Zant: Difference between revisions

[[File:Interlopers.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Dark Interlopers]]Zant is a descendant of a group of sorcerers named the [[Interlopers|Dark Interlopers]]. This tribe excelled in shadow magic and intended to use the power of the [[Fused Shadow]] to seek domain over the Sacred Realm.{{Ref|TP|1449-1450|Lanayru}} However, the three Light Spirits of [[Hyrule]] intervened and took the Fused Shadows and broke them into four separate pieces.{{Ref|TP|1451|Lanayru}} With the power of the Fused Shadows gone from their grasp, the tribe was left powerless, thus they were banished to the realm of darkness. Over time, due to the appearance of the [[Sol]]s, the Dark Interlopers eventually evolved into what became known as the Twili.

The Twili race was known to be very peaceful, and over time a monarchy was established in order to lead the Twili. Zant had been a loyal servant to the monarchy of the [[Palace of Twilight|Palace]] for many years.{{Ref|TP|1737-1738|Zant}} Zant was meant to be next in line to ascend to the throne, but it was Midna, chosen by her father, the former king of the Twilit Kingdom, as the true leader, now to be known as the Twilight Princess.{{Ref|pg. 16|When Midna's father—the true Twilit King—chose not to name Zant as his successor, the evil shadowling became maddened by an uncontrollable rage.|''[[Prima Games Twilight Princess Premiere Edition Strategy Guide Wii Version|Prima Games Twilight Princess Strategy Guide]]''}}{{Ref|pg. 419|Once in the Twili king's entourage, Zant was furious that Midna's father (the king) didn't appoint him to succeed.|''Prima Games Twilight Princess Strategy Guide''}} As his indignation of the royal clan of the kingdom grew,{{Ref|pg. 419|This resentment against the royal clan of the Twilit Kingdom grew until a malevolent spirit bestowed a magical power to Zant.|''Prima Games Twilight Princess Strategy Guide''}} Zant, distraught by this news, looked to the heavens for an answer.{{Ref|TP|1739-1741|Zant}} It was at this moment that he was gifted a mysterious foreign power by his supposed God.

This power was gifted to Zant by [[Ganon|Ganondorf]], who had previously escaped his imprisonment in [[Arbiter's Grounds]]. Due to his failed execution, the remaining [[Ancient Sages]] decided the only option now was to seal Ganondorf into the banished Twilight Realm. Ganondorf housed his power into Zant at one request, that he merge light with shadow, therefore creating complete darkness.{{Ref|TP|1742-1745|Ganondorf}} Zant took this power and usurped the throne of the Twilight Realm. With this false power, Zant turned the realm's inhabitants into mindless [[Shadow Beast]]s and Midna into an imp.{{Ref|TP|1669|Midna}} Zant then proceeded to invade [[Hyrule Castle]] and force [[Zelda|Princess Zelda]] to give up the throne of Hyrule. The King of Shadows then sent out the devilish Shadow Beasts to steal the light from the provinces across Hyrule, thus suspending Hyrule in perpetual [[Twilight]].{{Ref|TP|7379|Midna}}

[[Link]] got caught up in Zant's evil plot during the end of the prologue. [[King Bulblin]] and his army of [[Bulblin]]s invaded the safety of the [[Ordona Province]], attacking Link and its inhabitants. Link later on wakes up after being left unconscious and he realizes that both [[Colin]] and [[Ilia]] have been taken. Link proceeds to head to [[Faron Province]], but instead he is faced with a curtain of Twilight. A Shadow Beast then drags the young hero into the Twilight-filled province of Faron, thus starting the events of the main plot.

[[File:Zant Invading.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Zant invading Hyrule Castle]]Link first hears about the whereabouts of Zant when escaping his imprisonment in Hyrule Castle. Midna assists the young hero in reaching the tower where Princess Zelda resides. She tells Link about how Zant invaded the safe confines of the castle where she was forced to give up the throne.{{Ref|TP|1152\1153\1157|Princess Zelda}} Zelda also explains to Link how Hyrule is covered in perpetual Twilight, and all of its inhabitants have turned into helpless spirits, who know only fear.{{Ref|TP|2178-2180|Princess Zelda}} Later on in the game, after restoring the light to Faron Province, the Light Spirit, [[Faron (Light Spirit)|Faron]], tells Link about a dark power that lies in the [[Forest Temple (Twilight Princess)|Forest Temple]].{{Ref|TP|1339-1340|Faron}} This is a fragment of the Fused Shadows, and Faron tells Link that he must use this dark withered power to defeat the King of the Shadows, Zant.{{Ref|TP|1341-1342|Faron}}

Link first encounters Zant after collecting the third and final piece of the Fused Shadows from the [[Lakebed Temple]].{{Ref|TP|2183|Princess Zelda}} Zant halts Link and Midna as they exit. The Light Spirit, [[Lanayru (Light Spirit)|Lanayru]], tries to intervene, but Zant once again steals the light, thus restoring Twilight to the province. Zant also takes the Fused Shadows from Midna, calling them an old and withered power, proclaiming that his power is new and was granted to him by his god.{{Ref|TP|1576-1578|Zant}} [[Wolf Link]] tries to attack Zant, but in the process Zant uses his dark powers to curse Link, meaning he is now suspended in beast form. Zant then goes on to tell Midna of his desires, and that darkness and light will meet at last while asking the cursed imp to join him on his quest.{{Ref|TP|1580-1584|Zant}} After Midna refuses to aid Zant, he manipulates the Light Spirit Lanayru to return Midna to the Light World, leaving Midna an inch away from death.{{Ref|TP|1585|Zant}}

Later on in the plot, Link and Midna find the whereabouts of the [[Mirror of Twilight]], hidden within Arbiter's Grounds. This is the only connection to the Twilight Realm, so Link has to pass through the grounds to reach the [[Mirror Chamber]]. Upon navigating through the [[dungeon]], Link finds the remains of a skeletal being covered in sand. Zant appears and is surprised that the young hero has made this far however he then explains to Link that this is the last time they shall meet alive.{{Ref|TP|6967-6969|Zant}} The Usurper King the pulls out the Twilight Sword and thrusts it into the skull of the remains. This brings the seemingly dead being to life and this is the fourth boss of the game, [[Stallord]]. Upon defeating Stallord, Link makes his way up to the Mirror Chamber where he finds the mirror broken. The Ancient Sages tell the young hero that this was the work of a dark power that once resided within the demon thief Ganondorf.{{Ref|TP|1705-1709|Ancient Sages}}The Sages also tell Link that they sealed Ganondorf in the Twilight Realm and that this could be the source of Zant's power.{{Ref|TP|1715-1717|Ancient Sages}}  

[[File:800px-Palaceoftwilght.jpg|left|thumb|270px|Palace of Twilight]]After collecting the three [[Mirror Shard]]s, Link and Midna now are able to access the Twilight Realm and confront Zant. Upon entering the realm, Link has to restore the two Sols to the plaza. Each Sol is found on the opposing ends of the Palace. Once the Sols have been returned to their original position it powers up Link's [[Master Sword]]. The Master Sword now becomes the [[Light Sword]] and it allows Link to clear up the shadows that block the entrance to Zant's Palace.{{Ref|TP|7374-7377|Midna}} Link advances to the Palace to confront Zant. Upon entering the throne room, Zant explains his hatred for the Light World, saying they trapped his people like insects in a cage.{{Ref|TP|1735|Zant}} He also explain his frustrations with not becoming king and how he was gifted power by his god, Ganondorf, who ultimately was using Zant.

After Link defeats Zant, he explains that the curse set up on Midna cannot be broken. It was put on her by his god Ganondorf, who is now reborn in the Light World. Zant proclaims that as long as he lives, Ganondorf shall resurrect him.{{Ref|TP|1752-1754|Zant}} It is at this point that Midna uses her restored Fused Shadows to ultimately kill Zant. However, after the defeat of Ganondorf, Zant can be seen snapping his neck upon Ganondorf's death. This could be seen as symbolism of the betrayal.  

[[File:Zant Boss.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Zant boss fight]]Zant is one of the longer boss fights in ''Twilight Princess'' and the battle itself is composed of six stages. Each stage of the fight takes place at a different boss battle location, including the Forest Temple, [[Goron Mines]], [[Lakebed Temple]], and more.{{Ref|''Zant Twilight Princess Trading Card''|Zant transports Link to the Forest Temple, Goron Mines, Lakebed Temple, and other locations of previous battles against bosses.|Card Description}}