Hollow Knight: Silksong Heart of Might (Encrusted Heart) guide: cross Sands of Karak to Coral Tower and survive its brutal memory arenas.

In my 2026 playthrough of Hollow Knight: Silksong, I quickly realized that the Abyss cannot be survived without proper protection. That forced me to hunt down three ancient hearts from mighty warriors. The first one I decided to claim was the Heart of Might, also known as the Encrusted Heart. To get it, I had to cross the scorching Sands of Karak, reach the eastern Coral Tower, and then survive a brutal chain of arena fights inside a memory. Here is exactly how I did it.

Reaching Coral Tower from the Sands of Karak

I started at the Blasted Steps and kept moving to the right. The environment itself becomes part of the challenge: several hanging branches react when struck, growing just enough for Hornet to use them as platforms. The first major vertical room contains a hidden shortcut that leads directly to the upper level, but it can only be opened from above. If you want to skip some jumps, you can try using Silk Soar from the middle of the eastern vertical room. To open the shortcut properly, though, I dropped all the way to the bottom of that vertical shaft.

At the bottom, I hit the branch and quickly platformed upward. The timing can be tight, but each growth gives you just enough height to continue. Once I reached the top, I moved left and destroyed a rock above the bridge. That opened the shortcut back to the entrance, which is incredibly useful if you fall or need to retreat to a bench.

Continuing left required a mix of tools. The final branch led me to a wall, where I had Hornet cling and then jump to a higher wall. From there, Clawline carried me safely to the left platform.

Inside the building, I found a slumbering warrior surrounded by enemies. Before doing anything else, I turned right and went through a hidden passage to find a bench. That bench is essential because the upcoming sequence is long and merciless. After resting, I approached the warrior and played the Elegy of the Past with the needle. This transported Hornet into Coral Tower's memory, where the true trial begins.

What to Do Inside the Coral Tower Memory

Once inside Coral Tower, there are no puzzles or collectibles to chase. The entire sequence is a combat gauntlet: multiple arena fights, waves of enemies, and platforming under pressure. I used Silk Soar immediately to reach the top of the first room.

Then I went left and jumped up to trigger the first boss fight. This arena is all about endurance, because enemies arrive in waves. A large white jellyfish-like creature will sometimes appear during the fight. Striking it restores silk, which I saved for healing between waves. Having tools like the Cogfly equipped was extremely helpful. They attack enemies automatically, and if laced with venom, they deal extra damage while I focused on staying alive.

From there, I went up and turned left into a second arena. Midway through the battle, red spikes began covering parts of the floor. They stayed until near the end, when a larger enemy appeared and broke them. I found it safest to keep moving and not commit to long ground combos.

The third arena was the most punishing in my run. Almost immediately, the ground was covered in spikes, leaving no safe space to stand. Hornet had to stick to the walls and attack enemies without falling. This is where the Ascendant's Grip made a huge difference, because it prevents Hornet from sliding down walls. I had already purchased it from the Wandering Merchant after completing her quest. If you do not have it yet, I strongly recommend returning to get it before attempting this gauntlet.

After clearing that room, I ran to the top and destroyed a rock, which created a shortcut back to the Coral Tower entrance. It is a welcome safety net if you die later.

The fourth fight changed the arena completely. Instead of a wide floor, only three platforms were available. At some point during the fight, one platform broke and then reappeared later. I had to juggle positioning carefully while avoiding enemies. Once that fight ended, I used Silk Soar one last time to fly high into the final arena.

Facing the Crust King, Khann

At the top, the Crust King Khann waited. This boss likes to jump around frequently and can summon spikes from every corner of the arena. I found that patience was more important than aggression. I waited for his landing animations, landed a few hits, and immediately repositioned when the spikes began forming. Healing was risky, so I only used silk after creating distance. Defeating him rewarded me with the Encrusted Heart, completing the Heart of Might quest.

Quick Reference: Abilities and Tools

Tool / Ability
Why It Helps

Silk Soar
Reaches high platforms and the final boss arena

Clawline
Crosses wide gaps on the way to Coral Tower

Ascendant's Grip
Prevents wall sliding during the spiked third arena

Cogfly
Automatically attacks enemies, especially with venom

Now that I have the Heart of Might, I only need to defeat the other two mighty warriors to continue deeper into the Abyss. If you are stuck on this section, remember to open the shortcut early, use the hidden bench, and bring wall-control tools. Coral Tower is not about clever puzzles; it is a test of combat consistency, patience, and silk management.

The climb through Coral Tower may feel overwhelming at first, but every tool you invested in beforehand pays off in these tight, multi-wave encounters. That preparation-first design is what makes Silksong so satisfying, and it rewards players who pause to upgrade, explore optional areas, and return with the right kit. Whether you’re chasing the Abyss ending or simply clearing every quest, taking the time to ready yourself before a challenge can make all the difference between another corpse run and a clean victory.

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