Zelda Fans Heartbroken Over Hero Of Time’s True Fate

The Legend of Zelda may not flaunt its dark lore, but don’t mistake discretion for disregard. Since its launch, The Legend of Zelda has leaned into the dark as a number of its characters and plot twists dip into an uncomfortable truth. Games like Majora’s Mask never fail to drum up the dark, but when it comes to tragic truths, the most unlikely of games is hiding a harsh secret about the Hero of Time.

Over on Reddit, artist LibrarianApart1586 brought the unsettling situation to light with a new sketch. As you can see below, the art in question begins with a look at Young Link during his prime in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The hero is nothing more than a kid in this shot, but Link’s toothy grin proves the time traveler is eager for his coming adventure.

The same cannot be said for the figure in the comic’s second half. It is there we see a skeletal figure reflected in a broken mirror, the same glass we originally saw Young Link in. The warrior is devoid of all emotion as they stare forward, and a poignant piece of narration follows the shot: “Despite everything, it’s still you.”

What Happened To The Hero Of Time?

The fan-art shows a clear timeline for Young Link and, like it or not, this scene is completely canon. Ocarina of Time starts with an optimistic Link, but by the end of Twilight Princess, fans will know the Hero of Time lived a life filled with regrets.

For hardcore Legend of Zelda fans, the fan-art’s inclusion of the Hero’s Spirit is hard to mistake. The figure is an elusive one in Twilight Princess as the mysterious specter becomes a mentor to Link. Throughout the game, the Hero’s Spirit not only guides Link in his White Wolf form, but he also teaches the young hero seven special sword techniques. These abilities ultimately allow Twilight Princess‘ Link to defeat Ganondorf, bringing the Hero’s Spirit full circle.

Zelda Lore Isn’t Afraid To Get Dark

After all, Twilight Princess doesn’t shy away from the truth: The Hero’s Spirit is the ghost of the Hero of Time. The incarnation of Link we meet in Ocarina of Time (as well as Majora’s Mask) turns into this unsettling specter once their physical body fades. Unable to have seen Ganondorf’s defeat firsthand, Link’s spirit lingers in the world as he regrets his inability to teach the “lessons of his life” to a successor.

In order to address his regrets, the Hero’s Spirit finds his way to his descendant in Twilight Princess, and it is there the specter teaches Link. He is finally able to pass on the techniques that once plagued him with regret, and those very abilities are what bring about Ganondorf’s defeat.

It is hard to reconcile the Young Link we meet in Ocarina of Time with the Hero’s Spirit, but it is the cold, hard truth. Not every hero lives to see their dreams fulfilled, and even legends as important as the Hero of Time have regrets. The history of Hyrule makes it clear that every good in life has a dark side to match. And while the Hero of Time’s story is a difficult one, ultimately, The Legend of Zelda lays their spirit to rest in peace.