meet Lord Kuro at the location where the game began. Defeat the final boss and give Kuro both the Divine Dragon's Tears and Everblossom to complete this ending.

Prerequisites

Before you get the endings of Sekiro, there are some steps that overlap with the others. You need to reach the point until you encounter a cutscene between Owl and Lord Kuro. You should back up your save If you plan to get all the endings in one playthrough once you reach this point. Here's how you can get there.

Defeat the Guardian Ape and retrieve the Lotus of the Palace from the cave behind the Sunken Valley at the Guardian Ape's Watering Hole Sculptor's Idol. The idol should be unlocked after you defeat the Guardian Ape.

Then, defeat the Corrupted Monk in Mibu Village and head to the Wedding Cave beyond Ashina Depths at the Wedding Cave Door Sculptor's Idol to collect the Shelter Stone.

Next, defeat the Folding Screen Monkeys in the Hall of Illusion. You will subsequently be transported to Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo's Inner Sanctum. There, the Child of Rejuvenation will give you the Mortal Blade.

With the Lotus of the Palace, Shelter Stone, and Mortal Blade in your inventory, return to Ashina Castle, where most of Sculptor's Idols will be inactive. Fight your way from the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance back to the top of the castle.

Upon arrival, you'll see a cutscene between Owl and Lord Kuro. Owl will offer you a choice: "Obey the Iron Code, forsake Kuro" or "Break the Iron Code, stay loyal to Kuro." The pivotal decisions come at this point, so make sure you choose wisely based on which ending you want.

If you are trying to get all the endings in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, here are guides to the other three you might be looking for:

- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | How to Get the Shura Ending
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | How to Get the Immortal Severance Ending
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | How to Get the Dragon’s Homecoming Ending