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Ethereal Pathway - Version 10 vs Version 11
May 23, 2026, 03:44 PM
Added internal wikilinks
Jun 8, 2026, 10:18 PM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
11Overview22The Ethereal Pathway is a location within The Abyss in Crimson Desert. It is a large area featuring a circular pit surrounded by trees growing in a ring formation, connected by floating platforms that players traverse during the Abyss Without Balance main quest. The Ethereal Pathway is notable as the location where White Crow the Witch first reveals her true form to Kliff.44Location66The Ethereal Pathway is located on the floating sky islands of The Abyss, accessible from the area near the Axiom Archive. Players reach it by passing through the skybridge gate and traversing a series of floating platforms. The pathway itself consists of multiple connected islands with a central pedestal area and a deep circular pit.99The Abyss Without Balance Quest1111The Ethereal Pathway is the primary location for the Abyss Without Balance quest, the 12th main mission in Crimson Desert. This quest takes place during Chapter 1 and introduces several core Abyss mechanics including Axiom Force, Force Palm, and the Abyss Cell system.1313Puzzle Walkthrough1515Part 1: Abyss Nexus Activation1717After crossing a series of floating platforms to reach a larger island, players find a pedestal at its center. Stepping on this pedestal activates the Abyss Nexus, which powers up the area's mechanisms and reveals additional puzzle elements. This also creates a fast travel point.1919Part 2: Moving the Power Core2121The first objective reads: "Move the floating power core to the deactivated lantern." A floating blue cube hovers in the middle of the area. On the right side, there is a lantern structure with square holes on each face. Use Axiom Force to grab the blue cube and walk it over toward the lantern. Slot it into the matching recess to power up the lantern.2323Part 3: The Abyss Cell2525In the pit below, the objective shifts to "Combine the Abyss Cell." Drop down into the lower area and locate a second floating blue cube. Grab it with Axiom Force and carry it toward the matching slot on the wall near three sparking battery units. Install the cell to complete this stage.2727Part 4: Final Activation2929Climb out of the pit and position yourself on top of the large circular mechanism. Hang in the center and use Force Palm to activate it. The recoil throws you back down, but this is intended. The puzzle completes successfully and the reward spawns at the top of the structure.3131Meeting White Crow3333After collecting the artifact from the top of the mechanism, turn around. White Crow the Witch is standing directly behind you. Speaking with her triggers a cutscene where she reveals her true form and provides information about The Abyss and its connection to the world above.3535Rewards3737Gliding ability: After speaking with White Crow, players unlock the ability to glide from any height. Press the glide button (X on PlayStation, Square on Xbox) while mid-air to deploy wings. This is a permanent traversal upgrade that changes exploration.Abyss Artifact: Collected from the top of the mechanism after solving the puzzle.Abyss Nexus fast travel point activation.3939Related Articles4141The AbyssAxiom ArchiveWhite Crow the WitchAxiom ForceForce PalmAbyss Nexus4343Prerequisite for Later Islands4545The Ethereal Pathway is the first abyss puzzle in the sequence and the required starting point for reaching every later island. To continue to Root's End and then the Precipice of Truth, you must first complete the Ethereal Pathway's opening puzzle.4747Opening the Bridge4949After you collect the first abyss artifact at the altar on this island, an interactable bridge appears just past the altar. Activating it extends the connection outward and reveals the path to Root's End. If the bridge is missing, you have not yet picked up the altar artifact, and you should retrace your steps before chasing the later islands.5151Why it Matters5353Because every palm-skill reward (including Diving Force Palm and Falling Palm) comes from the Precipice of Truth, treating the Ethereal Pathway as a fully completed checkpoint is the simplest way to avoid backtracking later.
