Hollow Knight: Silksong‘s Twisted Bud might seem like just a random little item that whines and cries at you when you open the menu. That’s because it is. However, it’s also the key to a hidden line of quests, the only way to get inside the locked bellhome in Greymoor, and the method by which you get a special Crest. You’ll also need the Twisted Bud to unlock Silksong‘s bad ending in Act 2.
Our Silksong Twisted Bud walkthrough shows you where to find this odd little item, what to do with the Twisted Bud, how to get a secret ending, and the Witch’s Crest with it. If you’re struggling to find your way during all this, keep our Silksong interactive map handy to help get your bearings.
Where to find the Twisted Bud in Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Twisted Bud is tucked away in an easy-to-miss corner of Bilewater, and while you can reach it from Sinner’s Road, the more convenient method takes you through the back corridors of the Whispering Vaults. You’ll need the Clawline to unlock this route, and while the Faydown Cloak isn’t essential for this portion of Bilewater, having it does make avoiding the poison maggots easier.
With Clawline in hand, drop down into the Whispering Vaults from the First Shrine in Songclave. Make your way to this room, and then complete the box puzzle so there’s a box in the upper right portion of the room. Jump to the wall and use wall cling to reach this secret exit, which takes you to some ductwork. Wall jump up, hop to the right, and use Clawline on the ring to open another passage. The route is a deadly one full of spikes, so use your Drifter’s Cloak to hover safely through.
Eventually, the passage will drop you into Bilewater — and some maggot-infested water, if you’re not careful with your landing. Exit the room on the right, and then in the next room, work your way toward the left. Clear the breakable wall, navigate the water and obstacles in the next room, and when you hit dead ends made of roots, slash to break them and open the rest of the path. At the end of it all is the Twisted Bud.
How to use the Twisted Bud in Hollow Knight: Silksong
The Twisted Bud has two uses, and both of them require you to visit Greyroot, the creepy little guy in Shellwood who gave you the “Rite of the Pollip” quest. You’ll need to finish that quest before you can do anything with the Twisted Bud.
If you want Silksong‘s bad ending, hold off doing this until you’ve finished everything you want to do in the Citadel and are ready to take the elevator to Act 2’s final boss. While the curse has hold of Hornet, healing and silk skills are unavailable, which isn’t a situation you want to be in for long.
If you don’t care about the cursed ending — which requires you to defeat Act 2’s final boss without healing — then you can complete the rest of this little side story at any time.
It’s also crucial to note that it is impossible to get rid of the curse in Act 3, so make sure to complete this whole quest line in Act 2 or else you will be cursed forever (or until it is patched).
When you’ve completed “Rite of the Pollip” and are ready to deal with the Twisted Bud, speak to Greyroot again, and they’ll mention a ritual, the Rite of Rebirth. Accept it, and after a few scenes during which the wish completes itself, Hornet wakes up trapped in vines.
How to remove the Twisted Bud curse in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Use the bind button to break free, and make your way out of the Chapel of the Witch (where you’re transported after the Rite of Rebirth). You exit in a spot at the lower end of Shellwood that leads to upper Bone Marrow.
If you want to do this so you follow the in-game path for the quest, head to Bellhart and speak with Pavo next, the bug next to the bench. He’ll direct you to the hermit under the Bellhart Bellway station, who tells you to find Yarnaby the disgraced surgeon in Greymoor.
Or you can just go to Greymoor directly and speak with Yarnaby, who will give you the quest “Infestation Operation.”
‘Infestation Operation’ quest walkthrough in Hollow Knight: Silksong
Yarnaby has a plan, but she needs steel spines to get it. Crull and Benjin in Sinner’s Road have the spines you need, so head to that region. The two bugs are in the room with the cages, which is opposite the room where the busted bench is. Speak with them, then pay 260 rosary beads to get the spines, and head back to Yarnaby. She’ll complete the operation, and you’ll end up with the Witch’s Crest, a useful one — if you don’t mind having zero yellow slots for tools like the compass.
How to get Silksong’s secret ending with the Twisted Bud curse
If you want the secret ending, defeat Act 2’s final boss while Hornet is under the curse’s effect. The ending will play, and when you reload the game, you’ll be at the final bench again with the curse still plaguing Hornet. The only way to see the normal ending and reach Act 3 from here is to have Yarnaby lift the curse, so follow the steps outlined above, return, defeat the boss, and you’re good to go.
Looking for more Silksong help? Check out our essential beginner tips and top rosary bead farming locations if you’re just getting started, and if you’re running up against a few locked doors, our simple key locations guide is the one for you.
While you’re exploring and completing quests like the “Rite of the Pollip” wish or “Silver Bells” request, make sure to spend some time progressing the main story as well, as you’ll get some upgrades that make battles easier. After “The Threadspun Town” quest, for instance, you can upgrade your needle to deal more damage.
