Mastering Fast Travel in Hollow Knight: Silksong – Unlocking the Beastling Call

If there’s one thing that makes exploration in Hollow Knight: Silksong both exhilarating and, at times, frustrating, it’s movement. Pharloom is vertical, sprawling, and filled with hidden nooks and treacherous ledges. The difference between enjoying the world and grinding through it can often be traced back to your fast travel options.

While the Bell Beast gives you the base-level transit between Bellway stations, it’s the Beastling Call that truly transforms Hornet’s journey into something silky smooth.

I’ve spent hours navigating Marrow and Songclave, so here’s my take on unlocking this ultimate fast travel tool, complete with personal tips and tricks for those late-game speed demons.

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Step 1: Laying the Groundwork – Unlocking the Bellway System

Before we can talk about summoning a swarm of Beastlings to whisk Hornet away, we need to establish the Bellway network. This is your early-game lifeline, so take note:

1. Acquire the Silk Spear

The Silk Spear is arguably the first milestone for anyone serious about traversal. You need it to free the Bell Beast from its intricate silk bindings. Where to find it: Head to Mosshome, a subzone of Moss Grotto. Look for the Weaver symbol—it’s practically begging you to interact with it. Once you bind the skill, you’re one step closer to unlocking the Bellway system.

Tip: Don’t rush. Spend some time practicing Silk Spear mechanics; freeing the Bell Beast is satisfying, but only if you’re confident with your swings.

2. Free and Fight the Bell Beast

Now comes the fun part. The Bell Beast isn’t just a gatekeeper—it’s also a minor boss fight in disguise. Freeing the Beast: Use your freshly acquired Silk Spear to break all silk bindings simultaneously. Nothing feels better than that satisfying “snap” sound. Boss Mechanics: The Bell Beast attacks by burrowing underground and lunging at Hornet. Dust clouds indicate it’s about to emerge, and a loud roar signals a leaping attack that you can punish with an upward strike. Activation: After the fight, you’ll enter a web-filled arena. Climb to the top and interact with the central sphere to regain silk regeneration and officially unlock the Bellway network.

3. Using the Bellways

Once unlocked, Bellways are simple but elegant: Summoning: Stand at a Bellway station (look for the iconic hook or arch) and perform a call. Cost: New stations typically cost 50 Rosaries, so keep some spare cash ready for travel.

Pro Tip: Always unlock stations as soon as you find them. Missing a Bellway can make backtracking a nightmare later in the game.

Step 2: Reaching the Beastling Call – The Act 3 Upgrade

Now, let’s get to the part I really love—the Beastling Call. Unlike the basic Bellway network, this ability turns Hornet into a teleporting whirlwind, effectively letting you skip long treks with style.

1. Navigate to the Songclave

The Songclave is in the upper reaches of Pharloom and is home to some of the game’s trickiest terrain. To begin: Speak with Sherma to trigger the path toward the Grand Bellway station. Prepare for a mixture of platforming challenges and combat sequences; Songclave isn’t forgiving to the unprepared.

2. Confront the Bell Eater

The Bell Eater is a true Act 3 hurdle and the gatekeeper of the Beastling Call. Think of it as the game’s version of a “boss you absolutely must learn patience against.”

Gear Recommendations: Volt Spear: Excellent for upswings and consistent damage. Cog Flies: Perfect for applying extra pressure while focusing on dodging.

My Advice: Patience is key here. Don’t overcommit—hit once or twice, then back off. Treat this fight like a dance, not a brawl.

Step 3: Learning and Using the Beastling Call

Victory over the Bell Eater isn’t just satisfying—it’s transformative. Defeating this boss gives Hornet the Beastling Call, an ability that works similarly to Hollow Knight’s Dreamgate, but tied directly to Bellway stations.

How to Use It

Command: Press Up + the Needle button (or L2/LT on certain controllers) while standing on solid ground. Effect: Hornet summons a swarm of Beastlings to carry her back to the last Bellway station she used.

Limitations: Cannot be activated mid-air or on very thin ledges. Some sub-areas and boss arenas block usage. Works best on natural terrain, rather than wooden platforms.

Tip from Experience: Always check your surroundings before calling. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to summon Beastlings in a cramped corner and failing.

Bonus Tips for Maximizing Fast Travel Efficiency

Even with the Beastling Call unlocked, there are ways to make traversal feel smoother:

• Early Speed Boost: If you’re tired of slow movement in Act 1, hunt for the Silk Speed Anklets in the Farfields. They drastically increase running speed.
• Map Markers: Shakra in Bonebottom sells the ability to mark Bellways on your map. Seriously, this is a lifesaver.
• Rosary Management: Keep at least 100 Rosaries when entering new zones like the Deep Docks to unlock stations immediately.

Fun personal note: Once I started managing my Rosaries like this, I found that even long stretches of the Marrow became enjoyable rather than tedious.

Key Songclave & Bellway Stations

For those who like a quick reference, here are the main stations around Songclave:

Final Thoughts

Unlocking the Beastling Call in Silksong feels like finally getting the key to the city. Pharloom’s verticality is both beautiful and punishing, but this late-game upgrade makes it all feel manageable. My personal journey from struggling through the Marrow to zipping across Songclave felt immensely rewarding—and it’s one of those small but brilliant touches that makes Silksong stand out.

Fast travel in games often feels like a minor convenience, but in this game, it transforms the experience. Suddenly, revisiting old zones for collectibles or completing late-game challenges is a joy rather than a chore. If you’re aiming to play efficiently or just want to enjoy Pharloom’s world without endless backtracking, the Beastling Call is non-negotiable.