The Twilight Realm is a shadowy dimension that exists parallel to the world of light in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Created by the goddesses as a prison, it became the home of the Twili, descendants of the Interlopers who were banished for their attempts to seize control of the Sacred Realm using dark magic. The Twilight Realm is characterized by its subdued, ethereal atmosphere, where time seems to stagnate, and the light is dimmed into perpetual twilight.
Once a place of punishment, the Twilight Realm eventually evolved into a distinct society, with the Twili adapting to their new home and forsaking their ancestors' lust for power. This harmony is disrupted by Zant, a Twili who usurps the throne with the aid of Ganondorf. Zant turns the peaceful Twili into shadow beasts, weaponizing their dormant dark magic to invade Hyrule and shroud it in twilight.
The Twilight Realm symbolizes exile, transformation, and the duality of light and darkness. It serves as a foil to Hyrule, representing the consequences of greed and the potential for redemption. Through Midna, the true ruler of the Twili, the story reveals the depth of this parallel world, highlighting the struggle to reconcile the past and embrace a brighter future.
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The Palace of Twilight