Secret of the Ring Ruins Quest Walkthrough and Rewards
Unlocking the deep mysteries of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom requires players to investigate various historical structures left behind by ancient civilizations. The Secret of the Ring Ruins main quest stands as a pivotal milestone that pushes the narrative forward into its late-game phases. Successfully navigating this mission allows adventurers to uncover the location of the elusive fifth sage while exploring a beautifully atmospheric region.
Initiating the Investigation in Kakariko Village
Before you can begin this crucial quest line, you must first complete the main story events at Hyrule Castle involving the imposter Zelda. Once those dramatic narrative sequences conclude, travel directly to Lookout Landing to speak with Purah and update your main objective parameters. She will officially direct your attention toward Kakariko Village, where ancient stone structures hold the key to the next chapter of your journey.
Upon arriving in the village, head directly toward the northern cliffs to locate Paya and Tauro conversing near the blocked archeological site. They will explain that the fake Zelda previously prohibited anyone from investigating the floating stone ring hovering directly above them. Since that restriction has officially been lifted, you can now use your unique abilities to explore the interior of the monument.
Deciphering the Ancient Slate Inscriptions
To gain access to the hidden text, use the Ascend ability directly beneath the floating ring ruin to pop up inside its hollow interior. Once inside the chamber, pull out your Purah Pad camera and take a clear picture of the stone slate text fixed to the back wall. Return to the ground level and present the photo to Tauro, who will decipher the ancient Zonai script for you.
The translated message reveals a mysterious riddle pointing toward the Popla Foothills region located further to the south. You will need to fast travel to the Popla Foothills Skyview Tower to rendezvous with the research team at their temporary base camp. Speaking with the scouts stationed outside the tower will direct you toward the nearby Zonai ruins nestled along the Jiukoum Shrine river basin.
Collecting the Specialized Charged Armor Set
Locating Tauro inside the riverside cavern triggers the next phase of the puzzle, which requires you to dress appropriately for an upcoming storm trial. You must open the treasure chest located inside this initial room to receive the Charged Shirt, which grants a unique attack boost during stormy weather. Afterward, explore the adjacent ruins along the riverbank to locate two additional hidden chests containing the remaining armor pieces.
The second chest is situated inside a small alcove blocked by vines, which you can easily cut away using a sharp blade or burn down with fire fruit. The final armor piece is locked behind a stone door that requires you to place a heavy glowing rock onto a nearby pressure plate. Equipping the full three-piece set grants Link an optimized combat advantage when navigating intense electrical environments.
Offering the Zonai Charge to Complete the Trial
With the complete armor set equipped, follow the river pathway to the grand altar room situated at the end of the valley structure. You must place a single Large Zonai Charge directly onto the glowing stone pedestal located in the center of the platform. This ritual offering triggers a massive cutscene that instantly clears away the persistent thunderstorm clouds hovering above the Faron region.
The removal of the storm reveals the legendary Thunderhead Isles floating high in the sky, opening up your next destination. Completing this intense trial rewards players with the formal path forward to unlock the Spirit Sage questline. Additionally, keeping the specialized elemental armor allows you to conquer subsequent aerial platforms with minimal environmental difficulty.