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Music plays a major role in Hollow Knight: Silksong. To progress and make it to the top of the Citadel, you need to obtain the Vaultkeeper’s Melody, one of three keys essential for advancement.
While the Conductor might have required strength and the Architect some thinking, the Vaultkeeper test your curiosity. You’ll explore hidden and distant parts of the Citadel’s most secret areas looking for an item only one living bug in Pharloom remembers.
How to Start the Vaultkeeper’s Melody Quest
Once you arrive in the Citadel, the quest begins. At the top, you’ll face the Cogwork Dancers. Defeating them unlocks the exits into the Cogwork Core. Before proceeding, interact with the mechanical device nearby, which will speak to you and ask you to find the melodies needed to open the path to the Cradle. After accepting the quest, head down into the Cogwork Core and Whispering Vaults to begin your search.
Note: The Whispering Vaults can only be accessed from the side of the exits leading to Bilewater, Underworks, and Songclave—they only open from that side.
How to Find the Vaultkeeper’s Melody
Inside the Whispering Vaults, your main goal is to go as far right as possible until you reach a tall vertical chamber where you can descend. You’ll need to push some boxes by hitting them with your Needle and watch out for powerful enemies along the way.
Before hitting your first major stop, take a detour through the third exit on the right (or second if it’s your first visit). In that room, you’ll find a bench and Vaultkeeper Cardinius. The Vaultkeeper can listen to your psalm cylinders—collectible items you should gather—and will be important later. Remember this location.
From the bench, go to the third exit on the left side of the chamber to fight your next boss: Trobbio. This fight takes place in a room marked “The Stage” on your map. The battle is straightforward but flashy. Keep these tips in mind:
- Use a crest like Reaper, Wanderer, or Witch to pogo off Trobbio’s Tornado.
- Don’t dash recklessly; walking often works better than sprinting.
- Stay patient and keep steady movement.
- Use floor traps and quick-fire projectiles to your advantage.
After defeating Trobbio, you can continue to the right and down the entrance you originally used to arrive. This leads to an elevator taking you down into the Underworks. At the bottom, pull the lever to go up again, then step off the elevator. Be careful of spikes beneath the elevator station—use your Drifter’s Cloak to glide past the spikes safely and prepare to dash over the next set.
Next, navigate northeast through the chamber you enter. Beware of enemies and spikes; opening a shortcut in the top left corner can help if things get tricky. Keep heading north-northeast until you re-enter the Whispering Vaults from below. In this room, rest at the bench near the entrance—there are no mobs or bosses, so it’ll be a good point to prepare.
From there, continue through the vaults until you reach a chamber where you’ll find the Sacred Cylinder on the ground to the left of a bench. You can’t use it right away; instead, return to the central Whispering Vaults bench and talk to the Vaultkeeper. Make sure you choose the dialogue option to play the cylinder. Using your Needolin, memorize the third and most secret melody which is essential for your progress.
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