Heartwarming / Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Unmarked spoilers below.

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"Welcome home, Terrako."

• Whenever Zelda is crying, Terrako tries to cheer her up by playing "Zelda’s Lullaby".
  • It’s even more heartwarming when he gets revived in the secret ending. When he sees her crying Tears of Joy, he plays the song because he thinks she’s still feeling sad.
    • When Terrako was revived, while the others are gushing over it, you can see Revali turning away but not without flashing a warm smile and a chuckle. He doesn't want to admit it, but it's clear as day that the little Guardian has grown on him.
• The scene before Sooga shows up. Daruk and Mipha are having friendly conversation and Daruk notices Mipha staring longingly at Link up ahead. Daruk looks back at Mipha and chuckles as if voicing his approval of Link and Mipha together.
• When Astor starts collecting Yiga Clan members’ souls and turns the Malice warriors on Sooga and Master Kohga, Sooga tells Kohga to run away to save himself. Kohga, however, can’t bring himself to leave his top henchman behind and instead fights alongside him. He may be a coward at other times, but he cares deeply for his followers. And the feeling is mutual; Sooga will give his life to protect Master Kohga.
  Sooga: Master Kohga! Quickly, make your escape!
  (Kohga is about to make his escape, but then...)
  Kohga: I can't split - you're my best lackey! (Gets into his fighting pose.)
  Sooga: In that case... I will protect you, even if it costs me my life.
  • When Kohga reappears later in the story, he's alone. Without saying a word, he kneels in front of Zelda and Impa, bowing so low his forehead brushes the ground. The narration afterwards confirms the Yiga clan joined forces with Hyrule. Kohga set aside his pride to save his clan.
• When the future Champions arrive, they're coming to help people who are, to them, legendary heroes to look up to. Except Sidon - he's coming to save his sister, and his arrival has a different feel to it than the others because of it.
  Sidon: NO! I will not allow you to take her again!
  Mipha: (gasps) Sidon?
  (Sidon turns to Mipha and flashes his signature smile)
  • When the group are fighting Calamity Ganon, there's a point where Ganon causes the ceiling to collapse around the warriors, and Sidon can briefly be seen shielding Mipha from the rubble.
    • A few moments later, immediately after Terrako's sacrifice, Teba can be seen with his wing out and shielding both himself and Revali from the blast. It's a reminder that even though Teba looks up to Revali in a sort of reversal of the other three Champion and Descendant duos, he is indeed technically the older of the two and wants to keep him safe. The Guardian of Remembrance DLC brings this to another level of heartwarming, since Teba's admiration of Revali was restored after the latter helped save his son and formed a friendship with him.
    • And to the right of them, Urbosa appears to be doing much the same for Riju.
• When Riju felt ashamed that she couldn't save Urbosa on her own, Urbosa made it clear that she bought enough time for help to arrive, which indeed saved Urbosa's life. This goes for all the Champion's future counterparts as well, as their intervention changed the course of the timeline for the better. In fact, the interactions between the past champions and the future champions are nothing short of heartwarming in various ways; Both Urbosa and Daruk immediately take Riju and Yunobo respectively under their wings, Mipha still being a Cool Big Sis to adult Sidon, and Revali becomes Bash Brothers with Teba. It's clear that despite having only met them for a short time, the past champions warm up to the future champions almost immediately.
  • Urbosa acting like a mother figure to Riju is heartwarming of itself.
    Urbosa: I would likely have died if it wasn't for your courage. But I'm still here, and Naboris still has its pilot. I'd wager nothing can stop us.
  • And likewise, Daruk acting like a father figure to Yunobo. Bonus points to shielding Yunobo from Fireblight Ganon, right after the former saved him.
    Daruk: Stay calm, kiddo.
    Yunobo: You're right, sir. I will! If I came here to save you, but you have to save me, then what's the point?!
    Daruk: (laughs heartily) Yes! That's the spirit!
  • Mipha maintaining her Cool Big Sis status to Sidon throughout, and the sheer respect and devotion he has to protecting and helping her, despite being an adult and more than experienced in his own share of combat. When Mipha notices his emotional state upon receiving her praise atop Vah Ruta, she can't help but beam at him, before bringing his attention back to the upcoming battle. As soft and sweet as she is, Mipha is prime big sister material.
    • Capping this off is the moment when Sidon lays his trident atop Mipha's, as a gesture of unity and protection. They're in this together.
  • Despite the fact that Teba was more than a little disappointed by Revali's arrogance and bad attitude at first, he soon regains his admiration for him, after seeing his heart of gold buried underneath his arrogant attitude. Revali, in turn, never treats Teba with anything but the utmost respect for his abilities. Also, Revali often calmly reassures Teba whenever he starts to panic about a situation getting dire, and even has a cordial coversation with him at one point.
    Teba: (after they defeat Windblight Ganon with Vah Medoh) Master Revali, that was, well... masterful.
    Revali: (smiling) Yes... And you did well too, Teba. Picking a fight with us? Heh! They got off easy.
    • In the scene preceding the second Vah Medoh mission, their Bash Brothers dynamic is shown clearly here. Here, Teba shoots down any flying guardian targeting Revali and then creates a diversion to draw their attention away from Revali. Revali returns the favor by shooting down all three Guardian chasing Teba, all at once. Disappointed by his arrogance he may be, Teba can't help but feel impressed by Revali's skills, all while Revali shoots an acknowledging smile at Teba before turning his attention to piloting Vah Medoh.
      Teba: There he is... The champion of the Rito.
    • At the end, when the future champions are saying their goodbyes to their past champions, Teba's farewell to Revali is parts tearjerking, as he's come to find out the person he's looked up to is in reality a jerk, especially towards Link who Teba actually respects a great deal, yet also heartwarming, cause he simply remarks that the experience was enlightening, rather than tell Revali his true thoughts, which would imply that he intentionally did this to not hurt Revali's ego, or self esteem, and considering Teba's known for being a blunt individual, it only goes to further show his post calamity character development.
      Teba: (formally) This has been enlightening. I even got to see the face behind the champion.
    • With the release of the second DLC expansion, Teba's farewell to Revali becomes Heartwarming in Hindsight. Before the release of the second DLC, Teba went back disappointed by Revali's arrogance. But after its release, it becomes something more like Teba teasing Revali about his heart of gold behind his arrogance, like an Amazingly Embarrassing Parent would. Revali's grunt in response becomes more like he was embarrassed by his remark and less like to show his Jerkass behavior, in turn.
    • The second DLC expansion adds an additional layer by revealing that Teba's son Tulin has somehow wound up in this era. Their interactions are as sweet as expected for a parent and child, but this also affects Revali heavily, as he finds himself acknowledging a young child who idolizes him despite not yet meeting his own lofty standards, as well as receiving genuine unmitigated gratitude from Teba for saving Tulin's life. It's also the point that Teba also got to see that Revali is a much kinder person than he lets on. For bonus points, this is the first time we see Revali laugh.
      Revali: You know, you're pretty good for a little kid.
      Tulin: Y-you mean it?! Thank you! I'm doing all kinds of training so that I can be just like you! Someday, I'll even master the Great Eagle Bow!
      Revali: (sigh) You were nearly killed by those monsters, you know. Yet you're so happy. Maybe it won't be long until you're master of the wind just like me. You never know, eh?
      Teba: Haha! That is true. But before that, he must surpass his old man.
      Tulin: (imitating Revali) Hmph, it's only a matter of time!
      (Teba start to laugh before he notices Revali is still standing beside him, and controls himself)
      Revali: Was that... meant to sound like me?
      Tulin: Um...
      Teba: Oh, um... (Revali starts to chuckle) Huh?
      (Revali soon bursts out laughing, which then Teba joins in and then Tulin, until all three are laughing together.)
      Tulin: (jumps up and sends an updraft) Tulin's Tornado!
      (But Tulin soon finds himself flat on his back)
      Teba: (walks over to him) Oh! Hey!
      Revali: (chuckles warmly, then gently) You've got a ways to go, kid.
    • Revali's tone of voice and expression when he says to Tulin "You were nearly killed by those monsters, you know" says a lot. He was trying to keep a professional attitude, but you can tell that underneath it all, he was just as worried for the child's safety as Teba is.
• Although Revali's demeanour is much harsher and colder towards Link than his portrayal in post-Calamity Breath Of The Wild, due to not having a century for his character to develop, it is important to note how genuinely supportive Revali is to his allies. During one mission, he says to Urbosa that she's a worthy ally, if put in a team together. He's also very sweet to Mipha, praising her efforts when fighting against him, and reminding her to take care of herself too. It really reinforces that, as suggested in his diary in The Champions' Ballad, Revali's superior front is just a facade to deal with the pressure, and that he clearly sees his fellow Champions and allies as friends.
• At the Spring of Courage, Impa chews Zelda out for her self-doubt and gives her a You Are Better Than You Think You Are speech. Even before the level begins, she tries to lift Zelda's spirits with a distraction, quickly (and badly) lying that she's hungry. Link agrees with a slight smile and a nod.
• When Astor revives all the Blight Ganons to ambush Link, Zelda and Impa, Link selflessly orders Zelda and Impa to run as he stays behind, knowing that it's basically suicide to face them all at once. This prompt Zelda to run back and finally awaken her sacred powers. Think about it: In that one moment, her powers didn't activate to save herself or even all of Hyrule, it activated to save Link.
• Astor's machinations tend to be an unwitting source of Heartwarming. His ambush of Link and Zelda in the middle of Korok Forest goes smoothly at first, his Hollows beating Link easily and breaking his sword. But the moment he sics them on Zelda, Link still stands up and reaches out to her... at which point, the Master Sword unlocks, just in time for him to wield its power in her defense. Just as Zelda's powers awakened when she was trying to save him, Link was chosen by the Master Sword out of his sheer desire to protect her in any way he could.
• When Zelda reunites with King Rhoam after she thought he was dead. After he explains how he survived, he apologizes for doubting her on focusing on recovering the ancient Sheikah technology, finally rekindling their familial bond that never recovered in the original timeline. For bonus points, this is the first time we see King Rhoam smile.
  King Rhoam: Your heart... Your boundless compassion... With those precious gifts, you have saved my life. While I accused you of evading your duty... in truth, perhaps I was guilty of the same. Forgive me.
  Zelda: (tearfully) That's not... Father... You've always loved me... Everything you've done has always been for me. The burden, the heavy load you've shouldered all this time... from now on, please, let me help you carry it.
  King Rhoam: (smiles with pride) Zelda, you are my pride... and indeed, the pride of all of Hyrule. With your power, I believe you will seal away Calamity Ganon.
  • Even Master Kohga and the Yiga Clan are moved to tears by this.
• After rescuing him in her first mission, Mipha tells the toddler Sidon that even though she needed to save him, she's proud of his bravery. She later repeats the sentiment to his older self, saying she's proud of the adult he's become. The older Sidon, who lost his sister as a child and never got to hear her say anything like that since he was the aforementioned toddler, has to take a silent moment to gather his emotions before moving on. Even though he leaves his sister to go back to his original timeline, where she was killed, after Calamity Ganon is defeated, at least Sidon goes back knowing that his sister is alive and well in another timeline.
  Mipha: Sidon, it's an honor to fight beside you. I'm so proud of the Zora you've become. Remember that.
  Sidon: (emotional) I will...
• How much the other Zora look up to and respect Prince Sidon, especially as an adult.
• It really does pull your heartstrings to know that, even though the future champions are aware that this Link isn't the Link that they've come to know in their time, they still respect him, are genuinely happy to see him and above all that honored to fight by his side again and at his prime.
• "Don't screw this up!"
• There’s the very fact that in this timeline, Zelda, Link, and the Champions actually succeed in the end, sealing away Ganon 100 years early and saving Hyrule from falling into ruin like in the original timeline. Golden Ending indeed.
• After Calamity Ganon is sealed away, Hyrule ought to be at peace...but there's still one more task to complete: gather parts to repair Terrako after the little Guardian sacrificed himself in the final battle. You can see in the mission descriptions that pretty much everyone in Hyrule, including the Yiga Clan, and even Revali, pulls together to find the parts, and (with some help and supplies from you at each step of the way) they eventually succeed.
• The penultimate sword training Quest has Link gathering supplies for his master who is planning on leaving because she feels she taught him all she could. Once cleared it says that she was really touched by the gesture and she and Link sparred one last time before she left.
• In the secret ending credits the final shot is Daruk pulling the champions together for a group hug.
• The second DLC adds additional heartwarming scenes for nearly everyone.
  • Daruk encouraging Yunobo and the two sharing a meal together.
    Yunobo: Before I came here... I was afraid of everything. But there was someone who wanted to fight at my side anyway, goro. That person... he's the one who taught me how to be brave! It's because of him that I've come this far. But I... still have a long way to go.
    (Daruk then takes his hand and raises it up, as the people in Kakariko Village cheer for them. Yunobo brightens up.)
    Daruk: I'm proud that you're my descendant. You are the Champion... of the whole future. And don't you forget it!
    Yunobo: Great Daruk, I'm so...
    Daruk: And about that courageous friend of yours, it seems I owe him as well. So you better give him my best, all right? (gives Yunobo a smack on the back)
    Yunobo: (after being stunned) Yeah!
    (Both Daruk and Yunobo share a good hearty laugh)
  • Urbosa praising Riju and the two of them sand seal surfing together.
  • Sidon (young and future) protecting Mipha and the elder sister giving them both affectionate head pats.
    • Future Sidon also has an adorable moment with his own younger self after saving him from a Moblin, acting not unlike a loving older brother. While he chides toddler Sidon for sneaking off, he's also proud of his bravery for trying to fight on his own.
    Future Sidon: (lifting toddler Sidon's arms into a strength pose) And you'll only get stronger! Strong enough to...(he pauses with an audible choke-up) to protect your dear sister!
    (Toddler Sidon nods, and the two share a Twinkle Smile while a giggling Mipha watches.)
  • Revali helping Teba find his son, with the younger two Rito bonding as mentioned above, while Teba watches on happily, his admiration for Revali restored.
  • King Rhoam being saved by Urbosa, who also reassures him that Zelda is doing well.
  • The entire Yiga mission, where one of the bonus objectives is keeping Koga's allies alive. We even see a flashback to when Sooga first met the Yiga, and Koga saved his life by giving him food.
    • Additionally, as mentioned on the Fridge Logic page, completing that bonus objective is the only way to recruit Sooga, implying that the Yiga Kohga saved returned the favor by rescuing the top banana's favorite "lackey."
  • Finally the end credits include an eager Zelda cooking for the troops, Link helping Zelda learn the ride the Master Cycle, Hetsu dancing for Rhoam and even Impa and Terrako growing closer.
• An example that doesn't involve anything in the story, but rather, the music. This track plays over the map screen after defeating Calamity Ganon, being a much calmer and peaceful rendition of the otherwise bombastic and energetic map music. After all the chaos and destruction that the heroes have faced to stop the ultimate evil, Hyrule is now finally safe, and it shows in the music. It's almost as if the game itself is saying, "Well done, you have protected Hyrule, now sit back and relax, you've earned it".