At the turn of the Millenium, as young Link IV continued to grow, his Uncle Error began to feel uneasy. He sensed great trouble coming, and he stepped up Link’s training. Meanwhile, the two moved into a new home south of Hyrule Castle. The farm house was simply too big and lonely with just the two of them, and alone they could not maintain the farm. With a heavy heart, he sold their remaining livestock and crops to buy the new house.
He recalled happier times, enjoying the company of his family. His brother in law, Link I, he remembered was very quiet. Often, Link would be found sitting quietly in the corner, reading books he had checked out of the Kakariko Village library. More than a few times, it was the Book of Modura, which was now seen as a religious book.
The Book of Modura (sometimes spelled Mudora, due to the complexities of translating Hylian language to English) was a tome of great spiritual and religious significance to the people of Hyrule. Some believed the stories were the literal tales of the legendary Heroes, others believed them to be allegorical tales, meant to convey moral messages.
Error and his family had never attended ceremonies or other spiritual events in Hyrule. Their ranch and farm had been on the outskirts of Hyrule, and they were happy without the influence of religion into their lives. Error, in particular, was strongly against the religion and he would attempt to engage Link in debates. “Why do you read such nonsense?” he would ask, “It provides easy answers for simple people.” Link would usually respond simply, “There is little knowledge that is not power.”
Now, with this unbearable sense of dread filling his heart, those words echoed in Error’s head. In desperation, he travelled to the Kakariko library and began reading the Book of Modura. He would not tell young Link his specific intention, only that he was going to library and he wished to be alone. Still unsure about what he saw as a religion of false hope and easy answers, he did not want to steer the boy down what may be a bad path.
As he read the legends in the book, he was fascinated by the stories of bravery told within. The exploits of the Hero of Time, the Hero of Winds and the Hero of Light were inspiring to him. More than anything, however, he was intruiged by the knowledge he gained throughout the many historical accounts. He had thought the Zoras and Gorons were simple folk tales concocted to scare children, but he now knew them to be extinct races of Hyrule. The bloody wars fought over the Triforce were chilling to read about, though he lived in tumultuous times of natural disasters (before Agahnim’s appearance, anyway) he could not imagine open war. The Great Sea was almost inconceivable for him; how could everything he knew have been underwater for so long?
During his adventures, Link IV encountered many creatures of significance. Here, he is shown meeting the King of the Zolas. Though the Zolas were violent and attacked humans, the King admired Link’s persistence and sold him a pair of Zola-designed flippers.
As he neared the end of the book, he was happy to read that after their trials had ended, the Hero of Winds and his descendant the Hero of Light were able to live peacefully as farmers. Error paused in his reading, stunned by the thought that had occurred to him. He frantically flipped through the Book, rereading certain passages and descriptions of the later lives of the two Heroes. Error’s head dropped into his hands, and he wept, overwhelmed. The descriptions in the book were too familiar: it was his family’s ranch. They were the descendants of the legendary Heroes!
The Hero of Light, it seems, was as modest as the Hero of Winds, and never told his wife or children about the full extent of his exploits. Knowing the truth of his ancestry, Error knew he had to be ready. His feeling of unease was replaced with an urgency to be ready, whatever the cost. Though he was already an adult much older than the legendary Heroes had been, he was determined to be ready to do whatever was necessary.
Of course, unbeknownst to Error, his brother in law had been the time-displaced Hero of Time (modesty, it seems, is a trait shared by all the Heroes). Thus, young Link IV was a very special child, as he shared the bloodlines of all three legendary Heroes. As Error trained his nephew, little did he know he was training a child fated for heroism.
Meanwhile, Agahnim had gained the King’s trust enough that he was widely respected within the castle. The King had also made it known that if anything were ever to happen to him, Agahnim would rule in his place until Princess Zelda was old enough. Zelda had cunning beyond her years, however, and suspected Agahnim, though she had no proof. She would attempt to spy on his actions, often being caught and returned to her room by the Knights of Hyrule.
Late one night, Agahnim approached the King claiming urgent business that needed discussing. He lied to the King, telling him that he had heard talk of an attempt on the lives of the seven descendants of the Sages who had sealed Ganon away. The only way to save them, he claimed was to reveal the identities of the descendants to Agahnim so he could save them. The King (knowing that the bloodlines of the Sages were essential to keeping Ganon sealed in the Sacred Realm) immediately told him six of the descendants were young girls from various places in Hyrule, and instructed him on where to find them. Agahnim demanded to know who the seventh girl was. The King turned away, almost embarrassed at having to share this, his most closely guarded secret.
The seven Sages of the era following the Hero of Light seal Ganon’s spirit in the Sacred Realm. It was their hope that travel between the two worlds would impossible.
“The seventh descendant is Zelda,” he sighed. “You’re the only person I’ve ever told that too. She doesn’t even know.” The King had time to exhale once before he felt his throat close up. Agahnim was choking the King with the very same rope he had used on his father an eternity ago. “Ganon appreciates your candor,” he laughed as he garrotted the King into unconsciousness. He then laid the King on an altar he had prepared. Using evil magic he had recently perfected, he transported the King into the Sacred Realm.
Agahnim immediately left the room and went to the Knights of Hyrule. “Evil conspires to kill the descendants of the seven Sages,” he announced, “The King has ordered you to come with me and save them!” Without question, the Knights left with Agahnim, and for three weeks they traveled Hyrule rounding up the girls. They acted in stealth, snatching the girls without leaving a trace. When these tactics were questioned by the soldiers, he replied, “It is better this way. The forces of evil could torture their families into revealing that we have told them. Better that their families know nothing until we can assure their safety.” With the girls rounded up, Agahnim had them placed in the basement prison of the Castle. Again, the soldiers questioned this, but Agahnim assured them. “There is little difference between a fortress and a prison. Both can serve the same purpose. This is the safest place.”
By this time, it was apparent that the King was missing. Agahnim claimed to know nothing about it, even shedding fake tears when he was informed. Agahnim ascended to the throne of Hyrule, declaring that he wished he did not have to do this, but it would be necessary until the King was found. As such, his first decree was that a squad of Knights under his direction would begin searching for the King. His second decree was that the disappearance of the King would be kept secret; better not to worry the people until he have more information, he reasoned.
It was clear to the Knights of the Castle, however, that something had changed in Agahnim. He was more cold, more intimidating. His orders became more peculiar, though now that he was the highest authority in Hyrule, none dared question his authority. The Knights complied when he ordered Princess Zelda be locked in the prison. Then, every night for a six days, Agahnim ordered one of the girls be brought to his personal chamber. After this, the girl would never been seen again. One Knight dared question Agahnim about this, and was immediately put to death. There would be no further questions from the guards.
As the descendants of the Sages were banished and imprisoned in the Sacred Realm, Ganon could feel his strength returning. He waited at the Triforce, biding his time until he would have a corporeal form, and claim it’s power. As his power grew, the Sacred Realm slowly transformed to reflect Ganon’s evil wishes, taking the form of a twisted mirror image of Hyrule. Once he claimed the Triforce, he would be unstoppable.
The Triforce in its resting place in the Sacred Realm. Ganon’s spirit was unable to claim the Triforce, but his evil presence was able to corrupt what had once been known as the Golden Land.
Meanwhile, Error and Link had been suffering horrible nightmares. In the dreams, young girls were screaming for help trapped in crystal prisons as they were taunted by dark beasts. Error did his best to convince Link that they were only dreams, and they would pass. He was not so convinced himself, however. On the seventh night, as he lay in bed during a violent rainstorm, he heard a voice cry out. “Please help me…” He heard his uncle stir across the room and he wondered if he heard it too. The voice continued.
“I am a prisoner in the dungeon of the castle. My name is Zelda. The wizard, Agahnim, has done…something to the other missing girls. Now only I remain. Agahnim has seized control of the castle and is now trying to open the seven wise men’s seal. I am in the dungeon of the castle. Please help me…”
Error got out of bed and grabbed his sword and shield. “Link, I’m going out for a while. I’ll be back by morning. Don’t leave the house.” Link tried to ask his uncle if he was going to the castle, but the door slammed before he could. Link sat for a while, thinking about what had happened, and he was overcome with an urge to help this girl. Grabbing a lantern, Link left the house and set off towards the Castle. As he came upon the Castle, he saw that the Gate was closed, but he felt drawn to the eastern side of the outer walls. There, behind some bushes, he found an open grating that led into the sewer system beneath the Castle. “Go in,” he heard the voice say.
Shortly after entering the sewers, he was shocked to find his uncle slumped against a wall. Error, now realizing that Link was Zelda’s only hope, and perhaps that it was Link, not himself, who was fated to be a Hero, gave Link his sword and shield. Link began to cry, at his uncle’s side. Error put his hand on his nephew’s shoulder and told him simply, “Grieve for me later. You must save Princess Zelda. You must do it now Link.” Link nodded, wiped his tears on his sleeve, and continued through the maze of sewers.
Link’s uncle Error dies in the sewers below Hyrule Castle. Though he would eventually avenge his uncle, Link’s motives were beyond simple retribution. The youth felt an indefatigable urge to save the Kingdom.
The voice in his head guided him through the Castle. He avoided most of the guards, and made his way into the prison. Looking through the dimly lit prison, he saw only one cell with an occupant. As he approached the cell, the voice in his head yelled, “duck!” Link did, and a massive spiked mace crashed into the wall behind him. Turning, he was faced with a Knight of Hyrule, brandishing a ball and chain. Remembering the training his uncle had given him, he dodged the guard’s attacks. The guard was hindered by his unweildy weapon, and Link was soon able to slide his sword through a weak point in the armour, killing him. He found a key in a satchel tied to the guard’s belt, and used it to unlock the cell.
“Thank you, Link,” said Princess Zelda. Before Link could ask how she knew his name, Zelda explained that there was no time to lose and they had to flee. Zelda led Link to the throne room, where there lay a secret escape route, known only to the royal family. The route led back through the sewers and eventually came out in the Sanctuary to the north. The priest who lived there was shocked to see Zelda, and he and Link both listened intently as Zelda explained about the other six descendants. “I know he has something to do with the disappearance of my father, as well,” added Zelda. The priest and Zelda discussed their next move until dawn, while Link finally took a moment to grieve his uncle in the back of the Sanctuary.
He was drawn out of his own thoughts when he heard Zelda cry out, “You never received it?!” The priest explained to Link, “we believe the only way to stop Agahnim is with the blade of evil’s bane, The Master Sword. The sword has a lock, of sorts, involving three pendants. One of those pendants was supposed to be delivered to me, but I never received it.” They immediately suspected Agahnim would have it, but couldn’t know where he would hide such a thing. Zelda smiled. “Sahasralah would know, he is wise to matters like this.” The priest explained to Link that Sahasralah was the elder of Kakariko village, and marked his house on Link’s map. “Find him, he will help us.”
Anxious to do all he could to help, Link set out on his quest. In Kakariko Village, he found that many of the villagers now feared him. He soon found out why; there were signs everywhere declaring that he was a bandit who had kidnapped Princess Zelda. Sahasralah’s family, however, knew Link from earlier, and happily pointed Link in the direction of the former encampments near the Eastern Palace. There, Link met Sahasralah, who told him that the first Pendant lay in the Palace. Sahasralah would attempt to find out where the remaining pendants were in the meantime.
Link battled through the temple, finding an ancient bow that was once used by his anscestor there, and used it to defeat the Armos Knights and claim the Pendant of Courage. His battle finished, Link revisited Sahasralah, who had discovered the locations of the remaining pendants: in the desert and high atop Death Mountain, in the Tower of Hera.
Link set out on a massive journey that saw him aid many people along the way to recovering the Pendants. He recovered many ancient weapons, such as the Icerod (constructed by the Yetis of Snowpeak long ago), the Firerod (imbued with the fires of Death Mountain by the Rito when they lived there), and the magical Ether, Bombos and Quake Medallions. These medallions had been studied extensively by Agahnim, and had allowed him to call the severe natural disasters that had plagued Hyrule.
Soon, he had defeated the Lanmola in the desert temple, recovering the Pendant of power. Then, he scaled Death Mountain. Along the way, he met an old man, who he helped through the mountain. The old man talked about a granddaughter who had disappeared, and hoping to find her again someday. As a gift, he gave Link a mirror which he said contained great magic (the mirror had been created by the same Sages who had created the Mirror of Twilight, eons earlier). As he climbed the mountain, the Tower of Hera was in sight, but he could find no way to pass; there was no good footing. In the area, however, Link discovered a bright, blue glowing light emanating from the ground in one specific area, roughly a meter around. Link leaned in to investigate, and was almost hypnotized by the swirling mass. Without thinking, he reached out and touched it. When he did, everything went white, and he lost consciousness.
When he awoke, it appeared to be night and he saw that the path to the Tower of Hera was somehow easier to climb now. He started off in that direction, and prepared to scale a small rock face. He brought his hand up to find a grip, but was horrified to see a bright pink paw. Link only now realized that he had somehow been transformed into a sort of rabbit-like creature. In his panic, he turned to face Hyrule and was shocked to see that every plant and tree he could see appeared to be dying. Kakariko Village was in ruins. Even the desert now appeared to have massive storm clouds over it. In a panic, Link reached into his bag. He pulled out the magic mirror, and gazed into it. The mirror showed his true reflection. He looked at the mirror for a time, then closed his eyes and cried. “I’ve failed,” he thought “I cannot defeat evil like this, I can’t even grasp my sword.” When he opened his eyes, however, he was back in the Hyrule he knew, now standing in front of the Tower of Hera.
Link eventually discovered that he had been transported to the Sacred Realm, which at the time, was still being formed by Ganon’s evil thoughts. In the realm, one took on a form that was a twisted vision of the content of their heart, in Link’s case, a rabbit, representing the timid compassion in his heart. If one were to stay in the Sacred Realm too long, these forms would become permanent. In the Tower of Hera, however, Link discovered a relic called the Moon’s Pearl which would keep one in their natural form, protecting them from magic like that of the Sacred Realm (Ganon had planned to use it to keep Agahnim from reverting to an uncorrupted version of himself if he ever came to the Realm). On the top floor of the Tower, he defeated the Moldurm and claimed the Pendant of Wisdom.
Link immediately set out for the Lost Woods, where the Master Sword was said to rest. Deep in a grove, he found the sword’s pedestal, and feeling the power flowing through him, pulled the sword from the stone. Almost as soon as he had pulled the sword, he heard Princess Zelda cry for help, the same way he had that rainy night. He raced for the Sanctuary, but was too late. The soldiers came from the Castle and had taken Princess Zelda, the priest told Link with his dying breath. Fueled by anger, Link stormed the Castle. He fought through dozens of Knights, all the way to the highest tower, where Agahnim’s chamber was. He arrived just in time to see Agahnim send Zelda to the Sacred Realm.
“I’ve done it! My master can rule forever now!” Agahnim cackled with joy. Then, turning his attention to Link, gleefully engaged him in combat. He launched a ball of pure mystic energy at Link, but was shocked when Link struck it with the Master Sword, reflecting it’s evil magic back at him. Knowing he was defeated, Agahnim, laughed, and used his energy to draw both of them into the Sacred Realm.
Link awoke on top of a great golden pyramid, where the Castle used to be. Looking around, he noted that as he had seen before, the world had become a dark, disturbing version of itself. Sahasralah, using telepathy much like Zelda, contacted Link and told him that he was now standing in what had been the Sacred Realm, and could now be called The Dark World. He told Link that Ganon’s Dark World was connected to the Hyrule Castle gate, and evil energy was drawing people into the Dark World. If Link could recover the seven maidens, perhaps they would have an answer.
The Dark World, formerly the Sacred Realm, was a dark reflection of Hyrule and the evil in Ganon’s heart. Major differences include the desert now being a swamp, Kakariko Village now being inhabited by thieves, The Lost Woods now being a graveyard for giant beasts, and the Hyrule Castle is replaced by a golden pyramid.
On instinct, Link traveled to where the Eastern Palace had been. There he battled through a totally different dungeon than he had faced in the Light World, but nonetheless prevailed. To his joy, one of the maidens had been trapped in there. She directed Link to the locations where he could find the remaining girls, and thus began the second part of Link’s quest: piecing together the informations the maidens (still trapped in their crystal prisons which had the unintended effect of protecting them from the shape shifting effects of the Dark World; Link, on the other hand, was protected by the Moon Pearl) to determine where the others were and saving them. Finally, after many trials, he saved Princess Zelda from the Turtle Rock Dungeon on Death Mountain. The maidens led him to Ganon’s Tower, a giant construct where the Tower of Hera had been. Using their magic, the maidens broke the seal on the Tower, and Link entered. Link battled tirelessly through the massive monument to evil, facing foes old and new alike. In the final room, he was shocked to see Agahnim, who Link defeated once again.
It is worth noting that Agahnim was a key part of Ganon’s plan, but he was uncertain what would happen when his servant entered the Dark World. He worried that the realm would change Agahnim back to the innocent child he had been. With the immeasurable power he had gained since his father led him to Death Mountain hundreds of years before, Agahnim could possibly stand up to Ganon. Thus, the moment Agahnim entered the Dark World, Ganon possessed his body, guiding his moves. Ganon maintained his control over Agahnim until the moment just before he was struck by a ball of dark force, reflected back by Link.
Agahnim’s body was seemingly ripped apart by the force of the magic. From his corpse, smoke began to rise which eventually took the form of bats. Link was stunned as the bats formed one giant bat and crashed out the window. From the window, Link watched as the bat flew toward the pyramid. Shortly afterwards, the highest level of the pyramid seemed to explode. Link made his way there, and prepared for the ultimate battle.
Link during his battle with Ganon. The pig-like form Ganon assumes here is at this point his true form, his humanity having been long lost. The trident Ganon is seen wielding is an ancient weapon. The story of how he came to acquire that weapon is told in Zelda: Four Sword Adventures.
Inside the pyramid, Link came face to face with Ganon. Ganon told Link that he was all powerful, and would soon rule both worlds. Link, attempting to stall his massive foe, asked if he possessed the Triforce, why did he not already rule the world? “The answer is simple, young fool,” laughed Ganon. “I do not wish to conquer Hyrule through magic. My victory will be sweeter by force. I will amass my forces here and launch an invasion of your pathetic Hyrule. The soil will be stained forever with blood and I will rule both realms for all eternity!” Link attacked Ganon in anger, but he was clumsy and unfocused. Ganon easily grasped his foe, and hurled him off the platform, down to the pit below.
Link should have perished in that great fall, but instead he awoke in a golden room with a pool of water before him. As he approached the pool a rotund, ugly fairy appeared. “You must be the descendant of the Hero of Time,” she said. “I am Navi the fairy. Long ago I fought alongside your ancestor, and now I shall aid you, young Hero.” Navi took Link’s arrows and infused them with magic power. “Now you have the power to defeat Ganon,” she explained. “I did not always look like this. It was the corruption of the Triforce and this land that distorted my looks and took away most of my power. But you can fix this, O Hero. You can use the magic in those arrows to light our darkest hour. Indeed, you are the Hero of the Triforce. The love in your heart will shape the power of the Gods into an instrument of peace.” With that, Navi disappeared, and Link immediately left to face Ganon again.
This time, Link remembered the lessons of his uncle, and fought calmly against his opponent who became more and more reckless as the battle raged on. Soon, he was able to get close enough to strike Ganon with the Master Sword, stunning him. In that moment, Link fired a Sliver arrow which struck Ganon between the eyes, killing him.
In the next room, Link found the Triforce waiting for its new master. He grasped the mystical totem in his hands and felt a wave of power rush through him. The words of Navi echoed in his mind “The love in your heart will shape the power of the Gods into an instrument of peace.” He felt his heart swell and Link lost consciousness.
Link was surprised to wake up back in his own bed. Had it all been a dream? “You look as though you’ve seen enough adventure to last you for an eternity,” laughed his uncle Error. Link leapt out of bed and hugged his uncle. Together they travelled to Hyrule Castle and met with Princess Zelda. Zelda explained to Link that he had been successful. He had defeated Ganon, and the wishes in his pure heart had restored Hyrule to the peace they had known before Agahnim’s treachery. Many who had perished during the battles were restored to life, and all appeared to be well.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. Link’s wish in his heart had been simply for things to “return the way they were, before all this.” This wish, in its innocence, had the unforeseen side effect of resurrecting Ganon’s spirit in the once-again shapeless Sacred Realm. He was severely weakened, however, and it would take him many centuries before he would be able to spread his evil influence over Hyrule again.
In the meantime, Hyrule attempted to move on. With the Hyrule ravaged by millenniums of war, the people moved north of Death Mountain. With this, what had previously been known simply as Hyrule was now known as South Hyrule. A new castle was built for the Royal Family called the Northern Palace. Then, as the population boomed in a time of peace, many new towns were founded. Taking their cue from the Book of Modura, the towns were largely named for the Sages of legend. As prosperity reigned, the people of Hyrule lived peacefully. As for Link and his uncle, they settled into the new town of Ruto, and lived happily in obscurity for the rest of their lives.
Posted on February 23rd, 2008 by Hawkeye 
on February 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm #
OMG I LOVE HARVEST MOON!!! BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!
on February 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm #
And I have to contribue that it is a brilliant hogan image montage.
on March 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 am #
Maristar- I got so annoyed with the chickens I sold them all. It just wasn’t worth the effort. My cows are doing very well though, and my wife will soon bear my first child.
Weasel- By far the best ones are the big boot to the tower and the one where he’s pointing at it, like the tower was kicking his ass for a bit, and now he’s Hulked up and is going to unload on it.
on March 8th, 2008 at 2:20 am #
Update- I finished Majora’s Mask the other night. Very satisfying. God, I love that game.