For a long time, the Master Sword’s primary defining feature was its clear homage to the legend of Excalibur, the sword in the stone that could only be drawn by the rightful heir, Arthur Pendragon. With the Master Sword resting in a pedestal, waiting to be drawn by the one and only hero Link, the connection is clear.
However, when Skyward Sword was released, the Master Sword became so much more than just a special weapon inspired by European medieval folklore. It became its own entity, housing a being that has since become one of Link’s most infamous companions. But regardless of how you may feel about Fi herself, there’s no question that infusing the Master Sword with a sentient spirit was a wonderful origin story for the legendary sword.
Evelmiina’s artwork titled “Imprison” is a beautiful and striking reminder of this characterization of Fi, and of the truly iconic moment at the end of Skyward Sword that leaves you feeling more connected to the Master Sword than ever before.
Evelmiina’s artwork is a stunning blend of angular shapes and bold colors, which beautifully depict that unforgettable and intimate moment between Fi and Link that made us realize the Master Sword was more than just a weapon. The Master Sword literally embodies the soul of a being who, in turn, embodies the essence of someone whose life is dedicated to helping others. Fi and the Master Sword are Link’s counterpart, and vice versa.
The style of this artwork is not just visually striking, but it’s also thematically perfect. The abstract approach that Evelmiina has applied to Fi — making use of overlapping, blending colors and ever-changing shapes — clearly expresses Fi’s ethereal nature and elegant movements. Link, by comparison, is depicted with a grounded and familiar appearance (though still exquisitely drawn), and he’s portrayed with a tangible sense of motion. His hair, hat, and parts of his clothing ascend with the gusts of wind that Fi’s angelic movements generate. And, in the foreground, we see the Master Sword — the tether that connects the two.
The piece feels so alive, casting your mind straight back to the moment when Link and Fi had to say their final goodbyes. And once again, the style lends itself to this portrayal masterfully (get it?). The sense of movement, the depiction of Fi’s essence distilling down into colors and shapes the closer her body is to the Master Sword, and the representation of permanent erasure as the background disintegrates into white — as if being broken apart pixel by pixel — all combine together to show Fi dissolving once and for all into the Master Sword. Link’s outstretched hands and face turned skyward lead our gaze to Fi’s face, who we can practically hear whispering her final words to her companion.
