Hollow Knight: Silksong True Ending & Act 3 Guide

Unlocking Act 3: The True Ending of Hollow Knight: Silksong

After experiencing the initial credits of Hollow Knight: Silksong, many players believe their journey has concluded. However, a hidden "Act 3" awaits, offering a "true" ending, heightened challenges, and new secrets within Pharloom. Accessing this final act requires completing a specific late-game quest known as "Silk and Soul," culminating in a unique confrontation with the final boss.

Prerequisites for the "Silk and Soul" Quest

To unlock the pivotal "Silk and Soul" quest, a series of significant achievements must be made across Pharloom. While it doesn't demand a 100% completionist run, a substantial amount of progress is necessary.

Completing Wishboard Quests

A majority of the wishboard quests across the primary settlements—Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave—must be fulfilled. These quests vary from finding NPCs and collecting items to hunting specific enemies and donating resources. Key examples often mentioned include:

• Bone Bottom Quests: Bone Bottom Repairs, A Lifesaving Bridge, Garb of the Pilgrims, Volatile Flintbeetles, The Terrible Tyrant, and An Icon of Hope. Ensure you fight the Skull Tyrant, witness the funeral, and receive the Hornet Statuette.
• Bellhart Quests: Restoration of Bellhart, Pinmaster's Oil, My Missing Courier, Silver Bells, Crawbug Clearing, My Missing Brother, Bone Bottom Supplies, Savage Beastfly, and Bellhart's Glory. Crucially, completing Shakra's "Trail's End" quest, which involves purchasing her full inventory and tracking her across various regions, is often cited as a requirement.
• Songclave Quests: Fine Pins, Strengthening Songclave, The Lost Merchant, The Wandering Merchant, Cloaks of the Choir, and Balm for the Wounded.
• Unlocking Your Bellhome: After completing Bellhart's wishboard quests, speak to Pavo, the bell guy, in Bellhart to receive your Bellhome Key, granting you access to an abode in the town's upper-left section.

Moving the Flea Caravan to Fleatopia

The Flea Caravan must reach its final destination in the Putrified Ducts, known as Fleatopia. This requires rescuing a significant number of Lost Fleas.

• The caravan's movement progresses as you rescue more fleas:
  • From The Marrow to Greymoor (5 fleas).
  • From Greymoor to Blasted Steps/Grand Gate (15 fleas).
  • Finally, to the Putrified Ducts (approximately 25 out of 30 fleas), after discovering the location.
• Confirm the caravan's readiness to move by speaking with Fleamaster Mooshka. Ensure you find key fleas like Vog, located at the top of the Putrified Ducts.

Gaining Access to the Final Boss

You must have progressed far enough in the main story to collect the Architect, Conductor, and Vaultkeeper melodies, which grant access to the final boss arena in The Cradle. While you don't necessarily need to defeat Grand Mother Silk before unlocking "Silk and Soul," you must be able to reach her.

Addressing Misconceptions

Dispelling common myths, it's important to note that you generally do not need to:

• Complete every single side quest or NPC-given quest (though most wishboard quests are vital).
• Find every single lost flea (a majority is sufficient).
• Beat the final boss before acquiring the "Silk and Soul" quest (though some sources suggest it, it seems access is the main factor).

Once these prerequisites are met, return to Songclave; the Caretaker will eventually call you over to offer the "Silk and Soul" wish. If you've completed all required Bellhart quests, the quest may appear directly on Bellhart's wishboard.

The "Silk and Soul" Quest Walkthrough

The "Silk and Soul" quest involves finding four specific items needed to set a trap for Grand Mother Silk.

Initiating the Quest with the Caretaker

Upon accepting the "Silk and Soul" quest from either the Bellhart wishboard or directly from the Caretaker in Songclave, the Caretaker will outline a plan to ensnare Grand Mother Silk and task you with collecting four critical components.

Collecting the Four Sacred Items

The four items required for the trap are scattered across Pharloom:

Maiden's Soul Location

The Maiden's Soul is obtained from the Chapel Maid, the very first NPC Hornet encounters.

• Travel to Bone Bottom and head to its western side. The Chapel Maid can typically be found wandering there.
• If she's not present, she might be slightly below in the Moss Grotto. Interact with her to receive the soul.

Hermit's Soul Location

The Hermit's Soul comes from the Bell Hermit, a reclusive figure located beneath Bellhart.

• From Bellhart's fast travel station, head right into the hidden bell tunnels.
• Continue past a gap to find the Hermit NPC, who will provide the Hermit's Soul.

Seeker's Soul Location

The Seeker's Soul is found in Bilewater, often considered the most challenging item to acquire due to its location behind a formidable boss.

• Navigate through Bilewater, an area notorious for its hazards and maggot-filled pools that drain energy.
• Reach an area near the top of the main shaft called "Bilehaven," which often involves a gauntlet of enemies.
• Defeat Groal the Great, a particularly tough boss whose attacks can inflict the maggot debuff.
• Immediately after the fight, enter the hut situated just outside the arena to claim the Seeker's Soul.

Snare Setter Location

The Snare Setter is located in Weavenest Atla, a sub-zone accessible from the Moss Grotto.

• From Bone Bottom, drop down into Moss Grotto and proceed to the right to find the entrance to Weavenest Atla, which is guarded by a door requiring the Needolin to open.
• If it's your first visit, you'll need to activate the lift by heading all the way to the right and hitting the silk spools to power the area.
• Take the elevator down. Once at the bottom, double jump up the right wall and cross the gap.
• Continue through the next room. In the subsequent area, perform a double jump and wall climb to enter a secret passage in the ceiling.
• The Snare Setter will be found on an altar within this hidden passage on the right.

Defeating Grand Mother Silk and Entering Act 3

Once all four items have been collected, return to the Caretaker in Songclave and hand them over. He will inform you that the trap is set.

• Proceed to The Cradle and the final boss arena for Grand Mother Silk.
• Just before the final boss platform, the Caretaker will engage you in a final conversation.
• Challenge and defeat Grand Mother Silk as you normally would.
• Crucially, after landing the final blow, when prompted, choose to play the Needolin instead of "binding" her. This specific action triggers the true ending sequence.
• Following the credits, you will be returned to the main menu. Select your save file and interact with the black tendrils surrounding it to initiate Act 3.

Important Considerations Before Entering Act 3

Entering Act 3 significantly alters Pharloom, introducing new challenges and opportunities.

• Increased Difficulty: Many non-boss enemies throughout Pharloom become considerably more difficult, boasting higher health and more aggressive attack patterns.
• Exploration and Collectibles: While Act 3 doesn't prevent 100% completion (some collectibles are even exclusive to it), it's highly recommended to complete most of your exploration, gather Mask Shards, Spool Fragments, and other upgrades in Act 2, as it will be easier to obtain them before the difficulty spike.
• Map Alterations: Several areas of Pharloom will be drastically altered, making navigation and familiarization a new challenge.
• Alternative Endings: Players are encouraged to experience the "Twisted Child" (cursed) ending before concluding the "Silk and Soul" quest chain for a complete narrative perspective.