The city of Xion in Stellar Blade is a labyrinth of neon-lit corridors, underground chambers, and forgotten history. Among its many secrets, the side quest titled "Lost Ark" stands out as one of the most intricate puzzles players encounter during the mid-game. This isn't just a simple fetch quest; it’s a multi-stage investigation that requires a keen eye for environmental clues and a patient approach to urban exploration. This mission tests your ability to navigate the verticality of Xion while piecing together a sequence that grants access to a high-security rebel hideout.

Accessing the Lost Ark Mission in Xion

Before you can dive into the search for the Ark, you must satisfy specific narrative requirements. This quest typically becomes available after you have successfully navigated the Altess Levoire facility in the Wasteland. Once the primary objectives there are settled and you return to Xion, a new exclamation mark will appear in the Presence Chamber. This is the subterranean hall where Orcal resides.

To initiate the quest, seek out Mann, Orcal’s steadfast bodyguard. Mann is a figure of few words, but he is deeply concerned about rogue elements operating within the city walls. He will task EVE with investigating a radical group’s activities, starting with a lead in the northern sector of Xion. This conversation sets the stage for a journey into the city's darker corners, far removed from the safe havens monitored by the Sentinels.

Locating the Rebel Informant

Your first objective leads you to an alleyway in the northern reaches of Xion. This area is characterized by its cramped architecture and discarded industrial waste. Upon reaching the quest marker, you will find the remains of a rebel. Interacting with this corpse is essential; it provides the first tangible piece of evidence—a data bank containing cryptic messages about a secure location known as "The Ark."

Just ahead of this location is a heavy, reinforced door that serves as the entrance to the Ark. Attempting to interact with the keypad will reveal that a six-digit authentication code is required. Next to the terminal, you’ll find a memory stick left behind by a technician. This device holds the vital clue: "Turn Xion, Turn Clockwise!" This phrase is the foundation for solving the entire puzzle. It implies that the symbols needed for the passcode are scattered throughout the city and must be read in a specific circular sequence starting from the hideout entrance.

The Hunt for Six Terminals: Detailed Locations

The core of the Lost Ark quest involves finding six small electronic panels (terminals) mounted on walls across Xion. Each terminal, when activated, displays a single Greek letter. While you can find them in any order, the solution relies on recording them in the clockwise order indicated by the clue. To save time and avoid aimless wandering, follow this systematic sweep of the city.

Terminal 1: The Hideout Proximity

The first terminal is the easiest to miss because it is so close to the starting point. Positioned just a few paces from the main Ark entrance in the northern alley, it sits against a corrugated metal wall. Activating this terminal reveals the symbol θ (Theta). It serves as the anchor point for your clockwise journey. The lighting here is dim, so using EVE’s drone scan (Triangle button) will highlight the terminal in a bright orange hue, making it stand out against the urban decay.

Terminal 2: The Northern Skip

Moving clockwise (eastward) from the hideout, follow the narrow passage toward the city's outer perimeter. You will encounter a section cluttered with skips and discarded furniture, including a pair of weathered chairs. Mounted on the wall just above a pile of debris is the second panel. Interacting with it displays the symbol μ (Mu). This area is often patrolled by local citizens, but they won't interfere with your investigation. The key here is to stay close to the wall as you navigate the turn.

Terminal 3: The Great Desert Entrance

Continue your clockwise path toward the southeastern portion of Xion, nearing the transition zone that leads to the Great Desert. Near a prominent public telephone booth—a frequent fast-travel point for players—you will find the third terminal. It is placed at eye level on a stone pillar. This terminal yields the symbol κ (Kappa). The hustle and bustle of this area can be distracting, as many NPCs gather here to discuss the state of the world, but the terminal remains a fixed point of interest that is easily identified with a quick scan.

Terminal 4: The Bulletin Board Alley

From the desert entrance, head toward the city center where the bulletin board (the hub for various side commissions) is located. Instead of approaching the board directly, look for a dead-end alleyway just north of it. This alley is tucked behind Roxanne’s shop. The fourth terminal is mounted on a wall next to some discarded crates. Activating this one reveals the symbol α (Alpha). This location highlights the contrast between Xion’s commercial zones and its neglected service corridors.

Terminal 5: The Junk Shop Descent

Proceeding west, you will reach the area surrounding "Sisters' Junk," a shop run by the engineer Kara. To find the fifth terminal, you need to descend the metal staircase leading down to the shop’s lower level. The panel is attached to the concrete wall halfway down the stairs. Interacting with it provides the symbol ε (Epsilon). This area is often filled with the sounds of welding and machinery, reflecting the industrial heartbeat of the survivors in Xion.

Terminal 6: The West Bridge Approach

The final leg of the clockwise circuit takes you toward the west side of the city, near the bridge that leads to the Tetrapod (Adam’s ship). Look for the last right turn before the bridge. The final terminal is located near a yellow "Caution" sign and some café tables. Activating it reveals the symbol γ (Gamma). With this final piece of the puzzle, you now have the full sequence required to breach the Ark’s security.

Deciphering the Passcode: θμκα εγ

Once you have visited all six terminals, return to the northern alleyway. The clue "Turn Xion, Turn Clockwise" wasn't just about the physical search; it also dictates the order of input. If you followed the path described above, the symbols naturally fall into the correct sequence.

The final passcode for the Lost Ark is: θμκα εγ.

Approach the main keypad at the Ark’s entrance. You will notice that you cannot manually type in characters; instead, you must select them from a grid based on the symbols you’ve unlocked. Enter the sequence carefully. Upon successful entry, the heavy hydraulic locks will disengage, and the door will slide open, revealing an elevator that leads deep underground.

Exploring the Interior of the Ark

Descending into the Ark reveals a facility that serves as a grim monument to the city's internal strife. The atmosphere changes from the neon vibrancy of Xion to the cold, sterile environment of a high-tech bunker. This was clearly a safehouse for the rebels Mann was concerned about.

Inside, your drone scan will highlight four bodies scattered across the main chamber and the lower level. It is important to interact with each one. Each body carries a data bank that provides context for the rebellion, their motives, and their eventual fate. Collecting these is not just a quest requirement; it adds significant depth to the lore of Stellar Blade, illustrating the desperate measures humans took to survive and resist during the Naytiba invasion.

After examining the bodies, proceed to the main control computer located at the far right of the chamber. This terminal contains the core data Mann is looking for. Interacting with it will trigger the final phase of the mission.

The Escape: Lockdown and Deactivation

As soon as you access the data, an automated security protocol is triggered. The facility goes into lockdown, red alarm lights pulse through the corridors, and the elevator is disabled. EVE will comment on the situation, noting that the exit is blocked. To escape, you must manually override the security system by destroying the hardware responsible for the lockdown.

Scan the area to locate the "beeping" machines. These are small computer consoles emitting a distinct audio cue and glowing with a red light. There are three primary consoles you must destroy:

  1. The Lower Level Consoles: Two consoles are located in the immediate vicinity of the main computer. You can use EVE’s standard melee attacks to shatter them. Doing so partially restores power to the facility’s subsystems.
  2. The Elevator Override: A third console is tucked away in a side corridor near the elevator shaft. Destroying this is critical, as it re-enables the lift’s functionality.
  3. The Exit Gate Monitor: As you head back toward the elevator, a final console near the entrance must be neutralized to unlock the main doors.

Once the consoles are destroyed, the alarm will cease, and you can take the elevator back up to the streets of Xion. The transition from the silent, oppressive Ark back to the familiar sounds of the city provides a sense of relief and completion.

Completing the Quest and Claiming Rewards

With the rebel data banks in your possession, return to the Presence Chamber and speak with Mann. He will express his gratitude (in his own stoic way) for neutralizing the threat and uncovering the truth about the Ark. Completing the "Lost Ark" quest provides several high-value rewards that are beneficial for EVE’s progression:

  • Skill Points (SP): You typically receive 2 SP, which are vital for unlocking new combat techniques and enhancing your Beta skills.
  • Shock Grenades: Two of these consumables are awarded, which are excellent for stunning mechanical enemies and breaking shield gauges.
  • Smart Mines: Two mines are provided, useful for setting traps during boss encounters.
  • Pulse Grenades: Two grenades that deal significant balance damage, helping you trigger Retribution finishers more frequently.

Beyond the tangible rewards, completing this quest often unlocks further dialogue options with NPCs in Xion and contributes to the overall completion percentage required for certain ending conditions. It is a quintessential example of how Stellar Blade rewards players who take the time to explore its world and engage with its narrative puzzles.

Strategic Tips for Xion Exploration

Navigating Xion can be overwhelming due to its multi-layered design. To make quests like "Lost Ark" smoother, keep these tips in mind:

  • Verticality Matters: Many terminals and secrets in Xion are hidden on different levels. Always look for ladders, stairs, and climbable ledges. The "Sisters' Junk" area, in particular, has several layers that are easy to overlook.
  • Drone Upgrades: If you find yourself struggling to locate terminals, prioritize upgrading the drone’s scanner range. A wider scan radius will highlight quest objectives from a much greater distance, even through walls.
  • Fast Travel Efficiency: Xion has several telephone booths that act as waypoints. Use these to zip between the north, south, and west sectors of the city. For this quest, starting at the north booth and working your way around is the most efficient path.
  • Combat Readiness: While the "Lost Ark" quest is puzzle-heavy, Xion isn't entirely devoid of danger. Always ensure your Tachy Mode and Beta energy are charged before entering confined spaces like the Ark, just in case of an ambush.

In conclusion, the Lost Ark side quest is a highlight of the Xion experience. It rewards patience and observation over brute force, offering a glimpse into the hidden history of Stellar Blade’s world while providing the resources necessary to make EVE an even more formidable warrior. Whether you are hunting for every data bank or simply looking to max out your skill tree, mastering the clockwise puzzle of the Ark is an essential step in your journey.