And if you play the sequel you'll discover that not even this is true.
I am playing through it right now (PC player) and I understant what you're referencing, but, if you think about it, that's the only way to trully end the story, otherwise you end up in an infinite loop, so it makes sense that they did it like that.
PS: No need to point out that the game restarts in either case.
 
	 
				 
 
		
 
	 Sucks to go all that way again, not even sure I quite remember the way, but I guess I will find out. Why no bonfire in this huge fortress.
 Sucks to go all that way again, not even sure I quite remember the way, but I guess I will find out. Why no bonfire in this huge fortress. 
	