Hollow Knight Silksong How Get to & Start Act 3

Reaching Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong is not as straightforward as simply rolling credits after Act 2. To enter the hidden third act, called Abyss, players must complete a special Wayfarer Wish called Silk and Soul. This questline ties together several wishes, NPC interactions, and hidden collectibles, unlocking a new wave of story and bosses beyond the main ending.

Steps to Unlock Act 3

Complete Required Wishes

Before Silk and Soul appears, you must finish nearly every Wish in Pharloom. This includes boards in Songclave, Bonebottom, Bellhart, and The Citadel. When finished, speak with Pavo in Bellhart to unlock your own Bellhome.

Afterward, collect at least 25 fleas and move Fleamaster Mooshka’s caravan three times until it reaches Putrefied Ducts. Then, visit the Caretaker in Songclave to trigger the start of Silk and Soul.

Pre-Act 3 Wish Checklist

Here are the key wishes needed:

Pharloom’s Crown (Ascend)
Liquid Lacquer (Delivery)
Queen’s Egg (Delivery)
An Icon of Hope (Donate)
A Lifesaving Bridge (Donate)
Bellhart’s Glory (Donate)
Bone Bottom Repairs (Donate)
Building Up Songclave (Donate)
Restoration of Bellhart (Donate)
Strengthening Songclave (Donate)
Alchemist’s Assistant (Gather)
Berry Picking (Gather)
Great Taste of Pharloom (Gather)
Rite of the Pollip (Gather)
Silver Bells (Gather)
Savage Beastfly (Grand Hunt)
The Terrible Tyrant (Grand Hunt)
The Wailing Mother (Grand Hunt)
Broodfest (Hunt)
Cloaks of the Choir (Hunt)
Crawbug Clearing (Hunt)
Fine Pins (Hunt)
Flexible Spines (Hunt)
Garb of the Pilgrims (Hunt)
Roach Guts (Hunt)
Volatile Flintbeetles (Hunt)
Architect’s Melody (Learn)
Bugs of Pharloom (Learn)
Conductor’s Melody (Learn)
Vaultkeeper’s Melody (Learn)
Grand Gate (Open)
The Threadspun Town (Save)
Silent Halls (Search)
The Great Citadel (Seek)
Fastest in Pharloom (Sprint)
Balm for the Wounded (Wayfarer)
Infestation Operation (Wayfarer)
My Missing Brother (Wayfarer)
My Missing Courier (Wayfarer)
Pinmaster’s Oil (Wayfarer)
Rite of Rebirth (Wayfarer)
The Lost Fleas (Wayfarer)
The Lost Merchant (Wayfarer)
The Wandering Merchant (Wayfarer)
Trail’s End (Wayfarer)

Note: Some players report Silk and Soul triggering without every single Wish. But completing the full list guarantees access.

How to Complete Silk and Soul

Speak with the Maiden in Bone Bottom to get the Maiden’s Soul. She appears after the second Skull Tyrant fight.
Find the Bell Hermit’s Soul by breaking the fake wall under Bellhart Bellway.
Collect the Seeker’s Soul from the abandoned bellhome near Bilewater’s top bench.
Grab the Snare Setter above the Weavenest Atla bench. Open the Needolin door under Bone Bottom to reach it.

Return these to the Caretaker in Songclave to finish the trap.

Starting Act 3

Once Silk and Soul is ready, head to The Cradel before the Grand Mother Silk fight. The Caretaker explains the trap and tells you to use Needolin. Defeat Grand Mother Silk as usual, then choose to play Needolin instead of binding her.

This unlocks the third ending. When reloading the save file, black vines will cover it. Press the action button several times to clear them and enter Act 3.

Final Blurb

Unlocking Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong requires patience, exploration, and a full sweep of Pharloom’s Wishes. By completing Silk and Soul, gathering the Souls, and setting the Caretaker’s trap, you’ll open the Abyss and continue Hornet’s story beyond the standard ending. It’s one of the most rewarding secrets in the game, and it ensures Silksong’s journey doesn’t stop when the credits roll.