And so the hero of time awakens from their sleep to retrieve the Sword that Seals the Darkness
The Master Sword in the Legend of Zelda is just as iconic as Link, Zelda and Ganon. Rather than a mere weapon, it is tied intrinsically to the conflict between the calamity and the forces that oppose it. The Master Sword represents the existence that combats Ganon and the darkness he embodies. Along with the Princess with the blood of the Goddess and her chosen Hero, the Master Sword is the existence required to seal away the darkness which is why in Breath of the Wild the Master Sword is called the “Sword that Seals the Darkness”. Throughout the many reincarnations and conflicts that have taken place over time, the one constant that remains is the ‘Master Sword’ or what it is referred to in that time being used to restore balance.
What makes me so excited about the continued story of the Master Sword is the knowledge that during its creation in the Skyward Sword storyline, the players have come to learn that sleeping within the Master Sword is the spirit of Fi, an intelligent humanoid spirit created by the Goddess Hylia to assist her chosen hero. The Master Sword is more than a weapon and has become a character in its own right. As a result of the revelations in Skyward Sword, the reunion with the Master Sword constitutes a reunion with a friend, one that exist beyond time and space. Link himself may not be aware of the true bond the Master Sword and himself share but the players who have been subject to the conflicts across the ages and times are fully aware of the weight.
Finally Link has reunited with the Master Sword!
Like in other Legend of Zelda games, Breath of the Wild is no different, Link has to embark on a quest to retrieve the Master Sword. Initially, when you hear mention of it, you aren’t given much to go on besides that it is sleeping somewhere to be found by the Chosen Hero. As you journey across the land and assist the people affected by the Calamity, you get more information about where it could be. Eventually, when you get a certain clue of what area it could be located it, the potential places narrow down and when you consider the symbolic nature of those areas, it becomes clear where it would be resting at. Part of the adventure in Breath of the Wild is figuring out where the Master Sword is located, getting there and retrieving it.
The game does gate the player in when they can retrieve the sword but through adventuring, exploring and following their curiosity, the requirements needed for wielding the Master Sword are naturally met. Now that Link has reunited with the Master Sword, I am very curious to find out if Breath of the Wild will further explore on the existence of Fi. The completed quest summary does mention that “you feel that the sword itself delights to be in your possession…” which excites me tremendously as it conveys that the Master Sword is more than an inanimate object. I am very much looking forward to using the Master Sword and finding out if there is story beyond what has been covered, especially if there will be any mention of Fi.
12Dimension 