Tears of the Kingdom’s Mysterious Depths Is Still Sparking More Questions Than Answers

The Depths are a pseudo-afterlife

A captivating theory posits the Depths as a sort of pseudo-afterlife, a realm accessible to the living, mirroring the underworld in Greek mythology. This realm is allegedly connected to Hyrule through chasms, facilitated by Ganon’s magic. The presence of lost souls, requiring guidance to the afterlife, and ghostly warriors armed with weapons, lends credence to this idea. A key element is the suggestion that Kohga, a prominent Yiga leader from Breath of the Wild, is deceased and his vengeful spirit battles Link within the Depths, highlighting a potential connection between the two games.

The Depths are OLD. Real old.

Evidence suggests the Depths predate the Zonai civilization, as their presence, including mining operations, implies a much older history. The age likely exceeds 10,000 years, a significant timeframe. The existence of Gorondia in the Depths raises further questions about the Gorons’ origin and relationship to this subterranean realm. Were they originally from the Depths or did Gorondia descend from the surface? The faded legends surrounding Gorondia hint at a historical event of immense antiquity, possibly centuries or even millennia ago.

The Depths are at least somewhat magical

The Depths are not solely a physical phenomenon, but are interwoven with magic. The presence of magical beings, coupled with the existence of an underground realm that mirrors the surface world, suggests a magical influence. This resonates with other Zelda games featuring dark worlds and mirror realms where magic plays a pivotal role. Perhaps the existence of this underground world, full of magical rocks and spirits, isn’t wholly explicable, a mysterious element of Hyrule’s ancient history.

Demise originated in the Depths

A less conventional hypothesis posits the Depths as Demise’s origin point. While this theory lacks substantial support, it draws upon the existence of the “Breach of Demise” on the map. This implies a potential connection between Demise’s initial emergence and the Depths. Such a theory, while intriguing, lacks concrete evidence given the vast time gap between Skyward Sword and Tears of the Kingdom, and the convoluted Zelda timeline. Still, the concept of the primary antagonist of Skyward Sword having resided in the depths before surfacing remains a stimulating thought experiment.