The Second Death of Locke

Grey wakes in a liminal space, separated from Kier’s body. As she succumbs to grief over his death, the ghosts of her family appear: her mother, Alma; her father, Isaak; and her brother, Severin. They are all unchanged since their deaths 16 years ago. Alma confirms that Grey is now Locke. Grey spots Kier sitting on the old temple altar in the distance, and Alma explains that resurrecting the Isle required a sacrifice—Kier’s life.

Grey rejects the idea of being a sole sovereign with immense power but cannot imagine being without Kier. She declares that she will not accept his sacrifice. Suddenly, the goddess Kitalma, who was once the first Locke, appears to Grey, who pleads with her to return Kier, citing the legend of how Kitalma once brought back her own wife, Retarik. Kitalma offers three choices. The first is for Grey to keep the Isle and her power while Kier stays dead. The second is for Kier to return to life, but only if he remains on the Isle forever. Finally, Grey can choose to surrender her power so that Kier can have both his life and his freedom. Isaak’s ghost asks Grey to consider how love can exist without freedom.