Throughout The Legend of Zelda series, we’ve been gifted with various versions of the Sheikah, Impa. From a young and agile bodyguard and attendant of Zelda, to an aged guide full of wisdom, Impa always proves her worth to Hyrule and the Royal Family. In the time-bending game Skyward Sword, we were graced with the presence of young warrior Impa from eons ago, jumping through time to carry out her duty to protect the one and only goddess Hylia, and she won’t let anyone, not even Link stand in her way.
Our young Sheikah cloaks herself in mystery. Upon Link’s first encounter with the woman, Impa is adorned in a black coat lined with yellow markings. Her appearance gains her the title ‘woman in black’ from many characters though her cloak is far from the most interesting thing about her design. Her design is tall and lithe with pale blonde hair and tanned skin. Her glaring red eyes and pointed ears show her connection to the Sheikah. Furthermore, a stark red Sheikah eye tattoo brands her forehead. If that connection wasn’t enough, white tattoo lines transform her left eye into a blinking live Sheikah eye, and her deep blue clothing holds a gold Sheikah symbol upon its center. Impa holds her duty and her heritage with pride making her the only fitting warrior to carry out the Goddess’s wishes.
Impa’s story starts before her encounter with Link. Eons ago, Impa was a loyal servant of the Goddess Hylia, sworn to protect and carry out her orders. In Hylia’s final moments fighting Demise, she orders Impa to step through the Gates of Time to a future from this battle where the chosen guardian may find Hylia’s mortal incarnation and help the Goddess remember her past life. Loyal and strong, Impa does this with no questions asked, jumping through the gates and tracking down her Goddess or as Link knows her, Zelda.
Impa’s hunt for her Goddess and Link’s hunt for Zelda run almost parallel. Unfortunately for Link, Impa finds her first. She protects and defends Zelda from bokoblins and Ghirahim’s forces in the absence of Link. It’s that absence that festers into distrust. “If this failure is any indication, you have no hope of defending Her Grace from those who seek to assail her,” Impa says within the Earth Temple’s Springs. She knows well that the Goddess chose Link and while she is loyal and trusts her Goddess, it’s that very loyalty that leads her to distrust Link in this time of failure. Coming fresh from a devastating war and seeing for herself the destruction of Demise, it is understandable that Impa would expect the best. In her eyes, there is no room for failure. Not if she wants to succeed her Goddess.
As dedicated and strong as Impa is, she cannot carry out her task alone. The Goddess chose her various agents for a reason. Before the Gates of Time, Impa and Zelda are attacked by Ghirahim once more. Impa’s magic blocks Ghirahim’s attack in a flash of blue, giving time for Zelda to escape. Ghirahim is ruthless and unforgiving. No matter Impa’s strength, the demon blade is able to pierce her ancient magic. Fortunately for the young warrior, Link is not late this time. Standing in the path, Link gives Impa and Zelda enough time to escape and shatter the Gate of Time.
Returning to the past, Impa continues to carry out her duty to protect the Goddess. Within the Sealed Temple, she watches over Zelda as the Goddess sleeps and guards the Gates of Time, though her battles are not over yet. While Link destroys Demise in the future, the demon still lingers in the past. She is faced with a determined Ghirahim once more and fails to protect Zelda. Roles reversed, Link takes up where she could not, proving to her that her Goddess was never mistaken. Impa succeeded in the future so Link could succeed in the past. And to ensure that her job is complete, she watches over both the Master Sword and the Gate of Time to ensure Demise’s spirit does not reawaken.
While we see very little of Impa’s and Zelda’s journey, seeing Link’s late arrivals and the small wordless snippets in the end credits, we know they bonded well. When the two are forced to say farewell, Zelda gifts the Sheikah warrior with one of her bracelets, and Impa promises that one day the two of them will see each other again. Impa is left behind or rather she was always closer than they thought. Returning to their present time, it is revealed that the Old Woman within the Sealed Temple all this time is the old and withered Impa continuing her duty to always watch over the sacred elements of the temple. For if there is one thing Impa proved in this game, no one can compare to her loyalty and dedication to all those she swore to protect.
