Fires burn a myriad of colors in the center of Lon Lon Ranch. A joyful tune with a hot beat sends a rhythm to all those around, lifting up their dancing feet. From the hidden forest of the Kokiri to the scorching deserts of Gerudo, everyone has come together to celebrate a new era of Hyrule. Even those who’d rather be asleep at home. However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows for everyone. To the side of the celebrations, a grieving pair struggle to join in with the celebrations. The ones they love, sacrificed to bring this peace to all. But they are not lost. Six orbs of color shoot across the sky. The Six Sages may not be able to dance with the others but they continue to watch over Hyrule and celebrate this era of peace.
Completing Ocarina of Time from start to finish is not always an easy task. Many of us struggled through boss fights, got lost in the Water Temple and desperately tried to avoid ReDeads and Wallmasters. After weeks, months, maybe even years of persistence, when Link delivers the final blow to Ganon, it is a rewarding feeling to see the credits roll across the screen. Hyrule can finally celebrate peace and live in prosperity. As the credits roll, the player is rewarded with scenes of NPCs dancing, singing and enjoying one another’s company.
“The reign of Darkness is over, and we can all come together in harmony, living in peace and prosperity. It’s all thanks to Him, the Hero of Time.” – Ocarina of Time
For Erica (Shadottie), the credits brought them joy. To see all the people of Hyrule in one place, celebrating together not only satisfied the hard work it took to get to this moment but inspired them to capture the moment forever in a beautiful piece of digital artwork. The color palette obscures many details, A closer look reveals beloved NPCs like Malon and Epona as well as every race we helped in the game: Zoras, Gerudo, Kokiri, and Gorons big and small.
Miko and the Zora King are one of the few characters in the piece given colored detail. Off to the side, much like in the credit scene, a soft palette brings them to the foreground as they watch not the celebration but the Sage lights above. The use of darkness and shadows puts an emphasis on the bright multicolored flames upon the center and the glowing lights dancing across the sky above. Each person below is outlined in one of the many colors, bathing them in the celebration. It mirrors the feeling of celebrating with friends as fireworks flash above. The little moments of light bring life to all in the piece.
Darkness was once a sign of death and destruction. Thanks to the Hero of Time, the citizens of Hyrule no longer have to fear the shadows of the night. Erica’s use of light and darkness in her piece, captures the spirits of Hyrule reclaiming not only the land itself, but the soft darkness they can all dance under. The darkness that allows them to look up at the sky and be filled with hope. That is the gift that Link—that the player—gave these people, and in turn, by drawing this piece, Erica has given hope to us all that we can persevere through the dark times and find the light once more.
