The Imprisoned

The Imprisoned

Race	Demon
Games	Skyward Sword
Location	Sealed Grounds outside Faron Woods

The Imprisoned is a large, black monster in Skyward Sword. It is contained in the Sealed Grounds in the Faron Woods region with a seal initially created by the goddess and later upheld by Link. Link first sees this monster in his dreams, once at the beginning of the game, and again after Zelda falls beneath the clouds, in which this monster eats her.

History

The Imprisoned is actually an alternate form of Demise, the Demon King, as Link learns after stepping through the Gate of Time. During the war over the Triforce, the goddess Hylia managed to seal Demise within the Sealed Grounds with a spike. As a result, he lost his true form and he was turned into an abomination.

Over many years, the seal began to weaken. The Imprisoned successfully breaks free four times throughout the course of Skyward Sword. On the fourth time, he regains his true form as Demise. Link can use the power of a Skyward Strike to seal him again after weakening him.

Battles

Link battles with The Imprisoned in the Sealed Grounds several times in the game. Each time they meet, The Imprisoned has a slightly different appearance. He is always trying to reach the Sealed Temple, and Link must defeat him before he makes it there.

There is an alternative, easier, strategy to these official ones below. If you are on a higher level of the sealed grounds, you can jump down onto his head, and then slash downwards at the sealing spike to take him out. Do this three times, and The Imprisoned is defeated. But feel free to challenge yourself with these:

First Battle

		I have insufficient data on this monster. Its enormous size and ominous aura cannot be compared with previously encountered monsters. I can confirm that the sealing spike observed at the top of its head is the same object originally found in the Sealed Grounds. I hypothesize that damage can be inflicted by driving the stone pillar into the monster's head. But first, I recommend attacking the beast's feet--where your sword can reach--to stop it from moving. It is probable that the monster will be unable to move if you destroy all of its toes. I recommend using the air vents to move ahead of the monster instead of chasing it from behind. If you are able to get between the monster's toes, my analysis indicates you can effectively inflict great damage with a Spin Attack. You can also choose to decrease your risk of physical harm by using bombs to attack from a distance.

The first encounter occurs before learning of the Sacred Flames, after Link learns the Ballad of the Goddess. This time, it just has feet with four toes each: three on on the front, and one on the back. The trick is to get rid of all eight toes. When Link does this, he will fall over, and Link can push the sealing spike back into his head. If he repeats the process three times, The Imprisoned will be weakened enough that Link can perform a Skyward Strike and seal him.

Second Battle

		There is insufficient data on this target to make a full report at this time. But I can confirm the appearance of limb-like appendages that were not previously present. The evil power of this creature has also increased. Analysis indicates that you should be able to use the same basic strategy as in the previous encounter to seal the monster in its prison once more. The fingers and toes on its limbs can be destroyed with a physical attack, but you should wait to do so until these targets become a very high priority. I calculate a 100% probability that the large apparatus Groose constructed will be effective against this monster. It is likely that a direct hit from this apparatus will stop the monster's movement, creating a window of opportunity for you to attack. Groose's defense apparatus can be repositioned by pushing [control stick left/right]. When the monster is in your blind spot, I recommend you reposition the apparatus and target the monster.

The second encounter occurs when Link attempst to unlock the Gate of Time. In this second battle, The Imprisoned grows arms, which makes it slightly harder to get to The Imprisoned's head. However, Groose makes a catapult that can launch bombs, which he calls the Groosenator. The catapult can be used to prevent the monster from climbing walls. The Imprisoned also walks faster, and his arms can sometimes prevent Link from reaching his head when he is down, forcing him to go up another level using the air currents and the Sailcloth. Otherwise, the battle is mostly the same; Link must destroy his eight toes again and push the spike back into his head three times.

Third Battle

		Though the details are still unclear, this monstrosity is the demonic vessel of Demise. I can confirm a previously unseen taillike appendage. I recommend generous use of Groose's catapult. You must attempt to seal this beast away again. I suggest a plan of attack similar to what you used in previous encounters. The monster's fingers, like its toes, are comparatively soft targets and can be destroyed by physical attack. After toppling the monster, it is possible that the beast's enormous bulk may prevent you from approaching the sealing spike. In this scenario, I recommend that you descend a level and use an air vent to travel to the head of the monster.

The third encounter occurs before Link gets the Song of the Hero section from Faron. In the final battle, the Imprisoned is capable of flight. Once Link knocks the sealing spike in once, it will start to fly towards the Sealed Temple. He must then utilize the Groosenator to hit it back down with bombs, allowing Link to hit the sealing spike when it crashes back down to earth. After the second time he hits the sealing spike, Groose will be cut off from his supply of bombs. Link then hurries up to the top level with the Groosenator and launches himself at the creature, landing on his head and driving the spike back in.

Gallery

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  Zelda falling into The Imprisoned's mouth

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  The Imprisoned standing before Link

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  The Imprisoned Description from Official Nintendo Magazine.