The Demon King

Lore & Background

The One Who Waits is first encountered after the Lamb is sacrificed before the Four Bishops. He brings the Lamb before him, gives them a demonic crown, and resurrects them, instructing them to start a cult in his name. As the Lamb defeats each of the Four Bishops—Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, and Shamura—one of the four chains holding The One Who Waits breaks. During the crusade against Shamura, she reveals his true identity: Narinder, the Fifth Bishop, who ruled over Death. Shamura explains that Narinder grew ambitious and discontent, betrayed the Bishops, and was imprisoned by them. After all bishops are defeated, The One Who Waits instructs the Lamb to visit him, return the crown, and be sacrificed. The player can choose to accept (ending the game with the Lamb's death) or refuse, triggering a final battle. If the Lamb defeats The One Who Waits twice, he transforms into a follower-like creature named Narinder. The player can then spare or kill him; if spared, Narinder can be indoctrinated as an immortal follower.

In Their Own Story

The One Who Waits speaks to the Lamb during crusades, informing them that the Four Bishops betrayed and imprisoned him, and that he intends to rule the cult and the world, remaking them in his image. After Shamura's defeat, he instructs the Lamb to visit his realm to return the demonic crown and be sacrificed. When the Lamb opens the final gateway and stands before him, he commands them to kneel. If the player refuses to sacrifice themselves, a battle ensues against his followers Baal and Aym, then against The One Who Waits himself. After the first defeat, he taunts the Lamb, transforms, and pulls them into a hellscape for a second fight. Defeated again, he becomes Narinder, a follower-like creature, and admits defeat. The player may kill him (prompting him to claim the Lamb is no different than he was) or spare him (allowing indoctrination as an immortal follower who insults the Lamb). Either choice results in the Lamb's followers being rescued and the Lamb returning to their cult.

Reader's Guide

The One Who Waits is the final boss of the main campaign. To reach him, the player must defeat all Four Bishops—Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, and Shamura—which breaks the chains holding him. After Shamura's defeat, the Lamb can open the final gateway to his realm. The player is given a choice: accept sacrifice (ending the game) or refuse (triggering the final battle). In the battle, the player first fights Baal and Aym, then faces The One Who Waits. He must be defeated twice; after the first defeat, he transforms and pulls the Lamb into a hellscape for a second phase. Upon victory, he becomes Narinder, and the player can choose to kill or spare him. If spared, Narinder can be indoctrinated as an immortal follower. The One Who Waits cannot be recruited as a follower through normal means; only the spare option allows him to join the cult. There is no mention of a 'Final Trial' or 'Shrine of Truth' in the source.

Did You Know?

• The One Who Waits is revealed to be Narinder, the Fifth Bishop of the Old Faith and the god of Death.
• He was imprisoned by the other four bishops—Leshy, Heket, Kallamar, and Shamura—after betraying them.
• Each time the Lamb defeats a bishop, one of the four chains holding The One Who Waits breaks.
• If the player chooses to spare Narinder after the final battle, he can be indoctrinated as an immortal follower who insults the Lamb.
• The game offers two endings: one where the Lamb accepts sacrifice and is killed, and another where they defeat The One Who Waits and return to their cult.