"Abyss Without Balance" is the 12th main quest in Crimson Desert and the first real test of the game's Abyss puzzle mechanics. It arrives during Chapter 1, "The First Encounter," after you've completed the Polar Opposites quest and spoken with Alustin inside the Axiom Archive. The quest asks you to restore balance to the Abyss by navigating floating platforms, manipulating objects with Axiom Force, and learning a brand-new ability called Force Palm. If you're stuck on any part of it, here's exactly what to do.
Quick answer: Use Axiom Force to drag the blue floating cube onto the deactivated lantern pedestal, drop into the pit, place the power cell near the wall slot with Axiom Force, then punch it into place with Force Palm. Climb the large circular device and use Force Palm from its center to finish the quest.
Activate the skybridge and reach the heart of the Abyss
After your conversation with Alustin, you'll appear back outside the Axiom Archive. Walk through the triangular arch directly in front of you. An alignment device will appear — a small pillar with a round dial on top.
Step 1: Hold Tab on keyboard (or press L3 on controller) to aim Axiom Force at the dial, then release to attach to it.
Step 2: Turn the dial using D on keyboard (or D-pad on controller) until you hear a charging, sizzling sound and the stone begins to glow with white, lightning-like energy. Let go at that point. The skybridge will construct itself behind the alignment device.
Step 3: Cross the skybridge and begin jumping from platform to platform. If a higher platform seems out of reach, run toward it, jump, and press Space (or the grab button on controller) to grab the ledge and climb up. At certain points, you'll need to wait for slow-moving floating platforms to arrive and carry you forward. Be patient — they take a few seconds.
At the top of the platforming section, look for a platform to the right that you can jump down to. Stand in its center to activate a teleporter that sends you to a distant island. Continue forward until you reach a large open courtyard area.
Activate the Abyss Nexus fast travel point
When you arrive at the open garden-like area, look for a round floor plate with a white ring around it. Step onto it to activate the Abyss Nexus, which serves as a fast travel point you can return to later. This step is easy to overlook, but it's critical — if you skip it, the spectral figure that teaches you Force Palm will not appear, and you'll be stuck.
Remove the wall blocking the floor
Just past the Abyss Nexus, you'll find the main puzzle area. A blue glowing cube floats in the air near the center of the courtyard, and two pedestals sit on either side.
Step 1: Hold Tab (or L3) to aim Axiom Force at the blue floating cube in the middle of the area. Grab it and drag it over to the right pedestal — the deactivated lantern. Placing the cube there removes the barrier blocking the floor below.
The left cube should already be resting on its pedestal. Leave it alone. If you accidentally knock it off, just place it back. Each cube belongs on one pedestal.
Synthesize the Abyss Cell with Force Palm
With the floor barrier gone, drop down into the pit below. On the right wall, you'll see a floating power cell tile and a blue slot where it needs to go. A ghostly blue figure will appear and demonstrate placing the cell.
Step 1: Observe the spectral figure to learn the Force Palm ability. On the controller, you activate Force Palm by pressing the right stick. On keyboard and mouse, use the middle mouse button.
Step 2: Use Axiom Force to grab the floating power cell tile and drag it toward the blue slot on the wall. You don't need perfect placement — just get it roughly in the right position and release it.
Step 3: Walk up to the tile you just placed and use Force Palm to punch it into the wall. This combines the Abyss Cell and powers up the device above.
Look for green leaves floating around interactable objects in the Abyss. These indicate that a Nature-type ability like Force Palm can be used on them, which is a visual cue that becomes important in later puzzles.
Activate the Abyss power supply
Climb out of the pit and locate the large circular cog device nearby. This is what the quest means when it says "hang on the middle of the powered device."
Step 1: Climb onto the big wheel and position Kliff toward its center.
Step 2: While hanging from the center, use Force Palm (middle mouse button on PC, right stick on controller). The force will push you clear and activate the device, completing the power supply objective.
Force Palm works while hanging and while jumping — keep that in mind for future Abyss puzzles that reuse this mechanic.
Collect the Abyss artifact and finish the quest
After activating the power supply, head up the stairs above the cog device. A floating, glowing item will be waiting at the top. Walk toward it to automatically collect the Abyss artifact.
Speak with the woman in white (White Crow) to wrap up the quest and complete Chapter 1 of Crimson Desert.
Abyss Without Balance quest rewards
| Reward | Effect |
|---|---|
| Faded Abyss Artifact | Used to upgrade and respec skills |
| Palmar Pill | Instantly revives your character when downed |
| Flight (gliding) | Unlocks the ability to glide, letting you safely return to Hernand |
The Ethereal Pathway Abyss remains accessible through Crimson Desert's fast travel system after you finish this quest. You can return anytime to tackle additional Abyss puzzles and unlock new skybridges across the floating islands. Before you entered the Abyss portal in Hernand Castle, there was also a chest in the portal room containing another Faded Abyss Artifact — grab it if you haven't already, since these are the currency for respeccing your build.