Enter Sky Keep with the Stone of Trials. Rearrange its rooms, defeat Dreadfuse and collect the Triforces of Courage, Power and Wisdom before returning to the Sealed Grounds.
Dungeon Map and the tower sliding puzzle
Enter the Sky Keep and first activate the bird statue at the entrance. Then go straight to the big blue Treasure Chest. The Dungeon Map is already there. It’s no coincidence that you get it right at the beginning: in this dungeon, the map itself is an important part of the puzzles.
Open it up and you’ll see a total of eight square rooms arranged within a large 3-by-3 grid. One field remains empty. The room Link is currently in cannot be moved, but all other rooms can be moved into the free space. This changes the connections between the doors throughout the dungeon.
Go east to the stone control panel. Its nine fields correspond exactly to the structure of the tower. You can also recognize rooms with special symbols on the Dungeon Map. Three of them later contain the parts of the Triforce. Several control panels are distributed throughout the dungeon so that you can change the arrangement again and again as you progress through the solution.
For our route you start with two movements: Push the space above the empty space downwards. Then push the room on the left to the right. This creates the first continuous connection and the previously useless door now actually leads to the next room.
Forest Room – Beetle, Whip and Clawshots
The next area is clearly reminiscent of Faron Woods or the Skyview Temple. Large mushrooms, plants and dense greenery dominate the space. From the entrance, go right and follow the narrow path on the wall.
There is a large ravine in front of you. There is a rope hanging on the opposite side, the lower fastening of which you can loosen with the Hook Beetle. Send the Beetle over and cut the rope. Then pull the whip and swing yourself over the first part of the gorge using the whip hook. Then grab the hanging rope and swing completely to the other side.
There are several tall pillars in front of the next ravine. Climbing vines grow on the first. Pull on it with the Clawshots. While Link is still hanging on the vines, you can already grab the next grab point Targeting and pull yourself directly to the second pillar.
Look at the wall from there. There is another gripping point in the mouth of a stone fish figure. Pull yourself over and then use the rope hanging there to swing to the next platform.
Switch off
Pyrups with the Hook Beetle
Several Pyrups or fire-breathing enemies block the landing area and make the jump unnecessarily dangerous. Look at the opposite pillar. Several thunderflowers grow there.
Start your Hook Beetle, grab a Thunder Flower and transport it across the ravine. Drop the bomb right by the fire poles. Repeat as necessary until the path is completely clear.
Now swing yourself onto the wooden platform with the rope. It hangs movably over the abyss. Take the Magic Jug and direct the airflow towards the side of the platform. It starts to swing due to the wind. Wait for it to swing far enough and jump to the next platform.
This must also be set in motion with the Gust Bellows. Swing it so far that you finally reach solid ground again.
Goddess Wall in Sky Keep
Before you leave the forest area, you should look for several sky butterflies near the bird statue or the exit. Play a few notes there with the Goddess’s Harp. A Wall of Goddess appears.
Since Link is right before the last large dungeon section, the wall is particularly useful. For example, after a charged Skyward Strike, draw a heart if you are low on health, an arrow for extra ammunition, or a Triforce if you want to take a fairy with you for one of your five bottles of.
Then pull the red lever on the grid. This opens a permanent shortcut through the forest area. Leave the area through the next door.
Mining Facility Room – the Timeshift Orb
The following room is completely based on Lanayru. To the left of the entrance lies a Timeshift Orb. Pick it up and follow the hallway. Go down the stairs and first place the ball directly in front of the grate.
Climb up the ladder. There is a lever here due to the area of effect of the time sphere. Pull it and the gate will rise. Climb back down, pick up the orb and go through the now opened passage.
In the next section there is a conveyor belt. Step on the Floor Switch and throw the Timeshift Orb onto the belt. Then climb back up the ladder and walk to the other end of the conveyor system. Stand there on the second Floor Switch. The ball is ejected from the conveyor belt and can be picked up again.
Timeshift Orb on the moving platform
Carry the Timeshift Orb to the left into the next part of the room. In front of you is a moving platform that is powered by the Gust Bellows. Throw the ball on the platform but jump not yourself to it.
Stand sideways on the Floor Switch and point the Gust Bellows at the platform drive. The air flow causes it to move along with the Timeshift Orb. The Floor Switch must remain pressed so that it can travel the entire distance.
At the end of the path, the Timeshift Orb activates a previously invisible Eye Switch. Draw your bow and shoot into it. The next grid moves up.
Pick up the ball again and carry it to the following area. First pull the red lever on the wall. This will open a shortcut back to the entrance to the stone mine room.
Activate All Five Eye Switches
conveyor belt
Throw the Timeshift Orb onto the conveyor belt again. As soon as it moves, several Eye Switch are activated one after the other above the band. You have to shoot at all the eyes with the bow while the Timeshift Orb passes them.
Position yourself so that you have a clear view of the conveyor belt and have your bow ready. The eyes are only ever visible within the sphere’s area of effect. If you miss a switch, you can use the lever in the middle of the area to reverse the direction of the conveyor belt and try again.
As soon as all eyes have been hit, both the gate in front of the door and the barrier in front of the next control panel open.
Solve the second sliding puzzle
Now use the control panel. The following movements refer to the current state of our route. Move the rooms one by one into the free position in this order:
from above – from left – from below – from below – from right – from above – from left – from below – from right – from above – from above – from left – from below – from right – from below – from left.
The rooms in the tower will be rearranged accordingly. Then leave the stone mine room through the southern door and use the already opened shortcuts in the forest room to move forward quickly.
Activate Fire Sanctuary Room – the three switches
The next large area is reminiscent of Eldin and the Fire Sanctuary. The direct path to the right is blocked by a gate. So keep to the left. There is a low opening in the wall that Link can crawl through.
At the first junction you take the left path. You will come to a small round area with a Thunder Flower. Roll the bomb back through the opening towards the previous tunnel. The explosion destroys several rocks that were blocking the straight path.
Crawl back and now follow the blasted tunnel straight ahead. There is a grave hole in a small niche on the north side. Use the Mogma Mitts and dig underground.
Hit the red or blue switch there so that the corresponding grid on the surface moves. Since you can’t go any further underground at this point, you then dig yourself out again and return through the crawl tunnel to the entrance to the room.
The previously blocked gate is now open.
Knock over the three statues in the fire room
The following area is significantly larger. Directly to Link’s left is a puddle of lava. Behind it is one of the large stone statues with an opening for bombs. Throw or roll a bomb into it. The statue tips over, revealing the first switch.
Further west there is a sand slope. There is also a statue here. Roll a bomb over the slope so that it lands in the opening. Once the statue falls, the second switch will appear.
Sprint up and climb the nearby vines to the upper level. Several trees or plants cover the last mechanism there. Charge the Master Sword with a Skyward Strike and clear the vegetation.
This will reveal a Thunder Flower and the third statue. Send out the Hook Beetle, grab the bomb and drop it into the opening of the statue. After the explosion it also tips over and the third switch becomes accessible.
Switch order: bottom – middle – top
The stone tablet next to the locked grille reveals the correct order. First activate the bottom switch, then the middle and finally the top.
The grille moves down. Go through and look for the next grave site. Use the Mogma Mitts.
Underground you have to hit a Bomb first to the left and then up or in the corresponding tunnel direction. The explosion opens the way to the switch. Press it to make the gate on the surface move again.
Dig your way back up and go into the area that has become accessible. There is another grave hole there.
Two Moldorms in the Mogma Tunnel
This time there are two Moldorms waiting underground. You have to defeat both of them, as they can hardly be safely avoided in the narrow tunnel system.
Lure one Moldorm to an intersection and dodge so that it runs into a wall if possible. As soon as he is briefly stunned, sprint behind him and attack the orange tip of his tail with the Mogma Mitts. After each hit, the worm becomes shorter and faster.
Concentrate as much as possible on one enemy until he is defeated and only then deal with the second one. Once both Moldorms have been dealt with, you can dig yourself out again at the upper exit.
Link appears immediately next to another control panel. You don’t have to use it at the moment. Instead, pull the red lever on the wall and open the connection in both directions. Leave the room to the north.
Stronghold Room – Dreadfuse
The only real miniboss of the Tower of Heaven is waiting in the following room: Dreadfuse. The mechanical pirate basically works exactly like Wirebeard on the Sandship.
The fight takes place again on a narrow walkway. Dreadfuse blocks certain directions with his sword or shield. Watch his defense and only attack from an open direction. Several successful hits slowly push him back.
Shield attacks are particularly effective. Parry his attack at the right moment so that he briefly loses his balance and immediately follow up with several sword strikes. Alternatively, you can avoid a counterattack with a backflip.
Push Dreadfuse all the way to the end of his platform. After the last hit he falls into the depths.
Treasure Chest 2 – Small Key
After the victory, use the Clawshots to pull yourself to the anchor point on the other side of the abyss. There stands the second and last fixed Treasure Chest of the Tower of Heaven.
Open it and you will get a Small Key. This is needed to access the first Triforce part.
Go through the side door. In the following area there is again one of the tower’s large control panels. We don’t need to change the rooms at this point. Instead, follow the path through the door to the west.
Catacombs – Path to Triforce of Courage
The following area is reminiscent of the dark catacombs of the cave sanctuary. First run along the straight path until you stand in front of a locked door. Use the Small Key from Dreadfuse.
Directly behind it, two Moblins with Iron Shield are waiting on a narrow bridge. Their shields cannot be destroyed. Instead, sprint towards the first Moblin and run up his shield. Link jumps over the opponent. Immediately turn around and attack the unprotected back. Repeat the principle for the second Moblin.
With the Hylian Shield and the fully awakened Master Sword, the two opponents now pose significantly less danger than in previous encounters.
Battle rooms in front of Farore’s symbol
Behind the next door, a series of fights begins. First, several Bokoblins and two Stalfos attack. If possible, eliminate the normal Bokoblins first so that you can then concentrate on the two skeleton warriors undisturbed.
In the next section there is a Stalmaster and several Cursed Bokoblins waiting. First, focus on the undead Bokoblins. As soon as one goes down, end the fight with a Fatal Blow so that he doesn’t get up again.
The Stalmaster has four swords and blocks most of your normal attacks. Wait for his attack combination, back away or parry with the Hylian Shield and take advantage of the short gap in his defense.
After the last enemy, the path to the innermost room opens.
Triforce of Courage
In front of Link, Farore’s green symbol glows on the ground. Go to the center and push the fully awakened Master Sword vertically.
Link is transported to a small sacred room. The first part of the legendary relic floats in front of him. Run towards it and take the Triforce of Courage.
After the short sequence you will automatically return to the symbol. Pull the red lever on the wall and go back to the previous room to the control panel.
Rearrange the Rooms to Reach the Triforce of Power
We now rearrange the rooms on the control panel to get to the red Triforce symbol. Since we have followed exactly the same route since the beginning, you can copy these movements directly:
from above – from above – from right – from right – from below – from below – from left – from left – from above – from above – from right – from right – from below – from below – from left – from left – from above – from above.
Then leave the room to the west and work your way to the area with the red Triforce symbol.
Lava Room – Path to Triforce of Power
The next room picks up the lava and water fruit puzzles from Eldin. From the entrance, go left onto the metal grate above the lava. A water fruit hangs over the stream. Shoot them down. Upon contact with the lava, a solid stone platform is formed.
Jump on it and let the lava flow take you along. While driving you will see a red or pink Crystal Switch further up in the direction of travel. Hit him with an arrow. This changes the lava flow in another section of the room.
At the end of your path there is another water fruit above the parallel lava flow. Shoot them down and jump onto the newly created platform.
During this second trip, another Crystal Switch appears above a stone dragon head. Hit him with the bow. The corresponding lava outflow is stopped and you can completely pass through the track.
At the eastern end, jump onto solid ground and pull the red lever. This opens the first permanent shortcut in the room.
Divert lava flow with the Beetle
There is a large pillar in the middle of the room. Launch the Hook Beetle and fly around the pillar. On the back or near a stone lion head there is a Crystal Switch.
Meet him with the Beetle. The lion’s head begins to spew lava as the opposite outflow dries up. This will activate a new lava flow.
Shoot a water fruit into this new stream and jump onto the platform. Let yourself be carried to the other side.
There you create another stone platform on the parallel path and also climb up. While driving you will see an additional platform that is regularly thrown up by a lava fountain. Jump on it at the right moment.
Change the lava flow again
As soon as the fountain platform reaches its highest point, start the Hook Beetle and fly back to the Crystal Switch at the central pillar. Hit him again. This changes the direction or activity of the lava outlets again.
Then shoot down the water fruit north of Link. Wait until your current platform is carried up by the lava fountain and jump from there onto the newly created stone slab.
During this ride you have to walk over a metal grid parallel to the platform for a short section. Don’t stand still as your stone platform will continue to move. Get back on in time.
There is a grapple point at the end of the lava flow. Pull yourself onto solid ground with the Clawshots.
Triforce of Power
In front of you is Din’s red symbol. Push in the Master Sword and enter the sacred area.
Take the Triforce of the power. Two of the three pieces are now in Link’s possession.
After returning to the lava room, pull the lever next to the symbol. However, do not use the newly opened route immediately. Instead, climb up the vines and use the second lever to open the additional grate. This will allow you to return to the previous room more quickly.
Bring the sand room to the last Triforce
At the next control panel you have to change the room structure again. Move the outer rooms around the central area until the firebox with its doors up and to the right to the left of your current room lies.
Then enter the firebox. Using the shortcuts that have already opened, you can cross it without having to go through another major puzzle passage and go to the control panel there.
Perform three more moves there:
from right – from below – from right.
Then leave the room through the eastern door. You reach the last large area of the tower – the room with Nayru’s blue symbol.
Sand Room – Place the Timeshift Orb Correctly
In the last Triforce room you will find another Timeshift Orb. Pick it up and first carry it to the north wall. Put them there.
Due to its scope, part of the room is transformed back into the past. Now go back to where it was originally without the ball. From there you have a clear view of a Eye Switch above or behind the effective area.
Shoot it with your bow. The grid in the north moves up.
Return to the time sphere, pick it up and carry it through the opened passage.
Open the second Eye Switch
In the next course the columns change depending on the distance to the ball. Place it so that the large pillar is in front of Link not just yet comes out of the ground.
Go alone to the end of the corridor and stand on the Floor Switch. This will reveal a Eye Switch on the opposite side. Shoot it with your bow.
The grate in the eastern part of the room opens.
Pick up the time sphere again and carry it east.
Use the pillar as a climb
In the eastern area, this time place the ball so that the required column remains just extended. At the same time, you must not move the ball so far that the obstacles on the upper path become active again.
Then go back alone to the point where the ball was originally located. From there, jump onto the extended pillar.
There is a gripping point at the top. Pull yourself over with the Clawshots and follow the short path to the blue symbol of the goddess Nayru.
Triforce of Wisdom
Push the Master Sword into Nayru’s symbol. Link is transported to the sacred area one last time.
Floating before you is the Triforce of Wisdom. Take it to yourself.
Courage, strength and wisdom are now together in Link’s hands. The three golden triangles combine to form the complete Triforce.
Link’s wish for the Triforce
The Sky Keep begins to glow and Link is transported back to the large island of the goddess. The complete Triforce appears in front of him.
Link has demonstrated courage, wisdom, and strength throughout his adventure. Therefore, the Triforce does not fall apart, but rather recognizes him as a worthy bearer of all three virtues. The holy power can grant his wish.
Link’s goal is clear: The Imprisoned or the Demon King should be finally destroyed.
The Triforce is responding.
The island of the goddess crashes into the Surface
The giant goddess statue begins to separate from Skyloft. The entire boulder falls through the Sky towards the Surface.
In the Sealed Grounds, The Imprisoned breaks out of his prison again, but this time there is no further boss fight. The massive island of the goddess falls directly into the crater and buries the monster beneath it.
The Demon King is destroyed in the present.
At the same time, the island fits exactly into the large depression of the Sealed Grounds. The place thus regains the form it already had in the distant past.
Zelda awakens
Link automatically returns to the Sealed Temple. Groose and the old woman are already waiting there.
With The Imprisoned finally destroyed, Zelda no longer needs to use her holy power to stabilize the seal. The great Crystal Ball in the past detaches and Zelda awakens after her millennia-long sleep.
She returns to the present through the Gate of Time. Link and Zelda are finally reunited and for a brief moment their long journey actually seems to be over.
Ghirahim kidnaps Zelda
However, the joy only lasts a few moments. Demon Lord Ghirahim appears in the temple.
Link may have destroyed the Imprisoned in the present with the help of the Triforce, but Ghirahim knows a way to avoid this fate. He kidnaps Zelda and flees through the Gate of Time into the past – into an era in which the Demon King was not yet destroyed by Link’s wish.
His plan is clear: he wants to use Zelda’s soul or its divine power to completely resurrect his master in the past.
This begins the finale of Skyward Sword.
Prepare for the Final Battles
Ghirahim has already escaped through the Gate of Time, but before you follow him, you should check whether your Adventure Pouch is properly prepared for the final battles. If you still want to improve equipment at Gondo, now is the last sensible time for such preparations.
For the upcoming battles, the Hylian Shield is by far the best choice because it is indestructible. Several bottles of heart potions or fairies provide additional security. If you use the Guardian Potion or Armor Potion, a Potion Medal can extend its effect. You can find the complete improvement options in our guide to Gondo’s upgrades.
In the next section there are no longer long exploration areas and no new regular collectibles. Instead, a huge wave of opponents awaits, the third and final duel against Ghirahim and finally the decisive battle against the Demon King.
Continue to the Finale
When you’re ready, go back to the Gate of Time in the Sealed Temple. Enter it and follow Ghirahim into the past.
The finale of Skyward Sword begins immediately after your arrival. Ghirahim has already brought Zelda to the Sealed Grounds and is starting the ritual to resurrect his master. Link must first fight his way through a huge army before the final duel with the Dark Lord.