Twilight,[1] also known as the World of Shadows,[2] the Darkened Realm,[3] the Land Covered in Twilight,[4], the Black Cloud of Twilight,[5] and the Netherworld,[6] refers to any region of land stripped of Light. Under the effects of Twilight, inhabitants of the afflicted areas either turn into Spirits or monsters of shadow. Twilight is created and utilized by Zant to gradually cover the entire Kingdom of Hyrule in shadow during his conquest.[7] The spreading Twilight becomes a serious threat to Hyrule that Link is tasked with combating. This Twilight is distinct from the twilight that naturally occurs during dusk.
Light in Hyrule is sustained by the four Spirits of Light, who act as guardians for their respective provinces. During the events of Twilight Princess, Zant steals the Light from the Light Spirits by creating a dark fog composed of light-absorbing shadow crystals similar in nature to the one encountered in the Palace of Twilight.[7][8] The kingdom of Hyrule is slowly overtaken by Twilight as its Light vanishes in each province.
Once overtaken by the Twilight, the inhabitants of the afflicted area lose their physical bodies and turn into Spirits, unaware of their current state. Furthermore, the Shadow Beasts have the ability to change them into monsters.[9] However, there are a select few who can survive in the Twilight without becoming a lost soul. Bearers of the Triforce can usually withstand the effects of the Twilight. Link, bearer of the Triforce of Courage, transforms into a wolf and Princess Zelda, bearing the Triforce of Wisdom, maintains her normal physical form.
Not all beings are turned into Spirits however. The enemy creatures that Link encounters are turned into "shadow creatures" within the Twilight. Bulblins, along with Keese, Deku Babas and Kargaroks are just a few of the creatures that change form under the influence of the Twilight.
Hyruleans normally cannot enter areas engulfed in Twilight, unless a creature from the Twilight draws them in through the Black Barrier.[10]Midna is able to pull Link into a Black Barrier, being a Twili herself. Once someone has entered the Twilight, it is often impossible to escape or recover.[11] Only with the help of a member of the Twili race can a lost soul or anything trapped in the Twilight escape.[12][13] In each province, the Tears of Light of the Light Spirits needs to be recovered from the Shadow Insects in order for them to be revived. The Light Spirits will give Link the Vessel of Light in order to collect and carry the Tears. Once the Light Spirits regain their power, the Twilight is lifted and the inhabitants return to normal.
The perpetual Twilight of the Twilight Realm is different in nature compared to the Twilight produced by Zant. The latter exerts a corrupting influence over Hyrule, while the former is comparable to the Twilight encountered naturally in Hyrule during sunset. The Twilight Realm itself is described as a beautiful world, and its inhabitants, albeit exposed in the Twilight, as gentle, pure-hearted beings.[14][15]
The following section is not part of the Zelda canon and should not be taken as such.
In Hyrule Warriors, Twilight, also occasionally referred to as the Twilight Realm,[16][17] appears as a feature of the Twilight Field stage during the "Land of Twilight" Scenario.[18] The Twilight is used by Midna and her Forces to conquer most of the field during their attack on the Dark Forces. When Lana and the Hyrulean Forces arrive, they are unable to pinpoint the location of the Gate of Souls as a result of the Twilight obscuring most of the area.[19] Twilight appears when Midna's Forces conquers a Keep in the field, which surrounds the Keep in dark, orange walls with purple gates resembling the Black Barrier.[20] On the map, these conquered Keeps are obscured by dark squares. Unlike the Twilight from Twilight Princess, the afflicted Keeps can be freely entered and entering them does not transform any of troops from either side into Spirits or monsters, but rather provides Midna with power for each Keep.[21] Like normal Keeps, the afflicted Keeps can be taken over and its Twilight dispelled by defeating its Keep Boss.[22] While Agitha and her Goddess Butterfly leads the Hyrulean Forces to the Gate of Souls, she manages to open the gateways to one of the afflicted Keeps, where the Hyrulean Forces find Midna and learn she is the source of the Twilight.
While Midna's Twilight spreads, her attack power increases significantly. Her power can be decreased by conquering the afflicted Keeps,[23][24] forcing her to retreat to the Eldin Bridge Keep to plan a counterattack. Closing off all sources of Twilight removes her power completely. Although while conquering the Keeps makes her easier to fight, it is not required to defeat her.
Trivia
According to the original Japanese text, Midna mentions that Link, being a Hyrulean, should avoid contact with the Dark Fog found in the Palace of Twilight, possibly implying that the Twilight of the realm is harmless.[25][26]
↑Though you may have left thedarkened realm, you haven't transformed back to your former self...and you won't anytime soon! — Midna (Twilight Princess HD)
↑The first thing you need to do is find theland covered in twilight. Once you do, I'll help you out. — Midna (Twilight Princess HD)
↑And look at the sky! Isn't theblack cloud of twilightlooking beautiful today? — Midna (Twilight Princess HD)
↑The entire kingdom has been reduced to a netherworld ruled by the cursed powers of darkness. — Ordona (Twilight Princess HD)
↑ 7.07.1This black fog is made up of shadow crystals created by Zant. They blot out light… He's responsible for stealing the light from the spirits and turning your world into twilight… — Midna (Twilight Princess)
↑This black fog is the light-absorbing shadow crystals that Zant magically produced… It's responsible for stealing the light from the spirits and turning Hyrule into Twilight. — Midna (Twilight Princess, Japanese version)
↑Remember that lady from the general store? Just one of those things attacked her, and a whole gang from town went to save her! And what happened? She was already gone, and there were TWO monsters waitin'! — Barnes (Twilight Princess)
↑Just beyond that bridge, the land is covered in twilight. Last time, a shadow beast pulled you through the curtain of twilight... But if you want to go that way this time, you'll need the cooperation of someone FROM the twilight...like me! — Midna (Twilight Princess)
↑Those transformed by twilight usually cannot recover their original forms... Unless... If you were to return Faron Woods where you were first transformed... If you were to revive the light spirit... There, by the power of the light spirit, you may find the means to regain your other state of being... — Ordona (Twilight Princess)
↑[If Link tries to leave the twilight] That won't work! Give it up! Did you hear me? You can't return to the world of light that easily! — Midna (Twilight Princess)
↑It's called a portal. You'd better remember that! And...in those woods we came through... Yes! It's got to be around there... I'll use my power to take you to the location of the open portal... Pick where you want to go. [...] See! I told you. We're here! You know, most people can't leave the twilight that easily. You'd better be grateful! — Midna (Twilight Princess)
↑Some call our realm a world of shadows, but that makes it sound unpleasant. The twilight there holds a serene beauty... You have seen it yourself as the sun sets on this world. Bathed in that light, all people were pure and gentle. — Midna (Twilight Princess)
↑The Twilight Realm is a beautiful place, enveloped in the calm of a falling dusk. The inhabitants are gentle, pure-hearted creatures who make their homes within the realm's radiance. (Hyrule Historia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 114)
↑You captured the [Keep Name], dispelling a Twilight Realm! — N/A (Hyrule Warriors)
↑With this Goddess Butterfly, of course! It will guide us through the Twilight Realm — Agitha (Hyrule Warriors)
↑Lana stepped through her portal and found a jarring sight. Wherever she looked, the kingdom was consumed by shadow. Though she knew of the Twilight Realm, she had never seen it firsthand. Lana's sorcery could not reveal who or what was causing the Twilight to cover Hyrule so completely. — N/A (Hyrule Warriors)
↑With the land covered as it is, I can't really pinpoint the Gate of Souls. Always something... — Lana (Hyrule Warriors)
↑The interior of the keep is also covered in darkness... Is this part of the Twilight too? — Lana (Hyrule Warriors)
