I'm not disputing the fact that the third branch exists. I agree with why there's three branches and never looked back with only two branches. But the biggest problem I have with their explanation is that Link can either win or lose at the final battle. It's a lazy explanation to be honest which...
I'm making a bold accusation that the developers/writers of Hyrule Historia came up with a creative but less realistic way to explain the fallen hero branch of the timeline (which contains the classic Zelda titles).
The Official Explanation: Rather than Adult Link defeating Ganon, he is...