June 27, 2013

Hyrule's History Part II: Early Turbulence

In the last article we talked about the destruction of Demise and the transition of the people of Skyloft to the surface. The remains of Demise were absorbed into the Master Sword. It would be some time before the remains were completely dissolved; and when that occurred, Demise's reincarnation would appear in the world.

Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers!

When Zelda returned, she proclaimed that she longed to see the surface and wanted to stay there. This would begin the history of Hyrule proper. The very first Zelda's descendants became known as the Hylians. Because of their connection to the goddess Hylia, each generation was born with magical powers (1). Every subsequent generation had those powers wane.

The place Link put the Master Sword to rest was none other than the Sealed Grounds, also known as the Temple of Hylia. It was built thousands of years ago by the early humans on the surface for the worship of Hylia. It is unclear if the Triforce was kept underground; underneath the temple in the Sky Keep, or if it was placed there later. The entire area features the Sealed grounds in addition to the massive, spiral shaped hole in front of the temple which was lifted into the Sky thousands of years ago by Hylia to protect the humans and the Triforce.


The Age of Chaos; Prosperity and the Creation of the Temple of Time

"Many years later", perhaps 100-200 years later according to Hyrule Historia was an age of chaos. Greed consumed many people as they learned about the legend of the Triforce (1). They began to seek it out, and would kill one another for it (1). In response, a Sage named Rauru built a new temple over the old Sealed Temple and called it the Temple of Time (1). The Triforce was returned to the Sacred Realm and was enshrined in the Temple of Light within that realm. With a power greater than the Master Sword and time itself- he sealed the only entrance to the Sacred Realm with the Master Sword and the Door of Time (1).

It was an excellent way to protect the Triforce- the Master Sword would only let its chosen master draw it; and only the most worthy could enter the realm and wish on the Triforce. As an additional measure- three spiritual stones were needed to open the Door of Time. They were distributed to trusted peoples within the Kingdom. Another safety measure was implemented- and it was one that was kept quiet as a hidden legend. The three spiritual stones were the keys to the Door of Time, but in order to open the gateway a very specific song needed to be played on a magical artifact known as the Ocarina of Time.  

It is assumed that the Ocarina of Time was made in this era and was given to the Royal Family, along with the knowledge of the Song of Time. Later, the requirements to open the door were inscribed on an altar in the Temple of Time. To protect the Triforce, the possession of the Ocarina of Time was kept a well-guarded secret by the Royal Family. Hyrule Historia hints that the Ocarina of Time is infused, or is entirely created by Timeshift Stones, which could be found in the Lanaryu Desert (1), which may eventually become known as the Gerudo Desert.

Although Hyrule Historia does not say anything about the relationship, it is possible that Rauru the Light Sage is Zelda's father, Gaepora. They share similar dress, features and themes. Rauru's real world form is that of an owl named Kaepora Gaebora. Zelda's father was names Gaepora, and has the look and mannerisms of an owl. The connections seem clear from my end, but nothing has been officially stated by Nintendo or Hyrule Historia. 

I suppose they leave this question up to the players, as the idea of Rauru being Gaepora does not create any paradoxes or contradictions- yet. It is unclear if Rauru built the Temple of Time BEFORE the founding of Hyrule or after. If he built the Temple of Time before Hyrule was founded- that is further evidence that Rauru is Gaepora.

After the Triforce was properly sealed within the Sacred Realm, and coming up empty handed- people began to give up looking for the mystical power; citing it as legend (1). And thus, the story became one. When Hyrule was founded, the castle was placed near the Temple of Time so that the Royal Family could watch over the Triforce, which they knew was not a legend (1). When it became a legend, the Royal Family wanted it to stay that way; and remained quiet about its existence (1). Rauru would remain sealed inside the Temple of Light in order to watch over the Triforce.

Evil Creeps Forth Again
perhaps 200 years later evil began to creep forth once again. The Hero of Men, an unidentified hero of Hyrule rose to fight the evil hordes. Just when all hope was lost, the Picori (really the Minish) descended from the skies and brought with them the Light Force and the Picori Blade. The Hero of Men used the tools to lock all of the evil away in the bound chest- and sealed this chest with the Picori Blade.


With talk of the Triforce dying down, Hyrule entered an era of prosperity for some time (1). The Picori Blade was entrusted to the Hyrule Royal family. The family also kept the existence of the Minish a secret; preferring to keep their existence a legend. A festival is held once a year in commemoration of the feats of the Hero of Men. Every 100 years, the gateway to the realm of the Minish opens in the world of Hyrule.

The Minish Cap
100 years later a sword fighting tournament was held in Hyrule Town (1). A stranger by the name of Vaati won the championship. His goal was to access the bound chest, which he thought contained the Light Force. To access the chest he destroyed the Picori blade housed in it. He unleashed hordes of evil upon the land and turned Princess Zelda into stone.

Link met Ezlo, a mysterious talking hat that eventually reveals himself to be a cursed Minish. They set off on a quest to reforge the Picori Blade. When Link gathered the four elements and took them to the sanctuary at the bridge between the Minish realm and the world, the sword transformed from the Picori blade into the Four Sword. The power of this sword splits the wielder into four copies of himself (1).

Vaati extracted some of the light force from Zelda and transformed into a monster. In an epic battle that brought the walls down, Link defeated Vaati. The monster vanished into thin air, and peace was restored to Hyrule with the use of the cap Ezlo made (1). The portal was closed, and time passed before another crisis would arise.

Four Swords
It is unclear whether the introduction in the game discusses the Minish Cap Link’s feats or if sometime between The Minish Cap and Four Swords, another hero arose and sealed a resurrected Vaati into the Four Sword. It could also be that the Minish Cap Link sealed Vaati in the four sword in an event after the Minish Cap game. Sometime after the events of the Minish Cap, perhaps 200 years later Vaati returned with a vengeance. 

Being evil for so long, he held no former memories of being a Minish and was blind with rage and malice (1). Vaati breaks his seal from within the Four Sword. Hyrule Historia hints that a descendant of the Minish Cap Link appeared to seal Vaati in the Four Sword (1). Vaati took up headquarters in the Palace of Winds, taking Zelda with him.

Link set out on a quest, aided by local Great Fairies to gain access to the Palace of Winds (1). Link gained the keys he needed to confront Vaati and did so. Splitting into four he defeated Vaati and made sure to seal him back into the Four Sword. The Four Sword was returned to its pedestal. The Royal Family would make sure that they would take better care in monitoring Vaati’s seal (1).

Next, we'll look at a time right before the center of the Legend of Zelda Mythos: and one of the greatest games of all time: Zelda: Ocarina of Time, during the Era of the Hero of Time.

__________
(1) Hyrule Historia. Nintendo. Dark Horse Comics (c) 2013
Updated 6/27/2013 for formatting and grammatical stuff.



No comments: