What happened to the rest of the Zonai in TotK?

What Happened to the Rest of the Zonai in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s (TotK) storytelling is rich and complex, with many mysteries still yet to be uncovered. Among the most intriguing aspects is the fate of the remaining Zonai, descendants of the gods who seem to have vanished from existence. In this article, we’ll delve into what happened to the rest of the Zonai in TotK, exploring possible theories and revelations from official sources.

A Precise Timeline

To fully understand the Zonai’s disappearance, we need to establish a precise timeline. According to the Ancient History section of the Lore and Art Book, Creating a Champion, the Zonai existed prehistorically, with an unknown amount of time spent in Hyrule before it was destroyed. During their time, the Zonai were the gods-given rulers of Hyrule, with their capital residing in the Zonai Ruins.

Major Events Leading to Their Downfall

The next section of the Ancient History offers a glimpse into the chaos that led to the Great Calamity and the destruction of Hyrule. This cataclysmic event is likely the result of a chain reaction caused by the decline of the Zonai’s power, coupled with the rise of dark magical forces. As a direct consequence, the remaining members of the Zonai, including Rauru and Mineru, took refuge in the Zonai Ruins.

Theories and Revelations

Several theories and hints throughout the game offer clues on what happened to the other Zonai:

Theory/Reveal Summary
Ancient Hero’s Role The Ancient Hero, considered the first hero of the land, is revealed in the Ancient History section, stating that they awoke the Zonai. This might mean that the Ancient Hero, Rauru, or their allies inadvertently contributed to the downfall of the Zonai.
Ganondorf and the Gerudo In Skyward Sword’s Ocarina of Time, it is mentioned that Ganondorf, a Gerudo-blooded individual, is victimized. This is further supported by Ganon’s potential victim status being hinted at in the Skyward Sword game. Maybe the Zonai wronged Ganondorf in some way, leading him to seek revenge and/or destruction.
The Zonai were the True Villains? One fan-theory suggests that Ganon might be the byproduct of Zonai actions, making the actual villains the Zonai themselves. This is in line with the Zonai’s regal stance and potential mismanagement leading to the Great Calamity.

Implied Consequences

Connecting the dots between the lore and the game, there are several implied consequences connected to the Zonai’s disappearance:

Consequence Summary
Residual Power Possibly, the remaining Zonai, like Rauru and Mineru, managed to retain a residual power – a lingering influence or influence over the land, maintaining a connection to their ancestry.
Curse or Corruption Alternatively, the Great Calamity and subsequent downfall may have led to Ganon’s curse or corruption, making him the evil force that Hyrule came to know. The once-great Zonai, now defunct and forgotten, are not inherently villainous.
Ancient Hero’s Curse The Ancient Hero, in an effort to stop the Calamity, might have unintentionally cursed themselves, their allies, or other Zonai resulting in their disappearance and sealing their fate.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild presents multiple layers of complexity and hints at the fate of the rest of the Zonai. While there are significant gaps in our understanding of the events, exploring each theory and reveal sheds insight into the possible outcomes that led to their disappearance.

There are many possible conclusions drawing from the lore, depending on how you choose to interpret the connections and timelines. The most viable theory might be one where the Zonai’s downfall led to residual power, a lingering effect that continues to shape Hyrule’s history, influenced by the Ancient Hero. The Ancient Hero, feeling responsible for the Great Calamity, concealed the Zonai’s remains with the intention of eradicating the Zonai’s influence and curse (if it existed). Whatever the truth may be, the mystery of the disappearing Zonai adds depth and intrigue to Zelda’s lore. As the series continues to develop, we may yet find answers to this lingering puzzle.

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