Zelda Timeline: Difference between revisions

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

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>

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?”

'''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>

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"/>

===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.

====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>

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>

====Era of Hylia====

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>

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>

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>

====Sky Era====

======{{SS|-}}======

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>

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>  

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>

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>

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"/>

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>

====Era of Prosperity====

{{Main|Founding of the Kingdom of Hyrule}}

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>}}

[[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>

======{{TMC|-}}======

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]].

[[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.

======{{FS|-}}======

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>

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>

====Era of the Hero of Time====

[[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>

======{{OoT|-}}======

{{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>

{{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>

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>

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.

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>

===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>

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

====Imprisoning War====

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>

====Era of Light and Dark====

======{{ALttP|-}}======

|image=ALttP Agahnim Artwork.png

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=ALttP Link Artwork 2.png

|caption=Link, in {{ALttP}}

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]], {{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|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>

======{{LA|-}}======

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}}

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.

 

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.

 

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>

 

[[File:ALBW The Triforce, Split Apart.jpg|thumb|right|The Triforce splits into three pieces once again]]

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.

{{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]].

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.

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]].

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.

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}}

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}}

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>

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>

====Era of Decline====

[[File:TAoL Princess Zelda I Artwork.png|thumb|right|Princess Zelda I in her eternal sleep]]

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>}}

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>

======{{TLoZ|-}}======

{{Main|The Legend of Zelda}}

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>

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>

======{{TAoL|-}}======

[[File:TAoL Triforce.png|thumb|right|The Triforce unites before the altar in North Castle]]

{{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>

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>

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"/>

===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}}.

===={{MM|-}}====

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]].

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.

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>

====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]].

===={{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]].

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>

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"/>

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>}}

===={{FSA|-}}====

[[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>

===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"/>

 

====Hyrule Submerged====

[[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]]

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 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}}

===={{TWW|-}}====

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"/>

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]].

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.

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]].  

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>

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>

==== ''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.

===={{ST|-}}====

[[File:Spirit Train ST.png|thumb|right|200px|New Hyrule]]

 

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.

 

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>

 

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>

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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>

 

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>

 

{{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.

 

 

<gallery>

File:Timeline Hyrule Historia.jpg|The timeline revealed on page 69 of {{HH}}

File:Zelda Series History 2011.jpg|''The Legend of Zelda'' series history since 2011

File:Japanese Updated Timeline.png|The timeline since 2016

</gallery>

* [[History of the Zelda Timeline]]

* [[Archive:Timeline Theories]]