Why Did Zelda Become a Dragon in Tears of the Kingdom?
Zelda’s transformation into the Light Dragon in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) is a pivotal plot point, driven by a desperate act of self-sacrifice and a deep understanding of the dire situation facing Hyrule. In essence, Zelda turned into a dragon to imbue the damaged Master Sword with her holy power and allow it to recover over time. Trapped in the distant past, without a clear path home, she realized that the Master Sword, essential to defeating Ganondorf, was severely weakened and needed an enormous source of energy to be restored. Unable to locate an alternative solution, Zelda made the ultimate sacrifice. She swallowed her Secret Stone, a powerful artifact that allows its wielder to manipulate time and magic, and transformed into an immortal, draconic being. This transformation allowed her to become a living battery, embedding the Master Sword in her forehead so it could absorb her light energy over thousands of years, growing stronger and ready for Link’s eventual confrontation with Ganondorf. Her act ensured not only the sword’s restoration but also her continued presence in Hyrule’s sky, constantly keeping watch and offering her power when it was needed most.
Zelda’s Desperate Gamble
Zelda’s decision was not made lightly. The game reveals that she was sent far into the past following a catastrophic event that separated her from Link and Hyrule’s present. This displacement left her with the burden of ensuring the future’s survival, knowing that Link would eventually need a fully empowered Master Sword to face the resurrected Demon King. The Master Sword’s need for centuries of recovery pushed her to a desperate choice. She learned from the Zonai that Secret Stones could grant unimaginable powers and after realizing that Rauru, her ancestor could not help her return to her present time, she took the drastic step of consuming hers. This act permanently altered her essence, transforming her into the Light Dragon.
The Light Dragon’s Role
As the Light Dragon, Zelda doesn’t simply exist as an overgrown flying lizard. She becomes a symbol of hope and unwavering commitment. She traverses the skies of Hyrule throughout the game, allowing players to collect Dragon Tears, which reveal flashbacks of her journey through time, providing crucial pieces of the narrative. Her presence in the skies is also pivotal, as she is the source of the Master Sword’s power, constantly fueling it with her light energy and ensuring it is ready for Link’s use. Her constant flight is a tireless vigil, showcasing her devotion to protecting Hyrule and her faith in Link’s abilities.
Reversing the Draconification
Throughout the game, Mineru tells Zelda and Link that the act of transforming into a dragon was irreversible. However, this changes at the game’s climax. During the final confrontation with Ganondorf, the Light Dragon swoops in to aid Link, proving her strength and support. Ultimately, after Link’s successful vanquishing of Ganondorf, Rauru and Sonia’s spirits appear, with their hands atop Link’s Zonai arm. This act of amplification harnesses the power of their sacrifice and uses it to restore Zelda’s original form. This sequence highlights that despite the seemingly irreversible nature of Zelda’s transformation, a combination of divine and Zonai magic, through Link, could overcome even that. This reversal is a crucial moment, demonstrating the importance of hope and the power of collaboration in the face of insurmountable odds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a Secret Stone?
A **Secret Stone** is an ancient artifact with tremendous power, central to the lore of the Zonai people. It grants its wielder control over various aspects of time and magic. Zelda consumes her Secret Stone to become the Light Dragon.
2. Why was the Master Sword damaged?
The **Master Sword** was severely damaged in the events leading up to TotK, as it was subjected to a corrupted version of time-based magic and was heavily used against the Calamity Ganon in *Breath of the Wild*. It required a vast amount of energy to recover and be ready for a second confrontation with the Demon King.
3. How long was Zelda a dragon?
Zelda was the Light Dragon for **significantly longer than 10,000 years**. The event 10,000 years prior to *Breath of the Wild* was just the first recorded Calamity. The actual timeframe of Zelda's transformation is much more extensive as she went back even farther in time.
4. Is Zelda’s draconification permanent?
While initially believed to be permanent, **Zelda's transformation is eventually reversed** by the combined power of Rauru, Sonia, and Link’s Zonai arm. This reversal occurs after the defeat of Ganondorf and indicates that certain magical transformations can indeed be overcome with enough power.
5. Did Zelda know she would be turned back into a human?
No, it is unlikely that Zelda knew she would be able to be turned back to human. The game does not provide any indication that she had any knowledge or certainty on how to revert from her draconic form. Mineru even says it's an irreversible process, suggesting that it was an unexpected event.
6. Does the Light Dragon have any special abilities?
Besides imbuing the Master Sword, the Light Dragon is immortal and possesses incredible power. She is able to influence time and can sense disturbances in Hyrule. The **Dragon Tears** are pieces of her memories that can be found throughout Hyrule.
7. What are the Dragon Tears?
The Dragon Tears are crystallized fragments of Zelda’s memories, scattered across Hyrule. Link must find them to uncover the full story of Zelda’s journey and understand her reasons for becoming the Light Dragon.
8. Is the Triforce still relevant in Tears of the Kingdom?
While the **Triforce** is not explicitly shown during Zelda's magical actions in TotK, it doesn't mean it's absent from her. The fact that she uses a Secret Stone as a focus for magic may explain its temporary non-manifestation. The Triforce likely remains part of her being.
9. What happened to the Divine Beasts in TotK?
The Divine Beasts were **recovered after being dormant from the events in BotW**. However, the four Blight Ganons were able to corrupt and take control of them. The beasts then fell dormant again, likely rendered unusable after the events in *Breath of the Wild*.
10. Is there a romantic element to Zelda and Link’s relationship in TotK?
Yes, there is a **strong connection and a hint of romantic interest** between Zelda and Link. Their bond is developed throughout the series, particularly in Skyward Sword and is evident in their unwavering devotion to each other in *Tears of the Kingdom*.
11. Will there be DLC for Tears of the Kingdom?
Nintendo has stated that **there will be no DLC** for *Tears of the Kingdom*. The team wanted to incorporate all of their planned features within the initial game release.
12. Can you see Zelda after beating Ganon in TotK?
Just like in *Breath of the Wild*, there is **no post-game** state in TotK. After the final battle and ending cutscenes, players are returned to the main menu, preventing any exploration with Zelda as a human in the world.
13. Why is Link shirtless at the end of the game?
Link's appearance without a shirt is likely an artistic choice. The game's designers wanted to highlight the fact he had **regained his original arm**, and also prevent the players from having non-emotional, comical outfits in the emotional climax.
14. How old is Link in Tears of the Kingdom?
Link is approximately **122-125 years old** in TotK. He was around 117 in *Breath of the Wild*, and the time between the two games accounts for the additional years.
15. Why couldn’t Zelda save herself?
The overarching theme of the Zelda series often portrays female characters like Zelda, and goddesses Din and Nayru, in need of protection from male characters, specifically Link. This narrative is present in many *Legend of Zelda* games where women are typically in need of a male hero to save them from their predicament.