Daily Debate: Why Does Lanayru Warn That Link Can Be “Ruled” By The Fused Shadow In Twilight Princess?

Recently, I’ve been replaying Twilight Princess on the Nintendo Wii with my daughter. We had just finished collecting the Tears of Light for the Light Spirit Lanayru, when I noticed something that I hadn’t caught before: the suggestion that Link is in fact corruptible.

Now, bring up the possibility that any manifestation of the legendary hero can be evil, especially one as beloved as the teen from Ordon, and things will get contentious. The notion of a true white hat, the idea that Link is a reincarnation of pure spirit, innately good, is a staple of the Zelda series. As most die-hard fans will attest, it’s one of the reasons we bond with him. But what if he is as corruptible as any other character in the franchise, chosen status be damned? Lanayru seems to suggest such a possibility.

Just before descending into the watery depths of Lakebed Temple, Link restores the power of the Light Spirit Lanayru, who delivers this grave warning:

“You know this magic… It is the dark power you seek… the Fused Shadow. O hero chosen by the goddesses… Beware… Those who do not know the danger of wielding power will, before long, be ruled by it. Never forget that… The dark power that you seek is within the sleeping Lakebed Temple in Lake Hylia…”

Why the warning? Is it simply a general concern over the danger of power? Maybe. But it’s clear that Link has good intentions; Lanayru also acknowledges his status as the chosen Hero. What is the dark possibility that Link must be wary of, that pushes the Light Spirit to give specific warning?

There is certainly precedent within Twilight Princess of the corrupting power of the Fused Shadow. Gor Coron, one of the elders of the Goron tribe, explains how their leader Darbus became corrupted by its power:

“We have a treasure that was entrusted to us by the spirits, and we must protect it. Do you understand? But the moment Darbus reached out and touched the treasure… everything went wrong. He collapsed… and before our very eyes transformed into an unspeakable monster! He began to rage through the mines, trailing ruin behind him…”

Clearly the twilight relic holds dangerous power, capable of transforming noble beings into horrific monsters. While the origins of the Fused Shadow are somewhat mysterious and debated, the question remains: what happens if Link succumbs to it? Is this an inherent conflict with his status as the Chosen Hero and the wielder of the Triforce of Courage? If he can truly be corrupted, why haven’t we seen this storyline developed other places in the Zelda universe?

Perhaps Twilight Princess could have unfolded very differently if the youth from Ordon had been careless.

Tell us what you think. Why does the Light Spirit Lanayru warn that Link can be “ruled” by the Fused Shadow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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