When Demise and his Demons suddenly appeared from a fissure beneath the ground and began attacking the people on the Surface, in an attempt to seize the Triforce and rule the world,[9] she gathered the survivors on an outcrop of earth, and sent them to the sky away from danger along with the Triforce, which was secretly hidden in the outcrop's Sky Keep.[10][11] Hylia created a Cloud Barrier to separate the Sky from the world below.[12] With the surviving humans safe above the clouds, she battled Demise using the Goddess Sword and the help of the five tribes of the Surface, eventually sealing him away in Hylia's Realm, which would later be known as the Sealed Grounds, restoring peace to the land.[13]
Hylia suffered grave injuries during the battle and knew that the seal would not hold forever. To combat this, she made several preparations for Demise's inevitable return.[14][15] She created Fi, a spirit that would reside in the Goddess Sword, and gave her the purpose of assisting the Chosen Hero throughout his future journey.[3] She also left several messages for the one who would one day become her Chosen Hero to guide them in their quest.[16][17][18] Along with these messages, she created several trials held in the Silent Realm that would test the Chosen Hero's Power, Wisdom, and Courage,[19] and left gifts to help her Chosen Hero find their way to the Sacred Flames in order to empower the Goddess Sword into the Master Sword.[20] She also created the Isle of Songs,[21] which houses three Songs that would open the way to each of these trials. Additionally, she left behind the Goddess's Harp,[22] which would be used by her mortal incarnation, Zelda, and the Chosen Hero later.
Hylia also appointed three Dragons to protect the regions of the Surface: Faron to watch over Faron Woods, Eldin to watch over Eldin Volcano, and Lanayru to watch over Lanayru Desert.[23] She also appointed the spirit Levias as warden of the Sky.[24] Each of them were left with a part of the Song of the Hero, a melody that would unlock the Chosen Hero's final trial.[11][25] She entrusted them to teach the Chosen Hero their part of the Song, since should the Chosen Hero succeed in completing the last trial, the path to the Triforce would open to them.[26] Her final plan was to willingly shed her divinity and power in order to transfer her soul to the body of a mortal so that she could use the power of the Triforce when the time came.[27] Eventually, she presumably succumbed to her wounds.[citation needed]
Zelda, the mortal reincarnation of Hylia, in her goddess robes.
Centuries later during the Sky Era, Hylia is reborn on Skyloft as Zelda. She had no memory of her previous existence as Hylia, nor was she aware of her true nature. One day while flying with Link, she is tossed out of the Sky onto the Surface by a massive tornado summoned by Ghirahim. She is found by Impa who rescued her from being captured by evil forces and helped her remember her previous life as Hylia and her original purpose.[28] With the help of Impa, who was sent out to help her at her own request centuries prior,[29] Zelda sets out to pray at the Goddess Statues located in each Temple across the Surface to purify her body, gradually gaining more memories of the Goddess Hylia.[28]
Zelda gave Link the Goddess's Harp before travelling with Impa to the Temple of Time and going through a Gate of Time to a thousand years into the past. To prevent Ghirahim from following them, Impa destroyed the Gate of Time. Upon arriving, they make their way to the Sealed Temple where they awaited Link's arrival. When he arrives, she explains to him her true nature as the mortal reincarnation of Hylia, and blesses the Master Sword with her power.[30]
As the living embodiment of the Goddess Hylia, Zelda stays in the past to ensure that Demise remains imprisoned.[31] She apologizes to Link for involving him in the war against Demise, explaining that she needed someone with an "unbreakable spirit" and that she took advantage of Link's motivation to save Zelda.[32] Despite being unaware of this plan, Zelda fells remorseful and feels she must atone.[33] She seals herself into an amber crystal and sleeps for a thousand years to ensure Demise's imprisonment held. Before doing so, she gives Link one final task: finding the Triforce and using it to destroy Demise once and for all.[34]
After Link uses the Triforce to destroy Demise, Zelda awakens from her millennium-long slumber and the two are finally reunited.[35] Shortly after her awakening, Ghirahim attacks and takes her through the Gate of Time, with the goal of using her soul to revive the Demise in the past.[36][37] As Link follows him, Ghirahim orders his troops to keep him at bay while he begins the ritual, but Link manages to reach and defeat him. However, the ritual had continued during the fight and Demise is freed as The Imprisoned, absorbing Zelda's soul and returning to his true form.[38]
During the final battle between Link and Demise, Zelda is kept safe within the Sealed Temple. After Link successfully defeats and seals Demise within the Master Sword, Zelda's soul returns to her and she recovers. With peace returned to the land, they return to their own time. Later, while enjoying the view from atop the Goddess Statue, Zelda mentions to Link that she had fantasized about the Surface for so long and decides that she wants to live there permanently, and asks Link if he would like to do the same.[39]
For her selfless acts to protect the Hylians who bear her name, Hylia is among the most praised and beloved deities in all of Surface.[40] The descendants of her mortal incarnation would go on to establish Surface upon the Surface in the Era of Prosperity, their bloodline becoming the long-lasting Royal Family of Hyrule. It became a tradition for women born into the royal bloodline to be named "Zelda" after her mortal embodiment.
Breath of the Wild
In Breath of the Wild, there are a multitude of Goddess Statues and monuments dedicated to Hylia across Hyrule, and several locations are named after her such as Mount Hylia. The Monks that created the Ancient Shrines also seem to worship her and claim to have been blessed with her sight.[41][42]
As Hylia's Chosen Hero is readying himself to battle against Demise and his army, the Goddess Hylia suddenly appears in person, riding on an old Loftwing. Link reveals himself as the Knight of Hylia and the hero whom they sought. He claims that, although humans may seem small in the eyes of the gods, there are those among them who possess great courage.[43][44] Hylia acknowledges her knight's unmatched valiance and honor and proclaims him her chosen hero. She then allows him to wield her legendary weapon brought by the gods, the Master Sword.[45] However, the hero claims that he could not touch a holy sword, thinking that he is impure because he was imprisoned for years.[46] Despite this, Hylia says that the Master Sword will decide whether he is impure or not, and asks him for his choice; to seek revenge on the surface's people who imprisoned him or to save the world from its terrible fate.[47][48] Hylia's Chosen Hero decides that he will always stand with his friends and accepts the Master Sword from the goddess.[49] After reforging the sword, the hero agrees to lead the Goddess's army against the invading demons, but is mortally wounded in an encounter with Demise. With no other choice, Hylia and the hero use the power of the Master Sword to send the earth surrounding the castle into The Sky.[50] With the humans and the Triforce safe in The Sky, Hylia proceeds to fight Demise and seals him away. After the battle, she sees her Chosen Hero lying dead on the ground, having succumbed to his wounds. Filled with grief, Hylia promises that his spirit will eternally live on and resolves to discard her divinity so that she may be with the Chosen Hero as a mortal.[51]
Hylia's role as the ancestor of the Royal Family of Hyrule is similar to how Japan's imperial family is traditionally claimed to be descended from the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu.
↑ 3.03.1First, she created Fi. She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her chosen hero on his mission. Her second plan...was to abandon her divine form and transfer her soul to the body of a mortal. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑"Lake Hylia, from Ocarina of Time." — Hyrule Warriors Direct , YouTube, published August 4, 2014.
↑Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 10 (SeriesThe Legend of Zelda Series)
↑And have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia. — Zelda (Breath of the Wild)
↑Handed down by gods of old, this power gave its holder the means to make any desire a reality. Such was the might of the ultimate power that the old ones placed it in the care of the goddess. — Fi (Skyward Sword HD)
↑One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair... They burnt forests to ash, choked the land's sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation. They did all this in their lust to take the ultimate power protected by Her Grace, the goddess. — Fi (Skyward Sword HD)
↑To prevent this great power from falling into the hands of the evil swarming the lands... the goddess gathered the surviving humans on an outcropping of earth. She sent it skyward, beyond the reach of the demonic hordes. Beyond even the clouds. — Fi (Skyward Sword HD)
↑ 11.011.1As I suspected... Listen closely, and I will tell you. As you likely know, long ago, an evil force attempted to take the Triforce for his own. The goddess did everything in her power to prevent it from falling into his hands. For the safety of all things, she hid the Triforce somewhere within the rock you call Skyloft. However, its location has been kept secret. Even I do not know where it rests now. Oh, but the goddess did entrust me with a hint as to the Triforce's location. The clue is a song, meant to be played on the harp you hold. It is known as the Song of the Hero. — Levias (Skyward Sword)
↑Until now, a cloud barrier created by the goddess has separated the world you know from the one below. The tablet you placed in the altar has opened a small rift in the barrier. You can use it to travel through the clouds to the realm below. I have recognized you as my master, and so it is my duty to follow you wherever you may go. I reside within your sword and will accompany you in your travels. Press to summon me whenever you require my assistance. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑With the humans safe, the goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At last, peace was restored to the surface. — Fi (Skyward Sword HD)
↑After a long and fierce battle, the goddess, Hylia, succeeded in sealing away Demise. However, soon after the demon king was imprisoned, it became clear that the seal would not hold long against his fearsome power. Hylia had suffered grave injuries in her battle with the demon king. She knew that if he broke free again, there would be no stopping him. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑And if the demon king were to free himself, it would mean the end of the world for all beings of this land. In order to put an end to the demon king, Hylia devised two separate plans and set them both into motion. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑Master Link, I have important information. When you struck the crest with a Skyward Strike from your sword, a message from the goddess awakened deep within my memory. The goddess intended this message for you, Master. These are her words. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑From the edge of time I guide you, the one chosen to carry out the goddess's mission. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑The spirit maiden who descended from the clouds must travel to two sacred places to purify her body. You stand in one of these places: Skyview Spring. The other is known as the Earth Spring. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑As expected, I cannot follow you into this realm, for this trial calls out to your mind alone. This is the nature of places known as Silent Realms. They are domains of the spirit, accessible only to the goddess's chosen hero. This particular trial, Farore's Silent Realm, tests the limits of your courage. Your spirit has temporarily separated from your physical body so that you may undertake this challenge. To reach the location of the flames that will enhance your sword, it is necessary for you to overcome this trial and undergo spiritual growth. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑The sacred flames are three in number. To obtain them, you must also earn relics known as the three sacred gifts. For each trial you overcome, you shall be blessed with one of the gifts... — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑Master Link, I have memories of this island. It is known as the Isle of Songs. Signs indicate that it was left here for you by the goddess, Master. However, I am unable to determine a means of entering the structure ahead. I suggest you investigate the area. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑Make use of the power of these gifts, and you will find your way to the purifying sacred flames. Now, I bestow unto you a melody. It will serve you as a key, opening the first trial that awaits you deep in the wilds of Faron Woods. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑[Thunder Dragon?] Hah! Oh, him? Just as the goddess charged me with watching the woods, so does he preside over the bone-dry sands of the desert. He's the oldest of the dragons. For some time, he's neglected his own health. I wonder how he's been faring of late... — Faron (Skyward Sword)
↑I am the great spirit they call Levias. Before she passed from this world so long ago, the goddess, Hylia, appointed me as warden of the skies. And what do they call you, boy? Ah, Link, is it? A rather pleasing name, that. Your parents clearly have excellent taste in names! Hmm... You carry a curious sword, boy. And I sense a silent power dwelling somewhere in that little frame. Ah, I see it now. Link, you are the goddess's chosen hero. How interesting... I assume you've come to hear what I know of the Triforce. — Levias (Skyward Sword)
↑The goddess split this song into four parts. She entrusted one part to me and the other three to the dragons of the land. You must gather each of the parts of the Song of the Hero. Seek out the dragons, and convince them to teach you their parts. When they've taught you what they know, come to me and I will complete the song with my own voice! The dragons can be found at Faron Woods, Eldin Volcano, and Lanayru Desert. Go on, then. Find the dragons you now seek! — Levias (Skyward Sword)
↑Now that you know the song, I trust you know what to do with it. That old song opens a door to a great trial. Should you succeed in conquering the challenge awaiting you there, I'm certain the path to the Triforce will be revealed to you. — Levias (Skyward Sword)
↑...She made this sacrifice, as you have likely guessed, so that the supreme power created by the old gods could one day be used. For while the supreme power of the Triforce was created by gods, all of its power can never be wielded by one. Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑ 28.028.1I had no memory at all of my existence as Hylia, but she explained it to me. She helped me to remember who I was...and what I had to do. I set out to pray at the goddess statues located in each temple across the land. Each statue stirred up memories within me. After I visited them all, Impa, an agent of the goddess, led me here...to the past. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑Ah, I see. So the guardian was there as well, was she? The one you saw by Zelda's side is known as Impa. She is a being sent forth by the goddess to aid Zelda in her quest. — Impa (Skyward Sword)
↑Valiant hero, you have endured many hardships and journeyed far in your quest to reach this place. Along your travels you have found wisdom, power, and courage, and for this I shall bless your sword with the goddess's power. May it give you and your sword the strength to drive back the abomination that threatens this land! — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑We must stop him from freeing himself from the seal that imprisons him. At any cost... That is why I intend to remain here in this time and place... To sustain the seal as best as I can. As long as I continue this vigil, we may be able to prevent the demon king from fully reviving himself in our own time. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑But spirit alone wasn't enough. You had to overcome many trials and awaken the hero within yourself so that you could wield that supreme power. And so Hylia... I mean, and so I... I knew that if it meant saving Zelda, you would throw yourself headfirst into any danger, without even a moment's doubt... I... I used you. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑All that may be well intentioned and true, but it doesn't mean it's right...and it doesn't excuse my actions. But I'm prepared to pay the price for what I've done. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑When Demise is finally gone, there will be no more need for the seal that binds him, and then I'll be able to wake up. So I'm going to ask you a favor, sleepyhead. Ever since we were kids, I'd always be the one to wake you up when you slept in. But this time, when all of this is over, will you come to wake me up? — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑In light of these factors, the seal Zelda maintained through her agelong sleep is no longer necessary. My projections indicate she will wake momentarily. — Fi (Skyward Sword)
↑It's best for everyone if you forget about your friend. The little goddess is mine now! — Ghirahim (Skyward Sword)
↑My master may have perished in this age, but in the past he lives yet! I'm taking the girl back through that gate to help me revive the demon king! — Ghirahim (Skyward Sword)
↑Ah... But never mind that. Victory is still mine to savor. While we fought, the ritual I started continued... At last, it's complete! The demon king shall devour the soul of the goddess and resurrect in his full glory! — Ghirahim (Skyward Sword)
↑Look around us! As a child, I always dreamed of a world below. I wanted to see the surface with my own eyes and feel the land's warm breeze on my skin. I... I think I want to live here. I always want to feel solid ground beneath my feet, see the clouds above my head, and watch over the Triforce. — Zelda (Skyward Sword)
↑I am Link, a Knight of Hylia...! To the eyes of the gods, humans may be small, but... There are those among us who boast great courage! (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 011)
↑This is the Master Sword. A blade that eradicates evil. It holds the power to rend the earth, and act as a pillar to support it as it floats up into the sky. However, it was brought by the gods, meant for our hands alone. Yet I must allow a human to wield it in order to exert my power over the Surface world... The most valiant, honorable man of the world's surface. (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 013)
↑Goddess, I was imprisoned for a very long time. I am impure. I cannot possibly land my hands upon a holy blade. (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 013)
↑Link. The sword will decide whether or not you are impure. (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 014)
↑Will you wreak vengeance on the land that held you in contempt? Or will you save it from its fate? (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 014)
↑Gods... Humans... both of you seek the same answers from me. Only when it suits you. You use me... But needless to say... I'll always stand with my friends! (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 014)
↑With a single swing of the sword, the goddess Hylia rent the earth. (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 020)
↑I will ensure that your gentle, heroic spirit will live on eternally. And I...I shall shed my divinity. The next time we meet, I wish to stand before you as a simple human. (Skyward Sword (Himekawa), Dark Horse Comics, pg. 028)
↑Only a person of the Knights Of Hyrule, who protected the royalty of Hylia, can become the Hero... You are of their blood-line, aren't you? Then you must rescue Zelda without fail. — Maiden (A Link to the Past)
↑When they created the people of Hylia, they simultaneously created a new capital, a city that floated in the heavens. — Shad (Twilight Princess)
