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While attempting to solve the mystery of Zora Domain’s sludge problem, and after finally meeting with King Dorephan, you’re faced with the final mysteries of the puzzling verse: where is the Land of the Sky Fish, and how to shoot an arrow through a droplet?
This might be required to progress through the main story of Tears of the Kingdom, but it can be a bit of a head-scratcher. This guide will walk you through these final steps before unlocking the path to the Water Temple, one of the game's regional temples.
Update by Jeff Brooks on August 1, 2023: This article has been updated to clarify some details about the process, add more useful in-text links throughout — like including a link to a breakdown of the best temple order — and some Related links have been swapped out to offer a more worthwhile selection.
Begin At Polymous Mountain
After speaking with King Dorephan and acquiring some King Scales, return to Polymous Mountain to check in with Prince Sidon, updating him on his father’s condition. He’ll reiterate the puzzle of the Land of the Skyfish, but he’s a bit stumped as well. Luckily, you’ve got a handy dandy Purah Pad!
Open the Purah Pad map and tab over to the Sky map layer. Just to the east of your position on Polymous Mountain, you’ll spot a Sky Island in the shape of a fish. This is your destination: Floating Scales Island.
How To Reach Floating Scales Island
You’ve got a few options, like most situations in Tears of the Kingdom.
- Zora Armor. If you’ve already acquired the Zora Armor, you’ll have an easy enough time. Equip the Zora Armor, granting you the very cool ability to swim up waterfalls. You aren’t able to swim up any sludge falls, but Floating Scales Island merely has dirty water; it’s good enough. Head toward the waterfall pouring down from the mouth of Floating Scales Island, glide into the waterfall, and your armor will do the rest, propelling you upward.
- Ultrahand Vehicle. Perhaps the most time-intensive, but always fun, you could assemble your very own Zonai vehicle with the powerful Ultrahand ability. Whether a rickety platform propelled by fans and a hot air balloon, or by crafting a deadly rocket ship complete with lasers and navigation, you can reach Floating Scales Island in style — or in pieces — depending on the strength of your building skills.
- Recall. If you haven’t yet acquired the Zora Armor, you can also keep an eye out for any falling debris. When you see one fall, seek it out; you can identify recently fallen debris by the green glowing ring around it. Climb aboard, activate your Recall ability on the fallen rock, and ride it high into the sky. Once you’re high enough, you can simply leap off and glide to your destination.
How To Solve The Droplet Puzzle
Now that you’re up here, take a look around, but be careful for the sludge. Clear it out with some splash fruit or a Hydrant Zonai device.
Head up to the central platform, which is the highest point on the Sky Island. Here, turn toward the southwest edge and peer over the side. You should see a cluster of green floating stones farther out from the Skyfish Island (shown in the above image). Adjust your angle a bit, and they’ll make a clear shape of a droplet.
This is your target.
You want to shoot an arrow through the droplet, just as the ancient tablet said. But a regular arrow won’t do it. You need to fuse it with a King Scale, provided by his royal highness, King Dorephan. Once you loose the fused arrow through the droplet, it will activate some form of an enchantment, resulting in a massive green pillar of light reaching high into the sky.
If you should run out of King Scales, simply return to King Dorephan, and he will provide more for you.
With the mystery solved, return to Polymous Mountain to speak with Prince Sidon and his fiancée, Lady Yona.