The Hero That Time Forgot

[@Contraltissimo]

"Link has gone from a child in an adult's body.... to an adult in a child's body." Man, that hit hard. :c

[@enigma_productions1]

that is unironically one of my favorite lines I've ever written

[@thespeculativemusician]

@@enigma_productions1that was heavy…

[@Xorrak]

*the experiences of an adult.... in a child's body* 👀

[@Contraltissimo]

@@enigma_productions1 You should be proud of it. :) It's powerful and poetic.

[@The_nerd_hinox]

@@Xorrakhas gone through puberty (from master sword pull) and now he has to do it again, man I feel bad for him, puberty can be traumatizing sometimes.

[@cyberangel3022]

He wasn't just "the hero that time remembered" in the adult timeline, he was practically deified and worshipped like a god. They erected a statue of him in Hyrule Castle, prayed for him to return to save them from Ganondorf after breaking out of the Evil Realm, and even after the flood, they continued their traditions that focused on the Hero of Time despite losing most of their identity as Hyruleans. The King of Hyrule and guardian spirits were still searching for the Hero of Time by the events of the Wind Waker, only settling for Link the Hero of Winds after accepting that the Hero of Time would never return. It's sad, the one branch of time that would never forget him is the one that his spirit ceased to exist in.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@cyberangel3022 i wish he could have seen it 🥲

[@yeah91919]

@@enigma_productions1 absolutely tragic

[@zoy13]

Actually, he was 17 teen

[@therust6947]

@@zoy13…thanks man…what a blunder

[@bitter-bit]

heart breaking

[@CooldownCentral]

my favourite link of all time. the world may forget him, but i'll never forget that whole journey i went on as a kid playing these games

[@enigma_productions1]

same! i love the hero of time so much

[@kyherman1902]

Great Video! I like to think that after Majora's Mask, he served as a knight in the hyrulean army, and then started a family with Malon (as we know that TP Link is the direct descendent of the Hero of Time), and set up Ordon Village with her, but in times of peace after the war (or some other reason), he felt does not train his kids his sword fighting techniques. I think he died of old age, with still the lingering regret of no one knowing his true accomplishments, as his true enemy, "the cruel flow of time", would win in the end. He would be buried where he grew up, in the Kokiri forest by the sacred tree (a tombstone in TP hyrule castle hints at that), buried not in his green tunic that he saved the world twice in, but instead his knightly armor, as everyone (expect the royal family persumably) would not remember him as the Hero of Time, but simply as a solider who fought in battle. He would linger as a restless spirit until he could pass down his techniques to his descendent, where he would finally be at peace and pass on, much like many of the spirits/people link healed in Majoras Mask. Truly a Tragic Story, with a small happy end.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@kyherman1902 him dying of old age would add so much more tragedy to his constant waiting! i love all the headcanons you have here, the mystery of what happens to the hero of time between majoras and twilight princess is so intriguing to me and seeing other people’s POV like this is why i make these videos. thank you for sharing!

[@TigerTabCat1]

This is my head cannon too. If I may add: I also think that he took his tunic and improved it -turning it into the twilight princess tunic and left it in the forest with the forest spirit that later gives the tunic to TP link. After all, the hero of time essentially went around with a basic fabric outfit that offered very little physical protection apart from his gauntlets.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@TigerTabCat1 i really like that idea! i never really thought about it like that but that really adds a lot to his relationship with the hero of twilight, excellent ideas!

[@LITTLE1994]

The Malon thing is not canon. Plus, he is technically engaged with Princess Ruto.

[@666Valo777]

No Regerts. lol 😂

[@Redder_Creeps]

Not gonna lie, I knew the Hero's Shade was OoT Link, and honestly he's probably the most tragic character one could find in this franchise. I never played OoT sadly, but the first quote he ever says to TP Link is definitely the best: "A sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage"

[@enigma_productions1]

hero's shade has some of my favorite lines in all od zelda, he was written so well as a mentor almost grandpa like figure with how he talked. my personal favorite is "You must use your courage to seek power...and find it you must. Only then will you become the hero for whom this world despairs."

[@Zeithri]

Ocarina of Tims is.. alright but it's definitely overrated. A Link to the Past and Ancient Stone Tablets are far better in my opinion. You should play it though.

[@WeeG-bwc77]

He's lost to space and time. No one in the future he saved is capable of interacting with him, those victories were essentially "forgotten" in his timeline branch. And when Termina fades away, no one there is capable of interacting with him... and his victories there are also "forgotten" by the world. Despite saving two worlds and potentially more than that, Link's triumphs are basically negated to zero..

[@Bcisgreat]

Yo Redders 😂😂😂

[@Redder_Creeps]

@@Bcisgreat Oh sup

[@Rihcterwilker]

I think Ocarina's strongest point is how clean the narrative is. You have some extra content here and there, but it is all so well paced, like the quiet moments between dungeons are also meant to let the player breathe, explore, wander around a little.

[@enigma_productions1]

definitely agree!

[@Kruegernator123]

I do like that about OoT as well. There is nowhere near as much padding in this game compared to later entries, especially Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword.

[@cato3277]

OoT’s pacing is incredible. I like that the new games have a similar approach where you can laser focus on the story and essentially just go from dungeon storyline to dungeon storyline, one after another. A review I saw was that it’s like speed reading a book that you’ve read before, where you can skip over filler bits if you wanted.

[@yohhh6715]

Majora's Mask literally starts with "In the land of Hyrule, there echoes a legend. A legend held dearly by the Royal Family that tells of a boy..." so his time on Termina isn't entirely forgotten

[@PMMillard]

I don't think Termina is an alternate reality, I think its an alternate time, a time before Hyrule.

[@ageious9160]

the world he was remembered in isnt the one he stayed in and died in, he never saw what he did for the world that remembered him

[@crunchyfresco]

A lot of links incarnations are tragic. I love ocarina of time. I think that is why we love link even more because we want him to be happy but once he is call for duty he is the knight that never sleeps or thinks of himself. He no longer knows how to be normal. I find that sad.

[@enigma_productions1]

amazing analysis!

[@Skywalker10767]

You know for as much shit as The Hero of Time has gone through at least he was able to find love in life

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Skywalker10767 TRUE!

[@The_nerd_hinox]

Also remember, this link is the most tragic because he had to deal with 3 different types of ganondorf (phantom ganon, ganondorf, and ganon) and the water temple.

[@Ben-m9n7p]

And the bottom of the well

[@justamicrowave5297]

Except for botw/totk link who fought calamity ganon, dark beast ganon, 4 phantom ganons at once, (not including the gloom spawn which become phantom ganons), ganon, and dragon ganon.

[@RabbiB0Y]

0:39 ah yes the "your body wasnt ready to weild the master sword so we locked you up for 7 years" explanation for the time travel but it doesnt make sense as you can go back in time

[@enigma_productions1]

i honestly think they should have just made it so that you're stuck in adult body bs that makes absolutely no sense if we're being honest

[@lpfan4491]

Goofy ahh Rauru:"A 12 year old cannot wield the master sword" Windwaker Link: *Disapproving cat noises before pulling the sword anyways*

[@5ParallelUniversesAhead]

I mean, that Master Sword Toon Link pulled AT FIRST was the sleeping, unawoken Master Sword. He needed to awaken the Master Sword with those pearl thingies So... Eh. (I'm going based off assumption that Oot Link's Master Sword was fully awoken.)​@@lpfan4491

[@PMMillard]

the Sword is what locked you away for 7 years, the temple is the Temporal gateway, returning the sword is returning you back to the point in time where you pulled it.

[@PMMillard]

@@lpfan4491 That version was incomplete, had lost it's powers, Besides Winds was not recognized as the reincarnated hero by both Jabu and Roam

[@ShadeDergon97]

One thing worth noting about Link's adventures in OoT is that Zelda's plan was for Link to beat Ganondorf to the punch, and use the Triforce against Ganondorf. Her plan was flawed though, in that the last barrier to entry for getting to the Sacred Realm - and thus, the Triforce - was pulling the Master Sword, something Ganondorf simply wouldn't be able to do; and because Ganondorf figured out her plan, he let Link pull the Master Sword, letting him enter the Sacred Realm behind him to obtain the Triforce himself - and if Link tried to stop him, he'd just kill him, as Link as a child was no match for him, which is why he's sealed away for seven years. Another thing that makes his post-OoT fate worse is that not only is he now an adult in a child's body, he's a Kokiri in a Hylian body. He grown and raised a Kokiri. Then he became an adult, returned to his home, which was now overrun by monsters and with his friends, still in child bodies, not recognizing him at all. It wasn't until he met the sapling of the Great Deku Tree that he learned that he was actually a Hylian, not a Kokiri. So when he returns to the past at the end of OoT, he can't even go home back to his old life because of this. (I think this is also the reason why Navi leaves him in the end - he doesn't need her help anymore, and she can't still be his fairy companion because he isn't a Kokiri.) Also, Termina wasn't made by Majora's Mask. Although this is stated in the Zelda Encyclopedia, it's contradicted by multiple other sources, *including the game itself.* ZE is also really unreliable in general, and on top of all of that, it even states right before the title page for the Historical Records section "Where nessesary, the writers of this book added their own interpretations and expanded upon the games' stories", meaning that it doesn't even consider itself canon. (Not to mention that if it is true, then it diminishes the story as a whole and introduces a number of plot holes.) That all said, it does still fit with the video, as he does become a hero... of a world he's no longer a part of, one that never knew the true extent of his heroic deeds. He's saved multiple lives, helped numerous people, and brought peace to the lives he couldn't save, but in the end, all the people know is the Giants saved them from the moon, and some kid with green clothes and a fairy, a Deku Scrub, a dead Goron Hero, and a Zora Guitarist helped the people of Termina and the surrounding lands, never knowing that all of them were actually Link. Lastly, Link eventually returns to Hyrule - and while we don't know what exactly happens to him after Majora's Mask, he at least revealed Ganondorf's plan to betray Hyrule and pretty much everyone else - including the Gerudo - before leaving Hyrule the first time, and he had a child after coming back, potentially now an adult; and a theory I've heard is that he had said child and settled down with Malon, as TP Link is the blood descendant of the Hero of Time, and when we first see him, he's helping out at a local farm south of Hyrule Castle.

[@enigma_productions1]

this is such an amazingly worded comment (I would even almost call it an essay lmfao) you made lots of really good points and this was a really interesting read!

[@ShadeDergon97]

Thanks; I tend to make comments a bit long when it comes to making them on topics I really enjoy, so it's nice to hear that they're enjoyed despite their length :P And since I didn't say it in the original comment, nice work on the video; I really enjoyed it!

[@enigma_productions1]

@@ShadeDergon97 definetely one of the most interesting and in depth comments I've ever received! thank you for the kindness

[@dandy5175]

I definitely think he warned them about the plan before Majora's Mask. MM Link even as a child would definitely have a big enough arsenal to beat up Ganondorf, as he was able to beat a deity (Majora) by himself.

[@nimomirderlimo]

I will never sleep the same again. This is really dark

[@Archetype_M3T4L]

We as the players know his accomplishments. Hero of Time and The Hero of Twilight are the coolest.

[@enigma_productions1]

that almost adds to the sadness of the hero of time, yet another world he'll never know he mattered in

[@og_gmganimations]

I love this video, you should do the hero of legend *specifically links awakening,* that story is almost as tragic as the Hero of time mainly because link must destroy the world that he’s learned to love.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@og_gmganimations oh i totally forgot about how interesting his story is! thank you the reminder, that’s definitely going on my video idea list

[@xXRedNinjaXx]

I honestly want a continuation to the Hero Of Time, to see the life he led till his demise to show us what we wanted to see, and answer all of our questions

[@enigma_productions1]

@@xXRedNinjaXx it’s fan servicey as hell but i would just love even a cutscene of a grown up hero of time using the masks from MM and some items from OOT, just something from him in his prime

[@xXRedNinjaXx]

@@enigma_productions1 honestly, same, but somewhere inside of me just says that the mask would gone just like the world of termina cause the masks would of only existed cause they were made in the world that was made by Majora

[@enigma_productions1]

@@xXRedNinjaXx yeah… but it would be so cool!

[@xXRedNinjaXx]

@@enigma_productions1 I knooooooow

[@ianmarshall270]

This is such a well made, interesting video. I never knew that most of the games actually connected. Thanks

[@enigma_productions1]

glad i could help to expand your zelda knowlege!

[@geschnitztekiste4111]

Yeah that’s what pisses people off about modern Zelda lore. Not only do they refuse to expand on what’s already there, but they actively seem to retcon a lot, especially in TotK where they give Ganondorf a slightly different backstory and swap out the Triforce with the Secret Stones

[@JJAB91]

Termina disappearing after Link left is pure fan fiction.

[@PMMillard]

in my personal opinion, I think Time started everything by being transported into Termina. In skyward sword the uniform of the knights being link's tunic from all of the games being a tradition had to start from somewhere. If you ask me I think its because of the Terminian people that Link helped on his journey that set the legend in motion. A child doing what grown men in armor feared to do. Yes, I am saying Termina is a distant past long before the events of Skyward Sword. I have 2 main aspects to this theory is that Zelda and Ganon both have a patron deity that reincarnates as them, but link doesn't? Bullshit, I think the Majora is a corrupted Fierce deity and Majora willingly giving over an avatar of his power to help Link defeat him is proof of this that and well, you can't exactly reincarnate if you aren't dead so he needs an incarnation of himself pulled through time. My 2nd main point is overlay the map of Termina with the map of the surface in Skyward Sword, knowing the Lanayru desert was once an ocean, and Snowpeak having magma in it's lowest level and you have the depiction of the Ancient past of how everything started.

[@Kruegernator123]

Where is that even stated? Some guidebook? That plot point of "it was all just a dream" is already too derivative enough in the series with Link's Awakening and Phantom Hourglass.

[@lpfan4491]

@@Kruegernator123 How is that plotpoint connected to PH? That game straight up wasn't a dream, Tetra's crew just thought it was until the Ghostship literally blinked out of existance right infront of them.

[@justamicrowave5297]

@@PMMillardthe guards wearing clothes like links couldn’t be because of majora’s mask link, because, if I’m not mistaken, skyward sword is the first in the timeline, happening before even ocarina of time. Also it’s entirely possible that the guard uniform just looks like that. The guard uniform in spirit tracks also just looks like that, that’s the entire reason link even gets the green tunic.

[@PMMillard]

@@justamicrowave5297 the official timeline is a mess with inconsistencies, plus OoT and MM are about TIME TRAVEL. There was a time before Skyward sword you know. plus Skyward Sword is ultimately about the creation of the *ORIGINAL* master sword.

[@danyelfisherLink]

This hero has h me in tears more than once. Especially watching Majorlink videos.

[@enigma_productions1]

i feel that, his story is so sad

[@justaguy-m2o]

This is just an added take to the tragedy that was The Hero of Time.

[@ZeldianGamer-231]

Nooo!! 😭😭 Why must you remind me of his tragic life and evoke in me all of this sadness! Anyways, love the video!

[@enigma_productions1]

@@ZeldianGamer-231 sorry, had to do it to ya! thank you for the kindness!

[@LITTLE1994]

The Hero of Time is the G.O.A.T. among all the incarnations of Link. But it is such a shame he has one of the saddest stories (much of the blame goes to Zelda). He is a tragic hero indeed.

[@enigma_productions1]

he is probably my favorite incarnation too (followed by hero of wild)

[@ShadeDergon97]

Really, the entirety of the blame goes to Zelda. Had she done nothing, Ganondorf wouldn't have been able to get into the Sacred Realm because he can't pull the Master Sword. The only thing she can't be blamed for is Link's being Hylian, not Kokiri.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@ShadeDergon97 yeah Zelda kinda was the cause of everything, leaving Link as just a victim

[@LITTLE1994]

​@@ShadeDergon97100% facts, and she used him, too.

[@geschnitztekiste4111]

You might have mixed up the endings of Link‘s Awakening and Majora’s Mask. In the latter, the world Link explored, the island Koholint, does seize to exist after the Wind Fish wakes. But Termina doesn’t disappear, it’s just a parallel universe that was there before Majora and continues existing after, at least from what we see. The ending shows the „Dawn of a new day“ and everyone is celebrating. If Termina went under regardless, the entire plot of stopping t he Moon would have been useless, no? I know the Hero‘s Shade has regrets, but it’s probably about Ganondorf still living and about missing Navi and the friends he made in the adult timeline. The sadness of Majora’s ending was Link not finding Navi, after all his whole Termina visit was just a giant detour and didn’t actually help him in that regard. Oh and also just like in Hyrule, his heroic deeds aren’t remembered in Termina either since he was time-travelling even more here. But they’re not dead at least, that’s my point. Anyways, nice video, sorry for nitpicking

[@gothixm00nz]

Not me straight up SOBBING by the end of this video. I never did truly realized just how sad the Hero of Time was... he tried so hard to be remembered and make an impact on someone, not realizing how many he truly did change and help.

[@ShinSoumisa]

This video ismade in such an engaging style, even though I never played it, I was compelled to watch through to the end in one sitting. From your voice alone, I could feel the tragicness lf it. It has inspired me to play the games myself.

[@Cosmicshambler]

"Go and do not falter my child " goes incredibly hard

[@vinniequick]

so i was thinking Timeline 1 Link starts adventuring at 9, see's Zelda taken, rest till he's 16, saves Hyrule solving as many issues as he physically can, then vanishes where the world worships and celebrates him for Centuries to come Timeline 2 Link starts adventuring at 9, gains the memories of the Adventures from Timeline 1 implanted into his brain, he prevents the Zelda thing from ever happening, adventures until his early 20's where he becomes a knight, marries Malon by his mid 20's, has a kid by his late 30's who he never teaches sword stuff, realises by his early 40's that he never went on another adventure post joining the knights, and lives depressed until his mid 90's where he died of natural causes Timeline 3 Link starts adventuring at 9, see's Zelda taken, rest till he's 16, and gets killed where Hyrule is ruled over for a while before Ganondorf is killed somehow so I thought what if you Merged them together into the best possible Timeline Merged Timeline, Link starts Adventuring at 9, rest till he's 16, saves Hyrule solving as many issues as he physically can, Zelda then uses the Ocarina to reverse the state of Hyrule to 7 years ago before Link's Coma but everyone is the same age as they are in the present and they have the same memories as the present then she make it so everyone 16 and over (Link and Zelda Included) now won't physically age for 7 years to make up for the lost time in the 7 years of being ruled over then Link adventures from 16-mid 40's all while marrying Malon by his early 20's, having kids by his early 30's and teaching them sword skills, he died by his mid 90's happy and satisfied and worshiped and celebrated like a God but Link humble as he is just gives the people of Hyrule kindness

[@Wiseman501]

Excellent presentation and story telling. This is one of my favorite, if saddest stories in this universe. Liked, subbed. Oh one more thing... A lot of military veterans feel this way, having served as young men and coming back to civilian society aged well beyond their years with nobody knowing or understanding what they've been through, or the heroic feats they accomplished. Just living out the rest of a normal life. At least we still have each other to talk to about it, unlike young Link. What a legend.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Wiseman501 that’s a really interesting perspective! thanks for sharing

[@Wiseman501]

@@enigma_productions1 Thanks for making killer content. :D

[@dragonlord52b]

I saw an animation involving the hero of time and the hero of twilight where we get to see him go through his years looking for his best friend who was with him through one of the hardest times in his life, only to leave him alone afterwards and then he lived searching for his friend until his death in the war, then as the shade he trains the new hero and behind the skull face we see his own face and he has a blend of regret anger and sorrow upon his face while he is training his new self. The entire thing was focusing on him trying to find his friend and how he wished to see them again until his time was spent and he could do nothing about it and so he finally succeeded in something that would last, that being the hero of twilight, and he can finally pass onwards, although he still wanted to live, to find his friend and continue his adventures.

[@The_Moe_Szyslak_Exp_feat_Homer]

Because he's the hero that Hyrule deserves, but not the one it needs right now...and so we'll -hunt- forget him...because he can take it...because he's -not- a hero...he's a silent guardian, a watchful protector... A Dark Knight.

[@ishmaelpy]

Link howling the song of healing hit something deep in my soul...

[@fatdinosaurfood8059]

I feel like link lost his eye from lens of truth

[@enigma_productions1]

interesting theory!

[@S-Groove]

Shut up.

[@scb7752]

The manga aren't perfect, but I think they do a really good job of portraying the hero of time's character. You can see the progression from childhood innocence in ocarina of time to a deep sadness and loneliness in majora's Mask, to jaded and tired in twilight princess. He really is one of the most tragic links, not just because he was forgotten but because everyone he cared about either left him or died. His parents died when he was a baby, his father figure the deku tree died, Navi left him, skull kid betrayed him, everyone he met in hyrule was in the future, and everyone he met in termina disappeared one way or another.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

Was Termina even real?

[@EoleLeVeilleur]

I have yet to finish it, but the Zelda Twilight Princess manga sure give the Golden Wolf, so HoT/OoT Link a lot of importance! From training for days on end with Link to actually *knowing personally Midna herself*, there is an added layer of mistake to the character that is quite fascinating... But yeah, that "era" of Zelda sure feels... purposeful. There *was* lore, there *was* a continuity with two time branches, and the writing teams cared about the art pieces they created together. Even tho BotW, AoC and TotK are quite good themselves, they are more isolated than these decade-spanning entries. Subscribed I now am!

[@enigma_productions1]

i really do need to finish the TP manga! the pre botw, post oracle game era of zelda is probably my favorite tbh, you're right in how purposeful it feels!

[@lpfan4491]

A lot of the "classic continuity" feels purposeful tbh, it can even be theorized that the silver arrows in Zelda 1 are the exact same as the one from Alttp. There are only a handful of things that don't make sense(FSA placement, OOT to Attp jump being messy, Zelda introducing herself in Oracle even tho she already knows Link, them weirdly swapping Oracle and LA placements years later)

[@HovyRedgrave]

This is one of the best heroe of time videos I've ever seen

[@WeeG-bwc77]

Malon remembers her man, or at least sings for him in TP.

[@Redemption643]

I don't know how but you made knowledge i already knew feel way longer than 10 minutes. Great job!

[@selenopheria]

Where the hell did it ever say Termina ceased to exist without its villain?? This isn't Koholint. It was a parallel dimension, things happened before the mask was stolen and used to inflict terror upon the town, why should it not /continue/ to exist after?

[@filthycasual6118]

Maybe it did continue to exist. It doesn't really change the plot of the Hero of Time's life: he saved two realms, and nobody in Hyrule knew about it. He didn't stay in Termina, so whether it continues to exist or not doesn't really matter.

[@selenopheria]

@@filthycasual6118 I'm just so confused as to how he came to that conclusion, even and especially when we cleanse the mask completely of Majora's spirit and Terminal is still very obviously intact.

[@filthycasual6118]

@@selenopheria I understand, but again, does it matter for the series of events laid out in the video? The only person in-universe who ever saw both Hyrule and Termina was the Hero of Time. If he returned to Hyrule from Termina, and Termina completely disappears at some point thereafter, who'd know? An easier framework would be to just roll with the established theory that Termina is where the Hero of Time's spirit seeks peace after a premature death. Apparently, and according to my sister who's also a big Zelda nerd, that's "kinda the whole point of Termina."

[@piecakeum]

⁠@@selenopheriathe most recent edition of the hyrule timeline on the hyrule cyclopedia states that termina was a fabrication of skull kids brought from Majoras mask. It is stated that the world ceased after link defeated it and returned to hyrule. While I disagree with this interpretation, it’s likely where he got it from, an official source

[@selenopheria]

@@piecakeum That's so dumb, but thank you for the explanation. Sincerely.

[@Skywalker10767]

When you think about it The Hero of Time and Tom Holland Spider Man are a bit similar. They both mentally age to fast They both lose their parent figure They both lose a few years of their life And they both save the world but now nobody remembers what they did or who they are

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Skywalker10767 oh wow, i’ve never thought of that! that’s a really cool comparison

[@trompette4485]

That's just false. In Twilight Princess, the Hero of Time is a legend, everyone talks about him and compares TP link to him.

[@beefyremixs2595]

0:01 I think of minish cap and the og nes classic. GBA was my childhood, and Metroid zero mission, mario land, tetris, and the 2 zeldas mentioned, were my most played. Emerald had some good playtime, the amount of money my missing collection is worth...

[@RedDragonForce2]

There is one person that remembers what Link did. And that’s Zelda. Remember, Link went to meet Zelda after being sent back in time the final time. He was sent back to before he met Zelda the first time, sure, but Link informed Zelda of what was to come, showing his Triforce of Courage as proof. Zelda takes him to her father, and the King believes Link’s tale, though it is to remain secret from the common public. After Majora’s Mask and his final goodbyes to the Kokiri, Link did re-befriend Malon and Talon since he had to meet both of them on his way to Zelda. Once he was old enough, he was invited to be Zelda’s Knight since she bore the Triforce of Wisdom by that point. Zelda and Link are good friends, but nothing more and once Link is old enough, he returns to Malon to marry her, and they ultimately move the Ranch to Ordon Village and over time the Cows and Horses were replaced by Goats. Over the years between OoT and TP, Zelda passed along the story of man that protected their lands from a great evil. Though the name gets lost, the bearer of the Triforce of Courage is known to the Royal Family, and is instructed to help the one who bears the Triforce of Courage when he needs it. Thus despite TP Zelda not knowing Link’s name, she does recognize him as the Bearer of Courage. And helps him when they meet for the first time in TP.

[@napoleoncomplex2712]

Given that Hyrule is ultimately flooded and destroyed as a last resort in the adult timeline, I would argue that the timeline Link really saved is the *child* timeline. In that timeline, Hyrule had peace for centuries (by your account) and the Hero of Twilight (with Link's aid) was ultimately able to preserve that peace (at least until Breath of the Wild I think, but no peace is eternal!). They may not have remembered his deeds, but the result of his warning to the king, armed with hard-earned knowledge of Ganondorf's true plan, cannot be understated. To quote Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, 'Deeds are not less valiant because they are unpraised.' It's a bit depressing that all he could think to do was join the military after his adventures. I suppose fighting was all he knew by that point.

[@milestone380]

Why do people keep insisting that Termina isn't real and wouldn't exist without Skull Kid? There's nothing in the game to suggest that and I'm pretty sure that theory has been debunked already

[@ShadeDergon97]

It's because the concept was stated in the Zelda Encyclopedia, which is licensed by Nintendo. It's contradicted by multiple other sources, *including the game itself,* would introduce multiple plot holes, and Zelda Encyclopedia even states right before the title page for the Historical Records section "Where nessesary, the writers of this book added their own interpretations and expanded upon the games' stories", which means the writers made things up for it. Yet people still take it as gospel and treat it as canon, when it really isn't.

[@milestone380]

@@ShadeDergon97 it's really so annoying. There is NOTHING in the game to suggest that Termina is a fantasy world that Skull Kid created and, as you said, that idea is contradicted in the actual game. I actually didn't know that it says that in the Zelda Encyclopedia, but still, that's only 1 source. If it's not said in any other source that covers the same game, then it's pretty dumb to just go by what one thing says even though it's wrong

[@Kruegernator123]

@@ShadeDergon97 That sounds like story revisionist BS. Also "licensed by Nintendo" is an appeal to authority fallacy. If it doesn't fit with the source material, then it's wrong.

[@ShadeDergon97]

@@Kruegernator123 I would say that if it was made by Nintendo themselves, or at least the writers for Majora's Mask - which it isn't, so it's wrong - then it could be viewed as a retcon, assuming that it doesn't cause any plot holes - which it does, so it's *still* wrong. In other words, I agree. :P

[@kingpotato7183]

Exactly. I personally think termina is in the same realm as lowrule.

[@somedorkydude6483]

Nintendo really hates that child

[@enigma_productions1]

for real! let the boy rest

[@somedorkydude6483]

@@enigma_productions1 Nintendo: *Turns into adam driver* Also nintendo: everyday i wake up and hope you are de-

[@Masteradamant]

Link was always just a random knight with telepathy (that's why he doesn't talk) and learned magic on his journey. He gets summoned by Zelda to save her and then he does it because he has nothing better to do. After he realized his reward was just a thank you he left. Give this man some money or something but no ; just a rude princess. So he left, that's my theory

[@jayyyy.]

Still excited to see more of that skyward sword rewrite, but this video was awesome, would love to see more like it :))

[@enigma_productions1]

@@jayyyy. act 2 of the skyward sword rewrite was entirely complete… then the file corrupted. i’ll finish it up eventually but that was pretty demotivating so it’s somewhat low on the priority list at the moment. glad you enjoyed this one regardless!

[@jayyyy.]

@@enigma_productions1 damn, that's unfortunate. I'm really sorry that happened, but am also glad you didn't let it stop you from putting out other really good videos. Hopefully it wont happen again 😅

[@enigma_productions1]

@@jayyyy. i hope not! this is also not to say the project has been completely abandoned, just more so put on the back burner for now. you can definitely expect it at some point in the not so distant future!

[@jayyyy.]

@@enigma_productions1 Looking forward to it! :D

[@Falate]

Wow, the eay you put the story is so well done. I couldnt make the connection alone, great video man😮🎉

[@ichibanbento]

Man, this hit hard.

[@enigma_productions1]

@@ichibanbento thank you!

[@wallybonejengles5595]

That first Howling stone where the heroes meet wrecks me emotionally bud.

[@SarahLuvs2game]

OOT/MM Link will always be so tragic, long before he was even destined to be the hero he lost his family to the hyrule war... Then bullied for being different in the Kokori forest, then he tries to save his adopted Father only for it to have been to late and for Link to be falsely blamed for the death... He goes through so much more tragic things, only for the end of his story to result in him losing everything, even Navi... The only thing he doesn't lose is his memories... Of the bonds he formed, the people he lost, the burdens he took on... Just to then go on and save a whole another world, his poor heart... How does one take on all of these tragic losses, and find the strength and courage to keep going...

[@The_nerd_hinox]

I just realized that hero of legend and hero of time are almost the same (in oot and links awakening respectively)at the end of links awakening, the only one who remembers his journey is him, it is just like that for hero of time, and both endings make he feel survivor’s guilt for some reason.

[@Supersonicblue1027]

This was an Amazing video. Great work. The line "Link has gone from a child in an adult's body.... to an adult in a child's body." hit hard, by the way. Also, lore-wise, Link didn't actually serve in the army as the HD remaster of Twilight Princess added an old soldier member from the Hylian-Gerudo war to the rebel group that was meant to be in the GameCube version but wasn't because of hardware memory limitations. This soldier guy, at certain points in the game, can say interesting things if you go back to town in the bar at points that you aren't required to. With one line having him mention that he knew Twilight Princess Link's dad in the war. However, in the Japanese, there is more of that line that implies that Link wasn't a soldier but a volunteer. Meaning he was a citizen choosing to help of his own free will. This also explains why his armor has symbols that don't belong to the royal family, Sheika, or Yiga clans, as the armor, sword, and shield are probably from some misadventure he told Malon about at some point. This is supported by the game files referring to the sword he wields as the soul of the Hero, which means it held another hero from another land's soul that he freed in whatever adventure he obtained it in. (The game makes it kinda obvious Twilight Princess Link's mom is Malon and his dad is Hero Shade, as he knows Epona's song, and has the same Epona that traveled with Hero Shade [Hyrule Historia confirms it's the same one], lives in a tree house oddly shaped like Hero Shade's old house in Kokiri forest. Lives in a town located in the same place those woods use to be. As the Temple of Time in the woods has carvings from the forest temple; and the Faron forest temple has Kokir carvings from the OOT Deku Tree. That and the woods were suppose to be bigger and resemble the Kokir woods from the beta of OOT but were shrunk to what was in the final game to give the game enough memory for the rest of the game [yes, it was that big]. Also, most importantly, his hair color is a dirty blond with hues of red, making it look more brown, the exact hair color a child between the hero and Malon would have.) Personally, I am of the belief that Fierce Deity Link is just the Link of Termina, like Skyward Sword Link's counterpart who sealed Majora (Termina's Demise) away with the song of healing to trap them in the form of a mask. Then, this Link just reached a high level of divinity and, on their last day, turned themselves into the moon of Termina with the help of the giants and great fairies of Termina. This is supported by the moon crying when you look at it from the observatory. If it was truly a manifestation of Majora's power, it wouldn't have cried as it was being pulled down, but it did. Meaning it was a living being of its own with conciseness, and if Majora (Termina's Demise) existed in this parallel world without a Zelda, then the only one missing that could exist in that world is Termina's Link. I know people are gonna do the "but Kafe uses Link's model." Yes, that's asset recycling, a common thing used in games, just like we recycle cardboard and plastic into other things. They took Link's model and turned it into another model. There is a reason that they chose to turn the Adult Link mask into the Fierce Deity Link mask, and Zelda devs like to keep with a game's theme, so if it's an alternate universe, what else would they do but make the mask that would originally let Link adopted his true form that is trapped in that child body into a mask that represents Termina's forgotten hero from ages long gone. Two heroes who were forgotten working together at the end to defeat Majora and finally set the souls of the Deku Butler's son (who is the spirit inside the Deku mask), Mikau, and Darmani free. Hence why he didn't have those masks in the end of the game when the land is saved because they chose to help Link the tourist will to give his life to save their home, save their home and with their task done they moved on and without Majora, the moon actually moves back up in the atmosphere. Fun fact: Majora's mask was suppose to have a 7-day cycle, which would have allowed the player to basically do everything in one cycle if they were smart. The first day of said cycle would start on Sunday after the first 3-day cycle long before Link ever came to Termina, and the moon is in the sky untampered with on that day, and it would only start falling on Thursday the first day of the final game's 3-day cycle system. The position the moon moves to on "Dawn of a New Day" is the same position as the 7-day cycle's Sunday moon position. As "Dawn of New Day" in the game's files is referred to as Sunday. Fierce Deity Link Simply moved back to his original true position. The position where he can watch over the people of his world. So, in the end, there is one person who remembers The Hero of Time, and it's the Fierce Deity. Well, unless you take my personal theory that everyone in the Adult Timeline who wished for the hero to return, never accepting that he couldn't, was taken by the flood and transported into the bodies of their Child Timeline counterparts to be with their hero. Sorry, I know this was long. If you read all of it, appreciate it, and I am sorry again for its length. I usually like to write my thoughts down in one go to save time rather than making multiple replies to myself.

[@enigma_productions1]

First, hats off to you for writing this much in a KZbin Comment! I loved a lot of what you said and you really made me think with most of it. Your explanation of the lore of Termina possibly paralleling that of Hyrule is by far one of the most interesting Headcanons I've ever read. I know it was like the tinest bit of this whole comment but you touched on asset reuse which is something that this game is notorious for due to it being developed in a mere year. Overall, one of the most interesting comments I gave ever had the honor to receive and read, thank you for supporting!

[@lpfan4491]

The issue with this is...can it even be that TP takes place that shortly after OOT?

[@Disster]

Watched from first second to the last, and I am speechless about how good it is. Great job!

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Disster thank you so much for the kind words, it means so much to hear that you’ve enjoyed it that much!

[@brunoactis1104]

Bro turning a battle hardened who was forced to grow up too fast (WAYY TOO FAST) into a child in a safe enviroment was an exceptionally bad idea. That's like guaranteed PTSD and other mental disorders lmao.

[@ColouredOrbe]

time didn't forget him, everything else did. SOMEONE COOKED HERE

[@sorkrad1438]

He’s trial & struggle alone made 3 whole different timeline just to be a banished memory This game should’ve been called “The Legend of Link”

[@Syenthros]

I always hated that Zelda sends Link back in time. She doesn't even ask him what he wants. All of Link's agency is stripped from him as a reward for saving the world. I always thought of it as a cruel fate.

[@johnnyd3158]

When the world needed him most, he vanished…

[@drewb.3170]

Awesome video, honestly oot link is my favorite version out of all of them. Although when you were talking about the tiny bit of lore that was in the intro of windwaker you were refering to a third time that the hero of time defeated ganon which i think is actually a common misconception since it actually refers to the events of ocarina of time, the only time he shows up after majoras mask is as the hero's shade, and some spinoff games which dont fall in the main timeline i think. Although all the info i have could be outdated since its been quite a few years since i last checked the timeline. Next to that i honestly loved the video.

[@RandyHarrison-u8y]

Had the pleasure of playing it as a little boy left behind by a relative at my grandmas house along with conkers bad furday

[@The_FreedomZone]

The Hero of Time Link may have had it rough. But he got to be the Fierce Deity which was the coolest form ever. And he got to train the hero of Twilight Link. The manliest Link ever.

[@MrKittyhead]

And that’s our job. To remember the Hero through the Legend told. The Legend of Zelda.

[@10k-Noodles]

I’m pretty sure the majority of viewers all said “A terrible fate” at the same point as you did 3:50

[@Bongosss]

i also wanted to live there when i was 10😭 still wanna live somewhere like it 🫶 this video is awesome !! :>

[@enigma_productions1]

me too... thank you for the kind words!!

[@Bongosss]

@@enigma_productions1 OF COURSE!! take care!!

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Bongosss likewise!

[@Chokoboh]

The Hero of Time is my spirit animal. We both lost an important friend at a crucial point in time. We both met with a terrible fate. We're both kinda miserable but also awesome in our own ways. We both struggle(d) with growing up normally. We both ended up kinda cursed. And ffs OoT was the first Zelda game that i owned myself and that i played through entirely and also my all-time favourite with MM. Golden Wolf transformation ftw. 🐺

[@kyanblevins3431]

i might have missed it but if he saved the world in majoras mask and stayed in that timeline how was he forgotten by those people

[@AlchemistJay]

I will NEVERRRR forget the Hero of Time - still made about not getting a reboot

[@kingerbutcalm]

ur forgot the fact this game has the most goofy dungeons to go in

[@voltron77]

Actually, on second thought, oot link is my favorite link, but the hero of legend is a close second.

[@roebloxy9986]

Link in a village leaded by children, they wear green clothes, they have elf ears, there are fairies. Sounds like PeterPan to me.

[@reitairue2073]

Similar ideas for sure, but Peter pan is a pussy cartoon version story wise. Lol, Oot's story is killer.

[@kasunex1772]

TP Link is OoT Link's descent, meaning he did at least get married - presumably to Malon.

[@alphadrinksnoodles]

10/10 zelda game for me, this was my childhood on the 3d

[@alphadrinksnoodles]

also I have a personal grudge against Zelda and Navi for making my cry for days.

[@NoxWyatt]

I don’t think there’s any credibility to the claim that Termina ceases to exist after he leaves. This is the first I’ve ever heard of that.

[@Kruegernator123]

5:27 Mikau is actually the Zora guitarist, not the bassist.

[@TheFandomGirlCreations]

0:05-0:09 already invested w statement. Agreed. I’m hooked. I love ocarina. I personally believe it’s much better than BOTW due to preferences.

[@lyandraangel]

I have always thought of A Link to the Past first, ever since it's release.

[@10k-Noodles]

Technically, Hyrule Field as an adult seems more safe. The only enemies that appear are poes and they don’t really attack you. The smaller ones just annoyingly circle Link and the big ones flee. While Child Link gets chased around by peahats and accosted by Stalchildren at night. 😂

[@casper4191]

Very cool video keep up the legend of zelda videos

[@enigma_productions1]

@@casper4191 i definitely intend to! thank you the kind words!

[@Sillywillywonkah]

0:02 “MAJORAS MASK AND SKYWARD SWO-.. dam”

[@reitairue2073]

Lmao

[@EliMoore-o6k]

This is so cool!!!

[@NussbaumBros]

Thought you had 281K subs when I first looked and thought that was right til I saw at the end, Amazing video ❤

[@kimerlypark6648]

I hope you added to that number

[@enigma_productions1]

@@NussbaumBros thank you!

[@NussbaumBros]

@@kimerlypark6648 I did 😊

[@glitchyfox8706]

I like to think that at the end of all the timelines of the zelda universe it all fuses together and the curse of demise has been weakend enough from being defeated over and over again to allow for the link to end the cycle in this completed timeline. Maby also the hero's spirit has been empowered by the cycles that link accends to become a god unlike the others

[@lpfan4491]

Spirit tracks:"We kinda already did that."(If one thinks about it, the whole point of that game is that the world has no more gods or demons at the end because they were all either destroyed or left. And they are very vital to the cycle continuing.)

[@Wheelsandwilds]

Nintendo we need a third game

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Wheelsandwilds i’ve been saying this for years! 😂

[@1forge2rulethemall88]

what lore says termina dissolves without majoras mask? I thought it continued as a seperate dimension as shown by other games that reference places like termina field.

[@yamadayumichredwolfgmg2964]

Dude was crying for link, respect

[@Kohlslaw1]

I love your voice. You do a really good job narrating. (I'm not tryna be weird I just like how he talks)

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Kohlslaw1 thank you for that! i have been told that i have a “radio voice” so many times because of the way i sound lol

[@bionicleguy32]

0:09 thats a very bold statement about a game that was impossible to complete without a guide lmfao

[@lpfan4491]

Literally how? OOT is one of the least guideheavy games in the series. Even A Link to the Past has some unfairly hidden stuff in its progression, but OOT just kinda...doesn't?

[@reitairue2073]

What, outside of getting all 100 skulltulas what did you need a guide for? Played this as a kid and had no problems. Never even thought about a guide 😂. Games like ff7 needed guides. Fucking knights of the round.

[@pepperT358]

Nice video! Just wanted to point out around 5.30 you mention Mikau is the Zora bassist, but Japas plays bass - Mikau is the guitarist 🐟 🎸 Remember: every bass is a guitar, but not every guitar is a bass 😉

[@enigma_productions1]

@@pepperT358 yeah this has been pointed out a few times now. i’m so embarrassed that i made such a simple mistake, but at least it’ll teach me to not work on my scripts at 3am

[@The_nerd_hinox]

What if I’ve heard of both oot and botw?

[@enigma_productions1]

@@The_nerd_hinox then you’re living up to you username! (respectfully)

[@The_nerd_hinox]

@@enigma_productions1 thanks! I personally try to keep my mind in the game when it comes the Nintendo

[@enigma_productions1]

@@The_nerd_hinox understandable lol

[@The_nerd_hinox]

Also, botw and oot are probably the Zelda games with the best replay-ability

[@rover4436]

wish I had a Nintendo and wasn't so young when these games came out botw was my first Zelda game

[@aterriblesliceoftoast]

I actually tend to think of Twilight Princess. I read the manga, and The story is improved quite a bit in comparison to the game. I’d recommend it.

[@meatbug8611]

Majora's mask was the best one for me Even though i played ocarina of time first

[@dylandr1pn]

Love this video i played these games but never got the story lol

[@toxicmanbaby1069]

I know the official explanation is that the Hero's Shade is OOT Link, but do you guys think it was always planned to be this way, or did they come up with that explanation after the game was already out? I'm asking because the Hero's Shade is way taller than OOT Link was when he was alive. idk he probably grew taller in death somehow, but that was always a sticking point for me with this theory

[@Incsub12]

Nice video Enigma

[@enigma_productions1]

@@Incsub12 thank you!

[@Dinas-ci4ox]

This Link and Guts make me se that life could be so much worse.

[@AaronPICAR]

I reject the fallen timeline. Instead I like to think Link chose to stay with Zelda in the future.

[@alinaelric5024]

me too I reject the fallen timeline too. its a cop out

[@enigma_productions1]

i like that thought

[@AaronPICAR]

@@alinaelric5024 the fallen timeline makes Link unnecessary. If the sages can remove the Triforce from Ganon, why did Link have to go thru everything?

[@sonickhable]

He still frees the sages before his death lol

[@lpfan4491]

I'm confused. The fallen timeline has nothing to do with the split, it is quite literally a multiverse-thing if Link fails in the final battle. And the sages did NOT remove the triforce from Ganon, where does that bit even come from? The OOT to ALTTP jump is not the cleanest(Which is OOT's fault. It was supposed to be a prequel to ALTTP, but decided to rewrite the backstory instead), but this is still a major misunderstanding of the actual plot of the series.

[@giggymangig]

Underrated

[@enigma_productions1]

thank you!

[@lpfan4491]

Eh, he is moreso "the hero who was cast into a world that didn't know him or his backstory". He just kinda spawned into the new childhood timeline in the temple of time and no one actually knew him(Actually, that makes one wonder what happened to the timeline's native Link. Did he get overwritten and disappeared or does he live his forest life to the end now that the Deku Tree presumably senses there is already a hero in the outside world and there is no need to send him out?) and then he went on to become a hero by saving Termina, preventing Ganondorf's scheme, saving the Gorons once more, etc. The issue here is that most of this are either fairly standard grade heroics or unknown to the public of Hyrule. He would be best known for being a legendary knight of high honor who died in battle for his country, which isn't the kind of legend you invoke in casual conversation much. Basically, my take is that there is no reason to assume he is forgotten, he just isn't someone you would see a bigger reference to(And even then, there is one through his bow being guarded). And I know, that's a blazing hot take, but I don't see him as particularly tragic outside of having to admit to himself that he will never find Navi and won't even find out if she is still alive or not(Which admittedly sucks). If anything, the circumstance as his time as a ghost more or less tell me he isn't. His biggest regret was not being able to pass on his techniques before death, which is a fairly low stakes type of regret to bind someone to the world of the living. And even that is resolved by TP link learning all of them. After that, he is free to go, which he immedietly does because he *knows* that the world does not need him anymore, TP Link has already proven by that point in the game that he can pass on without worries because the new era can handle itself.(Sidenote, it is really beautiful how he and his timeline of origin end up choosing to let go of the past the same way. OOT Link would most likely approve of what happened to the adult timeline if he knew about it. Maybe not the flooding-part tho) That feels more like he was ultimately a fulfilled person rather than an unfulfilled one tbh. 7:02 I know that this was appearently said somewhere officially(I forgot where tho), but the parallel world just...no longer existing makes no logical sense in the slightest. As far as the backstory implies, Majora was already not in Termina until some time before the start of the game, so its "presence" cannot be required. So is it like a permanent conjuring spell where the entity only vanishes if the caster, the Mask, dies?(And I guess the mask for some unknown reason created the world a loooooooooooooooooong time before the events of the game) Why was this not hinted within the game at all then? Why did everyone even have enough time to celebrate(And Link, Skullkid and Mask Salesman to get out) before the collapse? Where does the hole Link fell into lead now that the parallel world is gone? It's roughly equivalent to if they stated that the triforce never actually existed and was just a myth, it just plain cannot be believably true in the context of the released work, even in a retcon-sense.

[@ugandaknucklesthe24th]

it makes it even sadder that he was basically made to grow up like he had to see stuff like the shadow temple and the bottom of the well at such a young age then when he go's back to being a child he can't relate to anyone about that. also makes it sadder that if Zelda was so stupid this shouldn't have happened like Ganon couldn't enter the sacred realm unless link or Zelda opened it so link could have just stayed as a kid but if Zelda was a bit smarter he wouldn't have to go through this