These two quests come one after the other in Crimson Desert right after the Hernand tavern events where you won an arm wrestling match and helped villagers clean a chimney. First you use an Engraved Key to open a locked room in Hernand Castle. Then you jump into the Abyss, pick up the Axiom Force ability from a white crow, and manipulate discs to complete the Polar Opposites objective.

How to complete Mystical Key

Once you finish the chimney job you will get the Engraved Key and the Mystical Key quest will start. Do this:

  • Examine the Engraved Key in your inventory. Bring it out, then hold CTRL on PC or LB on controller to inspect it.
  • Equip the Hernandian Attire you received from the prior quest so you can enter the castle.
  • Enter Hernand Castle through either gate and move into the inner keep.
  • When you enter the building, go up the stairs on the right and then turn right at the top.
  • Use the Engraved Key on the first door on your left. Inside is a chest with a Faded Abyss Artifact. Loot it, then step into the portal to the Abyss.

The Faded Abyss Artifact lets you respec if you want to adjust your build, so grab it before jumping in.

How to use Axiom Force and complete Polar Opposites

In the Abyss you will be prompted to activate the Abyss Nexus by stepping on the pad in front of you. Follow the cobbled path toward the building ahead. A white crow will appear and give you the Axiom Force ability.

  • Hold Tab on PC or press L3 on controller to aim Axiom Force, then release to attach it to the discs on the floor.
  • Use the button prompts shown in the bottom right of the screen to push or pull each disc. Move them so the blue light forms a continuous line through the circuit.
  • When the circuit is complete the door will open. Go inside and continue with the next Abyss quest.

After opening the door and progressing through the Abyss objectives, finish the Abyss Without Balance quest to wrap up Chapter 1.

If anything feels unclear while you play, repeat the disc alignment step slowly and use the Axiom Force aim to attach precisely. It is a small puzzle and not a performance test.