Once upon a time, Zelda was a princess in Hyrule, daughter of King Rhoam. She was a scientist at heart, curious about her world and eager to explore its mysteries. When hundreds of six-legged robotic tanks, called Guardian Stalkers, were discovered under Hyrule Castle, she was one of the most important figures in bringing them under Hyrulean control. But she was not a mage. She was supposed to be able to seal away Ganon, but had not yet acquired the power. No matter how much she prayed, she never got it.

Link, on the other hand, was recognized right away as the Hero that he was. He was a gifted fighter and skilled in most other aspects of life. King Rhoam appointed him to be Zelda's knight. But Zelda didn't appreciate that, not at first. His very existence reminded her of her failures, his giftedness a stark contrast to her utter powerlessness. And she resented him for it.

But one day, as she was exploring the Gerudo desert, a band of Yiga assassins cornered her and tried to kill her. No match for them, she cowered and awaited her doom. Then Link appeared. He stood over her and pointed his blade to the enemy, utterly unafraid of them. And they ran from him. From that day forth, Zelda respected him, and in time, learned to love him.

Their happiness was destined to end. The monster attacks grew more and more frequent. A shadow fell over the land, and fear struck the hearts of all. A black mass appeared in the sky, a roaring black boar whose hideous head poured out wrath and damnation upon the earth.

It was none other than Calamity Ganon, the purest incarnation of evil.

The four Champions raced to their Divine Beasts, only to discover that Ganon's phantom Blights had seized control of them. One by one the Champions fell. The Guardian Stalkers, once commandeered to fight evil, were commandeered by Ganon to destroy their former masters. They crushed the Hyrulean armies all across the continent. Link and Zelda made their last stand at Hateno Fort, where Link bravely protected his princess until he was matted in his own blood.

Another Guardian searched for them as Link struggled to recover his strength behind a pile of Guardian wrecks. "Get up, Link! Get up!" she pleaded. Link tore the Master Sword from the earth, its edge rusted and beaten. Then the Guardian spotted them. It climbed over their cover and pointed its targeting laser at them.

"No!" Zelda screamed. She pushed Link out of the way and raised her hand. Blinding light poured from her palm and engulfed the whole plain. Guardians everywhere stopped, sputtered, and went dark. But it was too late for Link. She turned back to find him laying in the blood-soaked grass, struggling for breath. Zelda cradled him in her arms and pleaded for him to stay.

He did not.

Sheikah troops arrived to find her weeping over Link's lifeless body. But hope was not lost; the Master Sword, formerly silent, glowed with otherworldly power to send a message to the princess. Zelda looked up, her eyes glistening with their old strength. "We can still save him! Take him to the Shrine of Resurrection!"

As the Sheikah carried Link away, Zelda turned back toward Hyrule Castle, ready to face the demon alone and await her Hero's return.