The Temple of the Black Egg is in the Forgotten Crossroads, near Dirtmouth. Defeat all three Dreamers to break the seals blocking its entrance; inside, breaking the chains around the Hollow Knight opens the final encounter. With the right progress and choices, Hornet can also help you reach the Radiance.
Where is the Temple of the Black Egg?
The Temple is a sub-area of the Forgotten Crossroads, close to Dirtmouth. Its exterior resembles the shell of an ancient bug, while the black stone egg inside bears the masks of the three Dreamers. A bench and a lore tablet are near the entrance. Reading the tablet grants World Sense, which reveals the state of Hallownest on the map. Hollow Knight Wiki: Temple of the Black Egg
The tablet reads: “Vessel. Though bound, you shall know the state of the world. Hallownest will be whole again.” The game does not identify a speaker for these words.
How do you open the Temple?
- Find and defeat all three Dreamers. Their seals are what keep the Temple entrance closed.
- Return to the Temple in the Forgotten Crossroads. With the Dreamers’ seals broken, the entrance is open.
- Inside, approach the Hollow Knight and break the chains holding them to begin the boss encounter.
The Temple has no ordinary enemies listed inside; its purpose is to lead to the Hollow Knight encounter and, conditionally, the Radiance route. Hollow Knight Wiki: The Hollow Knight
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
What is inside the Temple?
The Temple’s central chamber holds the bound Hollow Knight. The three Dreamers’ seals control access to the egg, which was built to contain the Hollow Knight after the Radiance was sealed within them in an attempt to stop the Infection. The containment eventually fails, allowing the Infection to return. The player’s arrival at the Temple is therefore both a progression milestone and a confrontation with Hallownest’s failing plan.
What does Hornet do at the Temple?
Hornet’s appearance depends on progress. If you have the Void Heart and have faced all three Dreamers, she waits outside the Temple. She explains that the egg sustains Vessels and would drain her if she entered. Hollow Knight Wiki: Hornet
Rank #2
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
During the Hollow Knight fight, Hornet can intervene and create an opening for the Knight to use the Awoken Dream Nail. Taking that opening leads into the Radiance encounter. If you continue fighting the Hollow Knight instead, Hornet can be knocked unconscious and sealed inside with them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do the Temple routes lead to different endings?
| Route | What you need or do | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | Open the Temple by defeating all three Dreamers, then fight the Hollow Knight without taking Hornet’s Dream Nail opening. | The Knight takes the Hollow Knight’s place in containment; Hornet may be sealed inside with them. |
| Dream No More | Have the Void Heart, take Hornet’s opening during the fight, and use the Awoken Dream Nail to enter the Radiance encounter. | The Knight defeats the Radiance in the dream, the Infection is purged, and the Black Egg vanishes. |
| Godmaster variations | Complete the relevant Godmaster progression and conditions. | The ending scenes vary according to those conditions; the Temple’s basic access requirement remains defeating all three Dreamers. |
These are branching in-game outcomes; the available accounts do not establish one as the definitive canonical ending. Hollow Knight Wiki: Endings
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Best Value
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Rank #4
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
- Leap into minds with the Dream Nail. Uncover a whole other side to the characters you meet and the enemies you face.
Rank #3
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Quick route checklist
- Can’t enter: Check whether all three Dreamers have been defeated.
- Reached the Hollow Knight: Break the chains holding them to start the fight.
- Want to pursue the Radiance: You need the Void Heart and must take Hornet’s opening to use the Awoken Dream Nail.
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