Breath of the Wild Story: Difference between revisions

As detailed by various memories both Zelda and Link share, some details leading up to the events of Ganon's most recent return are known. Zelda conducts a ceremony to appoint Link as her appointed knight, attended by the four other Champions. During the ceremony, Zelda has a hesitant and insecure attitude, which the Champions readily observe. They interpret this as the princess's melancholy jealousy of Link's ability to fulfill his destiny as the hero while her own destiny remains uncertain. A short time later, as Zelda and Link are traveling to [[Goron City (Breath of the Wild)|Goron City]] to make adjustments to one of the Divine Beasts, Zelda shows enthusiasm for experimenting with the ancient technology. Again, however, her insecurity regarding her inability to fulfill her destiny shows through as she speaks to Link. Later, this fascination with the ancient technology becomes even more apparent as she is later seen attempting to gain access to a [[Shrine of Trials]] as Link arrives to escort her away on the king's orders. She lashes out at Link in surprise and frustration, but returns with him nevertheless.

As Zelda and Link continue to travel throughout Hyrule to inspect and make adjustments to the Divine Beasts, Zelda is attacked by three members of the [[Yiga Clan]]. Link returns at the last possible second to rescue Zelda from their assault, after which Zelda begins to realize she shares a unique bond with Link as her protector. Then, while traveling in the Eldin region, Link repels an attack from numerous monsters - but not without sustaining injuries to himself. Zelda sees that not only have attacks have become more frequent, but that monsters have gotten more powerful as well. She recognizes these events as premonitions to the imminent return of Ganon, and urges Link to use caution.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|That cut doesn’t look too bad, actually. You’re fine for now. But you know, there’s a fine line between courage and recklessness. As brave as you are, that does not make you immortal. It seems that, not only is the frequency of these types of attacks on the rise… but the scale of beasts is intensifying as well. I fear that – I fear that this is an omen which portends the return of Calamity Ganon.|Zelda}}

Taking shelter under a large tree during a storm, Zelda watches Link as he practices with the [[Master Sword]] - remarking that his devotion to his role is admirable. She then opens up to him about her doubt and insecurity in fulfilling her own destiny by stating how she feels as though she was born into a role and set onto a path she may not be able to follow.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|What if… One day… you realized that you just weren’t meant to be a fighter. Yet the only thing people said… was that you were born into a family of the royal guard, and so no matter what you thought, you had to become a knight. If that was the only thing you were ever told… I wonder, then… would you have chosen a different path?|Zelda}}

Back at [[Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)|Hyrule Castle]], Zelda takes a moment to observe the progress of the experiments with the Guardians, noting that the Hylian researchers are now able to control them.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|Incredible… We’re at a point now where we can actually control them. At the current rate, we’ll soon know all we need to know about the Guardians and the Divine Beasts!|Zelda}} Suddenly King Rhoam appears and scolds Zelda for spending too much time distracted by the ancient technology in lieu of training to unlock the sealing power. Zelda explains that even after having prayed at the [[Spring of Courage]], her powers remain dormant - yet he forbids Zelda from having anything further to do with the ancient machines and to focus solely on her training.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|As the king, I forbid you to have anything to do with these machines from this moment on and command you to focus on your training.|King Rhoam}} Zelda then proceeds to pray at the [[Spring of Power]], however her powers remain dormant and her frustrations become even more apparent.

The day before her seventeenth birthday, Zelda speaks to Link about the final ceremony at the [[Spring of Wisdom]] on [[Mount Lanayru]]. She hopes that praying at the last Spring will awaken the power within her, but openly expresses her resignation to the possibility that she may never awaken her power.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|See that mountain? That’s Mt. Lanayru. It takes its name from the Goddess of Wisdom. Lanayru’s decree is very specific. It says: “No one is allowed, under the age of seventeen… For only the wise are permitted a place upon the mountain.” I’ve prayed at the Spring of Courage and at the Spring of Power, yet neither awoke anything inside me. But maybe up there… Perhaps the Spring of Wisdom, the final of the three, will be the one. To be honest, I have no real reason to think that will be the case. But there’s always the chance that the next moment will change everything. Tomorrow… is my seventeenth birthday. So then I shall go… and make my way up the mountain.|Zelda}} The next day, she and Link are seen by the four Champions returning from the summit as they realize she has again been unsuccessful in her attempt to awaken the power. As the Champions express consolation over her failure and  reassert optimism that her power will be triggered eventually, the earth begins to shake and Ganon suddenly is seen encircling Hyrule Castle. The Champions head to their respective Divine Beasts and Link and Zelda make their way to the castle.

To the surprise of all, Ganon cunningly seized control of the Guardians and Divine Beasts, and turned them against their commanders. Zelda and Link managed to escape the onslaught, but not before the four Champions and all those inside the castle, including King Rhoam, lost their lives.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|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 Divine Beasts, and turned them against us. The champions lost their lives. Those residing in the castle as well.|King Rhoam}} As Zelda and Link retreat, Zelda laments to Link about how her failure to unlock the goddess's sealing power cost them not only their only chance to defeat Ganon, but of leaving her friends dead and the kingdom in ruin.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|It’s all my fault! Our only hope for defeating  Ganon is lost because I couldn’t harness this cursed power! Everything – everything I’ve done up until now… it was all for nothing… so I really am just a failure! All my friends… the entire kingdom… my father most of all… I tried, and I failed them all… I’ve left them… all to die.|Zelda}}

As the relentless siege of the Guardians continues away from the castle, Link reaches the critical point of physical abuse in his defense of Zelda and collapses to his knees. Zelda urges Link to save himself and run away as more Guardians approach, but Link, refusing to leave Zelda's side, finds the strength to stand one more time in her defense. As an attacking Guardian locks on to Link in preparation to fire its weapon, Zelda selflessly stands between the Guardian and Link in a futile attempt to save his life. Suddenly a glowing white light begins to emanate from her raised right hand and destroys all the Guardians in the area. Realizing she has finally unlocked the Goddess's sealing power, she turns to Link who has collapsed on the ground behind her. She desperately cries out to him to awaken him, but he merely looks her in the eye for a moment as he passes out. As Zelda cries with Link in her arms, she sees the Master Sword begin to pulsate with a gentle glow. Now hearing the call of the spirit of the [[Master Sword#Breath of the Wild|Master Sword]], she understands that Link can still be saved. Seconds later, two members of the [[Sheikah]] Tribe arrive to help Zelda, but she immediately orders them to take Link to the [[Shrine of Resurrection]].{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|Take Link to the Shrine of Resurrection. If you don’t get him there immediately, we are going to lose him forever! Is that clear?! So make haste and go! His life is now in your hands!|Zelda}}

Zelda returns the Master Sword to the [[Korok Forest]] and drives it into its pedestal in front of the [[Great Deku Tree]]. She realizes that Link's Slumber of Restoration will likely deprive him of his memories, but is confident that he will return for the sword after his awakening.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|Your master will come for you. Until then, you shall rest safely here. Although the Slumber of Restoration will most certainly deprive him of his memories, please trust me when I say that I know that he will arrive before you yet again.|Zelda}} At this point, Zelda informs the Deku Tree that she has more to do, then heads back to Hyrule Castle to use the sealing power to contain Calamity Ganon within the castle until Link's return.{{Ref|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''|The Master Sword… I heard it speak to me. It seems that my role is unfinished. There is still something I must do. |Zelda}} She asks the Deku Tree to take a message for Link from her, but the Deku Tree stops her before she can express her thoughts and tells her it would be best for Link to hear her message to him in her voice.