Chapter 11: Helheim

The eleventh chapter of the game opens the gates to the realm of the dead. With a new sword in his hands, Senua can finally enter Helheim.

The Path to the Gates of Helheim

Once you find yourself back under the great tree, remember the massive door on the shore among the shipwrecks. Head to the place where the bridge was previously destroyed—now the passage to Helheim is accessible.

Labyrinth of Shadows

The Stone of Knowledge awaits you right at the entrance — be sure to study it.

The bridge on the right has collapsed, but on the left you can jump down and climb onto another bridge leading to the opposite door. Behind it, Helheim’s guardian, Garm, also known as Fenrir, will make his presence known. The key feature of this beast is that it hunts you exclusively in the shadows. Immediately run to the lit room ahead.

Orientation in space

Direction	What is located
Straight	Torch in a burning brazier, vision of mother, rune door
To the right	Path blocked
To the left	Complete darkness

The rune door requires three symbols: D, A, and P. As long as you have the torch in your hands, Fenrir is not dangerous — now is the time to explore the maze.

Location of doors from the rune door

Turning away from the rune door, you will see a corridor leading to the entrance with a lit room in the middle. The first door on the right is locked from the other side, the first on the left leads to a staircase. The second door on the right opens onto a pit, the left one goes around the central room (there is also a locked door there).

Search for rune A

From the central room, go down the stairs to the right into a dark room with torch holders and blood on the floor. Light the torches as quickly as possible—enemies will appear here. After defeating them, climb the small staircase to the ledge and look down: the blood on the floor forms the rune A.

Search for rune P

Return to the spiral staircase and climb to the top. Walk down the dark corridor to the room with the grate, where you can light a single torch. Its light will cast a shadow forming the rune P on the right. Continue on your way and unlock the door.

Search for rune D

Go down the stairs into the sewer. You’ll have to dive under the large grate — your torch will go out. Run quickly to the nearest source of light, then to the left toward the faint glow. Examine the cave: it is dark on the left, but you can see an unlit brazier in a lit area — run towards it. On the right, you can see a fire in the distance — head there.

Return to the cave with the new torch, lighting the way as you go. There is another stone of knowledge in the illuminated area to the left of the water.

Under the wooden arch in the dark part of the cave, continue lighting the torches. Near the submerged piece of wood, its reflection in the water will reveal the rune D.

As you climb the stairs, look into the opening to the left of the door—there you will find the stone of knowledge.

The Trap

The door leads back to the rune door, which is now open. However, this is a trap. Run to the bridge ahead—but be prepared to lose something extremely important.

Search for a head

You will find yourself at the edge of a large pit with an open grate on the opposite side. Make your way along the wall to the right. On the other side, you will find a new torch for the rest of your journey. The tunnels will lead you to the lower level of the pit, where a wooden beam leads to a rune door marked with the symbol R.

Ambush

Before interacting with the door, you will be attacked by enemies in a confined space. Keep changing your position and keep your enemies in sight—especially the berserkers. Focusing to slow down time is critical when enemies envelop themselves in shadow.

Rune R

After winning, examine the door, then climb the stairs on the right. Light the brazier—it will illuminate the wooden planks above the pit. Return to the pit and look up: the planks form the rune R.

The Path to Rune M

The door won’t extinguish the torch, but the waterfall ahead will do it for you. Run through it and rush to the next torch. Cross the narrow beam, but first look to the right — among the corpses lies the stone of knowledge.

Descending the slope, you will find yourself almost at the bottom of the pit, at another rune door. The stone of knowledge is to the left of it. To the right, a waterfall blocks the passage, and above it you can see the brazier needed for the M rune.

Turn around and find the passage to the left of the slope. Crawl through the tunnel to the pit with the raised bridge and the brazier—light it. Now return to the waterfall and run through it to the right toward the fire.

Crash into the bridge, knock it down, and relight the torch. Climb up to the upper brazier by the waterfall—its light will complete the rune M, visible from the other side of the stream.

Behind the rune door in the tunnel is the last stone of knowledge in this location.

Battle with Fenrir

After passing through the filth, the final push into the beast’s lair awaits.

Combat tactics

Fenrir’s Attack	How to respond
Claw strikes	Cannot be parried — only dodge
Fang bites	Can be blocked and counterattacked
Shadows of despair	Dodge by ear, then strike with your sword to restore light
Lashes from the darkness	Listen to the direction of the growl, dodge or use Focus

Key Tips: Light attacks are useless—deliver heavy blows and charge up the power of Gramr. Dodge to the side and immediately counterattack. When Fenrir shrouds the arena in darkness, use the sounds of his attacks to guide you. After successfully dodging, activate your sword — the light will return. Focus greatly simplifies combat: use it to stun the beast when it lunges from the shadows.

Conclusion

After defeating Fenrir, all that remains is to ascend to Hela’s Sanctuary.