Here is what I currently believe happened, as an order of events:
* The Zoni came to the land.
* A large enough group of them sought after the Triforce. (interlopers)
* Most of the Zoni who were not banished became the Minish. (Pokiri is a sub-grouping of Zoni)
* As the Zoni vanished, Rauru built his kingdom. (Likely under an actually divine edict from Hylia)
* Later, a young Minish follows suit with his banished brethren, becoming Vaati.
With the Twili styling, we don't just see the eye symbolism, but echoes of Zoni architecture. Just look at those curls on that throne. We also know now that the Zoni used the eye symbolism before the Sheikah.
Even if you don't believe in Rauru's reign being so early, it still tracks. We have have Zoni like technology in SS and MC, so we can still predate the Zoni to before those games, even if you don't want to include Rauru.
In short, the Twili were Zoni, and so were the Minish.
* The Zoni came to the land.
* A large enough group of them sought after the Triforce. (interlopers)
* Most of the Zoni who were not banished became the Minish. (Pokiri is a sub-grouping of Zoni)
* As the Zoni vanished, Rauru built his kingdom. (Likely under an actually divine edict from Hylia)
* Later, a young Minish follows suit with his banished brethren, becoming Vaati.
With the Twili styling, we don't just see the eye symbolism, but echoes of Zoni architecture. Just look at those curls on that throne. We also know now that the Zoni used the eye symbolism before the Sheikah.
Even if you don't believe in Rauru's reign being so early, it still tracks. We have have Zoni like technology in SS and MC, so we can still predate the Zoni to before those games, even if you don't want to include Rauru.
In short, the Twili were Zoni, and so were the Minish.