It was only two weeks ago when Naughty Dog confirmed the existence of "The Last of Us 2" and released a teaser video for which, but, this early, there are already numerous speculations as to what the highly anticipated game will offer. However, among the numerous rumors attached to the game, one that has grown louder the past few days is the one claiming that Joel is actually dead.

Fans could not contain their excitement when the trailer for "The Last of Us 2" was released last Dec. 3. In the said trailer, it is apparent that the then-tween Ellie in the current "The Last of Us" main game has already grown into a full-fledged 19-year-old adult.

A few seconds into the trailer, Ellie picks up her guitar, starts strumming it to the tune of "Through the Valley." While "Through the Valley" is a song about Christian faith, as it is based on the Bible's Psalms 23, Ellie's version of its lyrics, undeniably, resonates hate. Toward the end of the 4-minute teaser video, Joel appears and asks Ellie if she really has to do what she plans to do, to which Ellie replies that she will kill all of them.

According to rumors, "them" actually refers to the members of the Fireflies. It can be recalled that in the current "The Last of Us," Joel killed the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene, after she demanded Joel to hand Ellie over to the group as she may be the only hope to cure the zombie virus.

Could it be that the Fireflies killed Joel to avenge the death of Marlene? No one really knows for now. However, it is heavily speculated that, although Joel appears in the teaser video, he may be nothing more than a vision to Ellie, and his death is the very reason why Ellie's heart is full of hatred and the desire to revenge.

"This is story is about hate, through Ellie this time. The first game you play as Joel, this game you play as Ellie," said Neil Druckmann, "The Last of Us 2" director, at this year's PSX event, where the game sequel was announced and the teaser was released. 

Is Joel really dead? Is his death the reason why Ellie's heart is full of hate? Did the Fireflies really kill him?

Answers to these questions and more can only be revealed once "The Last of Us 2" arrives, who knows when.