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[[File:E Timeline.png|thumb|right|x300px|The timeline shown on page 10 of {{E|-}}]]


The '''''[[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|Legend of Zelda]] Timeline''''' details the official chronology of the Legend of Zelda series, as revealed by the December 2011 release of ''[[Hyrule Historia]]'' in Japan. ''Hyrule Historia'' is a compilation of official sources with [[Eiji Aonuma]] as its chief editor and therefore represents the developer's view of the chronology most accurately.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1215301p1.html |title= The Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed|site= IGN}}</ref>
The '''''Zelda''''' {{Term/Store|Timeline|Timelines|Series}} refers to the fictional chronology of {{TLoZ|Series}}.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 10}}</ref>  


''Although the visuals in Hyrule Historia provide an accurate overview of the timeline, more detailed information pertaining to the timeline sourced in Hyrule Historia is translated from the Japanese edition. An official English version does not exist at this time; there may be discrepancies in translation between the English and Japanese languages that may change the overall intent, structure, or perception of this information and/or timeline.''
The official timeline has evolved multiple times over the course of its [[History of the Zelda Timeline|history]], having been frequently changed by [[Nintendo]] to accommodate new ''Zelda'' titles.<ref name="quote2">{{Cite Web|quote=Famitsu asked series producer Eiji Aonuma, and Breath of the Wild director Hidemaro Fujibayashi what the changes meant, and this was their reply: '''Eiji Aonuma, series producer:''' “Well of course it’s at the very end. But, I get what you’re asking, it’s which timeline is it the end of?”
[[File:ZeldatimelineHHtranslation.png|thumb|right|350px|The timeline revealed in ''Hyrule Historia'', translated from Japanese.<br>Original version in [[Zelda Timeline#Gallery|gallery]] below.]]
'''Hidemaro Fujibayashi, director:''' “That’s… up to the player’s imagination, isn’t it?” '''Aonuma:''' “Hyrule’s history changes with time. When we think of the next game and what we want to do with it, we might think, 'Oh, this’ll fit well', and place it neatly into the timeline, but sometimes we think, 'Oh crap', and have to change the placement. Actually, the decided history has been tweaked many times.” (laughs)|url=https://www.siliconera.com/2018/08/05/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-has-been-added-to-the-series-official-timeline/|title=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Has Been Added To The Series’ Official Timeline|site=Siliconera}}</ref> Nintendo first published a series-spanning timeline in {{HH}} in 2011, in celebration of the series' [[The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary|25th anniversary]]. An updated version was released in {{E}} in 2017. Despite these releases, fans of the series continue to create [[Archive:Timeline Theories|their own interpretations]] of the timeline. Nintendo leaves open the possibility of future timeline rearrangements, for the sake of creative freedom when designing new ''Zelda'' games.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= E |page= 10}}</ref>
{{OTOC}}
==History of the Zelda Timeline==
{{Main|History of the Zelda Timeline}}
Since the days of ''Pong'', video game storylines have endured an amazing evolution, moving from simple "slay the dragon" conflict, through "save the princess" heroism, and into wonderfully deep epics. Early installments of the ''Legend of Zelda'' series emerged at a very interesting point of this process; a point where the market was divided between casual platformers and plot-focused [[RPG]]s.


''Zelda'' found a niche market somewhere in the middle. This is reflected in the storyline of such games as ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', which are simple and yet inspiring. Over the years, Nintendo has kept to this trend. Developers often focus foremost on gameplay and theme, and generally only decide on a definite storyline close to the completion of development. Resulting games are well-connected to the overall ''Legend of Zelda'' universe - and consider elements of games past - but do not often present immediate or obvious chronological connections.
The current timeline comprises three branches stemming from the events of {{OoT|-}}: the '''Child Timeline''', the '''Adult Timeline''', and an unnamed Timeline where Link falls in battle against Ganondorf.<ref name="encyclopedia-timeline">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |page= 10}}</ref> The portion of the timeline preceding the three-way split has only a narrative title for an official name: '''Hylia & the Hero of Time'''.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E|publisher= |page= 11}}</ref> {{BotW}} and {{TotK}} take place in a distant future—their connection to the previous games is deliberately vague.<ref name="quote2"/>


In the early stages, this worked wonderfully. The first five ''Legend of Zelda'' releases were easily understood and organized. In 1998, the timeline had room even for the content of the ''Legend of Zelda'' [[television show]] and [[manga]], as well as the mistakes of [[Nintendo of America|NoA]], which would later be considered non-canonical.
==Timeline==
===Hylia & the Hero of Time===
The beginning of the timeline encompasses the events of {{SS}}, the backstory of {{TotK}}, {{TMC}}, {{FS}}, and {{OoT}}, in that order.


Unfortunately, as time went on the sheer amount of information being introduced into the ''Legend of Zelda'' canon made a complete understanding less possible. Games such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'' seemed to strain the connection between older games, and many fans began to wonder whether the ''Four Swords'' series had a place in the timeline at all.  
====Creation of the World====
{{Main|Creation of the World}}
Before time began, the three [[Golden Goddesses]] descended upon the chaos that was [[Hyrule]].<ref>{{Cite|Before time began, before spirits and life existed... Three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule... Din, the goddess of power... Nayru, the goddess of wisdom... Farore, the goddess of courage... Din... With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru... Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore... With her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law.|Great Deku Tree|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=Before life began, before the world had form, three Golden Goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, the Goddess of Courage.|game= OoT|page=5}}</ref> [[Din (Goddess)|Din]], the Goddess of Power, created the earth.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth.|game= OoT|page=5}}</ref> [[Nayru]], the Goddess of Wisdom, bestowed order upon the world.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world.|game= OoT|page=5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature.|game= ALttP|page=3}}</ref> [[Farore (Goddess)|Farore]], the Goddess of Courage, created life.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=Farore's rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.|game= OoT|page=5}}</ref>


Fans of the series wanting to learn more of the timeline began to discuss the concept on the Internet, slowly reaching conclusions on those issues which could be resolved and falling into bitter debate on those which could not. The debate continued for years, with fans dissecting ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]''. On December 21, 2011, Nintendo of Japan published an official chronology of the Legend of Zelda series in [[Hyrule Historia]], outlining how the games in the series are related to one another.
Their labor complete, the goddesses departed for the heavens. They left behind the [[Triforce]], an all-powerful artifact which would grant its holder their heart's desire.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=After the gods had finished their work, they left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but powerful portion of the essence of the gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide the intelligent life on the world of Hyrule.|game= ALttP|page=3}}</ref>
{{Clear}}


===Timeline Theories===
====Era of Hylia====
{{Main|Timeline Theories}}
{{Main|Ancient Battle}}
''Zelda Timeline Theories'' are perhaps the object of greatest debate amongst fans of the series. Nintendo's transcendental and thorough method of incorporating the tried-and-true formula of "gameplay first, story later" has arguably produced some of the greatest games of all time, but it has also resulted in an incoherent chronology - full of loose ends, contradictions, and general confusion. Fortunately, this has motivated fans to do all they can to sift, sort, and organize the ''Legend of Zelda'' canon.
The Triforce was entrusted to the goddess [[Hylia]] during the '''Era of Hylia''',<ref>{{Cite Book|book= E |publisher=  |page= 12}}</ref> known more fully as the '''Era of the Goddess Hylia'''.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= E |publisher=  |page= 76}}</ref>


==Chronology of the Legend of Zelda Series==
One day, the Demon King [[Demise]] sought to take it and make the world his own. He raised an army of malevolent forces against [[Hyrule]].<ref>{{Cite|One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair... They burnt forests to ash, choked the land's sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation. They did all this in their lust to take the ultimate power protected by Her Grace, the goddess.|N/A|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|In his thirst to make the world his own, Demise readied a massive army of monsters for war. He sought to take the Triforce for himself by force.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> Hylia gathered the surviving [[human]]s on an outcrop of earth and sent it to [[The Sky]] beyond a [[Cloud Barrier]] of her creation.<ref>{{Cite|To prevent this great power from falling into the hands of the evil swarming the lands... The goddess gathered the surviving humans on an outcropping of earth. She sent it skyward, beyond the reach of the demonic hordes. Beyond even the clouds.|N/A|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Until now, a {{Color|SS Red|cloud barrier}} created by the goddess has separated the world you know from the one below.|Fi|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|The goddess feared for her people. She used her power to send both them and the Triforce into the sky on a slice of earth she cut away from the land.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> The outcrop would later become known as {{Term|SS|Skyloft|link}}. She hid the {{Term|SS|Triforce|link}} there as well.<ref>{{Cite|For the safety of all things, she hid the Triforce somewhere within the rock you call Skyloft. However, its location has been kept secret. Even I do not know where it rests now.|Levias|SS}}</ref>
{{Spoiler}}
{{Quote|…This is a tale that was passed down by humans such as yourselves…|}}
The opening line of the chronology section in Hyrule Historia implies that the narration is done by a group of Hyrulean scholars. Since the account presented may contain inaccuracies, the editors of the book invite the readers to give their own interpretation regarding the actual events.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Because what is being spun is the flow of history right up until the end of time, we wish for you to touch true adventure with your own hands and try to ascertain it for yourself. [...] This chronology is not limited to information that is currently confirmable. It also contains much that is unclear. The history of Hyrule is known to change with the times and the person telling it, and will continue to unfold. Even if none of the important points waver by much, new legends will continue to be born and history may yet be rewritten.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=68|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


===Unified Timeline===
Hylia rallied the remaining land dwellers, fought back the evil forces led by Demise, and sealed them away.<ref>{{Cite|With the humans safe, the goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At last, peace was restored to the surface.|N/A|SS}}</ref> She suffered grave injuries in the battle. Knowing the seal on Demise would not hold, she devised a plan.<ref>{{Cite|However, soon after the demon king was imprisoned, it became clear that the seal would not hold long against his fearsome power. Hylia had suffered grave injuries in her battle with the demon king.|Zelda|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|She knew that if he broke free again, there would be no stopping him. And if the demon king were to free himself, it would mean the end of the world for all beings of this land. In order to put an end to the demon king, Hylia devised two separate plans and set them both into motion.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> As the Triforce could not be wielded by a god, Hylia renounced divinity and transferred her soul to the body of a mortal who would come of age when Demise returned.<ref>{{Cite|Her second plan...was to abandon her divine form and transfer her soul to the body of a mortal. ...She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used. For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by gods, all of its power can never be wielded by one.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> She created the [[Goddess Sword]] and the spirit [[Fi]] to aid her chosen hero, who would reveal himself when he drew the sword from its pedestal.<ref>{{Cite|First, she created {{Color|SS Blue|Fi}}. She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her {{Color|SS Red|chosen hero}} on his mission.|Zelda|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I've had my suspicions, but until now I wasn't sure. Yet here we are in the Chamber of the Sword, the very place where it was foretold the youth of legend would one day appear. It is said that this place was left to our people by the goddess herself. The very knowledge of this room's existence is a secret passed down to a  select few each generation, along with a handful of words... When the light of the goddess's sword shines bright, the great apocalypse will wake from its long slumber. Do not fear, for it is then that a youth, guided by my hand, shall reveal himself in a place most sacred.|Gaepora|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|The youth who draws forth the guiding sword shall be known as the goddess's chosen hero, and it is he who possesses an unbreakable spirit.|Fi|SS}}</ref>
[[File:Goddesses.jpg|thumb|right|The Goddesses create the world, from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'']]
====Creation of the World====
Hyrule was formed many ages ago through the works of the three [[Golden Goddesses]]: [[Din (Goddess)|Din]] the Goddess of Power, [[Nayru (Goddess)|Nayru]] the Goddess of Wisdom, and [[Farore (Goddess)|Farore]] the Goddess of Courage. Before spirits and life existed, these three goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule.<ref>{{cite|Before time began, before spirits and life existed... Three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule... Din, the goddess of power... Nayru, the goddess of wisdom... Farore, the goddess of courage... Din... With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru... Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore... With her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law.|Great Deku Tree|Ocarina of Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite manual|quote=Before life began, before the world had form, three Golden Goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, the Goddess of Courage.|game=Ocarina of Time|page=5}}</ref> Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land, created the red earth, and was thus responsible for the creation of the geography of Hyrule.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth.|game=Ocarina of Time|page=5}}</ref> Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world, bringing order to a formerly chaotic realm.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world.|game=Ocarina of Time|page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite manual|quote=The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature.|game=A Link to the Past|page=3}}</ref> Farore, with her rich soul, created all life forms that would uphold the law established by Nayru.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=Farore's rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.|game=Ocarina of Time|page=5}}</ref>


==== The Era of the Goddess Hylia ====
====Sky Era====
{{Main|Hylia}}
======{{SS|-}}======
[[File:Hylia.png|thumb|right|Hylia and the five races of the surface]]
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword}}
When the labors of the three great goddesses were completed, they departed the world for the heavens. The three goddesses left behind a symbol of their power, the all-powerful relic known as the [[Triforce]], which when mastered in its entirety would grant the heart's desire of its holder.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=After the gods had finished their work, they left the world, but not before creating a symbol of their strength, a golden triangle known as the Triforce. A small but powerful portion of the essence of the gods was held in this mighty artifact, which was to guide the intelligent life on the world of Hyrule.|game=A Link to the Past|page=3}}</ref> They trusted [[Triforce|their ultimate power, the Triforce]] in the hands of Her Grace, the Goddess [[Hylia]], to protect it.<ref>{{cite|Handed down by the gods of old, this power gave its holder the means to make any desire a reality. Such was the might of the ultimate power that the old ones placed it in the care of the goddess.|Introduction|SS}}</ref> The Demon King [[Demise]], wanting to make the world his own, gathered an army of monsters and together launched an attack against the people of the surface, murdering them and causing misfortunes in an attempt to get their hands on the power guarded by Hylia.<ref>{{cite|One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair... They burnt forests to ash, choked the land's sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation. They did all this in their lust to take the ultimate power protected by Her Grace, the goddess.|Introduction|SS}}</ref><ref>{{cite|In his thirst to make the world his own, Demise readied a massive army of monsters for war. He sought to take the Triforce for himself by force.|Zelda|SS}}</ref>
Thousands of years later,<ref name="HH 69">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 69}}</ref> during the '''{{Section|Sky Era}}''',<ref name="HH 72">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 72}}</ref> Hylia is reborn as [[Zelda]] in [[Skyloft]].<ref name="HH 73">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 73}}</ref> On the day of the 25th annual [[Wing Ceremony]], she is taken down to the {{Term|SS|Surface|link}} in a tornado created by {{Term|SS|Ghirahim|link}},<ref>{{Cite|The day of the ceremony, Ghirahim's tornado tossed me out of the sky and down to the world below.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> who attempts to have her kidnapped to revive his master {{Term|SS|Demise|link}}.<ref>{{Cite|I MUST have the spirit maiden in order to resurrect my master!|Ghirahim|SS}}</ref> {{Term|SS|Zelda}} is rescued from his minions by {{Term|SS|Impa|link}},<ref>{{Cite|I was nearly captured by the demonic forces, but I was rescued at the last moment by the old woman who lives in the Sealed Grounds.|Zelda|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I heard my underlings had finally captured the spirit maiden, so of course I rushed over here. What can I say? I was excited. Flustered, even... But what did I find when I arrived? That agent of the goddess... She had once again... You see, what I'm trying to say is... That goddess-serving dog escaped with the girl!|Ghirahim|SS}}</ref><ref name="HH 74">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 74}}</ref> whom Hylia had sent through time to help her mortal self.<ref>{{Cite|Zelda, at the command of the goddess, I passed through the Gate of Time. I did so to protect you and aid the fight to prevent the world's destruction.|Impa|SS}}</ref>


Hylia gathered the surviving humans on a piece of land and sent it to [[The Sky|the heavens]], beyond the clouds and out of reach from the evil plaguing the land.<ref>{{cite|To prevent this great power from falling into the hands of the evil swarming the lands... The goddess gathered the surviving humans on an outcropping of earth. She sent it skyward, beyond the reach of the demonic hordes. Beyond even the clouds.|Introduction|Skyward Sword}}</ref> In order to keep it from falling into the hands of Demise, Hylia also send the [[Triforce]] to [[The Sky]] and hid the portals to three pieces of the [[Triforce]] within [[Sky Keep]], and enshrined the [[Goddess Sword]] inside the Statue of the Goddess, to be found by a chosen hero when the time was right.<ref>{{cite|I've had my suspicions, but until now I wasn't sure. Yet here we are in the Chamber of the Sword, the very place where it was foretold the youth of legend would one day appear. It is said that this place was left to our people by the goddess herself. The very knowledge of this room's existence is a secret passed down to a  select few each generation, along with a handful of words... When the light of the goddess's sword shines bright, the great apocalypse will wake from its long slumber. Do not fear, for it is then that a youth, guided by my hand, shall reveal himself in a place most sacred.|Gaepora|SS}}</ref><ref>{{cite|The words I have sworn to keep secret are coming true before my very eyes. The youth will be guided by one born of the blade--one who is also youthful  in likeness yet wise with knowledge immeasurable.|Gaepora|SS}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Oral tradition, one of the least reliable methods of information retention and transmission. It appears that critical sections of the passage have been lost over the generations. The youth who draws forth the guiding sword shall be known as the goddess's chosen hero, and it is he who possesses an unbreakable spirit. He shall be burdened with the task of abolishing the shadow of apocalypse from the land. Such is his destiny. With the spirit of the blade at his side, he shall soar over the clouds and plummet below... ...And united with the spirit maiden, shall bring forth a piercing light that resurrects the land.|Fi|SS}}</ref> Now that the humans were safe, the goddess and the five tribes who lived on the surface joined forces and sealed away Demise, restoring peace to the land, although the goddess had suffered "grave injuries".<ref>{{cite|With the humans safe, the goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At last, peace was restored to the surface.|Introduction|SS}}</ref>
Zelda regains her memories as Hylia.<ref name="HH 75">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 75}}</ref> Her childhood friend, {{Term|SS|Link|link}}, is led by {{Term|SS|Fi|link}} to draw the {{Term|SS|Goddess Sword|link}}, and so is revealed to be Hylia's chosen hero. At the {{Term|SS|Temple of Time|link}}, {{Term|SS|Zelda}} and {{Term|SS|Impa}} flee from {{Term|SS|Ghirahim}} by going through the {{Term|SS|Gate of Time|link}} and destroying it behind them. Link seeks out the three [[Sacred Flames]] to temper his sword into the [[Master Sword]], which he uses to activate the second Gate of Time at the Sealed Temple.<ref name="HH 75"/> He finds {{Term|SS|Zelda}} by using the {{Term|SS|Gate of Time}} to travel back to the Era of Hylia, to a time shortly after when Demise was sealed. Zelda places herself in a thousand-year slumber to sustain the seal.<ref>{{Cite|To ensure that the seal holds, I will remain here in this time...deep in sleep for thousands of years.|Zelda|SS}}</ref>  
{{clear}}


====The Sky Era====
Link returns to the present, gathers the [[Triforce]], and uses it to destroy Demise.<ref name="HH 76">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 76}}</ref> Zelda awakens from her agelong slumber only to be kidnapped by Ghirahim.<ref name="HH 76"/> Ghirahim takes her to the past, where Demise is still alive, and uses her soul to revive his master. Link defeats Demise in battle and the Demon King is permanently sealed away in the Master Sword. With his last words, Demise vows an incarnation of his hatred ([[Ganon]]) shall ever follow "those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero" in a cycle without end.<ref>{{Cite|My hate...never perishes. It is born anew in a cycle with no end! I will rise again!|Demise|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero... They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!|Demise|SS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I have confirmed the eradication of the demon king. His residual consciousness has been absorbed into the Master Sword... and is now sealed away.|Fi|SS}}</ref>
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword}}
[[File:SS Skyloft Artwork.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Link riding on his Loftwing with Skyloft in the background]]
Skyloft remained in the sky above the clouds for generations, knowledge of the Surface and the origins of Skyloft becoming mere legend. Despite their dwindling knowledge of their origins, the people of Skyloft still knew of the Goddess Hylia and believed she watched over them to that day, unaware that she was [[Princess Zelda#Skyward Sword|living among them in a mortal form]].
 
On the day of the 25th anniversary of Skyloft's [[Knight Academy]], Zelda is taken to the surface by Demon Lord [[Ghirahim]] in an attempt to revive Demise. That night, Link is awakend by the voice of a mysterious spirit, who reveals itself as the sword spirit of the Goddess Sword, created by the goddess Hylia for the purpose of assisting Hylia's chosen hero in fulfilling his destiny.<ref>{{cite|[Link], the goddess created Fi and the great blade she's a part of for very specific reasons.|Zelda|SS}}</ref><ref>{{cite|First, she created Fi. She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her chosen hero on his mission.|Zelda|SS}}</ref> Guided by Fi, Link travels to the Surface in search of Zelda, who herself is guided by [[Impa]] to purify her body at the goddess statues to reawaken as the incarnation of the Goddess Hylia. As Zelda and Impa escape from Ghirahim to the past, Link [[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword#The Sacred Flames|quests to purify the Goddess Sword]] and power it to become the [[Master Sword]]. After traveling to the past, Zelda reveals her true identity to him, and as such must remain in a deep sleep to keep Demise imprisoned within his seal. Link travels back to the present and after learning the [[Song of the Hero]] finds the Triforce and successfully wishes upon the destruction of Demise.
[[File:L+D.png|thumb|200px|left|Link and Demise]]
After Zelda awakens from her sleep, an enraged Ghirahim kidnaps her back to the past, where Demise is still alive. Link follows Ghirahim to the past for a final showdown, but is unable to stop the ritual to revive Demise. The ancient Demon King escapes from his seal, swallows Zelda as [[The Imprisoned]] and returns to his original form. Demise announces his intention to take the world as his own now that Hylia is gone, but gives Link the chance to duel him in another realm for the fate of the world. After a fierce fight, Link bests Demise and fatally wounds him. The Demon King stumbles to his feet, congratulating Link, but warns him that it is not over, and that his hatred would be [[Ganon|reborn as a being]] to pursue domination of the world, and those with the [[Princess Zelda|blood of the goddess]] and [[Link|spirit of the hero]] in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|a cycle without end]]. Link raises his blade and absorbs the remains of the Demon King into the Master Sword.


Link returns from the battle to find Zelda and Groose, and the three return to the Temple of Hylia, where they meet with Impa and prepare to return to their own time. At Fi's behest, Link plunges the Master Sword into a pedestal in the Sealed Temple, leaving it and his partner behind now that her purpose to guide Link had been completed. Saying goodbye to Impa before she destroys the Gate of Time, the three return to their own time where peace has returned and residents of Skyloft take their first steps on the Surface.
Link thrusts the Master Sword into a pedestal in the {{Term|SS|Sealed Temple|link}}; Fi becomes forever dormant in the sword. Link and Zelda return to the present, but Impa stays in the past—in her own time—to watch over the Master Sword. Zelda and Link resolve to live on The Surface and watch over the Triforce.<ref>{{Cite|I... I think I want to live here. I always want to feel solid ground beneath my feet, see the clouds above my head, and watch over the Triforce.|Zelda|SS}}</ref>
{{clear}}


==== The Era of Chaos ====
Zelda ([[Hylia]] reincarnate), Link, and others from [[Skyloft]] repopulated the surface world. Their descendants became known as [[Hylian]]s.{{Note|According to {{HH}}, the Hylians are the descendants of Hylia.<ref name="HH 77">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 77}}</ref> However {{E}} states that Hylia lived ''among'' the Hylians.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 14}}</ref> In {{SS}}, the people of Skyloft are only ever referred to as humans.}} During this time, the land was named [[Hyrule]].<ref name="HH 77"/>
[[File:Temple of Time 3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Pedestal of Time inside the Temple of Time]]
Following the defeat of Demise, the world created by the [[Golden Goddesses]] and guarded by the Goddess [[Hylia]], became known as [[Hyrule]], Kingdom of the Gods. Hyrule knew many years of peace, however, the legend of the Triforce and its power was lusted after by many people, and a wave of chaos descended upon the land of Hyrule as people tried to take this power for themselves. To protect the sacred power, [[Rauru]], the Sage of Light, sealed the entrance to the [[Sacred Realm]] within the [[Temple of Time]], with the [[Master Sword]] and the [[Spiritual Stones]] securing the barriers to its entrance. The [[Temple of Light]], located at the center of the Sacred Realm, became the resting place of the Triforce, while Rauru isolated himself within the temple to continue protecting the sacred relic.<ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Era of Chaos|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=77}}</ref>
{{clear}}


==== The Era of Prosperity ====
====Era of Chaos====
[[File:HyruleInPeace.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Kingdom of Hyrule]]
{{Main|Battle for the Sacred Realm}}
Those with the blood of the Goddess [[Hylia]], reborn as Zelda, established the kingdom of Hyrule. [[Hyrule Castle]] was build at the center of the land, watching over the [[Temple of Time]], which was protecting the Sacred Realm and the Triforce. Within the [[Royal Family of Hyrule]], as descendants of the Goddess, many were born with magic-infused blood, endowing them with psychic powers and skill in wizardry.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=With their magic infused blood, the Hylian people were endowed with psychic powers and skill in wizardry.|game=A Link to the Past|page=4}}</ref> It is also believed that the Hylians' pointed ears allow them to hear the messages of the gods.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=It was also said that their long, pointed ears enabled them to hear special messages from the gods.|game=A Link to the Past|page=4}}</ref> Those blood-related to the Goddess became known as the chosen people: [[Hylians]].<ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Era of Prosperity|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=77}}</ref>
After many years of peace in Hyrule, word spread of the supreme power of the Triforce. War engulfed the land, heralding the '''{{Section|Era of Chaos}}'''.<ref name="HH 69"/><ref name="HH 77"/> In particular, a group of powerful sorcerers known as the [[Interlopers]] sought dominion over the Sacred Realm, where the Triforce was located. The goddesses sent the [[Spirits of Light]] to banish them to the [[Twilight Realm]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 11}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page=113}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|For ages, the people lived at ease, content in mind and body... But soon, word of the Sacred Realm spread through Hyrule, and a great battle ensued... Among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled at magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm. It was then that the goddesses ordered us three light spirits to intervene. We sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered.|Lanayru (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> To protect the Triforce, the sage [[Rauru]] built a new [[Temple of Time]] at the location of the Sealed Temple, around the pedestal holding the Master Sword — the location of the only entrance to the Sacred Realm.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= Borrowing the name of the legend, Rauru constructed the new Temple of Time on the ruins of the Sealed Temple, and made the Master Sword a key for passage into the Sacred Realm. Since only someone worthy could pull the sword from the pedestal, it would keep those unworthy of the Triforce from entering the Sacred Realm.|book= E |publisher= |page= 25}}</ref> He placed the Triforce in the [[Temple of Light]] and sealed off the Sacred Realm with him inside it in an event called {{Term|Series|Sealing the Sacred Realm|link}}. The Master Sword became the key that joined the Temple of Time to the Temple of Light. It was closed behind the [[Door of Time]].<ref name="HH 77"/><ref name="E 24">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |page= 24}}</ref>
{{clear}}


====The Force Era====
====Era of Prosperity====
=====The Hero of Men=====
{{Main|Founding of the Kingdom of Hyrule}}
[[File:Bound_Chest_War_4.png|thumb|right|200px|The Legend of the Hero of Men]]
During the '''{{Section|Era of Prosperity}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> Zelda's descendants established the kingdom of Hyrule and became its [[Royal Family of Hyrule|Royal Family]].<ref name="HH 77"/> Princesses born into the royal family were named Zelda after the goddess reincarnate.<ref name="HH 77"/>{{Note|In the Japanese canon, the {{Plural|Series|Oocca|link}} also participated in Hyrule's founding.<ref>{{Cite|The common opinion is that Hyrule was created by the Hylia people, the race closest to the gods, but...truth be told, there's also a theory saying that in ancient times, there was a race even closer to the gods than the Hylia people, and THEY created it. And they, simultaneously with the birth of the Hylia people, created a new capital, a capital that floated in the heavens.|Shad|TP|Japanese text}}</ref>}}
As ages went by and the Kingdom of Hyrule continued to develop in peace,<ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Force Era|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=78}}</ref> one day the land was suddenly overwhelmed by evil creatures that descended upon it in swarms, driving the world into shadows and bringing the kingdom to near-ruin. As Hyrule neared the brink of collapse, the tiny [[Picori]] appeared from the sky and gave the [[Hero of Men]] the [[Picori Blade]] and the magical [[Light Force]]. Using these two special gifts, the Hero drove the beasts back and restored light to the land of Hyrule.<ref>{{cite|A long, long time ago...when the world was on the verge of being swallowed by shadow...The tiny Picori appeared from the sky, bringing the hero of men a sword and a golden light.|Prologue|The Minish Cap}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Long, long ago, and then even longer before that...Evil creatures appeared in the world of humans. They were powerful, frightening beasts, and they created such trouble! But then the Picori came from the sky, bringing humans powerful magic. With the magic light force and the Picori Blade, the beasts were repelled. And the world of humans once more knew peace, thanks to the Picori.|Marshall|The Minish Cap}}</ref>


To ensure the beasts could not bring further destruction to the land, the Hero of Men sealed them all within the [[Bound Chest]]. Sealing the chest with the Picori Blade itself, the Hero of Men was able to bring the destructive war to an end and brought peace to the kingdom. The Light Force was embodied within the [[Princess Zelda|princess]] of Hyrule to prevent its misuse, shining forth upon the lands within its ruler.<ref>{{cite|With wisdom and courage, the hero drove out the darkness. When peace had been restored, the people enshrined that blade with care. And the force of the golden light, embodied in Hyrule's princess, shone forth upon the lands.|Stained-glass window|The Minish Cap}}</ref>
======Force Era======
{{clear}}
======The {{Term|TMC|Minish Legend}}======
{{Main|Minish Legend}}
[[File:TMC Stained Glass Hero of Men Artwork 2.png|thumb|right|200px|The Legend of the Hero of Men]]
During the '''{{Section|Force Era}}''', Hyrule was attacked by evil beings.<ref name="HH 78">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 78}}</ref> The [[Minish]], known to the Hylians as Picori, descended from the sky to save Hyrule. They brought the [[Picori Blade]] and the [[Light Force]] to the [[Hero of Men]].<ref>{{Cite|The tiny Picori appeared from the sky, bringing the hero of men a sword and a golden light. With wisdom and courage, the hero drove out the darkness.|N/A|TMC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Long, long ago, and then even longer before that...Evil creatures appeared in the world of humans. They were powerful, frightening beasts, and they created such trouble! But then the Picori came from the sky, bringing humans powerful magic. With the magic light force and the Picori Blade, the beasts were repelled. And the world of humans once more knew peace, thanks to the Picori.|Marshall|TMC}}</ref> The Hero sealed the evil beings in the [[Bound Chest]] and locked it with the Picori Blade.<ref>{{Cite|Do you know about that sword, Link? It is called the Picori Blade, and it locks much evil away in that chest.|Minister Potho|TMC}}</ref> To commemorate the event, a [[Picori Festival]] was held once a year.<ref name="HH 78"/> During the festival, the champion of a sword-fighting tournament would earn the right to touch the Picori Blade.<ref>{{Cite|Whoever wins the competition earns the honor of touching the sacred blade.|Minister Potho|TMC}}</ref>


=====The Hero of the Four Sword=====
======{{TMC|-}}======
{{Sources}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap}}
[[File:Link ezlo.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Link and Ezlo]]
On the hundredth anniversary of the [[Picori Festival]], a corrupted, power-seeking [[Minish]] named [[Vaati]] wins the sword-fighting tournament. During the award ceremony, Vaati breaks the [[Picori Blade]] and opens the [[Bound Chest]], hoping to find the {{Term|TMC|Light Force|link}}. This unleashes evil onto the Hyrule. He turns Zelda to stone and later kidnaps her when he discovers the Light Force is within her. He uses the Light Force to transform into a [[Vaati's Wrath|winged demon]].
One year, in celebration of when the [[Picori]] last came to Hyrule 100 years ago to the day, the festival was unusually grand. [[Hyrule Castle]] was hosting a tournament of sword-fighting skill that called to mind the [[Link|heroes of legend]]. That year’s champion was a mysterious man by the name of [[Vaati]]. He won the tournament with an almost magical ease, and all of Hyrule was abuzz with rumors about this shadowy figure. During the ceremony following the sword competition, Vaati shattered the sacred Picori Blade and opened the [[Bound Chest]], which, for an age, had been sealed by the Picori Blade, trapping evil monsters within. Vaati was after the Light Force, that golden light that was once wielded by the hero mentioned in the legends of the Picori. He subdued the castle guards and turned Princess Zelda to stone before making a speedy departure.


[[King Daltus]] asked the young Link to seek out the Picori and ask them to reforge the sacred blade. Traveling to the [[Minish Woods]] he met [[Ezlo]], who helped him find the Picori, or Minish as they called themselves. Link met with the [[Gentari|elder]] of [[Minish Village]], who told him that in order to reforge the sacred Picori sword he would require the four [[Elements]], the embodiments of the sacred powers of earth, fire, water, and wind. Once he had gathered the Four Elements, Link brought the Picori Blade—now the [[White Sword]]—to the [[Elemental Sanctuary]] hidden within the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. There he infused the White Sword with the Elements, fully restoring the sacred [[Four Sword]]; a legendary blade with the power to split one warrior into four.
[[Link]], a blacksmith's apprentice and Zelda's friend, is enlisted by [[King Daltus]] to have the Picori Blade reforged so it can break the curse on Zelda. He teams up with [[Ezlo]], a Minish sage and Vaati's former mentor—Vaati had gained his power when he stole the [[Mage's Cap]] from Ezlo. With the help of {{Term|TMC|Ezlo}} and other {{Term|TMC|Minish}}, Link reforges the Picori Blade and infuses it with the {{Term|TMC|Four Elements|link}} to create the {{Term|TMC|Four Sword|link}}. With it in hand, {{Term|TMC|Link}} vanquishes {{Term|TMC|Vaati}}, breaking the curse on {{Term|TMC|Princess Zelda}}. Zelda uses the {{Term|TMC|Mage's Cap|link}} to wish Hyrule back to normal.


Meanwhile, Vaati had brainwashed King Daltus and shrouded Hyrule Castle in darkness. He had discovered that the sacred Light Force had actually been passed down through Hyrule’s princesses, and so he prepared to extract the Light Force from Princess Zelda. Link rushed to her rescue, and, after vanquishing Vaati, he used the Four Sword’s evil-banishing power to restore Princess Zelda. Vaati had been a Minish, an apprentice of Ezlo, who was also a Minish. Ezlo had made a magical cap with the power to grant wishes, but Vaati had stolen it and used it to become a powerful sorcerer. He had transformed Ezlo into a hat himself, then proceeded to hunt down the Light Force. Now that Vaati had fallen, the wishing cap could be used to restore Hyrule. Princess Zelda put on the cap and wished with all her heart that Vaati’s cruelty might be undone. With her righteous wish and the power of the Light Force that still dwelled within her, many miracles happened as a result and peace returned to the land of Hyrule.
======{{FS|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords}}
Vaati was presumed dead, but soon reappeared. Having no memory of his previous life as a Minish, he declared himself Wind Mage and claimed the [[Palace of Winds]].<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 82}}</ref> He brought terror to the land by kidnapping young maidens. A Hero appeared carrying the [[Four Sword]]. He sealed the demon inside the sword, which was then enshrined in the [[Four Sword Sanctuary]].<ref>{{Cite|Vaati terrorized the people of Hyrule and kidnapped many beautiful girls from their homes. When all hope seemed lost, a young boy carrying little more than a sword appeared. According to the legends, when the boy drew his sword, he split into four, the four-who-are-one worked together to vanquish Vaati. The hero used his sword to bind Vaati in a remote area of Hyrule. The people christened the blade the Four Sword and built a shrine around it. There it remained undisturbed for many years.|N/A|FSA}}</ref>


=====The Resurrection of the Wind Mage=====
Generations later, [[Vaati]] the Wind Mage breaks free and kidnaps [[Princess Zelda]], taking her to the [[Palace of Winds]]. [[Link]], who witnessed the kidnapping, draws the [[Four Sword]] and is split into four [[Links]]. The Links gather three keys to [[Vaati's Palace]] from the [[Great Fairy|Great Fairies]] in the [[Sea of Trees]], [[Talus Cave]], and [[Death Mountain]]. The Links defeat Vaati in his palace and rescue Princess Zelda. The Wind Mage is once again sealed in the Four Sword, which is returned to its pedestal. Link regains his original form.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 83}}</ref>
{{Image
|image=Four Swords - Vaati.png
|type= caption
|size=180px
|align=right
|caption=Vaati, the Wind Mage
}}
Peace returned briefly to the kingdom of Hyrule, as Vaati was presumed dead, but suddenly he re-appeared to terrorize the land once again.<ref name=hh82>{{Cite book|quote=The Force Era|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=82}}</ref> No longer remembering his days as a Picori, or his lust for the Light Force, he made himself a home in the [[Palace of Winds]] and he named himself the The Great Sorcerer of the Wind, Vaati. With the power to bend the wind to his will, Vaati goes on a rampage, using this awful power to terrorize many villages of Hyrule. In his assaults on the villages, Vaati would kidnap any beautiful girls who caught his fancy.
 
Many knights from the castle and other brave men set out to subdue the sorcerer and rescue the girls, but each one fell in turn to Vaati's awesome power. Just as the people had begun to lose hope, a lone young boy traveling with little but a sword at his side appeared.
When this boy heard what was happening, he said only, "I will defeat this sorcerer." He boldly entered Vaati's palace, mystically trapped the evil sorcerer inside the blade of his sword, and returned the young girls to their villages. The boy then went deep into the forest and disappeared.


The villagers asked the girls how a boy so young could have saved them all and defeated the sorcerer when no one else could. The young girls told a story of how, with just a wave of his sword, the boy's body shattered into four pieces, each of which then formed a complete copy of the boy. These four young boys then worked together to defeat the sorcerer. The people did not believe the story, but they called it the [[Four Sword]] nonetheless. As rumors of the blade's power to divide a person into four entities spread, the people built a shrine to protect it.
====Era of the Hero of Time====
{{clear}}
[[File:OoT Pedestal of Time Artwork.png|thumb|right|200px|Link draws the [[Master Sword]] from the [[Pedestal of Time]]]]
Hyrule enters a long period of [[Hyrulean Civil War|civil war]]. During the war, a dying [[Link's Mother|Hylian woman]] flees to the [[Kokiri Forest]] and entrusts her baby boy {{Term|OoT|Link|link}} to the [[Great Deku Tree]]. The boy is raised as a [[Kokiri]].<ref>{{Cite|Some time ago, before the King of Hyrule unified this country, there was a fierce war in our world. One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered this forbidden forest. The mother was gravely injured... Her only choice was to entrust the child to the Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest. The Deku Tree could sense that this was a child of destiny, whose fate would affect the entire world, so he took him into the forest. After the mother passed away, the baby was raised as a Kokiri.|Deku Tree Sprout|OoT}}</ref> Eventually, the [[King of Hyrule]] ends the war and unifies the kingdom.<ref name="HH 84">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 84}}</ref>


=====Defeat of the Wind Mage=====
======{{OoT|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords}}
[[File:Four Swords Intro.png|thumb|left|200px|Link splitting in four after taking the Four Sword]]
For generations Zelda and her descendants managed the seal of the Four Sword, but one day the seal weakened. Zelda was in Hyrule Castle when she sensed that something unusual was occurring at the Four Sword Shrine. She asked a boy named Link, whom she trusted above anyone else, to accompany her to investigate the happenings at the shrine. As they approached the shrine to check on the seal, a dark figure suddenly appeared and grabbed princess Zelda. The seal on Vaati had weakened over time, and Vaati managed to break out of his prison within the Four Sword.
 
Having still no memory of his time as a Picori, or the power of the Light Force, Vaati did not recognize the princess and saw her only as a fair maiden. He decided she was to become his bride to commemorate his return and took off with her to his palace. After being instructed by fairies, Link takes the Four Sword from its pedestal and is split into four, as the legend foretold. The [[Great Fairy|Great Fairies]] could help Link to get to the [[Palace of Winds]], but not until he proved himself courageous enough. After traveling over three different lands and the dungeons they contained, Link and his three other selves confronted the wind mage in the [[Palace of Winds]], the seat of Vaati's power. After an arduous battle between the sorcerer and the heroes, Link was able to reseal Vaati into the Four Sword's blade.<ref name=hh82/>
{{clear}}
 
====The Era of the Hero of Time====
[[File:Ootmastersword.jpeg|thumb|right|Link draws the Master Sword]]
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time}}
The Kingdom of Hyrule knew many years of peace, until a conflict between the [[Goron]]s and the [[Zora]] threw the entire land in a [[Hyrulean Civil War|fierce war]].{{Fact}} During this war, a [[Link's Mother|Hylian woman]] fled the fires of war and entered the [[Kokiri Forest]], giving her newborn baby, named Link, to the [[Great Deku Tree]] to be raised as a [[Kokiri]]. Finally the war ended and the [[King of Hyrule]] unified his country.<ref>{{cite|Some time ago, before the King of Hyrule unified this country, there was a fierce war in our world. One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered this forbidden forest. The mother was gravely injured... Her only choice was to entrust the child to the Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest. The Deku Tree could sense that this was a child of destiny, whose fate would affect the entire world, so he took him into the forest. After the mother passed away, the baby was raised as a Kokiri.|Deku Tree Sprout|Ocarina of Time}}</ref>
{{Term|OoT|Ganondorf|link}}, leader of the {{Plural|OoT|Gerudo|link}}, openly swears fealty to the king, but plots to open the {{Term|OoT|Door of Time|link}} to obtain the {{Term|OoT|Triforce|link}}. To that end, he curses the Great Deku Tree in an attempt to wrest from him the [[Kokiri's Emerald]]. With his dying breath, the Great Deku Tree sets {{Term|OoT|Link}} and the fairy {{Term|OoT|Navi|link}} on a quest to stop {{Term|OoT|Ganondorf}}.<ref>{{Cite|Thou must never allow the desert man in black armor to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce... Thou must never suffer that man, with his evil heart, to enter the Sacred Realm of legend... That evil man who cast the death curse upon me and sapped my power... Because of that curse, my end is nigh... Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started... Yes, I will pass away soon... But do not grieve for me... I have been able to tell you of these important matters... This is Hyrule's final hope...|Great Deku Tree|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Link... Go now to Hyrule Castle... There, thou will surely meet the Princess of Destiny... Take this stone with you. The stone that man wanted so much, that he cast the curse on me...|Great Deku Tree|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|The future depends upon thee, Link... Thou art courageous... Navi the fairy... Help Link to carry out my will...|Great Deku Tree|OoT}}</ref>


When the baby had become a young boy, he had many restless nights as nightmares of an evil man from the desert plagued his sleep. One day, The Great Deku Tree sent the [[Fairy Companion]] [[Navi]] to summon him. After defeating the monster [[Gohma]] within the Deku Tree itself, the guardian of the forest revealed that he had been cursed by the evil [[Ganondorf]] and implored Link to take the [[Spiritual Stone]] of Forest, the [[Kokiri Emerald]], to [[Princess Zelda]] at [[Hyrule Castle]].<ref>{{cite|Now...listen carefully...A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse upon me...|Great Deku Tree|Ocarina of Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Let's go to Hyrule Castle, Link!! Good-bye...Great Deku Tree...|Navi|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> Link hurried to Hyrule Castle to meet Zelda, who told him that Ganondorf plotted to appropriate the sacred power of the [[Triforce]].<ref>{{cite|What Ganondorf is after must be nothing less than the Triforce of the Sacred Realm. He must have come to Hyrule to obtain it!|Zelda|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> She and Link schemed to obtain the Triforce before Ganon could. Link would gather the other Spiritual Stones needed to open the Door of Time, and she would play the [[Ocarina of Time (Item)|Ocarina of Time]] to open the door.<ref>{{cite|We must not let Ganondorf get the Triforce! I will protect the Ocarina of Time with all my power! He shall not have it! You go find the other two Spiritual Stones! Let's get the Triforce before Ganondorf does, and then defeat him!|Zelda|Ocarina of Time}}</ref>
{{Term|OoT|Link}} meets {{Term|OoT|Princess Zelda|link}}, who like {{Term|OoT|Link}} had premonitions of {{Term|OoT|Ganondorf}}'s treachery.<ref>{{Cite|....... Yes. I told my father about my dream... However, he didn't believe it was a prophecy... But...I can sense that man's evil intentions!|Princess Zelda|OoT}}</ref> The two plot to open the {{Term|OoT|Door of Time}} and get to the Triforce before Ganondorf.<ref>{{Cite|We must not let Ganondorf get the Triforce! I will protect the Ocarina of Time with all my power! He shall not have it! You go find the other two Spiritual Stones! Let's get the Triforce before Ganondorf does, and then defeat him!|Zelda|OoT}}</ref> When {{Term|OoT|Link}} opens the Door of Time and draws the [[Master Sword]] from the [[Pedestal of Time]], he is sealed within the [[Chamber of Sages]] for seven years. He reawakens as the [[Hero of Time]].<ref>{{Cite|Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time....However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time....Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years.|Rauru|OoT}}</ref> In this time, Ganondorf had entered the Sacred Realm, seized the Triforce and transformed Hyrule into a world of monsters.<ref>{{Cite|But, remember... Though you opened the Door of Time in the name of peace... Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, used it to enter this forbidden Sacred Realm! He obtained the Triforce from the Temple of Light, and with its power, he became the King of Evil... His evil power radiated from the temples of Hyrule, and in seven short years, it transformed Hyrule into a world of monsters. My power now has only little influence, even in this Sacred Realm... Namely, this Chamber of Sages. But there is still hope... The power of the Sages remains. When the power of all the Sages is awakened... The Sages' Seals will contain all the evil power in the void of the Realm... I, Rauru, am one of the Sages... And... Your power to fight together with the Sages makes you the Hero of Time! The Hero of Time, chosen by the Master Sword! Keep my spirit with you... And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!|Rauru|OoT}}</ref> However, the Triforce had split in three and Ganondorf retained only the Triforce of Power.<ref>{{Cite|If you would seek the sacred triangle, listen well... The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart... the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise. The Triforce...the sacred triangle... it is a balance that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom and Courage. If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangle has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But, if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce...the part representing the force that one most believes in. If that one seeks the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts. Those two parts will be held within others chosen by destiny, who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands.|Sheik|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Seven years ago, Ganondorf, the King of Thieves, used the door you opened in the Temple of Time and entered the Sacred Realm. But when he laid his hands on the Triforce, the legend came true.|Sheik|OoT}}</ref> Link gained the Triforce of Courage,<ref>{{Cite| The one who holds the Triforce of Courage is... You, Link!|Sheik|OoT}}</ref> and Princess Zelda the Triforce of Wisdom.<ref>{{Cite|And the other, who holds the Triforce of Wisdom... is the seventh Sage, who is destined to be the leader of them all...|Sheik|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda.|Zelda|OoT}}</ref> Ganondorf had used his power to take control of Hyrule Castle, and the Sacred Realm was transformed into the [[Evil Realm]] due to his evil heart.<ref>{{Cite|Your spirit remained in the Sacred Realm...and then the Triforce fell into Ganondorf's hands. He went on to invade the Sacred Realm... Ganondorf had become the Evil King, and the Sacred Realm became a world of evil. All of this is an unfortunate coincidence. I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years...|Zelda|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 87}}</ref>


[[File:OoT Link Ganon Artwork.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Link and Ganondorf in an epic battle]]
Using the combined power of the {{Term|OoT|Master Sword}} and the {{Term|OoT|Seven Sages|link}}, {{Term|OoT|Link}} and {{Term|OoT|Zelda}} seal {{Term|OoT|Ganondorf}} in the Evil Realm.<ref>{{Cite|Ancient Creators of Hyrule! Now, open the sealed door and send the Evil Incarnation of Darkness into the void of the Evil Realm!!|Rauru|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Thank you, Link... Thanks to you, Ganondorf has been sealed inside the Evil Realm! Thus, peace will once again reign in this world...for a time.|Zelda|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 91}}</ref> Ganondorf vows to destroy Link and Zelda's descendants when the seal is one day broken.<ref>{{Cite|Someday... When this seal is broken.... That is when I will exterminate your descendants!!|Ganondorf|OoT}}</ref>


After retrieving the two remaining Spirtual Stones, Link returned to Hyrule Castle only to see Zelda fleeing from Ganondorf. During her flight, Zelda threw the Ocarina of Time into the moat for Link to find. After a brief confrontation with Ganondorf, Link retrieved the Ocarina and proceeded to the Temple of Time. With all the keys in hand, he opened the Door of Time and lifted the [[Master Sword]] from its pedestal, opening the entrance to the Sacred Realm. As Link was too young to be the Hero of Time, Link's spirit was sealed in the [[Temple of Light]] for seven years.<ref>{{cite|Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time....However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time....Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years.|Rauru|Ocarina of Time}}</ref>
Zelda uses the {{Term|OoT|Ocarina of Time (Item)|link}} to return Link to his own time. Link places the Master Sword back in the pedestal and closes the Door of Time. Navi, her mission complete, disappears.


With the gates of the Sacred Realm unguarded, Ganondorf was able to enter and take the Triforce for his own.<ref>{{cite|Geh heh heh! Excellent work! As I thought, you held the keys to the Door of Time! You have led me to the gates of the Sacred Realm...Yes, I owe it all to you, kid!|Ganondorf|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> However, since his heart was not in balance,  the Prince of Darkness was left with only the Triforce of Power. Despite this, Ganondorf was able to use it to conquer the land of Hyrule, as the Hero of Time slept for seven years. After seizing the Triforce and corrupting the Sacred Realm, he caused that corruption to seep into the temples of the Sages, which became infested with all kinds of monsters,<ref>{{Cite|But, remember... Though you opened the Door of Time in the name of peace... Ganondorf, the [[Gerudo]] King of Thieves, used it to enter this forbidden [[Sacred Realm]]! He obtained the [[Triforce]] from the [[Temple of Light]], and with its power, he became the King of Evil... His evil power radiated from the temples of Hyrule, and in seven short years, it transformed Hyrule into a world of monsters. My power now has only little influence, even in this Sacred Realm... Namely, this Chamber of Sages. But there is still hope... The power of the Sages remains. When the power of all the Sages is awakened... The Sages' Seals will contain all the evil power in the void of the Realm... I, Rauru, am one of the Sages... And... Your power to fight together with the Sages makes you the Hero of Time! The Hero of Time, chosen by the Master Sword! Keep my spirit with you... And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!|[[Rauru]]|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> so that the Sages-to-be would not be able to fulfill their duty and aid [[Link]].<ref>{{Cite|One Sage is waiting for the time of awakening in the [[Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Forest Temple]]. The Sage is a [[Saria|girl I am sure you know]]...Because of the evil power in the temple, she cannot hear the awakening call from the [[Sacred Realm]]... Unfortunately, equipped as you currently are, you cannot even enter the temple... But, if you believe what I'm saying, you should head to [[Kakariko Village]]... Do you understand, Link?|[[Sheik]]|Ocarina of Time}}</ref>
The timeline splits into three branches after {{OoT|-}}.<ref name="HH 69"/> The [[#Fallen Hero Timeline|Fallen Hero Timeline]] is a branch in which Ganon defeats the Hero of Time. The branch where Link defeats Ganon is itself split in two when Zelda sends Link back in time to childhood. The [[#Child Timeline|Child Timeline]] is the branch that follows Link back to his own time. The [[#Adult Timeline|Adult Timeline]] is the branch where the Hero of Time has disappeared from the world. Inexplicably, the [[Master Sword]] exists in both branches. In the Child Timeline, Link returns it to the Pedestal of Time. In the Adult Timeline, Zelda does it.<ref name="HH 122">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 122}}</ref>


As Link awakened after seven years, he found Hyrule in ruins. Led by Rauru's and [[Sheik]]'s instructions, Link managed to cleanse the temples and help each Sage to gain their power. Upon Rauru's advice, he then returned to the Temple of Time, where he found [[Sheik]] waiting. His mysterious ally revealed himself to be none other than Princess Zelda, keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom and the seventh Sage, leader of them all. The reunion was cut short when the princess was abducted by Ganondorf. With the Sages help, Link fought his way to the top of [[Ganon's Tower]], clearing the path to Ganondorf for the final showdown between the Hero of Time and the King of Evil.
===Fallen Hero Timeline===
The {{Name|Fan|Fallen Hero Timeline}} is an alternate timeline in which Ganondorf defeats the Hero of Time in battle.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Ganondorf the thief obtained the Triforce of Power and managed to get his hands on Princess Zelda. The Hero of Time, Link, challenged him in a battle that would determine Hyrule's very existence, and lost.|book=HH|page=92|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> Ganondorf takes Link's Triforce of Courage and Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom, thus gaining the power of the complete Triforce.<ref>{{Cite Book|book=HH|page=92}}</ref> As a last resort, the Seven Sages, led by Princess Zelda, seal Ganon and the Triforce within the corrupted Sacred Realm, now the [[Dark World]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The Seven Sages of Hyrule, led by Princess Zelda, sealed Ganon and the Triforce in the Sacred Realm as a final resort.|book=HH|page=92|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart... the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.|Princess Zelda|OoT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 87}}</ref>


{{Clear}}
This timeline branch contains the events of {{ALttP}}, {{LA}}, {{OoS}} and {{OoA}}, {{ALBW}}, {{TFH}}, {{TLoZ}}, and {{TAoL}}.


===Split of the Timeline ===
====Imprisoning War====
{{Main|The End of Ocarina of Time}}
{{Main|Imprisoning War}}
{{Sectstub}}
After a brief time of peace, the doorway to the Sacred Realm re-opened.{{Note|According to the original SNES manual of {{ALttP|-}}, the Sacred Realm is opened accidentally by a gang of thieves led by Ganondorf. He kills them and takes the Triforce—it is then that the Sacred Realm becomes the Dark World.<ref name="ALttP Manual 5">{{Cite Manual|quote=|game=ALttP|page=5}}</ref> This latter story is inconsistent with {{OoT|-}} and was omitted from the manual for {{ALttP&FS}}.}}
People fought each other to claim the Triforce, but none who entered the Sacred Realm returned. Instead came forth an army of Ganon's demons.{{Note|It is unclear whether this demon army originated from the Dark Realm, or whether it consists of people who entered the Sacred Realm and were then corrupted by it. The original {{ALttP|-}} manual—again inconsistent with all other accounts—states that greedy Hyruleans were drawn to the Sacred Realm to become members of Ganon's army.<ref name="ALttP Manual 5"/>}}
The [[King of Hyrule]] commanded the [[Seven Sages]] of that era to seal the gate to the Sacred Realm.<ref name=GBAmanual2>{{Cite Manual|quote= The King of Hyrule gathered the seven Sages to find a way to seal the entrance to the Golden Land so that his kingdom would be safe from the evil there|game= ALttP&FS|page=15}}</ref>{{Note|In the original version of {{ALttP|-}}, the King of Hyrule commanded seven Wise Men.<ref>{{Cite|So the King commanded seven wise men to seal the gate to the Land of the Golden Power.|N/A|ALttP}}</ref> {{ALttP&FS}} retcons this text by naming them the Seven Sages instead,<ref>{{Cite|So the King commanded seven wise men to seal the gate to the Land of the Golden Power.|N/A|ALttP}}</ref> even though {{OoT|-}} never depicts the Sages as subjects of the King of Hyrule.}} They succeeded, though the [[Knights of Hyrule]] who defended them were nearly wiped out.<ref name="E 24" /><ref>{{Cite|As the sages sealed the way to the Dark World, the Knights of Hyrule defended them from the attacks of evil monsters. I heard that the Knights of Hyrule were nearly wiped out in that battle...|Maiden|ALttP}}</ref> Due to the cost of resources and lives in the fight over the Sacred Realm, the Imprisoning War left Hyrule impoverished.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 69}}</ref> The Imprisoning War occurred many years after Ganon defeated the Hero of Time in battle.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH|publisher= |page= 93}}</ref>


=== The Decline Timeline ===
====Era of Light and Dark====
The '''Decline Timeline''' is the timeline in which Link, the Hero of Time, despite his best efforts, was defeated by Ganondorf in the final battle. Ganondorf obtained the remaining Triforce pieces from Link and Zelda, and was subsequently sealed within the [[Dark World|corrupted Sacred Realm]] by the seven Sages. In the years to follow, the Hylian blood slowly diminishes and the kingdom of Hyrule is reduced in size. This timeline branch contains the events of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', the ''[[Oracle Series|Oracle]]'' series, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', and ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]'' in that order.<ref>''[[Hyrule Historia]]'', pages 90, 92</ref>
{{Tone|Story}}
 
======{{ALttP|-}}======
==== Ganondorf obtains the complete Triforce ====
[[File:Imprisoning War.jpg|right|thumb|The Seven Sages cast the seal.]]
After the Hero of Time is defeated at the hands of Ganondorf, the King of Evil extracted the Triforce of Courage from Link and the Triforce of Wisdom from Zelda. Obtaining the true power of the complete Triforce, he is transformed into the Demon King Ganon. In a desperate last resort, the Seven Sages seal Ganon along with the complete Triforce away in the Sacred Realm, which was already transformed into the Dark World as a reflection of Ganondorf's evil heart.<ref>{{cite|The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart... the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.|Princess Zelda|OOT}}</ref><ref>''[[Hyrule Historia]]'', page 87</ref>
 
==== The Imprisoning War ====
{{Main|The Imprisoning War}}
Hyrule enjoys a brief period of peace, but as rumors spread of the Golden Power lying in the Sacred Realm, greed-ridden Hyruleans traveled to the Sacred Realm seeking it, never to return. Within the Dark World, they were transformed into monsters by the power of the Triforce and became a part of Ganon's army. As this army grew larger, it poured forth from the Sacred Realm and attacked Hyrule.
 
The [[King of Hyrule]] commanded the [[Seven Sages]] to seal the gateway to the Dark World shut, in order to halt Ganon's invasion of the kingdom. The Seven Sages did so under the protection of the [[Knights of Hyrule]].<ref name=GBAmanual2>{{cite manual|quote= The King of Hyrule gathered the seven Sages to find a way to seal the entrance to the Golden Land so that his kingdom would be safe from the evil there|game=The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA version)|page=15}}</ref> The Knights of Hyrule took the full brunt of the attack from Ganon's monsters, and while they fought courageously to the end, they were nearly wiped out entirely as they did their duty.<ref name=Maiden1>{{cite|As the sages sealed the way to the Dark World, the Knights of Hyrule defended them from the attacks of evil monsters. I heard that the Knights of Hyrule were nearly wiped out in that battle...|Thieves' Town Maiden|A Link to the Past}}</ref><ref name=finalbattle>{{cite manual|quote= The wise men and the Knights Of Hyrule combined forces to wage war on this evil horde. The Knights took the full brunt of the fierce attack, and although they fought courageously many a brave soul was lost that day, However, their lives were not lost in vain, for they bought precious time for the Seven Wise Men to magically seal Ganon in the Golden land. All of Hyrule rejoiced at the victory that upheld peace and order over Ganon's evil and chaos.|game= The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|page= 6}}</ref> Their lives were not lost in vain however, as they bought the necessary time for the Seven Sages to create their seal, trapping Ganon's forces in the Dark World and halting the invasion. Though it had come at a very high cost, with this, the war ended in a victory for Hyrule. The people of Hyrule rejoiced nonetheless at the restoration of order and peace to their kingdom, thanks to the efforts of the Seven Sages and the Knights of Hyrule.
 
====The Era of Light and Dark====
=====A Link to the Past=====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past}}
{{Image
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Hyrule remained at peace for a number of years, until the land was suddenly plagued by a series of misfortunes. The King of Hyrule offered a reward for anyone who could put a stop to them; it was then that the dark wizard Agahnim appeared. Using previously unheard-of magic, the mysterious stranger put a stop the disasters.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=Pestilence and drought, uncontrollable even by magic, ravaged the land. The king of Hyrule, after counsel with his sages, ordered an investigation of the Imprisoned Dark World (as the Golden land had come to be known) but the wise men's seal was apparently intact. He offered rewards for anyone who could find the source of these troubles. In answer to these summons a stranger named Agahnim came and quelled the disasters with a previously unseen form of magic.|game=A Link to the Past <small>([[SNES]] version)</small>|page=6}}</ref> He was proclaimed a hero and said to be the second coming of the Seven Sages. As a reward for his services, the king appointed him chief advisor and priest at [[Hyrule Castle]].<ref>{{cite manual|quote=As a reward, the king gave him a new position as chief advisor and heir to the Seven Wise Men. The masses proclaimed him their hero.|game=A Link to the Past <small>([[SNES]] version)</small>|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{cite manual|quote=The people heralded him as a hero; the King proclaimed him to be the second coming of the seven sages, appointed him priest, and invited him to the castle.|game=A Link to the Past<small>(Japanese version)</small>|page=9}}</ref> Agahnim used this position and his magic to brainwash all of [[Soldier|Hyrule's soldiers]],<ref>{{cite|After Agahnim took over, everyone began to act strangely. I suppose it's only a matter of time before I'm affected, too.|[[Soldier]]|A Link to the Past}}</ref> depose the King of Hyrule,<ref>{{cite|A mysterious wizard known as Agahnim appeared as from nowhere...and with strange magic powers he eliminated the good king of Hyrule...|Prologue|A Link to the Past}}</ref> and make six of the [[Maiden]]s, descendants of the Seven Sages, disappear into the [[Dark World]].<ref>{{cite|The wizard, Agahnim, has done something terrible to the other girls...Now only I remain...Agahnim has seized control of the castle and even now is trying to open the sages' seal.|Princess Zelda|A Link to the Past}}</ref><ref>{{cite|You must also rescue the seven maidens who Agahnim sent to the Dark World.|Sahasrahla|A Link to the Past}}</ref> He did this in order to break the seal on Ganon, so that he could rule both the Light and Dark worlds. His last remaining victim was Zelda herself. As the princess lay in her prison cell, she used telepathy to call out to Link, who lived near the castle with his [[Link's Uncle|uncle]].  
Following the Imprisoning War, the '''Era of Light and Dark''' began. The Kingdom of Hyrule remained at peace for many years, until the land was suddenly plagued by a series of misfortunes. The King of Hyrule offered a reward for anyone who could put a stop to them; it was then that the dark wizard [[Agahnim]] appeared. Using previously unheard-of magic, the mysterious stranger put a stop to the disasters.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=Pestilence and drought, uncontrollable even by magic, ravaged the land. The king of Hyrule, after counsel with his sages, ordered an investigation of the Imprisoned Dark World (as the Golden land had come to be known) but the wise men's seal was apparently intact. He offered rewards for anyone who could find the source of these troubles. In answer to these summons a stranger named Agahnim came and quelled the disasters with a previously unseen form of magic.|game= ALttP|page=6}}</ref> He was proclaimed a hero and said to be the second coming of the Seven Sages. As a reward for his services, the king appointed him chief advisor.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote=As a reward, the king gave him a new position as chief advisor and heir to the Seven Wise Men. The masses proclaimed him their hero.|game= ALttP|page=6}}</ref> Agahnim used this position and his magic to brainwash all of [[Soldier|Hyrule's soldiers]],<ref>{{Cite|After Agahnim took over, everyone began to act strangely. I suppose it's only a matter of time before I'm affected, too.|Soldier|ALttP}}</ref> depose the King of Hyrule,<ref>{{Cite|A mysterious wizard known as Agahnim appeared as from nowhere...and with strange magic powers he eliminated the good king of Hyrule...|N/A|ALttP}}</ref> and make six of the [[Maiden]]s, descendants of the Seven Sages, disappear into the [[Dark World]].<ref>{{Cite|The wizard, Agahnim, has done something terrible to the other girls...Now only I remain...Agahnim has seized control of the castle and even now is trying to open the sages' seal.|Princess Zelda|ALttP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|You must also rescue the seven maidens who Agahnim sent to the Dark World.|Sahasrahla|ALttP}}</ref> He did this in order to break the seal on Ganon, so that he could rule both the Light and Dark worlds. His last remaining victim was Zelda herself. As the princess lay in her prison cell, she used telepathy to call out to Link, who lived near the castle with his [[Link's Uncle|uncle]].  


{{Image
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|caption=Link, in {{ALttP}}
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Link awoke in the middle of the night to find his uncle leaving the house armed with a sword and shield. Despite his uncle's warnings, Link followed the telepathic call to the castle dungeon, where he found his uncle dying. With his last breath, Link's uncle bequeathed him the sword and shield, and told Link that he was the heir to the Knights of Hyrule. Link stormed the castle and rescued Zelda, leaving her in the care of the priest at the [[Sanctuary]]. The priest told Link to seek out [[Sahasrahla]], the elder of [[Kakariko Village]].
Link awoke in the middle of the night to find his uncle leaving the house armed with a sword and shield. Despite his uncle's warnings, Link followed the telepathic call to the castle dungeon, where he found his uncle dying. With his last breath, Link's uncle bequeathed him the sword and shield, and told Link that he was the heir to the Knights of Hyrule. Link stormed the castle and rescued Zelda, leaving her in the care of the priest at the [[Sanctuary]]. The priest told Link to seek out [[Sahasrahla]], the elder of [[Kakariko Village]].


Sahasrahla told Link to seek out the three [[Pendants of Virtue]] in order to discover the [[Master Sword]] hidden deep within the Lost Woods. Link found these pendants in the [[Eastern Palace]], [[Desert Palace]], and [[Tower of Hera]]. Once he had obtained the legendary blade, however, Agahnim's forces attacked the Sanctuary and kidnapped Zelda. Link ventured into Hyrule Castle once again, only to see Agahnim send Zelda into the Dark World before his very eyes. Link defeated Agahnim atop Hyrule Castle, but Agahnim used the last of his magic to draw Link into the Dark World as well. This was a twisted dimension that transformed anyone into a reflection of their true selves. Link's dark world form was a pink rabbit. He was only able to remain in his human form with the help of the [[Moon Pearl]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=Whoever stepped on the magic squares that worked as an entrance would go astray in the Dark World and their body would turn into a monster. Link, who had the makings of a hero, didn’t become a monster, but he his body turned into an animal (a bunny). Link obtained the Moon Pearl so that his body wouldn’t change in the Dark World, and the Magic Mirror, which was used to go back to the Light World.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=95|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
Sahasrahla told Link to seek out the three [[Pendants of Virtue]] in order to discover the [[Master Sword]] hidden deep within the Lost Woods. Link found these pendants in the [[Eastern Palace]], {{Term|ALttP|Desert Palace|link}}, and [[Tower of Hera]]. Once he had obtained the legendary blade, however, Agahnim's forces attacked the Sanctuary and kidnapped Zelda. Link ventured into Hyrule Castle once again, only to see Agahnim send Zelda into the Dark World before his very eyes. Link defeated Agahnim atop Hyrule Castle, but Agahnim used the last of his magic to draw Link into the Dark World as well. This was a twisted dimension that transformed anyone into a reflection of their true selves. Link's dark world form was a pink rabbit. He was only able to remain in his human form with the help of the [[Moon Pearl]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Those who stepped on the Magical Warp Tiles that served as entrances would be lost to the Dark World, transformed into demons. Link, who possessed the qualities of the Hero, did not become a demon, but was instead turned into an animal (in this case, a pink bunny). He managed to obtain the Moon Pearl, which prevented him from being transformed while in the Dark World, and the Magic Mirror, which allowed him to return to the Light World.|book=HH|page=95|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>


Once trapped in the Dark World, Link could use the [[Magic Mirror]] to travel back and forth between worlds and rescue the maidens who were trapped in the Dark World palaces. During his adventures, Link learned that Agahnim was merely Ganon's pawn. He climbed Ganon's Tower and met Agahnim at the top. Link defeated Agahnim once more, but then saw Ganon rise out of Agahnim's crumpled body. Agahnim was in fact Ganon's alter ego.<ref>{{cite|It's unbelievable that you defeated my alter ego, Agahnim the Dark Wizard, twice!|Ganon|A Link to the Past}}</ref> Ganon then fled to the [[Pyramid of Power]] in the center of the Dark World, with Link in hot pursuit. They faced off in one final battle, with Link emerging victorious. Link discovered the Triforce which Ganon had hidden deep within his fortress since his victory over the Hero of Time ages ago. He touched it, and his wish restored Hyrule to peace. The king and Link's uncle returned to life, and Link entrusted the Triforce to the Royal Family.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The trident wielding beast-like Ganon attacked with dark magic, but Link dismantled his dark powers and destroyed him. Link touched the Triforce and wished for the world to return to its original, peaceful state. Both Link’s uncle and the late king came back to life. The Triforce was now once again back in the hands of the royal family, and the evil that emerged from Ganon’s Dark World was slowly wearing off.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=97|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
Once trapped in the Dark World, Link could use the [[Magic Mirror]] to travel back and forth between worlds and rescue the maidens who were trapped in the Dark World palaces. During his adventures, Link learned that Agahnim was merely Ganon's pawn. He climbed Ganon's Tower and met Agahnim at the top. Link defeated Agahnim once more, but then saw Ganon rise out of Agahnim's crumpled body. Agahnim was in fact Ganon's alter ego.<ref>{{Cite|It's unbelievable that you defeated my alter ego, Agahnim the Dark Wizard, twice!|Ganon|ALttP}}</ref> Ganon then fled to the [[Pyramid of Power]] in the center of the Dark World, with Link in hot pursuit. They faced off in one final battle, with Link emerging victorious. Following Ganon's defeat, he found the Triforce within the Pyramid of Power, whereupon it spoke to him. He touched it, and his wish restored Hyrule to peace. The king and Link's uncle returned to life, and the Triforce once again rested in the hands of Hyrule’s royal family.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Ganon, in the form of a giant demonic beast, pressed his attack, wielding dark magic and a three-pronged trident. Link, evading the power of darkness, succeeded in destroying him. The Hero laid his hands on the Triforce and wished for peace to return to the world. The people who had been sacrificed, including Link's uncle and the king of Hyrule, were also restored to good health. The Triforce once again rested in the hands of Hyrule's royal family. With Ganon suppressed, the Dark World that had been born of his wicked heart gradually faded away|book=HH|page=97|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>


=====The Trial of the Triforce=====
======{{LA|-}}======
After the defeat of Ganon, his surrogate mothers, the witches [[Twinrova]], plotted to revive him. For this ritual, they required three flames to be lit: The Flame of Destruction, the Flame of Sorrow, and the Flame of Despair, and follow these with a human sacrifice. In order to obtain these flames, the witches sent their minions: [[Onox]], General of Darkness, to [[Holodrum]]; and [[Veran]], Sorceress of Shadows, to [[Labrynna]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=The twin witches, Twinrova, were scheming to perform a ceremony to revive the Demon King Ganon. For the revival ceremony, Twinrova needed three flames to burn – the “Flame of Destruction”, the “Flame of Sorrow” and the “Flame of Despair” – and to offer a holy sacrifice. In order to obtain the Flame of Destruction and the Flame of Sorrow, the General of Darkness, Onox, was sent to the land of Holodrum and the Sorceress of Shadows, Veran, was sent to the land of Labrynna.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=98|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening}}
After defeating Ganon, Link embarked on a journey of training in preparation for new disasters. On his sea voyage back to Hyrule, Link ran into a terrible storm. The waves and winds overpowered his boat and sunk it. Link awoke, washed ashore on an island known as [[Koholint]]. He was rescued by [[Marin]], a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Princess Zelda. Upon his attempts to leave the island, its inhabitants insisted that there was nothing beyond the sea. He learned that the only way to get off the island was to collect the [[Instrument of the Sirens]] and wake the [[Wind Fish]] who slept in an egg atop [[Mt. Tamaranch]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Link was in the midst of journeying back to Hyrule by boat after finishing his training. During the voyage, he was caught up in a storm that sank his ship. Upon regaining consciousness, Link found that he had washed ashore on an island called Koholint. Link was rescued by a girl named Marin who lived on the island. He woke up in a house belonging to Tarin, where the two made their home. Though Link attempted to leave the island, the citizens insisted that there was nothing beyond the ocean.|book=HH|page=102|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>
 
After traveling all over the island and obtaining the instruments, Link journeyed to the top of the mountain and played the [[Ballad of the Wind Fish]] and fought the [[Nightmare]]. Upon the Nightmare's defeat, it revealed that if the Wind Fish were to awake, the island would disappear, as it was just a dream of the Wind Fish.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The mysterious owl that appeared before Link informed him that the only way to escape the island was to awaken the Wind Fish. As he collected the Instruments of the Sirens, Link uncovered a shocking truth. The world in which he had found himself existed within the Wind Fish's dream, and waking the Wind Fish would cause the island to disappear in a stream of bubbles. The demons had attacked Link in order to preserve themselves and the existence of their island home.|book=HH|page=103|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>
 
Once Link had defeated the Nightmare and awakened the Wind Fish, he awoke clinging to the driftwood of his ship, adrift on the open seas. His further whereabouts are unknown.
{{clear}}
 
======{{OoS|-}} and {{OoA|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages}}
After the defeat of Ganon, his surrogate mothers, the witches [[Twinrova]], plotted to revive him. For this ritual, they required three flames to be lit: The Flame of Destruction, the Flame of Sorrow, and the Flame of Despair, and follow these with a human sacrifice. In order to obtain these flames, the witches sent their minions: [[General Onox]], General of Darkness, to [[Holodrum]]; and [[Veran]], Sorceress of Shadows, to [[Labrynna]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The twin witches known as Twinrova were plotting ways to perform the ceremony that would resurrect the Demon King. For the resurrection ceremony to occur, it was necessary to light the Flame of Destruction, the Flame of Sorrow, and the Flame of Despair, derived from the chaos, sorrow, and hopelessness of humanity. They would also need to offer up a sacred sacrifice. In order to obtain the Flame of Destruction and the Flame of Sorrow, Twinrova sent Onox, the General of Darkness, to the land of Holodrum, and Veran, the Sorceress of Shadows, to the land of Labrynna.|book=HH|page=98|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> One day, when Link visited Hyrule Castle, the Triforce beckoned him into its chamber. Once he placed his hands on the Triforce, it transported him to the distant land of Holodrum, where a new adventure began.
 
Upon awakening in Holodrum, Link met with a group of traveling performers who were watching after a dancer named [[Din (Oracle)|Din]]. Link danced with Din, but suddenly a whirlwind appeared and snatched Din away. Din was actually the Oracle of Seasons, and her capture by Onox meant that the seasons in the land of Holodrum were thrown into chaos. The only way to restore balance to the seasons was to collect the eight [[Essences of Nature]] scattered around Holodrum. Link quested for the essences, using the mythical [[Rod of Seasons]] in order to manipulate the seasons as he went.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Link, the boy who had saved the land of Hyrule, was guided by the Triforce in Hyrule Castle and transported to the unfamiliar soil of Holodrum. After arriving in this new land, the Hero lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious. Just then, a dancer called Din happened to pass by. The traveling performer affectionately nursed Link back to health. When Link awoke, Din invited him to dance. Suddenly, darkness engulfed her troupe of performers. Whirlwinds raged around them, accompanied by the voice of Onox, General of Darkness. Onox sought Din, the oracle who safeguarded the four seasons. Link issued a bold challenge to the general, but Onox succeeded in kidnapping the oracle. Once Din, the Oracle of Seasons, was sealed away, the four seasons of the land of Holodrum were thrown into chaos. Wielding the Rod of Seasons, Link set out in search of the eight Essences of Nature. With the aid of the Maku Tree, guardian of Holodrum, Link ousted the power of darkness and set out to tackle Onox's Castle, located in the northern reaches of the land.|book=HH|page=98|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> Once Link defeated Onox and rescued Din, he was magically transported to the land of Labrynna, the setting of his second trial. However, even after his death, Onox's actions caused the Flame of Destruction to be lit.


One day, when Link visited Hyrule Castle, the Triforce beckoned him into its chamber. Once he placed his hands on the Triforce, it transported him to the distant land of Holodrum, where a new adventure began.
Upon waking up in Labrynna, Link met [[Impa]], who had been attacked by monsters. He helped her by moving a block with the Triforce crest on it. Then, both of them met [[Nayru (Oracle)|Nayru]], who was singing to animals.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Next, Link alighted in the unfamiliar land of Labrynna. He came to the aid of Impa, who was surrounded by demons. Impa had other troubles, however, finding herself unable to move a boulder with the crest of the royal family on it. Link removed the rock with ease and pressed on, only to encounter a singing Nayru surrounded by animals.|book=HH|page=99|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> Suddenly, a shadow came out of Impa and possessed Nayru, who was actually the Oracle of Ages. It was Veran, who had used Impa's body to trick Link. Veran used Nayru's time-traveling abilities to go back in time and alter the past. Veran influenced [[Queen Ambi]] in the past to build the sinister [[Black Tower]]. Link had to use the [[Harp of Ages]] to travel back and forth between the present and the past in order to collect the eight Essences of Time and challenge Veran atop the Black Tower.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=A sudden darkness fell upon them, and Veran, the Sorceress of Shadows, appeared from within Impa, taking control of Nayru's body. In truth, Nayru was the Oracle of Ages, who governed the passage of time in the land of Labrynna. The oracle, now possessed by Veran, vanished. With the Oracle of Ages lost, the flow of time in the land of Labrynna fell into chaos, and strange events began to occur all over the realm. Veran, using the power of Nayru to manipulate time, traveled back to Labrynna's past and forced the reigning queen, Ambi, to construct a giant tower. As requested by the guardian of Labrynna, the Maku Tree, Link shouldered the Harp of Ages and set out in search of the eight missing Essences of Time.|book=HH|page=100|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> Link was able to drive Veran out of the body of Queen Ambi and defeat her, but he was too late: the Flame of Sorrow had been lit.


=====The Adventure in Holodrum=====
In order to light the third and final flame, Twinrova kidnapped Princess Zelda who had arrived in Labrynna. This would complete their dark ritual and light the Flame of Despair. However, Link challenged them and killed them in battle. As a last-ditch effort to complete the sacrifice needed to revive Ganon, the witches offered their own bodies and revived the King of Darkness. However, because the ritual was incomplete, Ganon returned as a mindless beast. Link battled Ganon and defeated him, restoring peace to Holodrum and Labrynna.<ref name="Ganon's revival(Oracles)">{{Cite Book|quote=Twinrova, who had lurked behind the scenes in Holodrum and Labrynna, pulling the strings, managed to light the Flame of Destruction and the Flame of Sorrow. All that remained was to kidnap Princess Zelda and light the Flame of Despair. Using the princess as a sacred sacrifice, they attempted to resurrect Ganon. Link borrowed the power of the Oracle of Seasons and the Oracle of Ages and threw himself upon the ceremonial altar. He cornered and defeated Twinrova, but the twin witches sacrificed themselves to resurrect Ganon. Because the ceremony had not been completed, however, Ganon returned as a witless, demonic beast. Link brought down the rampaging Demon King and rescued Princess Zelda, restoring peace to the lands of Holodrum and Labrynna.|book=HH|page=101|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons}}
[[File:Oracle of Seasons Artwork.png|left|150px|Oracle of Seasons]]
Upon awakening in Holodrum, Link met with a group of traveling performers who were watching after a dancer named [[Din (Oracle)|Din]]. Link danced with Din, but suddenly a whirlwind appeared and snatched Din away. Din was actually the Oracle of Seasons, and her capture by Onox meant that the seasons in the land of Holodrum were thrown into chaos. The only way to restore balance to the seasons was to collect the eight [[Essences of Nature]] scattered around Holodrum. Link quested for the essences, using the mythical [[Rod of Seasons]] in order to manipulate the seasons as he went.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The young boy named Link who saved the land of Hyrule was guided to the Triforce in Hyrule Castle and was transported to an unfamiliar land of Holodrum. After arriving to Holodrum, he lost his strength and collapsed, but found an itinerant on the road that was courteously looking after a dancing child, Din. The awakened Link was lured by Din into dancing. However, suddenly everything was covered in darkness and a tornado arose with the General of Darkness called Onox. Onox’s objective was the “Oracle of Seasons”, Din, who guarded the four seasons. Even though Link challenged Onox with determination, Din was kidnapped. The Oracle of Earth, Din, was sealed away, so the land of Holodrum became a world of a blend of the four seasons. Link used the “Rod of the Four Seasons” and set off to look for the 8 “Essences of Nature”. When Link saved the guardian Maku Tree from the darkness, he went to invade Onox’s castle in the north.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=98|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


Once Link defeated Onox and rescued Din, he was magically transported to the land of Labrynna, the setting of his second trial. However, even after his death, Onox's actions caused the Flame of Destruction to be lit.
His quest to stop Ganon's revival complete, Link departed Labrynna by boat.


{{Clear}}
======The Triforce Separates======
=====The Adventure in Labrynna=====
[[File:ALBW The Triforce, Split Apart.jpg|thumb|right|The Triforce splits into three pieces once again]]
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages}}
After Link's adventures in [[Holodrum]] and [[Labrynna]], the Triforce was split apart.<ref>{{Cite|The Triforce was divided into three-its tempting power out of any one person's reach. One part stayed with the royal family, while another slipped into Ganon's possession. Legend says that the third part found its home in the heart of the hero eternal... And while legends come to us from the distant past, others have yet to be written...|N/A|ALBW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book=E|publisher= |page=34}}</ref> Ganon, despite being sealed in darkness following his defeat at the hands of Link,<ref>{{Cite|But just as Ganon had the kingdom in his evil clutches... a legendary hero answered the call of Hyrule's princess. And this hero, wielding the Master Sword, took up a quest to challenge Ganon's might. He joined with the descendants of the Seven Sages to seal the Demon King in darkness.|N/A|ALBW}}</ref> obtained the Triforce of Power, which remained sealed with him.<ref>{{Cite|Another piece has fallen into the hands of Ganon, sealed away with him.|The Triforce, Split Apart|ALBW}}</ref> The Triforce of Courage's location is unknown, but said to be hidden in the heart of the eternal hero.
[[File:Oracle of Ages Artwork.png|left|150px|Oracle of Ages]]


Upon waking up in Labrynna, Link met [[Impa]], who had been attacked by monsters. He helped her by moving a block with the Triforce crest on it. Then, both of them met [[Nayru (Oracle)|Nayru]], who was singing to animals.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Next, Link was sent to the unfamiliar land of Labrynna. He saved Impa, who was surrounded by monsters, but she couldn’t move a rock that had the crest of the royal family of Hyrule on it. After Link moving the rock with no difficulty, they proceeded forth and there was a group of animals surrounding Nayru, who was singing.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=99|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
======{{ALBW|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds}}
[[File:ALBW Link Fighting Yuga Artwork.png|thumb|right|Link facing off with Yuga]]
Centuries after Ganon's defeat, the peace of Hyrule is once again shattered by the sudden appearance of a mysterious and enigmatic wizard known as [[Yuga]]. With his cruel magic, he invades Hyrule from another world, transforming the descendants of the [[Seven Sages]] into paintings.<ref>{{Cite|Seres is a descendant of the original Seven Sages who sealed Ganon in darkness all those years ago. This Yuga you speak of, he must be after the Seven Sages of our day. He surely intends to free Ganon.|Sahasrahla|ALBW}}</ref> Link, a young apprentice of the [[Blacksmith]] attempts to halt Yuga in his ambitions, but Yuga succeeds in not only acquiring all Seven Sages in the form of paintings, but [[Princess Zelda]] as well. He retreats to his world, that of [[Lorule]], while Link chases after him, using the power of a bracelet given to him by the mysterious peddler, [[Ravio]].


Suddenly, a shadow came out of Impa and possessed Nayru, who was actually the Oracle of Ages. It was Veran, who had used Impa's body to trick Link. Veran used Nayru's time-traveling abilities to go back in time and alter the past. Veran influenced Queen [[Ambi]] in the past to build the sinister [[Black Tower]]. Link had to use the [[Harp of Ages]] to travel back and forth between the present and the past in order to collect the eight Essences of Time and challenge Veran atop the Black Tower.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Everything became dark and a shadow of the Sorceress of Darkness named Veran appeared from Impa and jumped into and took over the body of Nayru. Nayru was the “Oracle of Ages” of Labrynna. Veran, who possessed the body of Nayru, disappeared. Due to the loss of Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, the land of Labrynna’s flow of time was disrupted and phenomena began to occur randomly throughout the world. Veran used Nayru’s ability to control time and returned to Labrynna’s past and took over the giant tower of the then-Queen Ambi. Link was requested by the guardian Maku Tree to go out and search for the 8 lost “Essences of Time” with the “Harp of Ages.”|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=100|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref> Link was able to drive Veran out of the body of Queen Ambi and defeat her, but he was too late: the Flame of Sorrow had been lit.
Link is too late to stop Yuga. Using his magic and that of the Seven Sages, he is able to release Ganon.<ref>{{Cite|I will use the Sages to reach the one who shall help me attain true beauty. I mean, of course... GANON!|Yuga|ALBW}}</ref> Along with the Triforce of Power, Yuga and Ganon are joined as one,<ref>{{Cite|Join with me! Let us destroy all ugliness in this world or any other! We shall be TRULY superior!|Yuga|ALBW}}</ref> and using this power, Yuga desires to consume both Hyrule and Lorule.<ref>{{Cite|Now he has used them to summon the Demon King and siphon his power. Yuga's appetite will soon consume our worlds. Hyrule and Lorule-the beast's for the taking.|Hilda|ALBW}}</ref> Link is protected from the beast's onslaught by [[Hilda]], the princess of Lorule and the dark counterpart of [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], who urges Link to rescue the Seven Sages who have been sent to the far reaches of Lorule. With Hilda holding back Yuga and guiding Link in his quest, he succeeds in rescuing the Seven Sages and, with their power, awakens the Triforce of Courage in himself.  


{{Clear}}
Taking the Triforce, he rushes to challenge Yuga in [[Lorule Castle]], only to find Hilda waiting for him in the [[Throne Room]]. Here, she reveals the truth; it was her who sent Yuga to obtain the Seven Sages and release the Demon King. Taking the Triforce of Wisdom from Princess Zelda's portrait, she explains the history of her kingdom. Lorule once had its own Triforce, but was destroyed by her ancestors long ago to stop endless wars over its power. However, with the Triforce gone from her world, the kingdom crumbled, monsters arose and the world turned to darkness and corruption. Upon hearing of another world with its own Triforce, she sent Yuga to obtain the keys to unlocking the Triforce of Power, and manipulated Link into obtaining the Triforce of Courage. Summoning Yuga, she demands he obtain the Triforce of Courage from Link. Yuga, using Ganon's power, unleashes his might upon the hero. Link fights valiantly however, and defeats Yuga, upon which point Hilda demands he relinquish the Triforce of Power to her. However, Yuga disobeys his ruler, and using his magic upon her he takes her portrait and her Triforce of Wisdom into himself, becoming stronger than ever. In a desperate final battle, Link, with the aid of [[Princess Zelda]], finally defeats Yuga. Upon his defeat, Hilda and Zelda are returned to normal, yet Hilda still desires the Triforce to save her doomed kingdom. At the last moment, [[Ravio]] appears and reveals himself to be Link's Lorulean counterpart and once Hilda's loyal subject, and pleads with her to let Link and Zelda return to Hyrule with their Triforce. Finally relenting after seeing the senseless fighting that had led to this was not what her ancestors wanted, she helps Link and Zelda return to Hyrule with the last of the bracelet's power, through the first crack to appear between the worlds in Lorule's [[Sacred Realm]].


=====The Return of Ganon=====
Returning to their own Sacred Realm with the connection between worlds gone, Link and Zelda find the [[Triforce]] once again whole. It awaits for Link to make a wish upon it, and with his wish, Lorule's Triforce is restored to its former glory, and a new, brighter age dawns upon both Lorule and Hyrule.
[[File:OOX Linked Ending.png|thumb|right|Link leaves Labrynna]]
[[File:BeastGanon.png|175px|left|Ganon, resurrected as a mindless beast]]


In order to light the third and final flame, Twinrova kidnapped Princess Zelda who had arrived in Holodrum. This would complete their dark ritual and light the Flame of Despair. However, Link challenged them and killed them in battle. As a last-ditch effort to complete the sacrifice needed to revive Ganon, the witches offered their own bodies and revived the King of Darkness. However, because the ritual was incomplete, Ganon returned as a mindless beast. Link battled Ganon and killed him, restoring peace to Holodrum and Labrynna.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Twinrova, who was pulling the strings behind the two events lit the Flame of Destruction and Flame of Sorrow. Also, they kidnapped Princess Zelda for the sake of lighting the Flame of Despair. Finally, they were going to use Princess Zelda as the holy sacrifice to revive the Demon King Ganon. Having borrowed the power of Din, the Oracle of Seasons, and Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, Link marched into the altar of the ceremony. Even though Link cornered and defeated Twinrova, they sacrificed themselves to revive Ganon. However, since the ceremony was incomplete, a Ganon without intellect appeared. Link defeated the rampaging Ganon and saved Princess Zelda and returned peace to Holodrum and Labrynna.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=101|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
======{{TFH|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes}}
Link leaves the kingdom of Hyrule and ventures to the kingdom of {{Term|TFH|Hytopia|link}}. There he is recruited by the {{Term|TFH|Witch-Hunting Brigade|link}} to defeat the evil witch {{Term|TFH|Lady Maud|link}}. The witch had cursed {{Term|TFH|Princess Styla|link}} into wearing an irremovable brown jumpsuit.{{Fact|TFH}}


His quest to stop Ganon's revival complete, Link departed Labrynna by boat.
Link teams up with two other lookalike heroes to gather the pieces of the {{Term|TFH|Lady's Ensemble|link}}. They obtain the last piece by defeating Lady Maud. The witch's younger sister, {{Term|TFH|Madame Couture|link}}, assembles the {{Term|TFH|Outfit|link}}. With the complete Lady's Ensemble, Princess Styla is freed from her cursed one-piece.{{Fact|TFH}}
{{Clear}}
=====A Hero's Adventure within a Fleeting Dream=====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening}}
[[File:Link's Awakening Art.jpg|thumb|right|Link's adventures on Koholint]]
On his sea voyage back to Hyrule, Link ran into a terrible storm. The waves and winds overpowered his boat and sunk it. Link awoke, washed ashore on an island known as [[Koholint]]. He was rescued by [[Marin]], a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Princess Zelda. Upon his attempts to leave the island, its inhabitants insisted that there was nothing beyond the sea. He learned that the only way to get off the island was to collect the [[Eight Instruments of the Sirens]] and wake the [[Wind Fish]] who slept in an egg atop [[Mt. Tamaranch]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link, having completed his training, is about to return to Hyrule Kingdom by boat. In the midst of his voyage, he is swallowed up by a storm and his ship is sunk. Upon regaining consciousness, he finds he has washed ashore on an island known as Koholint. Link, aided by a girl named Marin who lives on the island, awakens in the house she shares with Tarin. Link attempts to leave the island, only to be met with the inhabitants’ insistence that there is nothing beyond the sea.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=102|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


After traveling all over the island and obtaining the instruments, Link journeyed to the top of the mountain and played the [[Ballad of the Wind Fish]] and fought the [[Nightmare]]. Upon the Nightmare's defeat, it revealed that if the Wind Fish were to awake, the island would disappear, as it was just a dream of the Wind Fish.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The mysterious owl that appears before Link informs him that the only way to escape the island is to awaken the Wind Fish. To that end, Link gathers the Instruments of the Sirens, only to discover a shocking truth. This world exists within the dreams of the Wind Fish, and if he awakens, the island will turn to bubbles and disappear. In order to protect the island and preserve their own existence, the demons attack Link.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=103|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
====Golden Era====
Following the recovery of the Triforce in {{ALBW|-}}, Hyrule enters a '''{{Section|Golden Era}}'''. Successive [[King of Hyrule|Kings of Hyrule]] govern the land with the strength of the united Triforce.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= It is said that a long ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce.|game= TAoL|page=6}}</ref> The Kingdom of Hyrule flourishes.<ref name="HH 104">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 104}}</ref>


Once Link had defeated the Nightmare and awakened the Wind Fish, he awoke clinging to the driftwood of his ship, adrift on the open seas. Link's whereabouts after this are unknown.
The last such {{Term|Series|King of Hyrule|link}}, doubting his son's worthiness, hides the {{Term|Series|Triforce of Courage|link}} in the {{Term|TAoL|Great Palace|link}}. Upon his death, he casts a spell on Hyrule such that a crest will one day appear on a young man worthy of wielding the Triforce of Courage.<ref name="HH 104"/><ref name="E 222">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 222}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= |game= TAoL|page= 9}}</ref> The King confers the secret location of the Triforce of Courage to his daughter {{Term|Series|Princess Zelda|link}}.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= Before he died, the king had said something about the Triforce to only the younger sister of the prince, Princess Zelda.|game= TAoL|page= 6}}</ref>
{{clear}}


====The Golden Era====
====Era of Decline====
[[File:AoL pg6.jpg|thumb|right|The wise King of Hyrule who mastered the united Triforce looks out over his kingdom]]
[[File:TAoL Princess Zelda I Artwork.png|thumb|right|Princess Zelda I in her eternal sleep]]
{{Main|King of Hyrule (The Adventure of Link)}}
The {{Term|TAoL|Prince of Hyrule|link}} ascends to the throne but inherits only the Triforce of Power and the Triforce of Wisdom.<ref name="E 222"/>{{Note|{{HH}} presents a conflicting account in which the former King passes the Triforce on to Princess Zelda instead. On the same page, {{HH|-}} states that the Prince inherits an incomplete Triforce.<ref name="HH 104"/>}} Abetted by a {{Term|TAoL|Magician|link}}, the new King questions Princess Zelda on the location of the missing Triforce. When she refuses to reveal her father's secret, the enraged Magician places her under a spell of eternal sleep.<ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= In his anger, the magician tried to cast a magic spell on the princess. The surprised prince tried to stop him, but the magician fought off the prince and went on chanting the spell. Then, when the spell was finally cast, Princess Zelda fell on that spot and entered a sleep from which she might never awake.|game= TAoL|page= 9}}</ref>{{Note|According to the manual for {{TAoL}}, the {{Term|TAoL|Magician}} dies after casting the spell on Princess Zelda. The "Database" section of {{E}} equates the {{Term|TAoL|Magician}} with the {{Term|TAoL|Wizard|link}} enemy and states, "He was among the Wizzrobes that served the prince and were banished for putting Princess Zelda to sleep."<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E|publisher= |page= 212}}</ref> In the "Archives" section {{E|-}} mentions the {{Term|TAoL|Magician}} but not mention his fate.<ref name="E 222"/>}} Filled with regret, the new King places the princess on the altar in {{Term|TAoL|North Castle|link}}. He decrees that all women born into the royal family are to be named "Zelda". The cursed princess becomes known as Princess Zelda I.<ref name="E 222"/>{{Note|Though the practice of naming princesses "Zelda" had existed since the establishment of the Royal Family, it became customary only after the tragedy of the sleeping princess.<ref name="HH 105">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 105}}</ref>}}
Following the defeat of Ganon and the recovery of the Triforce, Hyrule entered a Golden Era of peace, in which great and wise [[King of Hyrule (The Adventure of Link)|rulers]] governed the land with the strength of the united Triforce at their command.<ref>{{cite manual|quote=It is said that a long ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained the peace in Hyrule using the Triforce.|game=The Adventure of Link|page=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Golden Era|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=104}}</ref>
{{clear}}


====The Era of Decline====
The repentant king governs Hyrule to the best of his ability, but without the power of the full Triforce the kingdom falls into decline and its borders recede. The Triforce of Power and the Triforce of Wisdom continue to be passed down within the Royal Family. The existence of the Triforce of Courage is forgotten.<ref name="HH 105"/><ref name="E 13">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 13}}</ref>
=====The Tragedy of Princess Zelda=====
[[File:Sleeping Zelda.jpg|thumb|right|Princess Zelda in her eternal sleep]]
{{Main|Sleeping Zelda}}
When the last of the kings to use the Triforce anticipated his death, he hoped to find someone with the innate qualities that were fitting of a worthy possessor of the true Triforce; for if it were to fall in the wrong hands, evil would befall Hyrule.<ref>{{cite manual|quote= But, what will happen if someone else uses the Triforce before then? If it is misused, it will produce many evils.|game=The Adventure of Link|page=9}}</ref> Unfortunately, he was unable to find any such person during his lifespan. Since his own son did not fit this archetype,<ref>{{cite manual|quote=Not everybody can use the Triforce. It requires strong character with no evil thoughts. But an inborn special quality is also necessary. Unfortunately, I have not found such a person during my lifetime.|game=The Adventure of Link|page=9}}</ref> the King elected to split the relic into its three component parts. Upon his death, the prince, instead of receiving the entire Triforce, inherited only the Triforces of Power and Wisdom. The prince frantically searched for the remaining Triforce of Courage, but in vain. Then, a [[Magician|wizard]] came to the prince and told him that his younger sister, Zelda, knew the location of the mystical object. The prince demanded that Zelda turn the information over to him, but Zelda refused and, in a rage, the wizard put Zelda into an eternal sleep, himself dying in the process. Overcome with grief, the prince sealed his sleeping sister in the [[North Castle]] and ordered that all female descendants of the Hylian monarchy were to be named Zelda.<ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Era of Decline|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=105}}</ref> As Zelda was the only one who knew the location of the Triforce of Courage, the relic was lost and the royal family was no longer able rule using the power of the unified Triforce.
{{clear}}


=====Evil Creeps In=====
======{{TLoZ|-}}======
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda (Game)}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda}}
[[File:Death Mountain LoZ.jpg|thumb|right|Link looking out over Hyrule]]
Many years later, an evil army led by a revived {{Term|TLoZ|Ganon|link}} attacks {{Term|TLoZ|Hyrule|link}} and steals the Triforce of Power. To keep the Triforce of Wisdom out of Ganon's hands, {{Term|TLoZ|Princess Zelda|link}} (a descendant of Princess Zelda I) splits it in eight and hides the pieces throughout Hyrule. The Princess sends her nursemaid {{Term|TLoZ|Impa|link}} to find someone with the courage to defeat Ganon. Ganon imprisons Zelda and sends a search party to find Impa.<ref name="E 218">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 13}}</ref><ref name="HH 106">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH|publisher= |page= 106}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= |game= TLoZ|page= 3}}</ref>
Many years later, an evil army attacked the peaceful kingdom of Hyrule and stole the [[Triforce of Power]]. This army was led by Ganon, the powerful Prince of Darkness who sought to plunge the World into fear and darkness under his rule. Fearing his wicked rule, Zelda, the princess of this kingdom, split the remaining [[Triforce of Wisdom]] into eight fragments and hid them throughout the realm. At the same time, she commanded her most trustworthy nursemaid, Impa, to secretly escape into the land and go find a man with enough courage to destroy the evil Ganon.


Braving forests and mountains, Impa fled for her life from her pursuers. As she reached the very limit of her energy she found herself surrounded by Ganon's evil henchmen, until a young lad appeared who skillfully drove off Ganon's henchmen. Hearing Impa's story, this young traveler, named Link, set out to recover the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom. After doing so, he fought his way to Ganon's lair in [[Death Mountain]] and destroyed the King of Evil, recovering the Triforce of Power and saving Princess Zelda.
A traveling {{Term|TLoZ|Link|link}} (possibly a descendant of the hero from the Era of Light and Dark) happens upon Impa as she is accosted by Ganon's henchmen. Link drives off the evil minions and learns of Ganon's invasion from Impa. He sets off to recover the eight pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom. Having collected them from eight {{Plural|TLoZ|Dungeon|link}} in the land, Link confronts Ganon in {{Term|TLoZ|Death Mountain|link}} and defeats the Demon King using the Triforce of Wisdom, the {{Term|TLoZ|Magical Sword|link}}, and {{Plural|TLoZ|Silver Arrow|link}}. Zelda declares Link the hero of Hyrule.<ref name="HH 106"/><ref name="E 218"/><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= |game= TLoZ|page= 3}}</ref>
{{clear}}


=====The Hero's Quest to Reunite the Triforce=====
======{{TAoL|-}}======
{{Main|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}
{{Main|Zelda II: The Adventure of Link}}
[[File:AoL pg4.jpg|thumb|right|Link shows the mark of the Triforce to Impa]]
[[File:TAoL Triforce.png|thumb|right|The Triforce unites before the altar in North Castle]]
Although Link had defeated Ganon, his underlings remained. Waiting for the return of their master, they continued to cause chaos and disorder in Hyrule. The key to Ganon's resurrection was the blood of Link—the valiant lad that overthrew the King of Evil. The Demon King would be revived by sacrificing Link and sprinkling his blood on the ashes of Ganon.
{{Term|TAoL|Hyrule}} is beleaguered by Ganon's minions who remain after the death of their leader. {{Term|TAoL|Link|link}} remains in {{Term|TAoL|Hyrule|link}} to help with its restoration. On his sixteenth birthday, six years after {{Term|Series|Ganon|link}}'s defeat, a glowing {{Term|Series|Triforce|link}} mark appears on the back of Link's left hand. {{Term|TAoL|Impa|link}} guides him to {{Term|TAoL|North Castle|link}} and presses the back of his hand against the sealed doorway. Inside they find the altar of the sleeping {{Term|TAoL|Princess Zelda I|link}}. Impa recounts the story of Princess Zelda I. She entrusts him with six {{Plural|TAoL|Crystal|link}} and an ancient scroll written by the {{Term|TAoL|King of Hyrule|link}} who had hidden the {{Term|TAoL|Triforce of Courage}}. {{Term|TAoL|Link}} learns from reading the scroll that the crest on his hand is the result of a spell cast by the King, marking him as worthy of the hidden Triforce of Courage. The scroll indicates that the Triforce of Courage is located in the {{Term|TAoL|Great Palace|link}}. To undo the binding force around the Great Palace, {{Term|TAoL|Link}} must go to each of the six {{Plural|TAoL|Palace|link}} in {{Term|TAoL|Hyrule}}, defeat the {{Term|TAoL|Guardian|link}} defending it, and set the {{Plural|TAoL|Crystal}} in the heads of statues located in the {{Plural|TAoL|Palace}}. {{Term|TAoL|Impa}} tells {{Term|TAoL|Link}} that by uniting the three pieces of the Triforce, he can undo the spell cast on the sleeping {{Term|TAoL|Princess Zelda}} and bring peace back to {{Term|TAoL|Hyrule}}.<ref name="E 222"/><ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH|publisher= |page= 108}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Manual|quote= |game= TAoL|page= 4-12}}</ref>


Meanwhile, Link remained in the little kingdom of Hyrule and lent his hand to its restoration. One day, a strange mark resembling crest of the kingdom appeared on the back of Link's hand as he approached his 16th birthday. Link went to Impa, Princess Zelda's nursemaid, who was shocked when she saw the birthmark. She took Link to the North Castle and told him of the tragedy of the Princess Zelda of old. In order to revive the eternally sleeping Princess, Impa entrusted to Link six [[Crystals]] and a scroll so he could reunite the Triforce. The scroll revealed the location of the long-lost Triforce of Courage, which was hidden in the [[Great Palace]] in the [[Valley of Death]]. Link set out for the six palaces to defeat their Guardian Deities and, using each of the six crystals, dispelled the barrier around the Great Palace. After defeating the final Guardian, and [[Dark Link|his own shadow]], Link retrieved the Triforce of Courage and awoke Princess Zelda from her sleep.
Link defeats the six Guardians and places the Crystals to gain access to the Great Palace, where he defeats the last {{Term|TAoL|Guardian|link}}. In a final trial, {{Term|TAoL|Link}} defeats [[Dark Link|his own shadow]] to obtain the Triforce of Courage.<ref name="E 222"/><ref name="HH 109">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH|publisher= |page= 109}}</ref>


With the Triforce reunited for the first time since Zelda was put to sleep, the revival of Ganon was prevented and peace finally returned to the Kingdom of Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite book|quote=The Golden Era|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|page=109}}</ref>
Link returns to North Castle. The three pieces of the Triforce unite before the altar. The sleeping Princess Zelda awakens, her curse broken. Peace returns to {{Term|TAoL|Hyrule}}.<ref name="E 222"/><ref name="HH 109"/>
{{clear}}
 
{{Clear}}
 
===Child Timeline===
[[File:OoT Ending.png|thumb|220px|Link warns Zelda about Ganondorf]]
The '''{{Section|Child Timeline}}''',<ref name="encyclopedia-timeline"/> or '''{{Section|Child Era}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> is the branch of the timeline that follows Link back in time at the end of {{OoT|-}}. The young hero warns the [[Royal Family]] of Ganondorf's treachery during the {{Term|Series|Return of the Hero|link}}, thus averting his rise to power and thwarting him from the start.{{Note|{{HH|-}} does not explain how Link and Zelda succeeded in convincing the king that Ganondorf was evil the second time around.}} Link leaves Hyrule on [[Epona]] to search for [[Navi]]. Years later, Ganondorf is sealed within the [[Twilight Realm]].
 
This timeline contains the events of {{MM}}, {{TP}}, and {{FSA}}.


===The Child Timeline===
===={{MM|-}}====
[[File:OoT ending.jpg|thumb|200px|Link warns Zelda about Ganondorf.]]
The presence of the Hero who went back and forth in time generated a fork in history, dividing Hyrule’s chronology. The '''Child Timeline''' is the timeline that follows Link after being sent back to his original time following the defeat of Ganondorf by the Hero of Time in the final battle. He warned Princess Zelda and the King of Hyrule of the tragic future that awaited the kingdom involving Ganondorf if nothing was to be done. This turn of events created the timeline containing ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''.
==== Turmoil in Termina, the parallel universe ====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask}}
[[File:MM Art.jpg|thumb|left|Link's various transformations]]
Several months into his search for Navi,<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 110}}</ref> Link becomes lost in a mysterious forest. He encounters the [[Skull Kid]] wearing {{MM|Object}}. Skull Kid steals Link's horse. Link chases after him into the parallel world of [[Termina]].
After warning Zelda, Link left Hyrule and went in search of Navi, his [[Fairy Companion|fairy companion]] who left him at the end of ''Ocarina of Time''. In his travels, the [[Skull Kid]] accosted Link and stole his horse, [[Epona]], as well as the Ocarina of Time. During Link's pursuit, the Skull Kid cursed him and turned him into a [[Deku Scrub]].  


Link soon discovered that he had wandered into a parallel universe called [[Termina]] which was threatened with imminent destruction by its [[Moon]]. The [[Happy Mask Salesman]] promised Link that if he was able to recover [[Majora's Mask (Object)|Majora's Mask]] from the Skull Kid, then he would restore Link to his true form. Link recovered the Ocarina from the Skull Kid and used it to travel back in time, where the Mask Salesman restored Link to his human form and told him of the evil powers in the Skull Kid's mask. Link went to the four temples in the South, North, West, and East in order to free the [[Four Giants]] from their prisons and stop the moon from falling. In his travels, Link obtained transformation masks which allowed him to assume the forms of heroes whose souls he had healed with the [[Song of Healing]].
The Skull Kid, corrupted by Majora's Mask, aims to destroy Termina by bringing the [[Moon (Object)|Moon]] down upon it. Link has only three days to stop the [[Terminan Apocalypse|apocalypse]], but he is able to return to the [[First Day]] by playing the [[Song of Time]]. He ventures to the four outer regions of Termina, using [[Transformation#Majora's Mask|transformative masks]] to free the [[Four Giants]]. On the [[Final Day]], the Four Giants hold up the Moon. Link thwarts [[Majora's Mask (Item)|Majora]], the demon inhabiting the mask.


Once Link confronted the Skull Kid again, he summoned the Giants, causing the demon [[Majora]] to reveal itself as the source of the Skull Kid's evil. As the moon descended upon the [[Clock Tower]], Link went inside it, where he confronted Majora on an otherworldly plain. Once Majora was defeated, Link left Termina forever, still searching for his companion.
The Hero of Time leaves Termina to continue his search for Navi, and is not again seen alive. Upon his death, he becomes the [[Hero's Spirit]].<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 118}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E |publisher= |page= 19}}</ref>


==== Ganondorf's Execution ====
{{Clear}}
{{Main|Ganondorf's Execution}}
[[File:Ganon's execution.png|thumb|right|The Triforce at Ganondorf's execution.]]
After the failure of his attempted invasion, Ganondorf was taken prisoner in the [[Arbiter's Grounds]] prison.<ref>{{cite|But he was blind...In all of his fury and might, he was blind to any danger, and thus was he exposed, subdued, and brought to justice.|Sage|Twilight Princess}}</ref><ref name=Aonuma>{{cite person|quote=In the last scene of Ocarina of Time, kids Link and Zelda have a little talk, and as a consequence of that talk, their relationship with Ganon takes a whole new direction. In the middle of this game [Twilight Princess], there's a scene showing Ganon's execution. It was decided that Ganon be executed because he'd do something outrageous if they left him be. That scene takes place several years after Ocarina of Time.|name=Eiji Aonuma|url=http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1173582355&archive=|title=Nintendo Dream: Eiji Aonuma Interview}}</ref> When the ancient Sages tried to execute him, however, they discovered to their horror that he had the Triforce of Power, so they activated the [[Mirror of Twilight]] and sent him into the [[Twilight Realm]]. Here, Ganondorf languished for years, until he met [[Zant]] and promised him power in exchange for freedom from his prison.
==== The Era of Twilight ====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess}}
[[File:Twilight.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Illustration from ''Twilight Princess'']]
Ganondorf took the form of a dark god and promised the Twili Zant incredible powers and the throne of the Twilight Realm on one condition: Zant would merge the worlds of Light and Twilight in order to create a world of darkness. Zant agreed, and pledged his undying service to his new master. He [[Overthrow of Midna|used his newfound powers to transform the Twilight Princess]] [[Midna]] into an imp and take the throne before launching his [[Zant's Invasion of Hyrule|invasion of the light world]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=Ganondorf’s malice had been sent to the shadowy Twilight Realm, and it was there that he encountered the ambitious and frustrated Zant. Ganondorf infused Zant with limitless powers to help him fulfil his selfish ambitions, and he had but one request of him: to merge light and shadow and create a world of darkness. Zant slowly built up his powers until he could cover the Twilight Realm in darkness and turn his tribesmen into mindless monsters. The Twili princess Midna was turned into a hideous imp and had to escape to the Light World.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=114|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


Hyrule was unprepared for the invasion, and Princess Zelda soon found herself with her back against the wall. When given an ultimatum by Zant to surrender or die, she chose to surrender. Zant sent his minions over the land and stole power from the [[Light Spirit]]s guarding each province, shrouding the kingdom of Hyrule in Twilight.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The Light World had experienced peace for hundreds of years when the Twili army invaded. Shadow King Zant had no trouble defeating the forces of Hyrule, and Princess Zelda soon found herself with her back against the wall. When given the option to fight until death or surrender, she chose the latter. Zant continued to send his soldiers all over the land, and the Light Spirits protecting each region were soon all engulfed by the twilight. The shroud transformed the world into a shadowy wasteland and filled the hearts of its populace with terror.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=114|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
====The Failed Execution of Ganondorf====
[[File:Ganon's execution.png|thumb|right|220px|Ganondorf survives his execution due to the [[Triforce of Power]]]]
{{Main|Failed Execution of Ganondorf}}
Several years after {{OoT|-}}, Ganondorf is sentenced to death.<ref name=Aonuma>{{Cite Person|quote=In the middle of this game [Twilight Princess], there's a scene showing Ganon's execution. It was decided that Ganon be executed because he'd do something outrageous if they left him be. That scene takes place several years after Ocarina of Time.|name=Eiji Aonuma|url=http://www.thehylia.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1173582355&archive=|title=Nintendo Dream: Eiji Aonuma Interview}}</ref> The [[Sages]] attempt to carry out the execution but Ganondorf survives, blessed with the [[Triforce of Power]] by the gods.<ref>{{Cite|By some divine prank, he, too, had been blessed with the chosen power of the gods.|Sage|TP}}</ref> Instead, the Sages use the [[Mirror of Twilight]] to banish Ganondorf to the [[Twilight Realm]],<ref>{{Cite Book|book= E |publisher= |page= 113}}</ref> which had become inhabited by the [[Twili]], descendants of the [[Interlopers]].


Midna uncovered the dark magic of her [[Dark Interlopers|Dark Interloper]] ancestors in the form of the [[Fused Shadow]] and used its magic to help a youth from [[Ordon Village]] named Link, a descendant of the Hero of Time, who had become trapped in the Twilight Realm in the form of a wolf. Twili legend said that the Hero of Light would appear in the form of a sacred beast: in this case, a wolf. Midna struck a deal with Link that she would help him regain his human form if he would help her gather the other pieces of the Fused Shadow in order to defeat Zant. Once Midna and Link had cleared the land of Twilight and gathered the Fused Shadows, Zant revealed himself and stole the Fused Shadows, wounded Midna, and cursed Link to his wolf form once again.<ref>{{cite book|While looking for a way to overthrow Zant, Midna encountered a youth who turned into a beast in the Twilight. This young man from Ordon Village was Link, a descendant of the Hero of Time himself. Among the Twili there existed a legend which said that the Hero would appear as a sacred beast. When Midna noticed Link’s transformation, she therefore thought that she could use him to defeat Zant and reclaim the Twilight Realm. Being the Hero, Link was able to drive away the Twilight and regain his human form. He and Midna then travelled across the land to restore the Light World and reassemble the Fused Shadows. However, Zant caught up with them, stole the Fused Shadows and wounded Midna. As he left, he placed a curse on Link that once again turned him into a beast.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=115|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
===={{TP|-}}====
Many years later, in the '''{{Section|Twilight Era}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> Ganon appears before [[Zant]], a disgruntled servant of the Twili royal family.<ref>{{Cite|The people of our tribe...a tribe that mastered the arts of magic... were locked away in this world like insects in a cage. In the shadows we regressed, so much so that we soon knew neither anger nor hatred...nor even the faintest bloom of desire. And all of it was the fault of a useless, do-nothing royal family that had resigned itself to this miserable half-existence! I had served and endured in that depraved household for far too long, my impudent princess. And why, you ask? Because I believed I would be the next to rule our people! THAT is why! But would they acknowledge me as their king? No! And as such, I was denied the magic powers befitting our ruler. It was then, in the thrall of hatred and despair, that I turned my eyes to the heavens...and found a god.|Zant|TP}}</ref> Ganon grants Zant his power, which he uses to usurp [[Midna]], the Twilight Princess. Midna flees to the [[Light World]]. Zant invades [[Hyrule]] with an army of [[Shadow Beast]]s, who steal the light from the [[Spirits of Light]], bringing [[Twilight]] to Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite Book|book=HH |publisher= |page= 114}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|The black beast you slayed was a shadow being. It had come to seize the power of light I wield. My brethren in Hyrule have already had their light stolen by these fell beasts. The entire kingdom has been reduced to a netherworld ruled by the cursed powers of darkness.|Ordona (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> [[Princess Zelda]] is held captive in [[Hyrule Castle]].


{{ImageCaption|image=File:Hero's Shade.png|size=200px|align=right|caption=The ghost of the Hero of Time}}
In Hyrule, Midna encounters [[Link]], a ranch hand from [[Ordon Village]]. Link had been in pursuit of [[Bulblin]]s who had kidnapped the children of the village. When he entered the Twilight, he was transformed into a [[Wolf Link|wolf]] by the power of the [[Triforce of Courage]],<ref>{{Cite|In the land covered in twilight, where people roam as spirits, you were transformed into a blue-eyed beast... That was a sign... It was a sign that the powers of the chosen one rest within you...and that they are awakening.|Faron (Spirit)|TP}}</ref> which he had inherited from his ancestor, the [[Hero of Time]].<ref name="HH 115">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page=115}}</ref> Together Link and Midna restore light to Hyrule. In so doing, Link regains his original form. To defeat Zant, they gather the pieces of the [[Fused Shadow]], which holds the dark power of the Interlopers. During their quest, Link receives sword training from the [[Hero's Spirit]].<ref name="HH 118">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 118}}</ref>
Midna and Link sought the aid of Princess Zelda, who gave up her soul so that Midna could live, and told Link to seek out the Master Sword in the [[Sacred Grove]]. The Master Sword dispelled the curse on Link, and allowed him to transform between his human and wolf forms at will.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link desperately travelled to Hyrule Castle to meet with princess Zelda. She told him to find the Master Sword and gave all of her power to Midna, saving her life. They then went to the Master Sword deep within the Sacred Grove, and as Link approached the sword, his curse’s demonic power was dispelled.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=115|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref> Throughout his adventure, Link learned the secrets of combat from the ghost of his ancestor, the Hero of Time. The Hero had lived a life filled with regret because he could not be a hero in this timeline, so he imparted his wisdom to his descendant.<ref>{{cite book|quote=The ghost of his ancestor, the Hero of Time, teaches him secrets. Ever since returning to the child era, the Hero of Time had felt regret that he could not be remembered as a hero. Therefore, he addresses Link as his son and passes down the proof of courage and his secrets.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=118|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


In order to enter the Twilight Realm and confront Zant, Midna and Link sought the [[Mirror of Twilight]] at Arbiter's Grounds, but Zant had shattered it into pieces and scattered it across the land. The Sages who had executed Ganondorf appeared to the pair and told them about Ganondorf's involvement with the darkness which plagued the land. Midna and Link gathered the pieces of the Mirror and entered the Twilight Realm, and Link defeated Zant in single combat. Zant was not fazed, however, boasting that his god Ganon would revive him. In her fury, Midna reclaimed the Fused Shadow and used its power to destroy Zant completely.<ref>{{cite book|quote=To enter the Twilight Realm, Link travelled to the Mirror of Twilight. There, Midna noticed that the Mirror of Twilight had been destroyed by Zant. She learns that Zant’s powers come from Ganondorf, who had been banished to the Twilight Realm long ago. Midna and Link collects the shards of the Mirror of Twilight, which had been scattered both throughout Hyrule and in the ancient City in the Sky. Link infuses his blade with light to free the Twili from Zant’s powers of darkness, and the guardian deities of that world recognized him as a hero. Finally, they confronted Zant deep in the Palace of Twilight. Midna reclaimed the Fused Shadows from Zant and used its ancient powers to destroy Zant.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=116|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
Zant curses Link back into wolf form with the [[Shadow Crystal]], steals the completed Fused Shadow from Midna and injures her fatally. Link takes Midna to Princess Zelda, who pours her spirit into Midna to save her life.<ref name="HH 115"/><ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 117}}</ref> Link and Midna seek out the [[Master Sword]] in the [[Sacred Grove]] where the [[Temple of Time]] once stood. The sword dispels the curse on Link.<ref name="HH 115"/> Link and Midna gather the shards of the Mirror of Twilight, which Zant had broken.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 116}}</ref> Link defeats the usurper in battle. Midna takes back the Fused Shadow and kills Zant with it. The duo returns to Hyrule Castle where they save Zelda from a resurrected Ganondorf. Link kills Ganondorf with the Master Sword.<ref name="HH 118"/>
[[File:Ganon Link TP.jpg|thumb|left|Ganon and Link's duel]]
Link and Midna went to the top of Hyrule Castle in order to battle the King of Darkness, who was in possession of Zelda's lifeless body. He possessed it and forced Link to do battle with the princess. Once he defeated her, Midna revived Zelda and Link defeated Ganon in his beast form. Midna used the Fused Shadow to become a terrifying monster and her struggle with Ganon destroyed the castle itself. Midna transported Link and Zelda to Hyrule Field, where they battled Ganondorf on horseback, and finally Link defeated Ganon in single combat, stabbing him in the chest. Ganon attempted to use the Triforce of Power to revive himself, but discovered that its power had left him. Zant stood on the gateway to the afterlife, mocking Ganon by snapping his own neck just as Ganon died.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Ganondorf, the King of Darkness, had once again returned to the Light World and sits waiting in the throne room of Hyrule Castle. He fights Link taking on many different forms, at first possessing the body of Zelda and later attacking him as a beast and on horseback. Princess Zelda, whose spirit had been residing in Midna up until that point, covers Link using the Light Arrows.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=117|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|quote=Ganondorf, the king of darkness, is defeated, and the crest of the Triforce of Power disappears from the back of his hand. For the time being, the destiny that was intertwined with the Triforce-seeking demonic thief, Ganondorf, has come to a close.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=118|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


Midna was restored to her true form as the beautiful Twilight Princess, and bade farewell to Link and Zelda as she returned to the Twilight Realm. As she left, she shattered the Mirror of Twilight to ensure that its power would never be misused again. Link returned to Ordon Village; however, he later departed with [[Epona]] from his hometown.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Her curse lifted, Midna turns back into the bewitching princess she is. When she returns to the Twilight World, she breaks the mirror of shadow, ensuring that the Twilight World and the World of Light will never again meet. With her parting words, she asks that the fact that there is another world within the shadows of the World of Light not be forgotten…Link returns the Master Sword to the forest and heads home to Ordon Village. The world is again blessed by the gods and enveloped in light.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=118|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
Midna returns to the Twilight Realm. She shatters the Mirror of Twilight, severing the link between the two worlds.<ref name="HH 118"/>{{Note|{{FSA}}, the next game in the timeline after {{TP|-}}, also has a [[Dark World|shadow world]] and a [[Dark Mirror|mirror]] used to seal away a dark tribe. {{HH|-}} draws the parallel between the two mirrors<ref name="HH 119">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 119}}</ref> and alludes to a connection between the Twilight Realm and the Dark World,<ref name="HH 118"/> but makes no further attempt to tie the two games together. {{E|-}} makes the distinction that the Twilight Realm is "behind" the Light World, whereas the Dark World is the "opposite" of the Sacred Realm.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= E|publisher= |page= 28}}</ref>}}
{{clear}}


==== The Era of Shadow ====
===={{FSA|-}}====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures}}
{{Tone|Story}}
[[File:FSA Artwork.png|thumb|left|The four Links battle evil soldiers.]]
Hundreds of years after Ganondorf's death, the people of Hyrule had reconciled with Ganondorf's tribe, the [[Gerudo]], and it seemed for a while that peace would prevail in the land. However, a new Ganondorf was born to the Gerudo tribe who was the reincarnation of the King of Darkness that was defeated by the [[Link#Twilight Princess|Hero Chosen by the Gods]], and violated their taboo on the Ancient [[Pyramid]].<ref>{{Cite|Curse that Ganondorf! He broke our laws and left for the pyramid...|Gerudo|FSA}}</ref> He stole the [[Trident]] from the pyramid and then stole the [[Dark Mirror]] from the [[Temple of Darkness]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=Several hundred years after Ganondorf's defeat, relations between Gerudo Village and Hyrule had become friendly once more, and peace had been restored to the land. However, one day a new Ganondorf was born into the world. He violated the laws of the town, trespassing into an ancient pyramid and taking possession of the Trident. He also stole the Dark Mirror from the Temple of Darkness in the forest in order to turn Hyrule into a place of darkness.|book=HH|page=119|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref> The mirror served as a prison for a dark tribe that, long ago, invaded the kingdom. It had the ability to reflect the evil heart of its bearer, giving birth to demonic creatures.<ref>{{Cite|Legends speak of a mirror in which a dark tribe was sealed away long ago. I understand it's supposed to be hidden now somewhere in the Forest of Light.|Dampé|FSA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Long ago, a dark tribe invaded Hyrule. They were defeated and imprisoned within the mirror. The tribe's mirror prison was then secreted away and hidden in the forest temple to sever its connection to this world.|White Maiden|FSA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The Dark Mirror: A mirror that reflects the evil heart of its bearer, spawning demons. It was once used to imprison the dark tribe, who attempted to invade Hyrule, and thus it was hidden inside a temple with no connection to the Dark World.|book= HH |publisher= |page= 119}}</ref>
Ganondorf schemed to release the ancient sorcerer Vaati from his prison within the Four Sword, and created a dark copy of Link, [[Shadow Link]], with the Mirror. The clouds of darkness covering the land made Zelda uneasy, so she gathered the six shrine maidens to renew the seal upon Vaati. At that moment, Shadow Link appeared and scattered the maidens with his powers. Link drew the sword from its pedestal, splitting into four just as in ancient times. However, this released Vaati from his prison to cause chaos. Ganon used Shadow Link to tear open rifts to the Dark World, pulling the four [[Knights of Hyrule]] into his sway and transforming them into [[Big Dark Stalfos]].<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The now demonic Knights of Hyrule and their Royal Jewels were scattered across the kingdom by Shadow Link and his kin. The Tower of Winds also disappeared from sight. With the Royal Jewels transformed into gateways to the Dark World, demons began appearing in the land of Hyrule once again.|book= {{HH}}|page=120|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>
The four Links journeyed throughout Hyrule to rescue the Shrine Maidens, and learned that Ganon was the mastermind behind the darkness plaguing Hyrule. They obtained the four jewels from the Knights, and made their way to the [[Tower of Winds]], where they battled Vaati and Ganon himself, destroying Vaati and sealing Ganon inside the Four Sword forevermore.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote=The Heroes saved Princess Zelda from the top of the tower and continued on to the Realm of the Heavens, where the Dark Mirror that had been incessantly spawning Shadow Links lay. The four Links then recovered the mirror and defeated Vaati in the Palace of Winds. The four Links and Princess Zelda made for the surface world as the Palace of Winds crumbled beneath them. There, Ganon appeared. The facets of Link cooperated with Princess Zelda to crush him, successfully sealing Ganon with the Four Sword. "I am the King of Darkness! I cannot be destroyed by insects like you!" he cried as he was sealed away. Light shone out all around them, and the darkness began to part.|book= {{HH}}|page=121|publisher=Dark Horse Books}}</ref>


[[File:Fourswordsposter.jpg|thumb|left|The four Links battle evil soldiers.]]
{{Clear}}
Hundreds of years passed after Ganondorf's death in ''Twilight Princess.'' The people of Hyrule reconciled with Ganondorf's tribe, the [[Gerudo]], and it seemed for a while that peace would prevail in the land. However, a new Ganondorf was born to the Gerudo tribe, and violated their taboo on the Ancient [[Pyramid]].<ref>{{cite|Curse that Ganondorf! He broke our laws and left for the pyramid...|Gerudo|Four Swords Adventures}}</ref> He stole the [[Trident]] from the pyramid and then stole the [[Mirror of Darkness]] from the [[Temple of Darkness]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=Hundreds of years passed since Ganondorf’s defeat. The relationship between the Gerudo tribe, Hyrule Kingdom was restored and peace returned. However, a new Ganondorf was born. Ganondorf defied the laws of the Gerudo village and invaded the ancient pyramid and took the wicked weapon called the “Trident.” Then, to bring darkness over Hyrule, he stole the Mirror of Darkness from the temple in the forest.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=119|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


Ganondorf schemed to release the ancient sorcerer Vaati from his prison within the Four Sword, and created a dark copy of Link, [[Shadow Link]], with the Mirror. The clouds of darkness covering the land made Zelda uneasy, so she gathered the six shrine maidens to renew the seal upon Vaati. At that moment, Shadow Link appeared and scattered the maidens with his powers. <ref>{{cite book|quote=In Hyrule, which was clouded by darkness, the Princess Zelda of this era felt uneasy, so she brought the six maidens and Link to the sanctuary to make sure the seal on Vaati wasn’t weakening. However, the moment they opened the gate to the sanctuary, Shadow Link appeared and sent the maidens somewhere in Hyrule with the power of darkness.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=119|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref> Link drew the sword from its pedestal, splitting into four just as in ancient times. However, this released Vaati from his prison to cause chaos. Ganon used Shadow Link to tear open rifts to the Dark World, pulling the four [[Knights of Hyrule]] into his sway and transforming them into [[Stalfos]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=The knights that were turned into monsters, by the order of Shadow Link, scattered throughout each region of the world and erased the appearance of the Palace of Winds. The jewels changed the door to the Dark World as well as the appearance and the land of Hyrule was once again flooded with monsters.|book= [[Hyrule Historia]]|page=120|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
===Adult Timeline===
The '''Adult Timeline''',<ref name="encyclopedia-timeline"/> or '''{{Section|Adult Era}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> is the branch of the timeline in which Link has disappeared from Hyrule after being sent back in time at the end of {{OoT|-}}. In this timeline, Ganondorf is sealed within the void of the [[Dark World|corrupted Sacred Realm]] along with the Triforce of Power.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 91}}</ref> The Triforce of Wisdom remains in Zelda's possession. When Link goes back in time, the Triforce of Courage is left behind, shattered into eight shards scattered across Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|When the Hero of Time was called to embark on another journey and left the land of Hyrule, he was separated from the elements that made him a hero. It is said that at that time, the Triforce of Courage was split into eight shards and hidden throughout the land.|King of Red Lions|TWW}}</ref> Zelda returns the [[Master Sword]] to the [[Temple of Time]].<ref name="HH 122"/>


The four Links journeyed throughout Hyrule to rescue the Shrine Maidens, and learned that Ganon was the mastermind behind the darkness plaguing Hyrule. They obtained the four jewels from the Knights, and made their way to the [[Tower of Winds]], where they battled Vaati and Ganon himself, destroying Vaati and sealing Ganon inside the Four Sword.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link saved the maidens in each region and liberated the knights and the royal jewels that had fallen into darkness. After receiving four royal jewels from the knights, Link was able to enter the Palace of Winds with the power of the maidens. When he saved Princess Zelda on the upper floor and proceeded toward the heavens, Shadow Link had been using the Mirror of Darkness. Link took back the Mirror of Darkness and finally put an end to Vaati in the Palace of the Wind. Link and Princess Zelda aimed to escape to the surface from the collapsing Palace of the Wind. There, Ganon appeared. Link and Princess Zelda cooperated to put an end to Ganon and they succeeded in sealing Ganon into the Four Sword. “I am the Demon King of Darkness!! I shall not perish!” were the remaining words of the sealed Ganon. A light brightened the room and the darkness all dispersed.|book= [[Hyrule Historia]]|page=121|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
This timeline contains the events of {{TWW}}, {{PH}}, and {{ST}}.


===The Adult Timeline===
====Hyrule Submerged====
The presence of the Hero who went back and forth in time generated a fork in history, dividing Hyrule’s chronology. The '''Adult timeline''' is the timeline that follows the events after Link is being sent back to his original time, following the Hero of Time's defeat of Ganondorf in the final battle. Ganondorf is sealed within the Sacred Realm by the Seven Sages but with Link sent back in time, the world is left without a Hero. This turn of events created the timeline containing ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]''.
====The Era without a Hero====
{{Main|Great Flood}}
{{Main|Great Flood}}
[[File:Normal opening 4.png|400px|thumb|The Hero of Time leaves and Ganon returns.]]
[[File:TWW Scroll of the Hero of Time 5.png|thumb|right|The people of Hyrule plead to the gods as Ganon casts the land in darkness once again]]
After the Hero of Time's victory, the seal of the Seven Sages began to weaken for an unknown reason, and [[Ganon|Ganondorf]] managed to escape his imprisonment. Ganondorf intended to make good on his threat to the Hero of Time and the Seven Sages that he would escape one day to make their descendants pay for his imprisonment.<ref name=quote2>{{cite|After his defeat at the hands of the Hero of Time, Ganondorf was sealed away...but not for all time. He was revived, and he returned to Hyrule in a red wrath. He attacked this temple and stole my soul, knowing that he had to remove the power contained in that enchanted blade.|[[Laruto]]|The Wind Waker}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Once, long ago, this land of Hyrule was turned into a world of shadows by Ganon, who sought to obtain the power of the gods for his own evil ends.|[[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]]|The Wind Waker}}</ref><ref name=quote3>{{cite|Someday...When this seal is broken....That is when I will exterminate your descendants!!|[[Ganon]]dorf|Ocarina of Time}}</ref>
Ages passed and the Hero of Time faded to legend. During the '''{{Section|Era without a Hero}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> the seal of the Seven Sages broke.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 122}}</ref> Ganon escaped from the Sacred Realm and used the Triforce of Power to bring darkness to Hyrule. When no hero appeared, King [[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]] and his people pleaded to the gods for deliverance.<ref name="HH 123">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Once, long ago, this land of Hyrule was turned into a world of shadows by Ganon, who sought to obtain the power of the gods for his own evil ends.|Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule|TWW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods. In their last hour, as doom drew nigh, they left their future in the hands of fate.|N/A|TWW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|My power alone could not stop the fiend, and our only choice was to leave the fate of the kingdom in the hands of the gods...|Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule|TWW}}</ref>


The Hero of Time did not appear to save Hyrule, having been sent back across the flows of time to his own age. Left with no other choice, the people of Hyrule pleaded to the three Golden Goddesses.<ref name=quote6>{{cite|Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods. In their last hour, as doom drew nigh, they left their future in the hands of fate.|Introduction|The Wind Waker}}</ref><ref name=quote7>{{cite|When the gods heard our pleas, they chose to seal away not only Ganon, but Hyrule itself...and so, with a torrential downpour of rains from the heavens... Our fair kingdom was soon buried beneath the waves, forgotten at the bottom of the ocean. Yet all was not lost.[...] So, before the sealing of the kingdom, the gods chose those who would build a new country and commanded them to take refuge on the mountaintops.|[[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]]|The Wind Waker}}</ref> The Goddesses answered their prayers by flooding Hyrule, keeping Ganon and his army trapped in time underneath the waves.
The gods responded by bringing forth a deluge that would seal away all of Hyrule and Ganon with it.<ref>{{Cite|When the gods heard our pleas, they chose to seal away not only Ganon, but Hyrule itself...and so, with a torrential downpour of rains from the heavens... Our fair kingdom was soon buried beneath the waves, forgotten at the bottom of the ocean.|Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule|TWW}}</ref> The gods chose those who would build a new world and commanded them to take refuge on the mountaintops, which became the islands of the new world known as the [[Great Sea]]. The [[Triforce of Wisdom]] was split in two: one part remained with King Daphnes beneath the waves, the other with his daughter the princess, who ascended to the new world.<ref name="HH 123"/> The Triforce fragment passed on to her namesakes, from daughter to daughter. Beneath the waves, Hyrule remained frozen in time.{{Fact}}


The people of Hyrule would then go on to build a new civilization on the surface of the [[Great Sea]] and, with the passing of time, largely forget the memory of the old Hyrule that still existed deep beneath the waves.<ref>{{cite|The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind's breath.|Introduction|The Wind Waker}}</ref> On [[Outset Island]], a tradition emerged of having young boys wear the green garb of the Hero of Time for one day on their birthdays.<ref>{{cite|On a certain island, it became customary to garb boys in green when they came of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspired to find  heroic blades and cast down evil. The elders wished only for the youths to know courage like the hero of legend...|Introduction|The Wind Waker}}</ref>
===={{TWW|-}}====
 
====The Era of the Great Sea====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker}}
[[File:The Wind Waker Scene.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Characters from the Great Sea]]
Hundreds of years later, during the '''{{Section|Era of the Great Sea}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> Ganondorf escapes to the surface world. Seeking to regain the Triforce of Wisdom, he commands the [[Helmaroc King]] to kidnap young girls with pointed ears, in the hopes of capturing Zelda.<ref name="HH 124">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 124}}</ref> The Helmaroc King kidnaps [[Aryll]], [[Link]]'s sister. Link, a resident of [[Outset Island]] unrelated to the Hero of Time,<ref>{{Cite|The one I have brought with me has no connection to the legendary one. And yet I sense great promise in the courage that this one possesses.|King of Red Lions|TWW}}</ref> sets out to rescue her. He is guided by the [[King of Red Lions]], a boat sent forth by the gods.<ref name="HH 124"/>
Beneath the waves, Ganon was revived and sought out the two sages who prayed for the power of the Master Sword. He killed them in order to stop the sword's power to repel evil and reach the surface world. He built a base in the [[Forsaken Fortress]] and filled it with his dark army. He sought out all young girls with long, pointed ears, in hopes that he would capture the descendant of Princess Zelda. In response, King [[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]] also awoke and used his powers to guide a boat called the [[King of Red Lions]] on the surface world.<ref>{{cite book|quote=After hundreds of years, Ganondorf, who had been sealed away when Hyrule sunk into the ocean, was revived again. Ganondorf attacked the temples of the Great Sea, killing the two sages who had been praying for the Master Sword. Once he was out on the open sea. He set up a base in the Forsaken Fortress and began searching for the one granted the Triforce of Wisdom, the descendant of Princess Zelda. For the sake of preventing Ganondorf, King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule was awakened from his seal by the Goddesses. Calling himself “The King of Red Lions”, he possessed a red boat and set out to search for a new hero and the descendant of the royal family.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=124|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


On Outset, a young boy named Link came of age and was given the [[Hero's Clothes]] to wear for one day. Unfortunately, this was the day that the terrible bird called the [[Helmaroc King]] attacked the island, carrying the pirate captain named [[Tetra]]. The bird dropped Tetra on the island, but left with Link's sister [[Aryll]]. Link joined forces with Tetra's pirates in order to storm the Forsaken Fortress and rescue Aryll. The Helmaroc King captured Link once he reached Aryll's cell, and showed him to Ganon. Ganon thought the boy was worthless, so the bird threw him into the sea. Luckily, the King of Red Lions rescued Link and brought him to [[Windfall Island]]. Along with the magical baton called the [[Wind Waker (Item)|Wind Waker]], they journeyed across the Great Sea in order to retrieve the [[Goddess Pearls]] and open up the gateway to Hyrule. Link raised the [[Tower of the Gods]] to the surface and proved his worth to be a hero by passing its trials. Then, he ventured down the ancient kingdom of Hyrule and drew the Master Sword from its pedestal.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link fought through the trials in the Tower of the Gods to test his courage and gain access to the Master Sword sealed away in Hyrule Castle at the bottom of the ocean.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=126|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
Link proves his worth as a hero by gathering the [[Goddess Pearls]] and completing the [[Tower of the Gods|goddesses' trial]]. A way opens to [[Hyrule]] beneath the waves. Link draws the [[Master Sword]] from a pedestal within [[Hyrule Castle]].<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 126}}</ref>{{Note|According to {{HH|-}}, Zelda returned the Master Sword to the Temple of Time in the Adult Era after {{OoT|-}}.<ref name="HH 122"/> {{HH|-}} does not explain how the sword came to be in Hyrule Castle in {{TWW}}.}} With the help of [[Tetra]] and her [[Tetra's Pirate Crew|pirate crew]], Link rescues his sister. However, he is unable to defeat Ganondorf. The Master Sword had lost the power to repel evil when Ganondorf killed the sages of Earth and Wind.<ref name="HH 124"/><ref>{{Cite|After his defeat at the hands of the Hero of Time, Ganondorf was sealed away...but not for all time. He was revived, and he returned to Hyrule in a red wrath. He attacked this temple and stole my soul, knowing that he had to remove the power contained in that enchanted blade.|Laruto|TWW}}</ref> Link and Tetra escape Ganondorf's grasp and return to Hyrule, where [[Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule]] reveals himself to be the King of Red Lions. He mends the Triforce of Wisdom—Tetra carries the other piece. She awakens as [[Princess Zelda]].


With the Master Sword in hand, Link went to challenge Ganon in the Forsaken Fortress, but Ganon told him that the sword was powerless to defeat him, because it did not have the power to repel evil. Link went back to Hyrule with Tetra, where the King of Red Lions revealed himself as the King of Hyrule and Tetra as his descendant Princess Zelda. Link then searched for the Sages of Earth and Wind in order to restore the power of the Master Sword. He awakened [[Medli]] as Sage of Earth and [[Makar]] as Sage of Wind. Their prayers restored power to the Master Sword. Link then searched for the [[Triforce of Courage]], which had been split into eight pieces when the Hero of Time left to return to his own time. Armed with the Triforce and the Master Sword, Link returned to the kingdom beneath the waves and challenged Ganon atop his tower.  
Link restores the power to repel evil to the Master Sword. He gathers the shards of the [[Triforce of Courage]] to re-open the way to Hyrule. Upon returning to Hyrule, he discovers Zelda has been kidnapped by Ganondorf and taken atop [[Ganon's Tower]]. When Link purses them to the top of the tower, the full Triforce is reunited. Before Ganondorf is able to touch the Triforce and make his wish, Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule steps in and wishes for Hyrule to be washed away forever. Together, Link and Zelda defeat Ganondorf. They return to the surface, but Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule stays behind and vanishes along with his kingdom. Above the waves, Zelda becomes Tetra once again. Link and Tetra set sail in search of a new continent.


Ganon united the Triforce pieces and made a wish that he be the ruler of Hyrule, but King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule touched the Triforce before he did and wished for Hyrule to be washed away, so that his descendants could build a new future above the waves. Ganon was defiant, and faced Link and Zelda in battle. Link stabbed Ganon in his forehead, turning him to stone as the waves crashed around him. The King sent Link and Zelda back the surface world in order to begin their new future.
===={{PH|-}}====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass}}
During the '''{{Section|Era of the Great Voyage}}''',<ref name="HH 69"/> Link and Tetra happen upon the [[World of the Ocean King]]. To investigate a rumor about disappearing ships in the area, Tetra boards the {{Term|PH|Ghost Ship|link}} and is taken away by it. Link falls into the ocean trying to rescue her and washes up on [[Mercay Island]].<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 130}}</ref> There he meets the fairy [[Ciela]] and her so-called grandfather [[Oshus]].  


====The Era of the Great Voyage====
Link teams up with Ciela and steamboat captain [[Linebeck]] to find the Ghost Ship. He obtains clues from the [[Temple of the Ocean King]], which he navigates using the [[Phantom Hourglass]]. Link finds the ship after rescuing the Spirits of Power, Wisdom, and Courage ([[Leaf]], [[Neri]], and as it turns out, [[Ciela]]). On the ship, Link finds Tetra turned to stone—her [[Life Force]] had been drained by a malevolent creature named [[Bellum]]. To defeat Bellum, Link searches the seas for three [[Pure Metal]]s to forge the [[Phantom Sword]]. Oshus reveals himself to be the [[Ocean King]] and fuses the [[Phantom Hourglass]] into the Phantom Sword.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 131}}</ref>
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass}}
 
[[File:PHCoverArt.jpg|thumb|right|Link and Linebeck]]
Phantom Sword in hand, Link defeats [[Bellum]] and frees Tetra. The Ocean King regains his true form. Link and Tetra return to their world and continue their search for a new continent.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 132}}</ref>
After defeating Ganon, Link and Tetra set out on a new voyage. They reached the waters ruled by the [[Ocean King]] to investigate rumors about a mysterious [[Ghost Ship]] which had terrorized the ocean. The Ghost Ship appeared and Tetra jumped aboard and was taken away. Link tried to rescue her, but fell into the ocean. He awoke on [[Mercay Island]] and met [[Ciela]] the fairy and her "grandfather," [[Oshus]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=The Ghost Ship appeared in front of them and Tetra boarded it in order to discover the truth, but she was taken away. Although Link tried to save her, he fell to the depths of the sea. Link was drifted away to the beach of Mercay Island. Following the advice of an old man named Oshus, Link set off to find clues about the Ghost Ship.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=130|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


Link met a sea captain named [[Linebeck]] who let him use his ship. After searching for clues in the [[Temple of the Ocean King]] with the help of the [[Phantom Hourglass (Item)|Phantom Hourglass]], Link rescued the Spirits of Power and Wisdom, and revealed that Ciela was the Spirit of Courage. Link then boarded the Ghost Ship in order to rescue Tetra, who had been turned to stone. Oshus revealed himself to be the Ocean King and told Link that an evil monster named [[Bellum]] had drained her life force. He revealed that the only thing which could defeat Bellum was the [[Phantom Sword]].<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link became friends with the fairy Ciela, Oshus’ companion, and earned the help of Captain Linebeck. They sailed across the ocean on board of the S.S. Linebeck. After getting the clues that lay inside the Temple of the Ocean King by navigating through it little by little with the “Phantom Hourglass,” Link saved the spirits of power, wisdom and courage. Thanks to the power of the three spirits, Link managed to get on board of the Ghost Ship. Inside, he found Tetra, who had been turned into stone by the evil phantom Bellum because he drained her life force. Oshus then appeared and revealed that he was the Ocean King. The Ocean King acknowledged Link’s courage and asked him to defeat Bellum.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=131|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
==== ''Era of Hyrule's Rebirth'' ====
{{Main|Founding the Nation of Hyrule}}
Link and Tetra's pirate crew eventually discovered a new continent. [[Spirit Tracks]] spanned the land, at the center of which stood the [[Tower of Spirits]]. These were created by the [[Lokomo]] to bind the Demon King [[Malladus]] to the land.{{Fact}} Tetra christened the land [[New Hyrule]].<ref name="HH 133">{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 133}}</ref> Over a hundred years, the land of New Hyrule Thrived.


Link journeyed through the seas to find the three [[Pure Metal]]s and forge the Phantom Sword. Then, he ventured deep into the Temple once more to confront Bellum. He defeated Bellum, but then Bellum possessed Linebeck and forced him to fight in the form of a powerful knight. Link was able to defeat Bellum without harming Linebeck, and restored Tetra to life. The Ocean King returned Link and Tetra to their world, where only ten minutes had passed since they left. Link was not sure if the entire adventure had been a dream, but then he saw that he carried the empty Phantom Hourglass, and saw Linebeck sailing off into the distance.<ref>{{cite book|quote=Link obtained the Phantom Sword, the only weapon capable of defeating Bellum, and headed to the deepest level of the Temple of the Ocean King. He beat Bellum and Tetra came back to normal. Although Bellum attacked once again, Link was able to get out of a real pinch thanks to the courageous actions of Captain Linebeck. In the decisive showdown, Link and his friends came out victorious. Oshus returned to his original form, and the World of the Ocean King regained its peace. Link and Tetra said goodbye to Oshus and the spirits and went back to their world. Although their adventure in the World of the Ocean King lasted several days, only 10 minutes had passed since they left.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=132|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
===={{ST|-}}====
====The Era of Hyrule's Rebirth====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks}}
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks}}
[[File:ST Artwork.jpg|thumb|left|Link and Zelda on the Spirit Train]]
[[File:Spirit Train ST.png|thumb|right|200px|New Hyrule]]
Tetra's pirates eventually landed on a new continent, where the [[Tower of Spirits]] stood tall over the landscape. She founded a new kingdom here, connected by the [[Spirit Tracks (Rails)|Spirit Tracks]] which ran across the land. Tetra decreed that her soldiers would wear a green uniform, like that worn by the Hero of Winds.<ref>{{cite book|quote=On the continued voyage of the pirate Tetra, a new continent was found. There, a tall tower called the Tower of Spirits stood and it stood in the middle of the laid out railroad tracks of the gods. Tetra established a new Hyrule Kingdom on this land. There, a new history would be written. The trains that ran along the tracks of the gods developed into the national traffic network. In the castle, Tetra was featured in stained glass and it was established that the soldiers would wear a green uniform like the Hero of Winds wore.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=133|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>


A century after the kingdom's establishment, the rails began to disappear. Tetra's descendant, Princess Zelda, gave a [[Royal Engineer]] named Link a [[Recruit Uniform]] and joined him to investigate the Tower of Spirits. Link lived with [[Niko]], the last remaining member of Tetra's pirate crew.<ref>{{cite book|quote=One hundred years passed since the establishment of Hyrule. Suddenly, railroad tracks started to disappear in all regions of the land. The Princess Zelda of this era gave an engineer named Link a uniform of the knights and they left the castle to go investigate the Tower of Spirits.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=133|publisher=Shogakukan|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|quote=Niko arrived in the new world as part of Tetra’s pirate crew a hundred years ago, but he’s still alive and well. He lives with a young boy named Link who looks almost identical to the Hero of Winds, and is known as “Old Man Niko”.|book=[[Hyrule Historia]]|page=133|publisher=Shogakukan}}</ref>
One hundred years later, the Spirit Tracks begin to disappear. Link, a [[Royal Engineer]], and Princess Zelda, Tetra's descendant, head to the Tower of Spirits to investigate.<ref name="HH 133"/> Their train is derailed by [[Chancellor Cole]] and [[Byrne]]. Chancellor Cole, advisor to Princess Zelda, reveals himself to be a demon who aims to revive Malladus.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 134}}</ref> Byrne, Cole's ally, separates Zelda's spirit from her body. Her body is carried off to the top of the Spirit Tower, to be used as a vessel for Malladus. The Spirit Tower is fragmented into floating pieces.


On their way to the Tower, [[Chancellor Cole]] revealed himself as a demon whose aim was to revive the Demon King [[Malladus]] who had been sealed underneath the Tower of Spirits in ancient times. Cole and [[Byrne]] stole her body and left her as a spirit. Link and Zelda sought the advice of the [[Lokomo]] age [[Anjean]], who told them to restore the Tower. In spirit form, Zelda was able to possess the [[Phantom]]s which roamed the Tower of Spirits and helped Link advance to the top. Link and Zelda restored the Tower of Spirits by journeying throughout Hyrule and breaking the barriers at each temple so that they could reach the Demon King at the top. Once they reached the top of the tower, Malladus was revived, and Link went into the [[Dark Realm]] in order to defeat him. Once Malladus was destroyed and Zelda returned to her body, the Lokomos departed into the heavens, their duty to protect Hyrule fulfilled.
Link and Princess Zelda's ghost travel to four temples to restore the Spirit Tracks and the Tower of Spirits. They climb to the top of the tower, but are too late to stop Malladus from possessing Zelda's body. They pursue Malladus into the [[Dark Realm]]. Together, they defeat Malladus and Cole using the [[Bow of Light]] and the [[Lokomo Sword]]. Zelda regains her body and peace returns to Hyrule. Their protection no longer needed, the Lokomo return to the heavens.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= HH |publisher= |page= 135}}</ref>


== External Links ==
===Great Calamity===
*[http://www.glitterberri.com/hyrule-historia/ "Index" of the translated pages from ''Hyrule Historia'']
The events of ''Breath of the Wild'' take place during an era long after the events of earlier games have become myths.<ref name="CaC 360">{{Cite Book|book= CaC |page= 360}}</ref> It is impossible to tell which myths are historical fact and which are mere fairy tale.<ref name="CaC 360"/> A [[Hylian]] priestess named [[Sonia]], who together with her husband, [[Rauru]] of the [[Zonai]], founded the kingdom as its first king and queen.<ref>{{Cite|What an unexpected answer. We are the king and queen who founded Hyrule, after all. Or at least we were the last time I checked.|Rauru|TotK}}</ref> It is possible that Hyrule may have been destroyed once before their founding.<ref>{{Cite Web|quote=あくまで可能性として話すとすれば、ハイラル建国の話があってもその前に一度滅んだ歴史がある可能性もあります。[If I'm just talking about this as a possibility, even if there is a story about the founding of Hyrule, there is a possibility that there is a history where Hyrule was destroyed once before that.]|author= Hidemaro Fujibayashi|title= An interview with the developer of "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" that can still be talked about. A marvelous sequel completed through "play priority"|url= https://www.famitsu.com/news/202309/06314767.html |archive= https://web.archive.org/web/20230906233719/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202309/06314767.html|site= Famitsu}}</ref> They built [[Hyrule Castle]] in the center of Hyrule near the Temple of Time. Years afterwards, many members of the royal family were born with special powers given that they were blood relatives of the goddess Hylia and inheritors of Rauru's inherent power over light.An entity referred to as the "Calamity Ganon" returned and was defeated 10,000 years ago, and revived again 100 years before the start of the game.<ref name="CaC 360"/> ''Breath of the Wild'' takes place at the end of a timeline branch, but which timeline branch the events regarding Calamity Ganon take place in is up to the player's interpretation.<ref name="quote2"/><ref>https://uk.ign.com/articles/2018/08/06/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-now-has-an-official-place-in-the-series-timeline-sort-of</ref>
 
====The Imprisoning War====
 
During the reign of Rauru and Sonia, {{Term|TotK|Ganondorf|link}} first incarnated as the sole male born to the Gerudo. He had coveted the kingdom of Hyrule for himself, but his previous invasions had been thwarted through the power of Rauru's [[Secret Stone]]. Rauru allowed Ganondorf to swear fealty to him despite knowing of his treacherous intentions under the assumption that it would allow him to watch Ganondorf more easily, but this backfired when Ganondorf murdered Sonia and stole her Secret Stone for himself. Rauru and his Six Sages fought a long war against the newly empowered [[Demon King Ganondorf]], but their power was not enough to stop him. Rauru ultimately sacrificed himself to seal Ganondorf away in a hidden chamber deep beneath the site that would become Hyrule Castle, trusting in the hero that the Sage of Time {{Term|TotK|Zelda|link}} had told him about to defeat Ganondorf in the distant future.
 
The [[Sky Islands]] were raised into the sky from the surface in this time period, as Rauru anticipated that the future hero would need their resources and wished to ensure that the Demon King could not reach them.
 
====The advanced civilization====
10,000 years before ''Breath of the Wild'', the Sheikah tribe developed highly advanced technology and Hyrule flourished. The Sheikah built the [[Guardians]] and [[Divine Beasts]] in preparation for Ganon's return. When Calamity Ganon appeared, the then-present reincarnations of Zelda and Link were able to seal him away with the support of the Guardians and Divine Beasts. Despite this success, the King of Hyrule became paranoid, fearing a possible betrayal by the Sheikah. On his orders, the Divine Beasts were buried underground in locations across Hyrule. At some point, a militant faction of the Sheikah split off to become the [[Yiga|Yiga clan]], who swore allegiance to Ganon in order to exact revenge for their mistreatment. With the Sheikah scattered across the land and many of them abandoning their technology, civilization in Hyrule declined to a primitive state over the following millennia. During this time, the Sheikah eventually settled in [[Kakariko Village]] and were no longer banished by the Royal Family.
 
====Signs of Ganon's return====
About 9,883 years after the Calamity's defeat, a new princess is born and named Zelda in line with tradition.<ref name="CaC 360"/> Around this same time, a prophecy warned of the return of {{Term|BotW|Calamity Ganon}}.<ref>{{Cite|The return of Ganon looms—a dark force taunting us from afar. I must learn all I can about the relics so we can stop him. If the fortune-teller's prophecy is to be believed, there isn't much time left...|Zelda|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Stories of Ganon were passed from generation to generation in the form of legends and fairy tales. But there was also...a prophecy. "The signs of a resurrection of Calamity Ganon are clear. And the power to oppose it lies dormant beneath the ground."|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref> Hoping to prepare in the same fashion as their ancestors, the people of Hyrule began working to locate and excavate the Divine Beasts and Guardians, which they eventually managed to restore and activate.<ref>{{Cite|We decided to heed the prophecy and began excavating large areas of land. It wasn't long before we discovered several ancient relics made by the hands of our distant ancestors. These relics, the Divine Beats, were giant machines piloted by warriors. We also found the Guardians, an army of mechanical soldiers that fought autonomously.|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref> Subsequently, four warriors from each of Hyrule's races were selected to pilot the Divine Beasts.<ref>{{Cite|We selected four skilled individuals from across Hyrule and tasked them with the duty of piloting the Divine Beasts.|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref> Around that time, the chosen bearer of the [[Master Sword]] was found to be a Hylian knight named Link, the only one who was able to pull the sword from its resting place in the [[Korok Forest]]. The four pilots and Link were then dubbed [[Champions]].<ref>{{Cite|The princess, her appointed knight, and the rest of the Champions were on the brink of sealing away Ganon...|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref>
 
====The Day of the Great Calamity====
A now 17-year-old Princess Zelda<ref>{{Cite Book|book= CaC |page= 361}}</ref> worked to awaken her sealing powers while being accompanied by Link, who had been appointed as her protector.<ref>{{Cite Book|book= CaC |page= 361}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|One hundred years ago, there was a princess set to inherit a sacred power and a skilled knight at her side.|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref> Zelda was determined to awaken her power and prayed at the springs of the goddesses in Hyrule, but she was unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite|So you didn't feel anything? No power at all?|Revali|BotW}}<br/>{{Cite|I'm sorry, no.|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> Minutes after she had finished praying at the [[Spring of Wisdom]], the Calamity broke its seal and rose up around the castle. Immediately after, it managed to corrupt the entire Guardian army by possessing it with [[Malice]] and turned it against Hyrule.<ref>{{Cite|Ganon was cunning, and he responded with a plan beyond our imagining. He appeared from deep below Hyrule Castle, seized control of the Guardians and the Divine Beasts, and turned them against us.|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref> The Champions, who were with Zelda near the Spring of Wisdom at the time, then rushed to their respective Divine Beasts hoping to still be able to defeat Calamity Ganon in time. By that point, Ganon had already sent [[Windblight Ganon|four]] [[Waterblight Ganon|incarnations]] [[Fireblight Ganon|of]] [[Thunderblight Ganon|Malice]] after the Divine Beasts and possessed them, killing the Champions inside.<ref>{{Cite|That...thing is one of Ganon's creations.|Mipha|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|You're here to wrest control of Medoh away from Ganon, correct?|Revali|BotW}}</ref> With their strongest weapons lost, Hyrule was laid to ruin and Link was fatally injured while protecting Zelda, who had awakened her sealing powers while fleeing from Guardians, requiring him to sleep in the [[Shrine of Resurrection]] for 100 years.<ref>{{Cite|The appointed knight, gravely wounded, collapsed while defending the princess...And thus, the kingdom of Hyrule was devastated absolutely by Calamity Ganon.|King Rhoam|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|I spoke with Purah about the Shrine of Resurrection we discovered earlier. As we speculated, this particular shrine is, in fact, a medical facility with the power to heal. It also has a long-term stasis function that can be activated and maintained until healing is complete.|Zelda|BotW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|You have been asleep for the past 100 years.|Zelda|BotW}}</ref> Princess Zelda, after returning the Master Sword to the Korok Forest, then went to confront {{Term|BotW|Calamity Ganon}} alone and managed to seal it, though this required her to become imprisoned inside it in order to maintain the seal, as she could not completely seal Ganon away while he was undamaged by the Master Sword.<ref name="Old Man">{{Cite|I assume you caught sight of that atrocity enshrouding the castle. That...is {{Color|BotW Red|Calamity Ganon}}. One hundred years ago, that vile entity brought the kingdom of {{Color|BotW Blue|Hyrule}} to ruin. It appeared suddenly and destroyed everything in its path. So many innocent lives were lost in its wake. For a century, the very symbol of our kingdom, Hyrule Castle, has managed to contain that evil. But just barely. There it festers, building its strength for the moment it will unleash its blight upon the land once again. It would appear that moment is fast approaching...|Old Man|BotW}}</ref>
 
===={{BotW|-}}====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild}}
One hundred years later, Princess Zelda's sealing power had weakened, and Calamity Ganon's return as well as Link's awakening were imminent. In response to both, the still possessed Divine Beasts began to wreak havoc around Hyrule. With the healing process complete, Link eventually awakened in the [[Shrine of Resurrection]] without his memories, and ventured forward with the [[Sheikah Slate]] left for him there by Zelda. Outside the Shrine of Resurrection, the spirit of [[King Rhoam]] explained to Link what happened in the past century. At some point, Link re-obtained the Master Sword from within [[Korok Forest]],<ref name="CaC 410">{{Cite Book|book= CaC |publisher= Dark Horse Books |page= 410}}</ref> and is ultimately guided by Zelda's voice toward Hyrule Castle. Although he could have chosen to go entirely alone, Link instead takes back the Divine Beasts from Ganon's influence and frees the spirits of the deceased Champions, who also lend him their powers.<ref name="CaC 410"/> With their help, Link is able to critically injure Calamity Ganon inside Hyrule Castle using the Master Sword, scattering the [[Malice]] covering him. Immediately after, the scattered [[Malice]] gathers outside of the castle and transforms into [[Dark Beast Ganon]]. Zelda, still imprisoned, summons the [[Bow of Light]], and Link uses it to weaken Ganon enough to allow Zelda to free herself and seal him away.
 
After defeating the Calamity, Hyrule begins to slowly flourish again. Princess Zelda focuses on rebuilding the Kingdom, while Link continues to support and protect her.<ref name="CaC 410"/>
 
===={{TotK|-}}====
{{Main|The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom}}
While {{Term|TotK|Link|link}} and {{Term|TotK|Zelda|link}} are exploring underground tunnels decorated with cave paintings in order to track the origin of a mysterious substance called [[Gloom]], they discover the chamber in which the first Ganondorf had been sealed away in ancient times. The seal breaks soon after the enter and Ganondorf is freed, triggering the cataclysmic event known as the [[Upheaval]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:ZeldatimelineJapHH.png|The official Zelda Timeline shown on page 69 of ''[[Hyrule Historia]]''.
File:Timeline Hyrule Historia.jpg|The timeline revealed on page 69 of {{HH}}
File:Official Zelda Timeline.jpg|First translation of the Zelda Timeline by Glitterberri
File:Zelda Series History 2011.jpg|''The Legend of Zelda'' series history since 2011
File:Japanese Updated Timeline.png|The timeline since 2016
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{refbar}}
 
==See Also==
* [[History of the Zelda Timeline]]
* [[Archive:Timeline Theories]]
 
{{Notes}}
{{Ref}}
 
[[Category:Timeline]]
[[Category:Timeline]]
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