Today, I find myself with another one of my crackpot theories about a question that’s been pounding at my conscience for some time now. Was the Fierce Deity, whose spirit inhabited a dreaded mask more horrifying than Majora, an Interloper, and a Sheikah by extension? Outside of the non-canonical backstory of the Fierce Deity in the manga of Majora’s Mask, not much is known about this dark character. Which, to me, makes him leagues more intimidating than Majora. Sure, we know that Majora was plotting to destroy Termina with Mr. Scary Moon Face, and that’s reason enough to be terrified, but we know next to nothing about the Fierce Deity and his origins. Of course, in typical Zelda fashion, clear-cut evidence supporting the lore is never fully intact and left out in the open. We are instead given subtle clues that must be pieced together to find the answer. Puzzles in a Zelda game? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
Ok, before this article gets silly, let’s take a look at Twilight Princess. We learn that the Interlopers were a group of powerful magic users during the Hyrulian Civil War that sought to covet the Triforce. However, they were punished for their transgressions by the Goddesses and banished to a Realm of Shadows. Throughout the Zelda Universe, the people most known for being magically inclined are the Sheikah. Evidence of their magical and technological prowess lies in the abundance of artifacts and temples they left behind. I think it is safe to assume that the Interlopers were a splinter group of the Sheikah, or at least a rebellious clan. As for the Fierce Deity, I believe he was a driving force of the Interlopers. Think about it. For one to possess such power, it wouldn’t be too farfetched for them to harbor selfish desires if they had the means to take whatever they pleased. Especially during a time when Hyrule was tearing itself apart, it was an opportune moment for beings of magical abilities to invade the Sacred Realm and claim the Golden Power for themselves.
This brings us to the Shadow Temple in Ocarina of Time. There are a handful of theories surrounding the purpose of the temple, but one thing is certain that it was a facility built and used by the Sheikah. I do believe it was used as a prison and torture facility reserved for the enemies of Hyrule. One theory is the Shadow Temple was used to capture and isolate the “evils” in Hyrule such has hatred, greed, jealousy, lust, etc. The Fierce Deity and his Interlopers displayed such emotions with their actions against the Sacred Realm. Not only that, but we know that most of the masks in Majora’s Mask are inhabited by spirits. With that bit of information, what if a method of capturing evil entities by the Sheikah was to seal their spirits in masks? It is clear the Fierce Deity was an unusually powerful figure, so it is quite possible his entire being was isolated in the Fierce Deity Mask. There’s another theory that the Fierce Deity was the creator of the Majora’s Mask and the Fused Shadow. Seeing as how the Fused Shadow bears an eye that holds an uncanny resemblance to the eyes of Majora’s Mask, it is entirely plausible that they share a connection to the Interlopers and Sheikah because of their creator.
However, that could be a whole separate article all together, but it would be reasonable to believe the harshness of the Fierce Deity’s punishment. For him to create such powerful artifacts to challenge the gods, it is no wonder why the Goddesses saw him as a major threat and banished his very being within the mask. A bit of an ironic end for him, don’t you think? This certainly can’t be summed up in one article alone. I may need to dive further in research in order to complete the puzzle. In the meantime, I do hope you enjoyed this article, and hope this opens the floor for conversation on the subject. Perhaps you have theories of your own, or may even know the answer. Either way, it will be exciting to hear what your opinions are on the subject! Thank you, and good day!
