Overview
Unwavering Steps is the climactic quest of the Thinning Blade sub-chapter in Chapter 9: The Sage of the Desert. The monks declare that Kliff's blade has "thinned," meaning his combat focus has become diluted by doubt and hesitation. To restore his edge, he must face T'rukan, a senior monk whose martial skill is legendary even among the warriors of the Cloister. This encounter is both a narrative turning point and a challenging boss fight that tests the player's mastery of the combat system.
Quest Details
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Chapter | |
Sub-Chapter | |
Region | |
Quest Type | Combat / Boss Fight |
Prerequisite | |
Objectives
Proceed to the arena beyond the monastery courtyard
Defeat T'rukan in single combat
Speak with the Chief Monk after the battle
Boss Fight: T'rukan
T'rukan is a disciplined fighter who uses measured, precise strikes. He punishes reckless aggression but leaves openings after his combo finishers. The arena is a flat stone platform with no environmental hazards, making this a pure test of combat skill.
Attack Patterns
Attack | Description | |
|---|---|---|
Sweeping Staff Strike | Three-hit horizontal combo ending with a wide sweep | Dodge backward after the second hit, then punish the recovery |
Lunging Thrust | Long-range forward thrust with red glint warning | Side-dodge and follow up with a quick combo |
Meditation Stance | T'rukan pauses briefly and glows; counters the next melee attack | Wait out the stance, then attack once it drops |
Overhead Slam | Slow, powerful overhead strike that staggers on block | Dodge to the side; use Force Palm to interrupt |
Whirlwind Combo | Rapid spinning attack chain used when health drops below 50% | Maintain distance until the spin ends, then close in |
Strategy
Use Force Palm to interrupt T'rukan's longer combos. This is the most reliable way to create openings.
Watch for his Meditation Stance. Attacking during this window results in a devastating counter. Wait patiently until the glow fades.
When his health drops below 50%, he becomes more aggressive with faster combos. Keep your Spirit reserves high to use defensive skills.
Dodge-attack chains are effective. Side-dodge his thrusts, then immediately follow up with light attacks.
Stock up on Grilled Meat before the fight. You can eat during attack animations to stay healthy while remaining aggressive.
Rewards
Progression to the Six Pensive Statues and the Evil Spirit sub-chapter
New combat insight dialogue from the Chief Monk
Unlocks advanced training options at the Cloister
Mirror Puzzle Path to the Nest of Valor
Beyond the central boss arena, Unwavering Steps contains a second objective chain that routes Kliff through a tall tower and into the Abyss. This is the sequence that rewards the Witch's Ring and doubles as the only chance to obtain Fated Shadow. Players focused on the main combat encounter frequently overlook this path on their first playthrough.
Outside Mirrors
At the base of the tower, you first solve a set of mirrors arranged around the exterior walls. Rotate each mirror so the light beam bounces from one to the next and reaches its intended target. Only after the outside puzzle is cleared can you enter the tower interior.
Inside Mirrors
The interior contains additional reflector mirrors spread across multiple floors. Solve each floor to unlock the climb upward. The chain is linear, but it requires patience because mistakes force you to reset the beam on the current level. Complete every floor to reach the top of the tower.
Transition to the Abyss
Arriving at the top triggers a scripted transition. Kliff is pulled through the Abyss and deposited at the Nest of Valor, a small enclosed arena that hosts the next boss encounter. The transition happens automatically once you interact with the final mirror, so make sure your gear, spirit, and healing supplies are in order before committing.
Nest of Valor Boss Fight
Inside the Nest of Valor, Kliff faces a lone witch boss armed with a shield and sword. Treat him as a standard humanoid duel: block committed swings, dodge his red-glint heavy attacks, and punish his combo finishers. Defeating the boss rewards the Witch's Ring as a guaranteed drop, which is one of only two rings in the game that reach the +4 Attack Speed cap at maximum refinement.
Optional: Grab Fated Shadow Before Leaving
Before accepting the quest reward prompt and exiting the arena, walk behind the defeated boss and turn right into the small side room at the rear of the chamber. Inside sits Fated Shadow, a unique one-handed sword pre-slotted with Greysoul Howling. The sword has no marker, no quest prompt, and no tooltip hinting at its location, which is why most players miss it entirely. Because this room is only reachable during the Unwavering Steps encounter, do not skip the detour.
Tips
This fight rewards patience over aggression. T'rukan punishes button-mashing with his counter stance.
If you are struggling, upgrade your weapon at any nearby smithy before attempting the fight. The Thinning Blade theme is narrative, not mechanical.
After defeating T'rukan, explore the arena surroundings for a hidden chest containing a recovery item.
Related Quests
Build Relevance
Unwavering Steps is the only source of the Witch's Ring, which is awarded after defeating the boss at the end of this Chapter 9 main story quest. Alongside the Mark of Darkness from Windmir Manor, it is one of only two rings that reach level 4 attack speed plus stamina regeneration at max refinement, so endgame two-handed sword builds effectively require this quest to complete their ring loadout.
Players assembling a turning-slash focused two-handed build should schedule this quest as one of the priority Chapter 9 objectives. Until it is completed, the ring slot cannot match the attack speed ceiling available to the rest of the build.