Ok, here's my theory on the backstory for Tears of the Kingdom from what I've gathered using the trailers so far. Potential spoilers I guess if I am right?
Long before the Great Calamity of 10,000 years ago, the Zonai tribe was thrust in war with the Demon King, Ganondorf. Many Zonai fought to their last breath, but Ganondorf and his army could not be bested. Their numbers grew alarmingly low, so they were forced to retreat. Ganondorf, showing no mercy, pushed on to eliminate his opposition. The evil forces sieged the Zonai's stronghold, slaughtering everyone they could. The fight was hopeless, as there was no way to truly kill Ganondorf at the time. The Zonai tribe was on the verge of extinction, and the entirety of Hyrule would soon fall to the unstoppable might of the Demon King. Thus, a valiant Zonai warrior sacrificed themself to seal Ganondorf away. Unfortunately, the seal would not hold forever. I could be wrong about some details here, for example, maybe Ganondorf didn't lay siege on the Zonai, maybe the Zonai infiltrated the desert in one last attack. Either way, Ganondorf is either sealed in a Zonai area, or perhaps this is some area below the desert that was once Ganondorf's base of operations. Anyway, some time after Ganondorf's physical form was sealed, Malice began to seep from his body, forming into Calamity Ganon – a much weaker form that began searching for a new physical body. Calamity Ganon was defeated, but returned many times thereafter.
The Zonai seemingly vanished from Hyrule since then, perhaps to regroup after the massive toll of the ancient war, but also to prepare for the new war that will be fought in Tears of the Kingdom. Unlike before, the war can be won with the aid of Link, Zelda, the new champions, and with all of Hyrule banding together.
I feel like this is the way to interpret the info we have, but until we get the game it remains only a theory. There is also still a lot to question. Why was Zonai history forgotten? Did Ganondorf start the war or did the Zonai instigate it? Afterall, in Creating a Champion they are said to have been a warlike race that was quite savage. What exactly are the Tears, why does Ganondorf have one, and is he trying to collect them? Did Ganondorf maybe start the ancient war to get the Tears?
So much to think about! I am anxiously awaiting May 12th!!!
Long before the Great Calamity of 10,000 years ago, the Zonai tribe was thrust in war with the Demon King, Ganondorf. Many Zonai fought to their last breath, but Ganondorf and his army could not be bested. Their numbers grew alarmingly low, so they were forced to retreat. Ganondorf, showing no mercy, pushed on to eliminate his opposition. The evil forces sieged the Zonai's stronghold, slaughtering everyone they could. The fight was hopeless, as there was no way to truly kill Ganondorf at the time. The Zonai tribe was on the verge of extinction, and the entirety of Hyrule would soon fall to the unstoppable might of the Demon King. Thus, a valiant Zonai warrior sacrificed themself to seal Ganondorf away. Unfortunately, the seal would not hold forever. I could be wrong about some details here, for example, maybe Ganondorf didn't lay siege on the Zonai, maybe the Zonai infiltrated the desert in one last attack. Either way, Ganondorf is either sealed in a Zonai area, or perhaps this is some area below the desert that was once Ganondorf's base of operations. Anyway, some time after Ganondorf's physical form was sealed, Malice began to seep from his body, forming into Calamity Ganon – a much weaker form that began searching for a new physical body. Calamity Ganon was defeated, but returned many times thereafter.
The Zonai seemingly vanished from Hyrule since then, perhaps to regroup after the massive toll of the ancient war, but also to prepare for the new war that will be fought in Tears of the Kingdom. Unlike before, the war can be won with the aid of Link, Zelda, the new champions, and with all of Hyrule banding together.
I feel like this is the way to interpret the info we have, but until we get the game it remains only a theory. There is also still a lot to question. Why was Zonai history forgotten? Did Ganondorf start the war or did the Zonai instigate it? Afterall, in Creating a Champion they are said to have been a warlike race that was quite savage. What exactly are the Tears, why does Ganondorf have one, and is he trying to collect them? Did Ganondorf maybe start the ancient war to get the Tears?
So much to think about! I am anxiously awaiting May 12th!!!
