As an avid Legend of Zelda fan who has analyzed the lore across games, I was intrigued to learn that Princess Zelda goes missing early in Tears of the Kingdom‘s story. While some may see this as a tired trope – Link constantly tasked with saving the princess – I believe there are deeper emotional stakes at play that motivate our hero.
Zelda is not just royalty or an objective to retrieve in this expansive world – she is Link‘s longtime friend and ally. Her knowledge of Hyrule‘s ancient magic could prove pivotal in preventing further chaos unleashed by Ganon‘s resurgent evil. And on a personal level, after journeying together so often now, surely Link feels driven by more than just duty to locate his cherished comrade once again. The heart is not so easily dissuaded when it comes to aiding those held close for ages without count.
As the opening act unfolds, we witness strange meteorological disasters and land fragments torn asunder from the mainland – ominous signs of imbalance in the natural order. Meanwhile Link himself awakens from a comatose state with few memories intact – never a promising start for a hero mid-quest! To make matters worse, Zelda is already missing even before Link takes his first steps from the Shrine of Resurrection. Just what pivotal events have already been set in motion while our hero‘s soul restored its strength? The revelations to come on Link‘s journey may illuminate mysteries that could reshape everything known about Hyrule‘s past and future destiny. For devoted fans like myself, this is tremendously exciting territory the series has seldom explored to such epic scale before!
In this guide, I will walk through the crucial early steps required to pick up Princess Zelda‘s trail based on my own exploration thus far in the Great Sky Islands. Pay close attention adventurer – this mystifying new region hides many secret passageways and lethal traps around every corner! Death waits with bated breath for any hero caught unaware! But with vigilance and courage, the path to reuniting with Princess Zelda awaits around the bend. Onward now to destiny!
Retracing Zelda‘s Trail Back to the Temple of Time
Unlike previous Zelda titles where Link begins his journey from modest roots in forest villages or distant isles, Tears of Kingdom thrusts players into the action by starting at the ancient Temple of Time. Given its recurring significance dating back to Ocarina of Time as site of the mythical Master Sword and gateway across eras, the temple is an apropos location to signal a new turning point in the endless struggle versus Calamity Ganon.
But the once-hallowed structure has seen better days – its roof shredded and interior chambers exposed to the elements. Ominous red energy seeps from the cracks as we navigate cracks and rubble. Could this be evidence of Ganon‘s destructive essence poisoning Hyrule once more? As the sole intact passageway comes into view, a glowing gold orb levitates atop the room‘s center pillar.
Inspecting this mystical object triggers a brief vision from Princess Zelda herself! While elated to discover the princess survived unscathed, it quickly becomes clear not all is well in the kingdom. Her visage appears fatigued, conveying urgency that Link must continue his valorous mission to stand against the spreading darkness. Zelda then imbues the hero with powers enabling him to shift objects through the timestream. This newfound gift of chronokinesis will assuredly prove valuable going forward!
Wasting no time, Link tests his skills by manipulating the giant Clock Gear platforms to reach higher levels of the temple. Along the winding route he overcomes enemies and secures 50 silver rupees to unlock gates. Ascending tier by tier closer towards sunlight reveals hope still shines enough to motivate our hero ever higher.
At the temple’s peak we discover the Gate of Time itself, albeit barred shut and lacking its namesake temporal portal. A statue of the Goddess Hylia bars further passage, with a cryptic request for Link to seek something called the “Light of Blessing” before allowing entry. Could this relate to legends of the goddess statuettes located across Hyrule that offered courageous heroes new powers upon prayer? Perhaps by visiting Sky Islands shrines bearing her sigil, Link may yet unlock the gate to reuniting with Princess Zelda!
Combat Tips When Visiting the Temple
While less extensive than full-fledged dungeons, the Temple of Time still contains various monsters lying in ambush that can easily overwhelm the unprepared. When making your way through the temple, be sure to have plenty of healing items and weapons available. Expect to face the following threats:
- Decayed Guardians – these heavily armored automatons fire rapid energy volleys
- Spectral Stalfos – sword-wielding skeletons that can shield against blows
- Cursed Lizalfos – leaping adversaries armed with shock arrows
- ACM Moths – airborne bugs that swarm to divebomb in numbers
I recommend keeping a balanced gear loadout equipped with sword, shield, bow and bombs to counter each style of foe. Meat dishes are essential to replenish health mid-battle when things grow dire. Don‘t let numbers overwhelm you – use bombs and walls to isolate enemies whenever possible. Stay nimble on your toes and victory shall be yours!
Now then, onward to the trail of clues leading toward Princess Zelda!
Sailing the Skies to the Nachoyah Shrine
Having unlocked relic transportation abilities in the Temple of Time, Link gains access to the Purah Pad – a miniaturized device once used by researchers to scan objects and transfer to points of interest across Hyrule and beyond. With Princess Zelda‘s whereabouts still a mystery, Link‘s first destination becomes the Nachoyah Shrine located in the sprawling Great Sky Islands.
This astonishing realm of levitateing continents looming amongst the clouds had been merely whispered about in obscure legends. Even most denizens of Hyrule assumed the Sky Islands to be mere fantasy. But using the Purah Pad, Link establishes he can swiftly travel between the surface realm and these floating pieces of land above. Surely answers must await in this uncharted expanse!
Arriving at the entrance shrine filled with ancient runes, Link‘s thoughts linger on Princess Zelda‘s friendship through countless prior adventures. No matter the foe faced – whether shapeshifting sorcerers or apocalyptic abominations – Zelda and he always managed to emerge triumphant when working in unison. So to witness the desperation in Zelda‘s normally poised demeanor back the Temple of Time intensifies Link‘s motivation to uncover what new evil could prompt her worried plea for assistance.
Battles and hardships come and go but their underline bond endures regardless. That same bond now pulls Link forward to learn what fate has possibly befallen his closest royal ally.
Physically reaching the Nachoyah Shrine demands utmost stamina and reflexes however. Using the Ascend ability learned at the temple, Link propels himself ever higher up cliffsides and stacks of giant keysbones to reach forgotten altars. Spectral Guardians emerge to block his route but offer Spirit Orbs when defeated that can boost Link‘s overall vitality for the quest ahead.
Upon finally entering the ancient shrine itself, a glowing Emerald Icon awaited on the furthest wall. Link reaches out his Sheikah Slate device to analyze the mysterious symbol. This triggers a blinding flash as the icon‘s power activates! Link feels his body stretched through cascading waves of light before materializing…back at the entrance gates?!
Indeed while not yet realizing it, examining the icon has enabled Fast Travel back to the Nachoyah Shrine. This grants quicker access when backtracking across the perilous Sky Islands. However it still leaves open why Princess Zelda directed Link here. Perhaps clues will next emerge at the Ukouh Shrine suggested by her guiding statue at the Temple of Time. At least the Purah Pad again offers convenient transport to LINK‘s next destinstion!
The shards of continent comprising Sky Islands harbor some of the most lethal beasts and devious traps encountered anywhere in Hyrule‘s known kingdoms. Making matters more treacherous, the decaying infrastructure and eroding walkways demand perfect platforming merely to traverse between objectives. Study the following movement options carefully before embarking across cloudtops:
| Ability | Rune Usage | Description |
| Glide | X | Leap from elevated points and catch updrafts to cover long horizontal distance. Use sparingly though as excessive gliding drains stamina which cannot regenerate in air. |
| Climb | A + Left Stick | Adhere to rock surfaces, vines and some walls to scale vertically. Monitor stamina gauge closely. |
| Ascend | L + R | Temporarily float upwards and reach higher ledges. Toggle height by holding buttons longer. |
| Recall | ZL + ZR | Returns target objects back through timestream to prior locations. Useful for manipulating obstacles or platforms. |
Master linking these mobility skills smoothly together while watching your footing and stamina. The consequences of plummeting from the cloudtops can be severe! Many decayed ruins and camouflaged pitfalls await the careless explorer. Move with precision and purpose to safely navigate between shrine destinations.
Delving Beneath Ukouh Shrine‘s Waters
After glimpsing the Nachoyah Shrine‘s interior, Link returns to the Surface Realm below the Sky Islands using the Purah Pad. Locating the shrine here however first requires a bold leap of faith! At the edge of a seaside cliff near Dihram Cove, Link must take a running jump into an azure pool concealing the shrine‘s actual entrance.
Submerged ruins dating back centuries appear before emerging inside an underground aquatic labyrinth. Luminous coral formations light the way as schools of Blupee Fish dart to and fro. Columns etched with iconography matching the Temple of Time draw us leftwards through algae-lined passageways. Surely these aquatic tunnels connect with the Sky Islands somehow!
Eventually Link surfaces inside the Ukouh Shrine but in fact emerges within a fully-fledged temple many times larger than the simple shrine exterior would suggest! Signs of former grandeur abound in damaged friezes lining the expansive chamber. Someone clearly went through great efforts to hide this relic out of easy view.
Making way to the back altar, Link repeats his Sheikah Slate analysis from the previous shrine icon. In another flare of emerald light Princess Zelda reappears floating ethereally before him! While too substantial to touch physically, her spirit radiates warmth familiar to our long-pairwise journey. I assure Zelda fervently that her rely on my support remains well placed – this kingdom and its people still needs the blessings of Hylia‘s mortal bloodline.
Zelda then further elaborates on her captivity predicament – emphasizing that Ganon‘s Blight continues destabilizing the Sky Islands‘ integrity through systematic corruption. Only by recovering the scattered Goddess Tears can balance and harmony be restored in time. Much work remains ahead but seeing Zelda‘s courage shine even during endless isolation heartens my focus. We shall definitely meet again once this land stands healed! For now investigating the rest of this subaquatic complex may provide clues where to seek the first Tear…
Recommended Gear When Exploring the Ukouh Region
| Weapon | Armor | Accessory |
|---|---|---|
| Zora Sword | Climbing Gear | Hydrax Crest |
| Cryonis Rune | Salvager Vest | Breathing Mask |
| Drillshaft Spear | Rubber Armor | Elixir Medals |
When navigating the submerged labyrinths surrounding Ukouh Shrine, equip yourself appropriately to move unhindered by water or aquatic foes. The Zora Sword retains full damage underwater while the Drillshaft Spear can demolish cracked walls. Armor like the Salvager Vest improves dive speed as well. And of course potions that boost breath duration prevent an untimely drowning!
Proper equipment preparation allows efficiently exploring sunken structures for treasure. Just beware of territorial Zora Warriors or camouflaged Octoroks waiting in ambush along the sea floor!
Overcoming Trials to Restore Princess Zelda
Beyond Ukouh Shrine‘s initial secrets, reuniting at last with Princess Zelda in person remains locked behind the Goddess Statue‘s impenetrable chamber door. Having gathered the Light of Blessing as requested, what final trial could stand between Link and his longtime friend‘s freedom? The emergent solution echoes adventures past – vanquishing Ganon requires mastery of one‘s own fears first.
Kneeling in solemn prayer, Link commits heart and mind towards perfect courage. In turn the statue opens the way to a glowing chest granting a Heart Container. Having conquered inner turmoil now spurs momentum to cleanse external chaos from Hyrule next. Zelda‘s very life hangs in the balance between Light and Darkness. Wherever the Goddess Tears lie scattered, this hero remains ready to assemble their power and exorcise Ganon‘s Scourge for good!
The road ahead no doubt holds hardships untold. All heroes know moments of faltering faith when pressed beyond normal limits. But Link bears the crest of the Goddess herself – an unbreakable spirit to kindle the fires of hope when darkness closes in. Steel your blade hero chosen by destiny! Let no obstacle or demon impede these tireless legs again until our princess breathes free!
Onwards ever deeper toward the glittering sky citadel awaiting its savior‘s arrival…Hyrule‘s tears of sorrow soon extinguish against our unflinching flashes of courage!
