This article is about the temple located in the Sky. For the temple located in Hyrule see Temple of Time.
The Temple of Time is a location on the Great Sky Island in Tears of the Kingdom. It is where Link obtains the ability Recall, and also contains one of the two Goddess Statues in the entire Sky.
Features and Overview[]
The Temple of Time is a large, symmetrical, tapered building located on the north end of the Great Sky Island. It is Zonai in origin, and the design of it can be seen in other locations throughout the game, such as the large structure on the back of the Wind Temple, and the structure at the end of every Shrine of Light, containing a statue of King Rauru and Queen Sonia, as well as a Light of Blessing. The steps leading up to the temple have been damaged, with only the steps in the front of the temple actually being intact. The temple is also a bit overgrown.
A bell rings out four times from the temple at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Walking up to the temple, there is a large door that can only be opened once Link obtains three Lights of Blessing. Once having done this, the temple can be entered. The inside has slick walls that cannot be climbed, and the ceiling is too high to use Ascend. The outside of the building can be climbed, however.
Inside the temple is an altar, where Recall is obtained. Behind the altar are three interlocking gears that Link must use Recall on to reach the back of the temple. The back of the temple contains a small Goddess Statue, and behind that a second door, which Link needs four Heart Containers to open. This door leads back outside to a narrow walkway behind the temple. The walkway has been damaged, and requires the use of Ascend to reach the end of it. At the end of the walkway is another altar, where Link places the Decayed Master Sword so it can be sent back in time for Zelda to repair. This is also where the game allows Link to leave the Great Sky Island.
On top of the temple is a flat roof, though there is no direct way to access it without climbing or the use of Ascend. Once Link has obtained the Zora Armor from Yona, a pillar of light shines from the top of the temple. Heading there, a Steward Construct is found, which will give Link a challenge in exchange for the story of the Great Sky Island and the Zonai Fabric.
In front of the temple is the only enemy in the complex, a lonely Soldier Construct, wielding a Rusty Broadsword and Old Wooden Shield.
A Korok Seed can be found by Ascending through a stump under the front of the temple.
After completing all 152 Shrines of Light, Link is directed to the temple for a reward, which can be found in a chest behind the Goddess Statue, the Ancient Hero's Aspect.
History[]
The Temple of Time was built in the distant past by the Zonai. The temple once sat on the land of Hyrule, and though where is not confirmed, it is most likely the Great Plateau. Many rites and ceremonies were held there by the young Kingdom of Hyrule, but by the time Link has awakened, no one has visited the temple for many years.
The ringing of the bell started the day for the ancient people, and also ended their day. Some non-Soldier Constructs still operate on this time schedule.
The temple is seen in the Memories "A Master Sword in Time," and "Tears of the Dragon," during which it still sits on the land of Hyrule.
In "A Master Sword in Time," Zelda is visiting the temple, reflecting on the Imprisoning War. She notices a light on the altar behind the temple, and, heading there, is able to pull the Decayed Master Sword back through time using Recall.
After consulting Mineru about her plan to restore the sword, in "Tears of the Dragon," she returns to the altar behind the temple. Mineru's spirit is placed in the Purah Pad, then the pad is given to a Steward Construct so it can give it to Link in the future. After this, she swallows her Secret Stone, undergoing draconification and becoming the Light Dragon, with the Master Sword in her forehead, flying away from the temple.
Some time after this, the temple and surrounding land were raised into the sky by the four remaining sages, so that when Link would awake there in the distant future when the Demon King would return, the land and Link would be safe from his presence.
When Link awakes on the Great Sky Island, he meets the Steward Construct with the Purah Pad, who, after giving it to Link, tells him that Princess Zelda is waiting for Link at the temple, starting the Find Princess Zelda Main Quest. Once he makes it to the temple, he finds that the entrance is closed. The spirit of King Rauru tells Link that his right arm does not have enough light within it to open the door, and that by heading to each of the Shrines of Light, he should be able to get enough sacred light to open the door. This begins The Closed Door Main Quest.
After going to three shrines and obtaining their Lights of Blessing, Link is able to open the door, ending The Closed Door Main Quest. Inside, he sees a Secret Stone on the altar. Upon interacting with it, he sees an apparition of Zelda, which grants him the use of Recall. After using Recall the reach the back of the temple, Link is blocked from opening the back door as the door is a test of his vitality, and his life gauge is currently too low. Rauru tells Link that there is one more Shrine of Light on the island, and that, after obtaining the Light of Blessing, he can trade them for a Heart Container.
After getting the final Light of Blessing and returning to the temple, Link trades his four Lights of Blessing for a Heart Container at the Goddess Statue, and is finally able to open the door. The door opens onto a crumbling walkway, and after the spirit of Rauru bids him farewell, Link makes his way to the end of the walkway, where he finds an altar with a light shining from it. Link places the Decayed Master Sword in the light, allowing Zelda to use Recall and bring the sword to the past. After this, the Light Dragon breaks through the clouds, and Link is told by Zelda to find her. Link is directed towards Lookout Landing, beginning the To the Kingdom of Hyrule Main Quest. It is here where Link can finally leave the Great Sky Island.
After the defeat of the Demon King, Mineru's spirit takes Link, Zelda, Tulin, Yunobo, Sidon, and Riju to the altar behind the temple to show them the view of Hyrule from there. The sages swear to support Princess Zelda, and Mineru's spirit departs for the afterlife, telling them that the mistakes of the Zonai have been rectified, and that she will tell Rauru and Sonia that the new sages will support the princess. Mineru's Construct then deactivates in front of the temple. Zelda tells Link and the sages to stand by her.