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Posted by: Izagar
Posted on: July 31st, 2012
Posted in: Posted in Zelda Articles
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for those who have yet to finish Skyward Sword already. If you haven’t, we suggest that you please avoid this article, and if you don’t care, then continue reading.
“Those like you… Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero… They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!” – Demise, Skyward Sword
As with my earlier theory about how the Madness of Ganondorf was caused by the curse casted by Demise, I began to see if any other Legend of Zelda villain shared in the same fate as Ganondorf. I happen to realize that Malladus, the “Demon King” in Spirit Tracks, has an eerily similar back story to Demise himself, in title and in looks.
Demise was a Demon King who came up out of the ground, seeking the sacred and holy power of the Triforce. Following him were legions of demons and monsters that obeyed the Demon King and sought out the power as well. He fought against the creatures of the surface world, killing many of them, even humans. Hylia, Goddess of the Surface Dwellers, then took the remaining humans and sent them far beyond the clouds with the sacred Triforce. After which, she and the surface dwellers fought Demise, but were only able to seal the monster away into the ground using a sealing spike.
Malladus, on the other hand was another Demon King who ruled over the New Hyrule found in Spirit Tracks. He fought against the Spirits of Good but was too powerful to be completely eradicated from the face of the earth. Seeing no way to destroy him, the Spirits of Good had no choice but to form the Spirit Tracks which acted as the chains to keep Malladus down. And like Demise, Malladus was kept down by a “sealing spike”, or in this case, the Tower of Spirits.
Both Demon Kings were ruthless and power-hungry, killing all in their wake for power. Both also needed Zelda, due to her powers. Demise required Zelda’s power to revert back to his true demonic form as well as restore all the strength he got lost while being sealed. Malladus needed the perfect vessel to house his spirit, as his body was already seemingly decayed. They both had their own loyal minions who they both used in the final battle (Ghirahim was used as Demise’s Sword and Cole was used as Malladus’s new demonic body). And, in both instances, Link was there to stop the demonic rulers, thus ending them and their reign.
The Spirits of Good “flying” above the people.
If you look more closely at some of the story in Spirit Tracks, you can see how some of Skyward Sword was evident in it. The Spirits of Good were shown to be free flowing spirits, and were associated with the wind and sky, as you can see in the picture above. Even Malladus had the same ruthlessness of Demise, and even, in the final battle, had similar looks to the old Demon King; Malladus had a larger nose than what Cole did have, as well as (thanks to Cole) a large orange mane, similar to Demise’s fiery hair.
And as I quoted earlier, Demise’s curse did not only bring forth Ganondorf to stand against Link and Zelda, but many other creatures, Malladus being one of the prime examples and a near perfect reincarnation of Demise himself. It would not surprise me if that, in the near future, another Demon King will arise being similar to Demise himself.
I personally don’t think they’re connected. Malladus was sealed away in a distant land in ancient times, *long* before Link and Tetra arrived. If Demise’s hatred is following them, why would it have appeared somewhere they weren’t, much less in a different time period. There’s also no way Malladus wasn’t sealed before Ganondorf was killed in WW, since there’s only 100 years in-between WW/PH and ST. The evidence just doesn’t seem to be in favor of Malladus being connected to Demise to me. It’s too contradictory.
The exact length of time since his seal is never addressed, and regardless, the Zelda series is never consistent about time spans… or much of anything, if the Temple of Time’s constant relocation is any indication. Beyond that, Skyward Sword made a significant point out of Demise’s mastery over time, and while that may have simply been intended to explain away time travel plotholes in Skyward Sword, it’s perfectly relevant to the rest of the series, which constantly uses time travel themes. There’s no reason to think his powers follow distinct rules when he himself didn’t; even if his incarnations do not display all of his traits, it’s fully possible those traits still manifest in abstract ways.
Of course he also created many monsters and demons and evil powers before he died, so even if he isn’t Malladus, Malladus is no doubt still derivative of him.
Regarding Demise’s hatred following them, do not forget that all of the Hylians carry the blood of the Goddess Hylia, and the fact that Ganondorf — a confirmed incarnation of Demise — rarely has any specific intentions of attacking Link or Zelda either (especially in Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, when they only happen to be necessary targets, and usually late in the game).
Malladus was definitely sealed before Ganon was killed in TWW, so I am also of the opinion that they are not related. Malladus is simply an ancient demon.
I think a lot of what people see as related in Zelda games, actually shouldn’t be.. I mean, yes, Demise has a lot in common with Ganondorf, so I’d indeed say they are related. In Malladus’ case I think it’s merely a coincedence. I think Nintendo overlooked a fact like this when they made Skyward Sword, just like they overlooked the fact that Ganondorf should (according to Demise’s curse) attack Link upon sight in OoT and WW. Keep in mind that Skyward Sword was made later than any other Zelda game, and, because of my most hated book, “Hyrule Historia”, they tried to connect it all, overlooking details. Isn’t it strange that there is not much similairity with SS’s world and OoT or TP worlds? I never even heard of Hylia before they put her in SS. If she was indeed such a great goddess, why isn’t her statue anywhere in TP, while the Golden Goddessess’ are?
Ganondorf is not a reincarnation of Demise, rather he carries Demise’s hatred. It’s Demise’s hatred that is “reincarnated” (“corrupts” would be more exact I think).
Regarding Hylia: at the end of SS they realized that the goddess didn’t exist anymore, she was reincarnated in a mortal body, so it makes sense if they stopped worshiping her. Still, the emblem of the royal family is inspired by the emblem of Hylia (plus the Triforce).
Neither Link being present to stop them both, and Zelda being their goal are good reasons to connect them, simply because Link’s the hero and Zelda’s got sacred power and is supposed to be the damsel. That said I do tend to think they’re related, however…
Malladus is not the second Demon King. He’s the third. Demise is the first, Ganon is the second, and Malladus would be the third. Ganon is known by that title in many games — particularly the Japanese versions — as befits him being Demise’s successor. If Malladus is also an incarnation of Demise, then he is the third after Ganon. But I do agree he probably is one.
As interesting as this article is, it’s nothing new to me, personally. I pieced together the same things several months ago not long after I beat Skyward Sword, but it’s nice to see someone who shares similar views.
The “King” in this context is used to denote a powerful demon. For example Ganondorf became a Demon King (maou in Japanese) in OoT when he acquired the Triforce of Power.
i figured that demise and malludus are simply two rulers of a demon race, (possibly the same race that the twili and majora originate from? thats just a speculation). i mean, you have other demons then just them. ganondorf eventually becomes known as a demon, but in blood is not technical one, he is a gerudo. but cole is from a race of demons, the same race that malludus and demise would be from, if they are indeed related in a racial/tribal way. Ganondorf on the other hand would have achieved recognition as a demon and allowed into their ranks, even though he himself is not one.
also, vaati would be considered among those who achieved the title of a demon even though he himself was not one. and its interesting to note that agnahim in a link to the past states that there is in fact a tribe of evil. could vaati and ganon be considered as demons by this tribe after they achieved such power that they desired?
The impression I have is that “demon” in Japanese is a loose term that can be generally used for evil beings. In this sense Ganondorf was a demon even before he obtained the ToP, but became a Demon King only after he got the ToP.
I personally don’t think they’re connected. Malladus was sealed away in a distant land in ancient times, *long* before Link and Tetra arrived. If Demise’s hatred is following them, why would it have appeared somewhere they weren’t, much less in a different time period. There’s also no way Malladus wasn’t sealed before Ganondorf was killed in WW, since there’s only 100 years in-between WW/PH and ST. The evidence just doesn’t seem to be in favor of Malladus being connected to Demise to me. It’s too contradictory.
The exact length of time since his seal is never addressed, and regardless, the Zelda series is never consistent about time spans… or much of anything, if the Temple of Time’s constant relocation is any indication. Beyond that, Skyward Sword made a significant point out of Demise’s mastery over time, and while that may have simply been intended to explain away time travel plotholes in Skyward Sword, it’s perfectly relevant to the rest of the series, which constantly uses time travel themes. There’s no reason to think his powers follow distinct rules when he himself didn’t; even if his incarnations do not display all of his traits, it’s fully possible those traits still manifest in abstract ways.
Of course he also created many monsters and demons and evil powers before he died, so even if he isn’t Malladus, Malladus is no doubt still derivative of him.
Regarding Demise’s hatred following them, do not forget that all of the Hylians carry the blood of the Goddess Hylia, and the fact that Ganondorf — a confirmed incarnation of Demise — rarely has any specific intentions of attacking Link or Zelda either (especially in Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, when they only happen to be necessary targets, and usually late in the game).
Malladus was definitely sealed before Ganon was killed in TWW, so I am also of the opinion that they are not related. Malladus is simply an ancient demon.
I think a lot of what people see as related in Zelda games, actually shouldn’t be.. I mean, yes, Demise has a lot in common with Ganondorf, so I’d indeed say they are related. In Malladus’ case I think it’s merely a coincedence. I think Nintendo overlooked a fact like this when they made Skyward Sword, just like they overlooked the fact that Ganondorf should (according to Demise’s curse) attack Link upon sight in OoT and WW. Keep in mind that Skyward Sword was made later than any other Zelda game, and, because of my most hated book, “Hyrule Historia”, they tried to connect it all, overlooking details. Isn’t it strange that there is not much similairity with SS’s world and OoT or TP worlds? I never even heard of Hylia before they put her in SS. If she was indeed such a great goddess, why isn’t her statue anywhere in TP, while the Golden Goddessess’ are?
Ganondorf is not a reincarnation of Demise, rather he carries Demise’s hatred. It’s Demise’s hatred that is “reincarnated” (“corrupts” would be more exact I think).
Regarding Hylia: at the end of SS they realized that the goddess didn’t exist anymore, she was reincarnated in a mortal body, so it makes sense if they stopped worshiping her. Still, the emblem of the royal family is inspired by the emblem of Hylia (plus the Triforce).
Neither Link being present to stop them both, and Zelda being their goal are good reasons to connect them, simply because Link’s the hero and Zelda’s got sacred power and is supposed to be the damsel. That said I do tend to think they’re related, however…
Malladus is not the second Demon King. He’s the third. Demise is the first, Ganon is the second, and Malladus would be the third. Ganon is known by that title in many games — particularly the Japanese versions — as befits him being Demise’s successor. If Malladus is also an incarnation of Demise, then he is the third after Ganon. But I do agree he probably is one.
As interesting as this article is, it’s nothing new to me, personally. I pieced together the same things several months ago not long after I beat Skyward Sword, but it’s nice to see someone who shares similar views.
Here’s a theory. If Demise was the Demon King, isn’t it possible there could be a royal family? Maybe Malladus is his descendant.
The “King” in this context is used to denote a powerful demon. For example Ganondorf became a Demon King (maou in Japanese) in OoT when he acquired the Triforce of Power.
i figured that demise and malludus are simply two rulers of a demon race, (possibly the same race that the twili and majora originate from? thats just a speculation). i mean, you have other demons then just them. ganondorf eventually becomes known as a demon, but in blood is not technical one, he is a gerudo. but cole is from a race of demons, the same race that malludus and demise would be from, if they are indeed related in a racial/tribal way. Ganondorf on the other hand would have achieved recognition as a demon and allowed into their ranks, even though he himself is not one.
also, vaati would be considered among those who achieved the title of a demon even though he himself was not one. and its interesting to note that agnahim in a link to the past states that there is in fact a tribe of evil. could vaati and ganon be considered as demons by this tribe after they achieved such power that they desired?
The impression I have is that “demon” in Japanese is a loose term that can be generally used for evil beings. In this sense Ganondorf was a demon even before he obtained the ToP, but became a Demon King only after he got the ToP.