At this point in Link’s journey, two quests await that will enrich the adventure’s story and arsenal: claiming the Master Sword and recovering Link’s lost memories. In this casual walkthrough, we’ll trek through mysterious woods to find the legendary blade, then embark on a heartfelt photo-hunt across Hyrule to piece together the past. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
The Master Sword
Our adventure leads us north into the Great Hyrule Forest in search of the one and only Master Sword. To reach it, you must brave the Lost Woods – a misty maze where paths vanish and a wrong turn whisks you back to the start with a playful laugh echoing through the fog. The key is to follow the clues nature provides. Early on, lit torches guide your way; when you find a pair of torches at a clearing, grab the nearby unlit torch, set it ablaze, and hold it steady. Notice the sparks and embers from the flame? They drift with the breeze, subtly pointing the correct direction Gently follow where the embers lead, moving from one safe spot to the next. If the fog thickens, pause and realign yourself with the ember trail. With patience (and maybe a deep breath), you’ll emerge into the serene Korok Forest, home of the sword that seals the darkness.
Sunlight streams through the ancient trees of Korok Forest, illuminating the Master Sword resting in its stone pedestal (official artwork).
Stepping into Korok Forest is a magical moment. Dozens of tiny Koroks pop up to cheer your arrival, and in the center of the grove lies a mossy stone pedestal bearing the Master Sword itself. Approach the legendary blade – it’s finally within reach! However, the Master Sword isn’t just any weapon; it will only yield to a true hero who’s proven their vitality. In game terms, Link needs at least 13 Heart Containers to successfully pull the sword from its pedestal Grasp the hilt and hold Ⓐ to begin the trial; you’ll feel it drain Link’s life force as the Great Deku Tree watches. If you haven’t earned 13 permanent hearts yet, the attempt will falter (the Deku Tree will even intervene the first time if you’re short, scolding you gently). Tip: Temporary bonus hearts (the yellow ones from food) do not count – you’ll need 13 real, red hearts. If you’re shy a few, consider tackling more shrines or Divine Beasts and returning later with the necessary strength. Once you meet the requirement, pull with all your might and… success! Link brandishes the Master Sword, greeted by an ancient cutscene. Congrats, you’ve obtained the legendary blade of evil’s bane! It never truly breaks (though it can lose energy and require a recharge after heavy use), and at full health you can even throw sword beams with it – a fitting reward for our hero.
Optional: The Korok Trials – Before you leave Korok Forest, take some time to chat with the local Koroks. They excitedly mention a series of challenges called the Korok Trials, designed to test your courage and wit. These side quests are completely optional, but highly recommended – not only are they fun little adventures, they each lead to a shrine (meaning more Spirit Orbs for extra hearts or stamina). There are three trials in total, each initiated by a different Korok around the forest: Trial of Second Sight (a puzzle-filled treasure hunt through the woods, using Magnesis to follow hidden clues), The Lost Pilgrimage (a stealth challenge where you quietly tail a young Korok named Oaki through the forest without scaring him), and The Test of Wood (a combat gauntlet where you must battle enemies while using a special wooden sword, bow, and shield that can’t break). The Koroks’ directions can be a bit vague, but if you start each quest near the Master Sword’s pedestal and follow the faint glow of seed lamps along the paths, you’ll find the trial areas easily. Completing each trial not only earns you a Spirit Orb from the shrine that appears, but also lets you bask in the Koroks’ praise – they knew you were a hero all along! These trials add a nice detour of challenge and charm before you depart the forest. When you’re ready, sword in hand, it’s time to turn our attention to Link’s forgotten memories.
Recovering Lost Memories
With the Hero’s Blade secured, Link’s next journey is inward – rediscovering the memories of his past. After visiting Impa and completing the “Locked Mementos” quest at Hateno Tech Lab, your Sheikah Slate’s album is filled with a series of mysterious photographs that Princess Zelda took 100 years ago. Each image is a clue to a location somewhere in Hyrule, and finding those spots will allow Link to recall poignant memories from before the Calamity. This quest, listed as “Captured Memories” in your Adventure Log, is an emotional scavenger hunt that can be tackled in any order. Impa suggests you seek out the places shown in the photos, and when you first talked to her about it, she gave you the Champion’s Tunic as encouragement. Now it’s up to you to travel the world and recover those lost moments.
Exploring for memories turns you into a wanderer and detective all at once. Pull up the photo album on your Sheikah Slate and examine each picture: maybe it’s a ruined stone courtyard with Hyrule Castle in the distance, or a serene lake reflecting a mountain. Try to pinpoint landmarks — recognizably, one photo might show the twin peaks of Dueling Peaks behind a lake, another features the Eldin volcano or the Gerudo desert sun. Don’t worry if you can’t place them all immediately. You’ll find a traveling painter named Pikango at various stables (he’s the enthusiastic artist sketching nearby). Chat with him and show him a photo; if he recognizes it, he’ll gladly give a hint about the location. This can narrow down your search significantly (plus, it’s fun lore-wise that people still remember those spots). Also, minor tip: open your Adventure Log and mark the “Captured Memories” quest as active – this will help keep track of which memories you’ve found and remind you how many are left. When you think you’re near a photo location, use your map and eyes to line up the scenery with the picture. Look for a glowing golden light – when Link stands at the right spot, a shimmering recall point will appear. Press Ⓐ to Recall, and enjoy the show!
Each recovered memory plays out as a touching flashback cutscene, revealing more of Link’s and Zelda’s story from a century ago. These scenes are rich with lore and emotion, really fleshing out characters we’ve come to know. You’ll witness moments like Zelda’s earnest attempts to unlock her sacred power, often in vain, and how she initially struggles with the immense burden on her shoulders. In one memory, she kneels in prayer at a sacred spring, frustration evident as nothing happens – and you can feel her despair as Link quietly stands guard nearby. In another, found in the Gerudo Desert, the Gerudo chief Urbosa comforts a tearful Zelda under a starry night sky, acting as both protector and dear friend. High in Rito territory, Revali shows off his gale-powered flight in a boastful display, making it clear (in his playful, snarky way) that he aims to outshine the appointed hero. There are lighthearted moments too: Link and Zelda sharing a rare relaxed respite, as Zelda admires a fragile Silent Princess flower and wonders about hope blooming even in dark times. Through these vignettes, you see the bond between the Champions, Zelda’s growing affection and respect for Link, and the looming threat of Calamity Ganon drawing closer. It’s both inspiring and bittersweet — each memory adds context to the world you’ve been exploring, making your quest to save Hyrule feel all the more personal.
The Sheikah Slate’s album shows all 12 photos from Zelda – each thumbnail marked with a glowing icon once its memory is recalled. (Bottom message appears after finding every memory location.)
Hunting down all these memory locations is a journey in itself, likely taking you to every corner of Hyrule. Some memories are tucked away in obvious places (like the Sacred Ground Ruins right in front of Hyrule Castle’s gates), while others are in more secluded spots (a ruined monastery on a plain, a spring hidden in the mountains, or a field where Guardians once roamed). Tip: Use your abilities to make travel easier – for example, Revali’s Gale (if you’ve obtained it) can launch you upward, handy for reaching high vantage points shown in photos or crossing large gaps quickly. This can save time when a memory is atop a ridge or across a canyon. And of course, bring your horse or use warp points to cut down on foot travel when possible; the memories span the whole map! Each time you find a new memory, be sure to return to Impa in Kakariko and show her. After recalling just one memory, Impa rewards you with that blue Champion’s Tunic (if you haven’t gotten it already), which gets stronger with each memory you recover, symbolically showing Link regaining his identity.
Eventually, if you manage to recall all 12 photo memories, head back to Impa one more time. She will be delighted at your progress and reveal one final picture that wasn’t in your album before – a painted portrait of a location on Blatchery Plain, near Fort Hateno. This is the site of Zelda and Link’s last stand 100 years ago, and thus the bonus memory that ties everything together. Make your way to the spot Impa showed (the painting hints at a large gate and a battlefield under a gloomy sky). When you arrive, a glowing recall point will trigger Memory 13, sometimes called “Zelda’s Awakening.” This last flashback is especially moving: it shows the culmination of all those struggles – Zelda unleashing her power to save Link from certain doom, finally fulfilling her role as the princess of legend. Viewing all memories not only gives you the full backstory (and a serious case of feelings), but it even unlocks an extra scene in the game’s ending, a special reward for completing this quest. With the Hero’s blade in hand and his past recovered, Link is now truly ready to face Calamity Ganon, armed with the strength of legend and the resolve born from remembering why he fights. Good luck, brave hero – Hyrule believes in you!
(Next up: On to the final showdown…)
Player Tips Summary: To recap, use a torch in the Lost Woods to follow the direction of the blowing embers, ensure you have 13+ hearts before trying to pull the Master Sword, and for the memories quest, activate the quest log for hints and talk to the painter NPC for location clues. Don’t forget to enjoy the story unfolding with each memory – it’s a huge part of Breath of the Wild’s charm. And once all memories are collected, savor that final hidden cutscene; you’ve earned it. Happy adventuring!