Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 21: The Final Memory
When I arrive at the Spring of Power, I stand in the exact spot where the picture was taken and quiet my mind. The memory that surfaces is of Princess Zelda, kneeling before the goddess statue in desperate prayer. Her words are filled with frustration—despite her unwavering devotion and relentless effort, she has yet to awaken her power.
As I leave the spring, it suddenly dawns on me that I haven’t returned to Tarrey Town since speaking with the priest in Zora’s Domain. In the whirlwind of my travels across Hyrule to restore my memories, I had completely forgotten about Hudson and Rhondson’s wedding plans. Feeling awful for my oversight, Phoenix and I head straight to Tarrey Town.
To my relief, Hudson and Rhondson aren’t upset. In fact, they’re simply grateful that I was able to find a priest with a last name ending in “-son” They’ve been waiting to hold the ceremony until both Kapson and Bolson from the construction company could attend. Wanting to help, I offer to travel to Hateno Village to extend the invitation—besides, I need to check in on my house anyway.
The next day, I use my shrine travel ability to quickly reach Hateno. As I cross the bridge to my house, I spot Kapson and Bolson right where I expected. I tell them about Hudson’s wedding, and they couldn’t be happier for him. Brimming with excitement, they leave for Tarrey Town immediately.
Before heading back to Akkala, I make a quick detour to Loshlo Harbor in search of a Hinox I had heard rumors about in the area.
I arrive in Tarrey Town dressed in my best clothes, just in time for the wedding. It’s an intimate ceremony held in the heart of town, near the goddess statue, with Hudson’s closest friends in attendance. In a humorous twist, Hudson includes in his vows a request that their future children follow the “-son” naming tradition—a suggestion met with enthusiasm from many in the crowd. Though caught off guard, Rhondson agrees, and with that, they are officially married.
After the ceremony, I speak with Hudson, who expresses his gratitude for my help in building Tarrey Town and making his wedding possible. As a token of thanks, he gifts me three diamonds.
With Tarrey Town complete and the wedding behind me, I turn my focus back to recovering my remaining memories from the few pictures left. The next one is unmistakably set at Sanidin Park Ruins. From Outskirt Stable, I make my way toward the ruins, rescuing a traveler from a silver Bokoblin along the way.
The memory that resurfaces is a peaceful one—Zelda and I riding leisurely up to the ruins. She’s handling her horse more confidently now, thanks to the advice I had given her. We pause at the ruins so she can show me the breathtaking view, as well as our next destination: Mount Lanayru. More specifically, the Spring of Wisdom—the last spring she has yet to pray at, still clinging to hope that it will awaken her powers.
From this memory, I immediately recognize the location of the next picture: Lanayru Road East Gate. Without hesitation, I head straight for Kakariko Village, passing through without stopping as I press on toward my next destination. Bokoblins lurk along the road, but I don’t bother confronting them—I’m too eager to regain another memory.
When I arrive at the gate, the memory floods back almost instantly, perhaps because my past is becoming clearer with each recollection. I remember walking alongside Zelda, on our way to meet the other Champions after yet another failed prayer session at the Spring of Wisdom. Despite their disappointment, the Champions do their best to encourage her.
Then, suddenly, the ground trembles. An earthquake.
Revali launches into the sky to identify the source. Moments later, swirling black and red clouds erupt over Hyrule Castle, crackling with lightning—Calamity Ganon has returned. The Champions quickly confirm their battle plans before racing to their Divine Beasts, while Zelda and I set our course for the castle.
With more of my memories returning, I have a strong feeling I know where the last image was taken, despite it appearing to be just another set of generic woods. I set my course for Wetland Stable. Upon arrival, I continue across Rebonae Bridge and head south along the west bank of Hylia River until I reach a narrow path winding through a dense woodland. I slow Phoenix to a trot before dismounting and taking in my surroundings.
And then it hits me—
The memory crashes over me like a tidal wave. Zelda and I are running through these very woods, the weight of disaster bearing down on us. The Champions have fallen. The Divine Beasts and Guardians have been seized by Calamity Ganon’s cunning ambush. Hyrule is in chaos. We are desperately trying to reach any surviving allies.
Then, Zelda stumbles. My grip slips. She falls to the muddy, rain-soaked ground. I turn back to help her, but she doesn’t get up. Instead, she looks at me, her eyes filled with anguish.
Through trembling words, she proclaims herself a failure. All of her efforts—the planning, the research, the belief that the ancient machines could save us—have amounted to nothing. She blames herself for Hyrule’s downfall, for all that has been lost.
I can’t let her bear this alone. Without hesitation, I step forward and embrace her.
With this final memory recovered from the Sheikah Slate, the full picture of the events leading up to Hyrule’s defeat has returned to me. There’s only one thing left to do—I must speak with Impa.
Exhausted, I push onward to Kakariko Village, barely making it to a bed at the inn before sleep overtakes me.
The next morning, I head straight to Impa's house to share the return of my memories. She’s thrilled to hear that they’ve come back, but there’s still one last place she wants me to visit. She walks over to a picture hanging on the wall and explains that the location depicted is the final destination I need to reach, not far from Kakariko Village.
I recognize the place immediately—it’s near Ash Swamp in Blatchery Plain, close to the Dueling Peaks Stable. I thank Impa and leave her house, mounting Phoenix as I set off toward the spot.
Anxious to recall the final memory, I urge Phoenix to go as fast as possible. When I reach the area, the memory floods back in an instant. I see myself, exhausted and wounded, with the Master Sword damaged from the battle to protect Zelda from the relentless guardians. We were desperately trying to get her and any survivors to safety, but the field was swarming with guardians, and it felt like escape was impossible.
Then, my worst fear materializes—a guardian spots us. Barely able to stand, I raise my sword and push Zelda behind me, bracing for the deadly blast. Just as the guardian targets us, Zelda, filled with sudden courage, rushes in front of me. A surge of power radiates from her, and an orb of yellow light expands across the plain. When the light fades, all the guardians have stopped, and the corruption within them is gone. Then, I collapse.
But the memory doesn’t end there.
A new sense of confidence fills Zelda as she takes charge. The Master Sword speaks to her, telling her that I can still be saved. She calls two Sheikah warriors over and commands them to take me to the Shrine of Resurrection, explaining that my life is now in their hands. With resolve, she picks up the Master Sword, determined to bring it to the sacred light by the Deku Tree to heal it before heading to the castle to face and seal Ganon within.
When the memory fades, a new determination surges within me—I must help Zelda.
I ride back to Impa and recount what I remembered. She nods, confirming my memories, then explains that my presence had been a great comfort to the princess. The realization of losing me, combined with her desperate attempt to protect me, had likely been what awakened her power.
With this knowledge weighing on my mind, I leave Kakariko and set my sights on Rito Village. It’s time to reclaim the remaining Divine Beasts, and the Rito seem to be in the most urgent need of help.
