Touching the Sky ( Quest ) Touching the Sky is a quest in . It serves as the penultimate quest in the main questline and involves traveling to the Forgotten Vale with Serana in search of Auriel ' s Bow . The name of the quest is a reference to an ancient Falmer tome of the same name . The book itself depicts an ancient ritual carried out by initiates of the Chantry of Auri - El . It describes the trials and struggles that they had to endure in order to secure an audience with the Arch Curate and reach enlightenment . Subsequently , this incredibly difficult journey must be taken by the Dragonborn and is a major aspect of the quest . Walkthrough . If one has a second follower in addition to Serana ( possible if the second follower was acquired at a particular point during " Chasing Echoes " ) , it is recommended that the second follower be dismissed before entering Darkfall Cave . Otherwise they will ( almost ? ) certainly get permanently stuck somewhere in Darkfall Cave . The second follower can be re - recruited just after killing the boss at the end of this quest , and the second follower slot should then persist for the entire game . Darkfall Cave . Enter Darkfall Cave and follow the winding path past the waterfall . Kill the Frostbite Spider that is lurking in the shadows and then take the right - hand path at the junction . Continue down until an old wooden bridge is encountered . On the far side of the bridge are two Moonstone Ore veins and a pickaxe on a table . Attempting to walk back across the bridge will cause it to collapse , and the Dragonborn will fall into the rapids below . The rapids will sweep the Dragonborn down a long tunnel and past a few Frostbite Spiders , awakening them . A short drop down a waterfall will deposit the Dragonborn into a large spider nest , with three spiders in tow . After killing the spiders , follow the river and defeat four more spider who will awaken . A Giant Frostbite Spider will also emerge from a tunnel in the wall which also contains a chest . Follow the path and proceed up the dark tunnel until an abandoned camp at a junction point is found . Nearby , a Breton woman lies dead and is carrying a " Darkfall Cave Note " explaining the massacre . There are two ways to proceed : the first method is a shortcut that is accessed by pulling a chain behind the bed shelter in the camp , which opens a nearby stone wall door ; the second method is the long winding path to the east of the camp that leads downhill , past a boulder tripwire trap , and into a large cavern that is host to two trolls . Either method will lead to a mysterious person praying at an altar . Auriel ' s Shrine . The person is Knight - Paladin Gelebor , one of the last living Snow Elves . When approached , he will introduce himself and welcome the Dragonborn to the Chantry of Auri - El . He will give a little background about himself and his race and then the topic will turn to Auriel ' s Bow . He will mention that he knows that that is why the Dragonborn is here , and he is willing to help , but in order to acquire the bow , the Dragonborn must assist him and kill his brother , Arch - Curate Vyrthur . When questioned about his brother , he will recount the story of when the chantry was attacked by a horde of Falmer . Gelebor believes that Vyrthur was corrupted by the Falmer , as after the attack his change in behavior was significant . He mentions that Vyrthur never looks as though he ' s in pain or under duress . He just stands in one place and watches , as though waiting . After inquiring about how to reach his brother , Gelebor casts a spell on the large dome - like structure , called a Wayshrine , which raises to reveal an arched opening . He gives the Dragonborn an Initiate ' s Ewer and explains that to reach the Inner Sanctum , one must follow the path of an initiate of the Chanty of Auri - El , as described in the book " Touching the Sky " . This involves passing through five Wayshrines that will eventually lead to the Inner Sanctum where his brother and Auriel ' s Bow are located . Serana , curious about the process , will begin a conversation with Gelebor : Once the conversation has ended , proceed inside the wayshrine and into the portal to Darkfall Passage . Darkfall Passage . Follow the corridor past the water where a Falmer and Chaurus Hunter will attack . Farther down , the tunnel opens up into where there are additional Falmer and Chaurus . Near the east wall is a small puddle that leads deep down into a secret tunnel where a skeleton lies by some Gleamblossom , leveled loot and " Darkfall Passage Note I " . Head west into another tunnel , past a Falmer claw trap and a chest . The path leads to a small Falmer camp where several will attack , alongside a few Chaurus Hunters . Drop down into the crevice the waterfall disperses into , where two skeletons will be found . Follow the path up and around a bend to find another skeleton and a leveled treasure chest . From there , simply follow the path up farther to find a pull chain that opens the way back into the Falmer camp area . Follow the path behind the waterfall to come to another camp with several Falmer . Head up the walkway , past the curious sculpture and through the room with the large crystal . Following yet another tunnel will lead to a large cavern with another waterfall . Two regular Falmer and a boss level Falmer are present here . A small hut near the walkway contains a boss level chest . Proceed up the walkway through the waterfall . To the right is a room with several traps , a chest and an Alchemy Lab and some potions . To the left is boulder trap within a long tunnel that contains a skeleton with a note called " Darkfall Passage Note II " that warns of several traps . Two rope releases will be fixed to the wall by the skeleton . The left one will open the stone door and the right will activate the trap . A Vale Sabre Cat will be seated just as the door opens . After killing it , proceeding through the passage will lead to an enormous cavern , with many giant glowing mushrooms as seen in Blackreach . Progress down the cavern past the waterfall and up a stone path until the Wayshrine of Illumination is reached on the western wall where Prelate Sidanyis is waiting . Like Gelebor , he will cast a spell on the Wayshrine and it raises to reveal a door . Proceed inside and draw water from the basin , then head into the portal to Forgotten Vale . Forgotten Vale . Traverse through the initial tunnel until it leads to an opening . Walking up the spiral path will lead outdoors into the Forgotten Vale . The goal in this area is to fill the Initiate ' s Ewer from the remaining four Wayshrines dotted around the valley . Head down to the floor of the valley fighting off any Vale Sabre Cat s , and past some ancient ruins . Keep heading north - west and follow the decrepit path . Just before the second arch , take a right north - east through the trees to reach the Wayshrine of Sight where Prelate Athring will be waiting . As before , speak to the Prelete to raise the wayshrine and collect the Ewer . Head back along the ruined path and south - west up the hill that leads to a ravine guarded by four Frostbite Spiders of varying size . Keep heading downhill along the path . A skeleton , " Unknown Book , Vol . I " and a chest can be found on the right side of the path before the partially frozen river is reached . At the river , head south along the bank until the Wayshrine of Learning is reached . Speak to Prelate Celegriath and collect the Ewer . Now head back along the river bank and keep traveling north - west until a steep stepped path is visible to the north . A passive Frost Giant holding a Amethyst Paragon will also be standing by the river to the right . Climb the stepped northern path to the top . The next Wayshrine should be visible across the river to the west . Continue along the mountain path and across the natural rock bridge over the river to reach the Wayshrine of Resolution where Prelate Nirilor will be waiting . As before , speak to the Prelete to raise the wayshrine and collect the Ewer . A word of power for Drain Vitality can also be learned just to the south of the Wayshrine of Resolution , in the middle of the large frozen lake . The word wall is typically guarded by two Dragons , Naaslaarum and Voslaarum ; however , if the quest " Dragon Rising " has not been completed , the word wall is guarded by two Ice Wraiths . Moreover , a Frost Giant which holds the Sapphire Paragon can be found east of the Wayshrine of Resolution . The final Wayshrine is located some distance away . Go back up the hill to the Wayshrine of Resolution . Head back over the rock bridge and continue west downhill into a Falmer camp by the river . A large Falmer village teeming with Falmer exists in the mountains above the river , but it can be bypassed by traveling upstream and defeating a few Chaurus Hunter s passing the entrance to Sharpslope Cave . Though the village mainly contains standard Falmer loot , there are a few items of note . The village has a small enclave that houses the Frost Giant that hold the Emerald Paragon . In a hidden passage in Sharpslope Cave is a Shellbug , and in one of the village huts is the " Unknown Book , Vol . III " . To get it , head north from the entrance to the Glacial Crevice , up the rock bridge that leads to the left . Turn slightly right and cross another rock bridge , then turn sharply left and cross the Falmer bridge leading west - southwest . Turn right and cross one more rock bridge to the hut that holds the book . Head up the path , past the waterfall and under the stone arch to reach another camp by a vast glacial wall . After killing the guarding Falmer , walk into the Glacial Crevice . Glacial Crevice . Following the ice tunnel leads to an enormous frozen ravine inhabited by more Falmer . Travel up the ice walkway , killing any Falmer who attack . At the top is another tunnel that leads deeper into the ravine . Dodge past the Falmer claw trap and walk along the perilous icy edge of the cliff . Head along the path , past the various Falmer and Chaurus , and into another tunnel . Keep heading east and the tunnel will open up into a smaller ravine . Climb up the spiral path and through another tunnel to lead up to a higher pathway of the ravine . Head along another perilous path and defeat the guarding Falmer . Cross the rope bridge and head north - east past the ancient pillars that leads back out to the Forgotten Vale . Wayshrine of Radiance . The cave exits into another Falmer camp entrenched in a ravine . The optional Diamond Paragon can be obtained from a Frost Giant by immediately turning left and following the path uphill that leads to him . Then head east up the walkways defeating the plethora of Falmer . Keep heading east to reach a hut with a mammoth skull over it . Inside is the " Unknown Book , Vol . IV " and a boss chest . Head back out and drop down to the floor of the ravine and keep heading south into a tunnel . Traverse through the tunnel past the boulder trap and up through to the Wayshrine of Radiance , tended by Prelate Edhelbor . Speak to the Prelate to raise the Wayshrine and collect the final Ewer . Once this has been completed , turn and head northeast toward the Inner Sanctum . Inner Sanctum . Walk across the ornate bridge and up the stairs into the courtyard of the Inner Sanctum where a statue of Auri - El stands tall , ready to greet visitors . Head up the steps and pour the Ewer into the basin . The Ewer will flow towards the main door and unlock the seal . Once inside , proceed forward to see several Falmer frozen like statues around the main lobby . Several are gathered around a Shrine of Auriel and a few hold leveled loot in their hands . On the western wall is an altar that , when activated , will place the Ewer atop and open a hidden door . This path lead to a room that houses a Frost Giant who holds a Ruby Paragon . Another hidden room near the Frost Giant can be accessed in the same way if the Ewer is removed from the altar and taken inside before the door seals itself . Head back into the lobby and proceed north through the ruined temple past more frozen Falmer . The path will lead through a glacial tunnel that leads to Auriel ' s Chapel . Auriel ' s Chapel . Head forward and drop down . Proceed through the collapsed hallway that opens up into a small cavern housing several frozen Falmer and Arch - Curate Vyrthur seated on a throne . After his initial dialogue , the Frozen Falmer and Chaurus will awaken . After defeating the initial wave , large parts of the ceiling will begin to fall and more Falmer will attack . Next , Arch - Curate Vyrthur will summon an Ancient Frost Atronach and more Falmer . Once everything has been defeated , Vyrthur will destroy the entire roof of the chapel in a fit of rage and retreat out to a grand balcony overlooking the Forgotten Vale . Pursue him , past the Wayshrine and up the stairs . Serana will initiate the following dialogue : Final battle . After this exchange he will attack . In battle he uses ice magic that Snow Elves were famed for . Spells such as Icy Spear and Frost Cloak in addition to a unique variant of Vampiric Drain , that also drains stamina , make up the core of his arsenal . He also typically summons a Frost Atronach at the start of a battle . Once his magicka runs dry he switches to his frost - enchanted Elven Dagger . Once he has been defeated , the balcony Wayshrine will raise and Gelebor will exit . Speaking to him will begin the following conversation : After speaking to him retrieve Auriel ' s Bow from inside the Wayshrine . This will end the quest and immediately begin the final quest ; " Kindred Judgment " .