Leading up to the years before the return of the Calamity, Impa was Princess Zelda’s loyal and highly capable right-hand woman. Charged with the duty of protecting the princess from all forms of danger, Impa was trained to be an expert in the combat stylings of her people, the Sheikah. She mastered multiple forms of jujitsu and had multiple magical techniques at her disposal. Simply put, there was no one better equipped to watch over the princess in most instances.
Her skills and dedication were put to the test once Hyrule fell under the threat of Calamity Ganon’s return. Everyone knew this day was coming, but the shock was still great. In an instant, as the monstrous servants of Ganon spawned across the land, the people of Hyrule found themselves at war.
When it comes to describing who Impa was as a person, the words that do her the most justice are determination and loyalty. She had pride in who she was and what she did. Her Sheikah tribe looked to her to make them proud and to be a beacon of hope, and the rest of Hyrule relied on her to protect their princess. The pressure might have broken a weaker-willed individual. That’s why Impa was chosen to be Zelda’s escort and bodyguard. In many ways, she was a lot like Link. Both warriors were a powerful combination that all but guaranteed the princess’s safety.
The Calamity was on its way. There was no denying that reality. The only hope Hyrule had for defeating Ganon was to find the three main weapons that would work against their enemy: the four Divine Beasts, the sword that seals the darkness, and the princess’s sealing powers. It would be Impa’s duty to help and watch over Zelda as the young princess looked for the way to unlock her dormant strength. Guarding Zelda against the typical dangers associated with the life of royalty was one thing, but would Impa be able to handle the task during this desperate time?
Yes. Yes, she would. Keeping the royal family safe had been her life’s mission up till that point. This was Impa’s moment. During the entire quest to save Hyrule, this young Sheikah remained a dutiful and constant powerhouse. Using a variety of mystical arts developed by the Sheikah, Impa could create copies of herself that would aid her in battle. With what amounted to a small-yet-infinite army of Sheikah warriors charging across the battlefield, Hyrule’s forces were awarded a fast and powerful weapon to use against the Calamity. And while she fought, she also continued to keep a close eye on her friend and princess.
As the battles escalated, it became clear to everyone that the need to unlock Zelda’s sealing powers was paramount. The problem was that Zelda’s confidence was shaken. Her every attempt to unlock her power and fulfill her destiny had been met with failure. Zelda did not believe she was strong enough to become what Hyrule needed her to be. She would need to rely on the strength of her friends to find her way. Impa, along with Link, would be her most important supports, both physically and emotionally.
From freeing Gerudo Town from the Yiga invasion to the horrifying siege of Hyrule Castle, Impa demonstrated her unyielding dedication to Zelda. There was no one the princess could rely on more. Link was to be Zelda’s ultimate protector against Ganon and had also watched over the princess during her dangerous treks across Hyrule as she searched for the way to unlock her abilities, but when the time came for her to both continue her search and help her father lead Hyrule, Zelda needed to have both Link and Impa by her side.
Impa and Zelda’s constant companionship allowed Impa to make the most of her abilities and experiences. As Zelda’s guardian, she had precise knowledge of the kingdom and its geography, the people, and their objective. She already knew the Champions, and she was already comfortable fighting by their side. Impa and the other warriors had faith in each other’s strengths. The only member of their group that she was not particularly fond of was the miniature Guardian, whose bizarre behavior Impa saw as being disrespectful toward her highness. But Impa’s contempt for the little machine at least provided Zelda with some much-needed amusement.
The brave Sheikah battled her way across every corner of Hyrule to fulfill her mission, even till the climactic end when Zelda, Link, Impa, and the other warriors of Hyrule faced the revived Calamity in the depths of Hyrule Castle. No single warrior had any hope of defeating Ganon on their own, but their combined strength would allow them to secure their much-needed victory. With Impa and the Champions’ help, Link and Zelda were able to seize the chance to cut down the demonic beast and seal him away again, restoring peace to the world.
Determination and loyalty. It bears repeating that these were Impa’s greatest qualities. She was devoted to her tribe, her kingdom, and her duty. But there was more to it than that. Zelda, though her ruler, was also her friend. She was like a sister to the young Sheikah. If Impa had been called to give her life for Zelda, she wouldn’t have hesitated. Such a bond is rare, and Zelda knew how lucky she was to have a friend who would go to such lengths for her.
