The Fates of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert: Their Lives and Afterlives in The Vampire Diaries

The Series Finale: Loyal Sacrifices and Supernatural Sleeps

In The Vampire Diaries, the fate of its most beloved characters, Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert, leaves many viewers with a mix of emotions. At the end of Season 8, Episode 16, the series finale collapses into a climactic battle that deals with the survival of Mystic Falls.

Damon Salvatore

Damon, deeply loyal to his friends, decides to sacrifice himself in order to save Mystic Falls from the wrath of Katherine Pierce, who seeks to unleash hellfire upon the town. Damon's heroic act involves injecting himself with the cure for vampirism, transforming him back into a human. In his final moments, he commits his life to save his friends from the impending destruction by willingly embracing the hellfire. This sacrificial act marks the end of his vampire existence, making him human once more before his death.

Elena Gilbert

Elena, on the other hand, is not fated to perish. Instead, she falls into a supernatural sleep under Bonnie Bennett's guidance, a protective measure to shield her from the hellfire's devastating effects. When the flames are finally extinguished, Elena is awakened to a world free from threat.

Afterlife and Peaceful Endings

Do They Come Back?

Despite their deaths, Damon and Elena do not come back in the traditional sense. Their final scenes depict them in a state of eternal peace, symbolized by their lives together in a blissful reunion. Despite their sacrifices, they have found a form of immortality in loving each other and sharing a long, fulfilling life.

However, their fates extend beyond the physical realm. After spending countless years together, they eventually age and die naturally, their spirits reuniting in an afterlife that celebrates their unbreakable bond.

The Mystery Resolved: The True Nature of the Cure

The peculiar scenario that unfolded was indeed shrouded in mystery. Initially, it was often speculated that Elena and Damon shared the cure in some manner. However, upon closer examination, the answer lies in the unique properties of the vampiric lifespan. Older vampires metabolize the cure more quickly, while younger vampires, such as Elena, retain its effects longer.

In a series of events during their time in the Other Side, Damon and Bonnie found themselves suspended in a different timeline. During this period, a secondary shot of the vampirism cure was brewed, allowing Bonnie to take it and administer it to Damon. This led to a cooperative method where Elena took the cure first, and Damon suckled it from her body, mimicking the act of feeding on blood but without the fatal consequences.

This unconventional exchange ensured that both characters could undergo the transformation and live a human life together. Their journey continues as they spend the rest of their lives together, aging gracefully until old age claims them.

Their Final Goodbyes

The series finale shows Damon becoming a human and getting married to Elena. Together, they enjoyed a long and happy life, eventually aging and passing away peacefully. Despite their individual journeys and challenges, they found peace and reunion in the afterlife, reflecting the profound themes of love and connection that permeate the series.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Friendship

The story of Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries is a testament to the enduring power of love. Their journey, filled with sacrifice, survival, and ultimate peace, resonates with viewers long after the series concludes, leaving a lasting impact on the audience's hearts and minds.