There are some songs we can hear threaded through the waves of our mind and are brought to the surface through the simplest triggers. Like a memory embedded into our soul whispering our heart’s emotions when we first heard that song. The Light Spirit’s theme from Twilight Princess is one such song that has always stayed with me. The slow crescendo building up as light returns to the forest and the great Light Spirit Ordona is revealed. Hope shines through — a hope that light can break through the Twilight darkness and that even though Link is still trapped in his wolf form, it will not be forever. That looming light and semblance of hope is captured in Orioto’s artwork of the Light Spirit Ordona.
Orioto is a digital artist who brings many full scenes to life, background and all. The level of detail brings the scenes to life and sends the viewer back to that moment in the game whether it’s one of nostalgia, hope, sadness or frustration. Light Spirit Ordona is one of their many Legend of Zelda pieces and I think it’s one that stands out amongst them all — and not just because the focus is a literal creature of light.
Ordona is the first Light Spirit that Link and the player meet in Twilight Princess. Link is stuck in his wolf form, dealing with creatures from a realm of twilight and has seen no sign of his friends. Ordona, reflecting the shape of the animals Link spent so much of his life caring for, is a guardian of the forest. The artwork captures the ethereal form of light and gold energy that matches the choir-like song orchestrating his arrival. His large form could be threatening but the face is drawn with a softness and caring nature. Like all the Light Spirits of Hyrule, Ordona is a guardian and protects all, even little Link.
At the bottom of the artwork, easily missed as Ordona captures center stage, is little Wolf Link. Sword and Shield strapped to his back, he looks up at the guardian consuming the spring. The scene is a mirror of the one in game, complete with the glowing rocks, shimmering spring and surrounding forest. Even though Link is a small detail in comparison to the rest of the piece, the emotions wouldn’t be the same without him. Link’s little wolf form is what holds the hope. Ordona may literally be light scaring the shadows away but Link is the hero who had courage to fight back and ensure that Ordona could return in the first place.
