Hollow Knight’s layered narrative doesn’t just ramp up the tension through its haunting world—it personalizes the stakes through characters like Myla. Her tragic descent into infection reveals just how the game’s story can disrupt expectations and hit players emotionally, especially as you encounter her transformation firsthand. Understanding whether you can intervene in Myla’s fate adds a thoughtful challenge to the journey through Hallownest.
Who is Myla in Hollow Knight?
Myla is one of the friendliest figures you meet early in Hollow Knight. Found mining near the entrance of Crystal Peaks in Forgotten Crossroads, she invites you to sing and mine alongside her, creating a rare warm moment in an otherwise somber setting.
However, after acquiring powerful abilities like Vengeful Spirit and Desolate Dive, Myla’s cheerful demeanor fades. She struggles with singing and mining, slowly becoming overwhelmed by an infection that changes her behavior significantly.
By the time you claim the Crystal Heart, Myla turns hostile and attacks on sight. Defeating her yields 10 Geo, but it’s important to note that killing her isn’t mandatory to finish the game—you can opt to avoid confrontation altogether.
How to Save Myla in Hollow Knight
Myla’s infection is triggered by two key events:
- Defeating the Soul Master
- Obtaining the Crystal Heart
Both seem integral for progression, but there is a tough workaround to save Myla—avoid getting the Crystal Heart altogether. This keeps her from fully succumbing to infection.
Since the Crystal Heart lets you reach Monarch Wings, you’ll need an alternative route. Here’s how to access Monarch Wings without that ability, which requires precise timing and skill.
Make your way to the bench in Ancient Basin. Just left of this bench is a spike-filled path. Instead of using Crystal Heart’s super dash, repeatedly use a down slash followed by a dash to carefully navigate forward. Continue right until reaching a platform in the middle.
Make your way to the bench in Ancient Basin. To the left of the bench, there is a path full of spikes. Instead of the Crystal Heart, use the down slash and dash to move forward. Keep repeating the down slash and dash moves until you reach the platform in the middle of the path.
Then, activate the Vengeful Spirit spell. This summons a shadow you can interact with. Position yourself near the opposite wall and parry off the shadow to avoid the spikes, using your Mantis Claw to cling and jump across.
Proceed to defeat the Broken Vessel guarding the next area, then reach the room where Monarch Wings are hidden. Grabbing these will substitute for Crystal Heart in movement mobility.
When it’s time to acquire Isma’s Tear, the route usually requires Crystal Heart again, but that’s avoidable too.
Head through the long tunnel traversing the Ancient Basin. Combine double jumps, dashes, and perfectly timed parries to cross difficult segments. This intense platforming bypass lets you reach Isma’s Tear without Crystal Heart, though it demands precision and patience.
Head to the tunnel that crosses the Ancient Basin. Use double jump, dash, parry, and then dash again to reach the other side without using the Crystal Heart. Note that this is a difficult task to complete. Only someone with polished skills and luck can do it.
Once you bypass these steps, wake the dreamers and confront the Hollow Knight. This method allows you to complete the game while preventing Myla’s infection and hostility.
This is the full approach to saving Myla from infection in Hollow Knight. It’s a rare path requiring dedication but offers a unique way to experience the story and character connections differently.
- Hollow Knight: Progression Guide