The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom provides players with a massive world that stretches from deep underground caverns to mysterious structures floating high in the sky. Among the many narrative challenges encountered during the Zora regional phenomenon, deciphering ancient riddles becomes necessary to save the domain from toxic sludge. Navigating this particular main quest requires a keen eye for environmental clues, strategic exploration of landmarks, and a solid understanding of aerial navigation to successfully unlock the path forward.
Locating King Dorephan and the King Scales
Your journey begins within the grand halls of Zora's Domain, where players quickly realize that the reigning monarch is mysteriously missing from his throne. To gather the initial hints required for this aerial investigation, you must subtly listen to the local Zora children playing near the throne room. Their innocent games reveal that the king has taken refuge in a secret sanctuary hidden behind a pristine waterfall located between the domain and Mount Ploymus.
Once you locate the hidden Clean Waterway entrance, you will find King Dorephan recovering from an intense encounter with the strange sludge monsters. Speaking directly with the wounded monarch yields critical historical context regarding the ancient prophecy. He will graciously provide you with a unique resource known as the King's Scales, which serve as the physical catalyst needed to solve the upcoming sky puzzle.
Finding the Floating Land of the Sky Fish
With the royal scales secured in your inventory, you must redirect your attention toward the floating islands hovering directly above the region. Teleporting to Mipha Court on Ploymus Mountain provides the absolute best vantage point to survey the immediate cloudscape. Looking up reveals a massive, uniquely shaped landmass floating nearby that perfectly mirrors the silhouette of an aquatic creature. This distinctive structure is formally recognized as the Floating Scales Island, which acts as the central hub for the remainder of your quest.
Reaching this high-altitude destination requires players to utilize creative traversal methods or construct specialized Zonai flying vehicles. Once you successfully land on the rocky terrain of the sky fish, you will notice that the surface is covered in thick layers of problematic sludge. Navigating the perimeter of the island allows you to gather your bearings and locate the exact tactical position needed to execute the next phase of the ritual.
Solving the Droplet Riddle and Aligning the Arrow
Standing firmly upon the central platform of the sky fish island requires you to carefully adjust your camera perspective toward the surrounding horizons. When looking toward the southwest from a specific edge of the island, floating debris in the distance perfectly aligns to form the shape of a massive teardrop. This visual phenomenon is the elusive droplet mentioned in the ancient texts, and it requires precise positioning to target accurately.
To complete the trial, you must pull out your bow and prepare a standard arrow for long-range deployment. Before releasing the string, attach one of the King's Scales to the projectile to imbue the shot with royal Zora magic. Launching the enchanted arrow directly through the center of the aligned teardrop triggers a dramatic mechanical response, causing a brilliant beam of light to pierce the nearby waters and revealing the hidden entrance to the ancient Zora Waterworks below.