Who told Link it’s dangerous to go alone?

Who told Link it's dangerous to go alone?

The Mysteries of Zelda’s Lore: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Once upon a time in the land of video games, there was a gamer who loved the idea of lore. But alas, they had a terrible memory, making it nearly impossible to keep track of all the intricate details of games like Assassin’s Creed or the Elder Scrolls. The gamer also felt like they were always arriving late to the party, missing out on the adventures of the past.

But fear not! There was one lore-filled world that the gamer could fully engage with—the fantastical realm of Zelda. Unlike other games, Zelda’s lore had a different feel. It seemed like Nintendo didn’t take it too seriously, leaving the wider, deeper lore to the fans. And oh boy, did the fans run wild with theories and connections.

Speaking of theories, the gamer recently stumbled upon a short story by Borges that got them thinking about fan fiction and video game lore. It made them ponder over one of their favorite Zelda characters—the mysterious old man in the cave from the original Legend of Zelda on the NES. This old man, with his bald head, white beard, and red robes, held a special place in the gamer’s heart.

Why, you ask? Well, picture this: Link, the hero of Hyrule, embarks on his grand adventure and stumbles upon the old man in the cave. Between two fiery balls, the old man hands Link a sword, utters those famous words, “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this,” and vanishes into thin air. Ah, the nostalgia! Those words became etched in the gamer’s memory, much like Pong’s simple instruction to “Avoid missing ball for high score.”

Curiosity sparked, the gamer delved deep into the lore of Zelda, hoping to uncover the true identity of the enigmatic old man. They scoured through the Zelda Encyclopedia in search of answers, but to no avail. Yet, in their heart, they clung to a theory—the old man was none other than an aging Link from the future, with his final mission yet to be completed.

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And you know what? It made perfect sense. The Zelda series had introduced time travel, and each game seemed to retell the same clockwork fairytale, following the basic contours of the myth. Old Link appearing at the start would neatly close the loop, connecting all the games in one grand cycle. It would be a fitting end and a new beginning simultaneously.

But alas, the gamer knew that successful series rarely come to an end. Instead, they must reinvent themselves, finding new stories within the familiar framework. Yet, the gamer couldn’t help but daydream about a final Legend of Zelda game where an old, old Link would embark on a quest through his memories, returning the sword to its rightful place at the start.

Deep down, the gamer knew that everything in the land of Zelda was still up for grabs. The first game on the NES was where it all began, where traditions were yet to be decided, and rituals were as fluid as a masterful stroke of an artist’s brush. The series had not yet settled into a set narrative, leaving room for endless possibilities.

As the gamer reminisced about their childhood, exchanging Zelda stickers with their friends, they realized that Zelda had always felt personal. While they knew it belonged to Nintendo and the world, there was an odd sense that it belonged to them as well. It was a private lore, intertwined with their own musings and memories.

So, the official timeline? Well, it seemed a bit silly to the gamer. They preferred the freedom to create their own constellations of meaning, to wander through the phases of Zelda’s evolution without being constrained by a predetermined order. After all, in the vast universe of the Milky Way, Earth may just be a tiny, insignificant planet, but that doesn’t mean it can’t hold a few secrets of its own.

And with that, the gamer concluded their exploration of Zelda’s lore. They may have arrived late to the party, but their own journey through the games and their theories had brought them joy and a sense of belonging. From the old man in the cave to the endless retelling of the hero’s tale, Zelda had woven its magic, leaving behind a legacy of adventure and imagination.

And who knows? Maybe one day, the final Legend of Zelda game will come, giving us a glimpse into the elderly hero’s last mission. But until then, the gamer will continue to cherish the memories, the theories, and the personal connection they have with the world of Zelda. It will forever be a part of their gaming adventures and the lore that shaped their imagination.