The Ancient One (Chapter)

*Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light...**This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's third installment,* ***House of Ashes***
***.***

## Theatrical Cut

### Location(s)

Roadside Diner, Little Hope (Determinant)
Camp Slayer (Determinant)
Sacrificial Chamber

## Curator's Cut

### Location(s)

Roadside Diner, Little Hope (Determinant)
Camp Slayer (Determinant)
Sacrificial Chamber

## Chapter Guide

**The Ancient One** is the first chapter of Act 3 in *House of Ashes* and the seventeenth overall.

The player controls Eric/Nick (Theatrical Cut) and Nick/Rachel (Curator's Cut) as they flee from an ancient vampire. If Eric and Rachel are dead, it is a cutscene and has no gameplay.

## Flashback

* If Eric is being controlled by either player, the "3 Years Previously" flashback occurs.
* If Eric is not being controlled by either player, the "3 Weeks Previously" flashback occurs.

### *Roadside Diner, Little Hope, 3 Years Previously*

Rachel exits a diner three miles from Little Hope and, trying to hide from the rain, quickly runs to the car. She tosses Eric a box of fried goods and points out that it's not really appropriate for their honeymoon. Eric teases her by saying that ice climbing isn't really appropriate either, but Rachel says that ice climbing is relaxing. Eric notices that Rachel is thinking about something and asks her about it. Rachel then explains that the man who served her told her something strange, saying that she will never be as happy as she is now. Eric reassures her that he will do everything he can to make her happy and that he will always be there for her. The two then begin to drive away, but Rachel, distracted by Eric, fails to notice the oncoming truck that smashes into them.

### *Camp Slayer, 3 Weeks Previously*

Rachel argues with Eric on the phone in her office as Nick approaches her desk with a file. Eric hangs up and Nick asks if this is a bad time, to which Rachel agrees. As he gives the files, Rachel aggressively tells him that she's not up to it right now, but immediately apologizes. Nick states how they both seem to be running away from something and Rachel then brings up the checkpoint incident. As Rachel tells Nick that he can talk to her about it, Nick explains that everyone has different opinions and he's dealing it his own way. Nick later also points out Rachel's own problems and calls the person Rachel talked with a "gold medal asshole". Nick then reassures Rachel, saying she can handle it herself or call him for help, after which he faints and falls into piles of bones.

## *Sacrificial Chamber, 0134 HRS, 348 FT.*

* Nick, Rachel, and Eric
* Nick and Rachel
* Nick and Eric
* Only Nick

Nick regains conscious from the piles of bones he crashed onto and, after picking up his rifle, begins to look around the chamber.

* If Eric is alive, he will come out of a hallway with a UV wand or a glock pistol.
* If Rachel is alive, she will come out of a hallway or regain concious in the chamber.

Nick and Rachel find each other and hug before the two of them start kissing. Eric approaches the two unpleasantly, much to Rachel's shock. Suddenly, The Ancient One crawls out of a hole. The group tries to shoot back at him, but to no avail.

* If Eric knows about the vampires' weakness, he will try to use the UV lamp, only to find it malfunctioning.

As the protagonists retreat into the catacombs, The Ancient One runs after them. After reaching the end of the corridor, the group arrives at the well room and notices a passageway on the other side.

* If Nick decides to retreat, The Ancient One will catch up to the protagonists.
* If Nick decides to shut the door, a QTE must be completed in order to successfully shut it.
	+ Failing the QTE will result in The Ancient One breaking through and catching up to the protagonists.

The protagonist then arrive at the room before the medical bay.

* If the group closed the door, they will hear The Ancient One kicking it in and hide behind pillars and coffins. The Ancient One will start searching for the protagonists, in which two Keep Calm segments must be completed.
	+ If the Keep Calm segment is completed, the protagonists will retreat to the medical bay undetected.
	+ If the Keep Calm segment is failed, The Ancient One will spot Eric and grab him. Nick must complete a QTE to save Eric.
		- If the QTE is completed, The Ancient One will let Eric go and focus on Nick.
		- If the QTE is failed, The Ancient One will rip Eric's throat out, then attack Nick.
* If the group has run on/failed to close the door/failed to hide, The Ancient One will attack Nick.
	+ If Eric decides to run away, Rachel will jump onto The Ancient One and hold him down, but the latter throws her away. After Nick continuously shoots at the Ancient One he must complete a QTE to kick the latter into a pit.
		- If Nick fails a QTE, he still kicks The Ancient One into a pit, but before that the latter has time to cut his shoulder.
	+ If Eric decides to help, he will tackle The Ancient One into the pit. Nick and Rachel try to get Eric up, in which both Eric and Nick must complete a QTE in order to get up.
		- If the QTE is failed, Eric will fall into the pit and crash.

As the protagonists, walk away, the camera goes down to the bottom of the pit, where The Ancient One's hand suddenly twitches.

* If Eric runs away, Eric stumbles upon Jason's marking before Nick and Rachel follow him, Eric then helps Rachel, before Nick sarcastically thanks Eric.
* If Eric is with Nick and Rachel, all three go through the bars with barely any conversation.

Either way, they discuss about the ancient vampire briefly before Rachel finds Jason's marking. However, Nick is impatient with Rachel for keeping their relationship a secret. Eventually, Eric and Nick want Rachel to pick her love.

* If both Eric and Nick have a low relationship with Rachel, Rachel tells Eric how both of them had something special, before adding that was a long time ago. Eric can act shocked or loving. Regardless, Rachel dumps both Eric and Nick, after which she leaves for the caves. Before following her, the guys can blame each other for what happened or admit defeat.
* If Eric has a higher relationship with Rachel than Nick has, Rachel tells Eric how both of them had something special, before adding that was a long time ago. Eric can act shocked or loving. Regardless, Rachel picks Eric and gives him a second chance. Nick can be angry or hopeful. Afterwards, Eric can be arrogant or sympathetic. In the end, Nick can be respectful or furious, after which he leaves for the caves. Before following him, Eric thanks Rachel for choosing him.
* If Nick has a higher relationship with Rachel than Eric has, Rachel tells Eric how both of them had something special, before adding that was a long time ago. Eric can act shocked or loving. Regardless, Rachel picks Nick and wants to start a new life. Eric can be furious or hopeful. Afterwards, Nick can be condescending or sympathetic, but Eric ignores him and leaves for the caves. Before following him, Rachel says that it means nothing if they die down there, but Nick says otherwise.

The chase will be the same as if Eric were alive, except Rachel choosing to help Nick does not kill her. She can still die from failing the Keep Calm while not infected, however.

After going through the bars, if Rachel is alive, she says how close they were there. Nick tries to reassure her, but she pulls back. After a short pause, Nick asks Rachel if they need to talk about their relationship, since he wants her by his side if he dies.

* If Nick has a low relationship with Rachel, the latter will tell him how she needed him the most when he came and she'll forever be thankful for that, before stating their relationship is over. Nick can be angry or disappointed.
	+ If Nick is angry, he will call Rachel the "Queen Bitch" and say he should've checked his head for fucking with her.
	+ If Nick is disappointed, he will say he understand. Rachel then says how even though her relationship with Eric is far from perfect, Eric is loyal. Rachel then states that she has more to say for Eric, but has run out of road.
* If Nick has a high relationship with Rachel, the latter will tell him they have a future, before stating Eric is a good man, but he is gone. Nick can either be tinder or worried.
	+ If Nick is tinder, he will ask Rachel if she loves her. Rachel then says Nick has a heart, before telling him that she loves him. Both Nick and Rachel kiss, after which the former tells her he can't lose her.
	+ If Nick is worried, he will tell Rachel how he can't lose her. Rachel then tells Nick to stay close, before the latter saying he's going nowhere.

Eric and Nick bump into each other and start looking around the chamber together.

* If Rachel was killed and infected in The Assault or The Horror, she, having turned into a vampire, will appear in front of the guys. Eric will address her, to which Nick says it's not Rachel anymore.

Further chase from the vampires will be the same as if Rachel were alive or dead.

* If Rachel became a vampire and the guys ran on/failed to close the door, she will tackle Nick onto the ground before attacking Eric, while The Ancient One attacks Nick. Eric restrains Rachel and tries desperately to get through to her, but she still keeps trying to attack Eric, causing him to complete three QTEs in order to put vampire Rachel down.
	+ If one of the QTEs if failed, vampire Rachel will bite Eric in the shoulder after which he will have to complete another QTE to stab her.
		- If the QTE is failed, vampire Rachel will rip Eric's throat out.
	+ If all QTEs are completed, Eric will get rid of vampire Rachel. Eric can save Nick or run away.
		- If Eric decides to save Nick, he will tackle The Ancient One into the pit. However, before Nick can get Eric up, vampire Rachel attacks both guys, then after grabbing Eric, falls into the pit with him.
		- If Eric runs away or is killed by vampire Rachel, Nick will throw sand into The Ancient One. Vampire Rachel then leaps onto Nick and bites him in the shoulder. Nick then throws vampire Rachel at The Ancient One, causing both threats to fall down into the pit.

The protagonists then arrive at the medical bay.

* If Eric runs away, Eric stumbles upon Jason's marking before Nick follows him, after which both of them look at each other unpleased. Eric then asks Nick where is Rachel, before Nick answering he did what had to be done and they should leave it at that.
* If Nick is with Eric, Nick stumbles upon Jason's marking. Eric then comments how the vampires can't get Jason, much to Nick's agreement. Nick thanks Eric for helping him back there.

Regardless, they both briefly discuss about the vampires, after which Nick states that they're lucky to get away alive, unlike Rachel. Eric then brings up Nick's relationship with Rachel, who then can be bitter or solemn. Nick can tell Eric he can only dream of what Nick and Rachel had or say he never had a chance to tell Rachel he loved her. Eric can later be respectful or defiant.

* If Eric is respectful, he will suggest making a truce with Nick, and Nick can accept or reject it.
* If Eric is defiant, he will tell Nick how he barely knows Rachel. Eric adds that Rachel's gone no matter if Nick loved her.

Nick wakes up in the piles of bones and, quickly picking up his rifle, begins to look around the chamber. After encountering The Ancient One and possibly vampire Rachel, Nick, after an unsuccessful attempt to shoot them, escapes into the catacombs.

Once out of sight of the vampires, Nick climbs up some stairs and watches as the vampires run further down the corridor, wondering what they are. After reaching the medical bay, Nick finds Jason's marking and follows it into the caves.
## Deaths

### Determinant

Eric

* If Eric fails to hide from The Ancient One and Nick fails the QTE to save him, his throat will be ripped out. (Shared Story)
* If Rachel is a vampire and Eric fails to fight her, his throat will be ripped out. (Theatrical Cut)
* If Eric saves Nick but Rachel is a vampire or either of them fails the QTE for Eric to climb up the hole, he will fall to his death.

Rachel

* If Rachel is uninfected and fails to hide from The Ancient One and Nick fails the QTE to save her, her throat will be ripped out. (Shared Story)

## Trivia

* This is the sixth chapter for Eric and the third for Rachel in which they can die.
* This, Semper Fi, and Reflection are the only chapters in the anthology that can either be playable or a cutscene depending on past choices.
* In the first flashback, the car being driven is identical to the car seen in No Escape, and Eric's mention of ice climbing was first hinted at in the Old Magazine. These are references to *Little Hope*.