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Unwavering Steps - Version 14 vs Version 15
May 23, 2026, 04:45 PM
Added internal wikilinks
Jun 9, 2026, 07:14 AM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
11Overview22Unwavering 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.44Quest Details66DetailInfoChapterChapter 9: The Sage of the DesertSub-ChapterThinning BladeRegionSerpent MarshQuest TypeCombat / Boss FightPrerequisiteCrossing PointBossT'rukan99Objectives1010Proceed to the arena beyond the monastery courtyardDefeat T'rukan in single combatSpeak with the Chief Monk after the battle1212Boss Fight: T'rukan1414T'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.1616Attack Patterns1818AttackDescriptionCounterSweeping Staff StrikeThree-hit horizontal combo ending with a wide sweepDodge backward after the second hit, then punish the recoveryLunging ThrustLong-range forward thrust with red glint warningSide-dodge and follow up with a quick comboMeditation StanceT'rukan pauses briefly and glows; counters the next melee attackWait out the stance, then attack once it dropsOverhead SlamSlow, powerful overhead strike that staggers on blockDodge to the side; use Force Palm to interruptWhirlwind ComboRapid spinning attack chain used when health drops below 50%Maintain distance until the spin ends, then close in2020Strategy2121Use 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.2323Rewards2525Progression to the Six Pensive Statues and the Evil Spirit sub-chapterNew combat insight dialogue from the Chief MonkUnlocks advanced training options at the Cloister2727Mirror Puzzle Path to the Nest of Valor2929Beyond 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.3131Outside Mirrors3333At 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.3535Inside Mirrors3737The 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.3939Transition to the Abyss4141Arriving 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.4343Nest of Valor Boss Fight4545Inside 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.4747Optional: Grab Fated Shadow Before Leaving4949Before 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.5151Tips5353This 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.5555Related Quests5757Crossing PointMorning FogChapter 9: The Sage of the Desert5959Build Relevance6161Unwavering 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.6363Players 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.
