Hero's Spirit


 * "White Wolf" redirects here. For the recurring enemy in The Legend of Zelda'' series, see White Wolfos.

The Ancient Hero, also known as the Hero's Spirit, the Hero's Shade, and the White Wolf, is a skeletal specter who appears in and teaches swordsmanship to Link.

Biography
The Ancient Hero is the Hero of Time from and, filled with regrets from being unable to pass on the "lessons of his life to those who came after him" after he was sent back in time to his childhood. He also lamented the fact that he was not remembered as a hero. In order to ease his regrets and finally pass on his knowledge, he teaches the seven Hidden Skills to his descendant, the Link from Twilight Princess. In Hyrule, he appears as a White Wolf, who can be summoned by finding a Howling Stone, with the exception of the first time he is encountered, in which he appears to Link directly. Once a Howling Stone is found, the song has to be howled along with the Spirit. He then tells Link to take "sword in hand" and find him, implying that Link had to return to human form before searching for the wolf. The White Wolf will then appear on Link's map indicating his current location. When Link confronts the Wolf, it leaps through Link, transporting him into another world. The wolf then transforms into a ghostly knight, the Ancient Hero, who then teaches the Link one of the seven Hidden Skills.

The White Wolf
In Hyrule, the Ancient Hero takes the form of the White Wolf. It is a ghostly Wolf, glowing a golden yellow color. Like the humanoid form of the Ancient Hero, the White Wolf's left eye glows red, while the right eye is missing.

Ancient Hero
In the other world, the Ancient Hero's form has bluish skin and a pallid, decaying appearance, with a skeletal face. His left eye glows red, while his right eye is missing. He carries a rusting Sword and Shield and wears an armor, which is covered with leaves in sections. He carries a scabbard belted to his waist. From the back, his armor appears to be filled with a ghostly mist, rather than flesh, and his torso is not connected to his legs. The humanoid form of the Ancient Hero also resembles the spirits in the Hyrule Castle Graveyard.

Trivia

 * The first song that Link can howl in order to begin the quest of easing the Ancient Hero's regrets is the "Song of Healing." He plays the "Song of Healing," then takes over the Spirit's powers and eases his troubles, causing him to pass on.