Activate the Ancient Runes

Awaken the Dream Tree in Onirism by locating and activating three Ancient Runes within the Whispering Woods. Find rune locations and combat strategies.

The Dream Tree is dormant, and to awaken it, you must activate three Ancient Runes scattered throughout the Whispering Woods. The game will mark their general locations on your map (accessible via the pause menu). These runes are often protected by environmental puzzles or groups of enemies.

Rune 1: The Sunken Glade

Head towards the eastern marker on your map. You'll enter a waterlogged area with floating lily pads. The challenge here is precise platforming. Jump across the lily pads, being careful not to fall into the murky water, which will damage Carol. Some lily pads may sink after a short delay, so move quickly. Defeat the Water Sprites (small, agile enemies) that guard the area. The rune is located on a central island. Interact with it (E/Right Bumper) to activate it.

Rune 2: The Shifting Caves

Proceed to the northern marker. This path leads into a dark cave system. You'll need your flashlight here. The caves feature shifting rock platforms that move in patterns. Observe their movement before attempting to jump. There are also Cave Crawlers (large, armored enemies) that are resistant to frontal attacks. Try to get behind them or use a powerful secondary attack. The rune is at the deepest part of the cave, often behind a destructible rock wall (look for cracks and use a heavy attack or bomb gadget).

Rune 3: The Canopy Heights

The final rune is located at the western marker, high up in the tree canopy. This section is a vertical platforming challenge. You'll need to utilize double jumps, wall jumps (if unlocked), and possibly the grappling hook to ascend. Watch out for Flying Hornets that will try to knock you off ledges. The rune is on a large, stable platform at the very top, offering a panoramic view of the woods. Activate it to complete the objective.

Once all three runes are activated, return to the Dream Tree. A new path will open, leading you to the next chapter.