Aufi's Creative Mind

Digital Illustrator. Based in Sydney, Australia.

[aufi-creative-mind]

[Legend of Zelda]: Tears of the Kingdom - GLOWY ARM

Happy 40th Anniversary to the Legend of Zelda series!

After almost 4 months since I started making this, it is finally done! I am super happy with how this turned out, especially the glowing effects. This is my second redrawing of the original glowy arm sketch. 7 years of this man's glowstick limb.

You can find the original 2021 redrawing / 2019 original sketch post here: [link]

.

MAJOR SPOILERS: the screenshot of the Age of Imprisonment's final boss fight that inspired this redrawing v.2

The scream I let out when I reached this point of the final boss fight. And the instant surge to DRAW afterwards. Definitely recommend this game to anyone who has played BotW / TotK.

[aufi-creative-mind]

July Update.

Hello! It has been a while.

This is a quick update on what's been happening with me. I have been working on this Zelda-Not-Zelda piece since October 2025.

And it has since turned into a 9 page comic. 4 pages are outlined and the rest has already been drafted and ready for outlining. It's just been very slow due to my job as a medical admin in a children's hospital. And energy levels are very flux due to my ADHD brain.

Anywho, I am fighting to get this done soon! So, have these three panel sketch previews. I did have to redraw the first two panels.

-

Other things, I recently attended the Smash! Anime Convention last weekend. Cosplayed as Akari from Pokemon Legends Arceus with my Rowlet doll (for Sunday attendance). I had a very fun time then!

I may post something about that on my instagram soon. I highly recommend following my Instagram socials for more casual posting. Especially for previews on my story.

As for this tumblr blog, I'll be doing a bit of maintenance to clean up this blog and tag list.

So stay tune!

[aufi-creative-mind]

[DTIYS CHALLENGE] ALTTS Link by @coffebits

Something casual (kinda). I thoroughly enjoy the 'A Link to the Stars AU' by coffebits. Especially the designs and chapter illustrations. Highly recommend it for any Zelda fans!!

[aufigirl]

So, anyone else saw that Nintendo Direct announcement?

[aufi-creative-mind]

(Accidentally posted this on my main blog but too excited to correct it now)

[aufi-creative-mind]

My free time being split between Tomodachi Life and Pokopia (and also Pokemon Legends ZA).

I am jealous and at awe to all of the amazing Pokopia builds and the chaotic Tomodachi stories from other players. But alas, adult obligations takes priority.

[aufi-creative-mind]

Also this summarises my general mood so far…

[aufi-creative-mind]

My free time being split between Tomodachi Life and Pokopia (and also Pokemon Legends ZA).

I am jealous and at awe to all of the amazing Pokopia builds and the chaotic Tomodachi stories from other players. But alas, adult obligations takes priority.

[aufi-creative-mind]

Getting to Know You: A Family Introduction INTERLUDE

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Interlude [you are here] | Chapter 4 [wip] SYNOPSIS: Most people only know Link by his role as the Wielder of the Sacred Sword that Seals the Darkness for the prophesied Return of Calamity Ganon. But beyond this role, none paid much attention to his origins. Zelda was one such person and only saw him as her personal knight-bodyguard. Until one stormy day when she gets a glimpse of what kind of person Link really is and the family he was part of.

INTERLUDE

“I’m home!”

Link called out as he entered through the front door and removed his muddy boots. He had decided to return home from Hyrule Castle to rest for the night. It was late evening, though the house was busy with activity. The fireplace was fully alight to warm the inside with candles providing soft ambient light. He could hear the sounds of cooking from the kitchen area with the savoury aroma present in the air.

An elderly woman stepped out of the kitchen with a surprised look and then quickly a smile upon seeing her grandson.

“Ah Link! Welcome back! I thought you were staying in the Castle’s grounds for the night.”

“Hi Nanna,” Link greeted his grandmother, Ayaka with a smile before embracing her and then receiving a quick kiss on the cheeks.

“You look exhausted, dear. I heard that you returned from Zora's Domain. I hope that you and the Princess were not caught by the storm we had earlier today.” Grandma Ayaka expressed concern with a concerned frown.

Link insistently shook his head, “No, we were fine. We found shelter just in time and we were able to wait out the storm.”

“Ah, that’s good to hear!” Grandma Ayaka then let out a rather exasperated sigh. “I cannot say the same about your dear sister.”

Link raised both of his eyebrows as he resisted the urge to make a knowing smirk and crossed his arms.

“Um, what did Aria do this time?” He asked, already knowing what their grandmother was dismayed about.

“That wild child. She skipped school again. I was called by one of the Academy’s own teachers while I was at the Castletown markets. And not only that, Aria brought her friends along to hide in our house during the storm.”

That last statement was new to Link.

“W-What? Aria brought her friends here?” Link asked out loud.

“Oh yes, especially after seeing the mess they had left in the horse’s stable and main living room. I swear, your sister is becoming a bad influence,” Grandma Ayaka said, shaking her head.

Link nodded his head slowly, as if to process all this new information. “I see. Where is she anyway?”

“She is upstairs right now, putting away the tatami mat, pillows and blankets she had brought down earlier.” Grandma Ayaka replied with a quiet sigh before glancing up at her grandson. “But enough about your sister. You must be tired from your travels. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, dear. I’m making your favourite! Pumpkin stew for dinner tonight. It will be ready in half-a-moment’s time.”

Link smiled, “Thank you, Nanna.”

With that, Grandma Ayaka returned to oversee her stewing pot while Link headed up the stairs and down the hallway towards his bedroom. When he opened his bedroom door, he stopped before making even one step inside his room. He then paused and squirted his eyes ever so slightly.

“Hmmm…” He quietly hummed to himself as he slowly removed his cloak and unbuckled his baldric belts that were equipped to the Master Sword’s scabbard. The sacred blade was still sheathed inside its scabbard. He peeked inside his room as he wrapped the Master Sword with the cloak before tossing the heavy weapon onto his bed with a bounce upon landing.

“BOO!”

Aria jumped out of the wardrobe with a bunny face mask. Only to stop when she saw that it was only the Master Sword. She pulled up her mask with a confused look. Her brother was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh?”

And then, leaping down from the ceiling’s support beam, Link ambushed her with his arms wrapped around her.

“Got you, silly bunny!”

Aria let out a high-pitched, joyous scream as she tried to escape from Link’s arms.

From downstairs, Grandma Ayaka could hear the playful stomping and laughing screams of her grandchildren through the house’s walls and ceilings. She could only let out a soft sigh as she continued to stir the pot.

“Ah, to be young.”

---

Both Link and Aria were sitting on the floor rug by the bed, with tired smiles and laughs. The older brother patted on his younger sister’s head, undoing her hair braids.

“Hey, stop that or I'll bite you!”

“Oh, that’s not very nice, Ari.”

Link laughed tiredly. His arm resting over Aria’s shoulder, pulling her closer as she rested her head onto his shoulder.

“So, you and Zelda didn't get in trouble with the King?” Aria asked him.

“No, we did not get in trouble.”

“That’s good. I thought you were going to sleep in the Castle’s dungeon tonight.”

Link pouted with a very incredulous glance. “Ari, they don’t throw people in the dungeon for being late by the weather!”

“I’m kidding! You didn’t have to take it so seriously,” Aria groaned as she pulled herself away from Link’s side.

Link shook his head. He quickly let the annoyance slip away before he turned his head. His arm on his knee as his head rested on his hand.

“So, you told Nanna that you brought friends over here?”

Aria shrugged, her arms wrapped around her knees. “Well, you did tell me not to tell anyone else about Zelda being here. So I had to tell her something when she saw the mess you left behind.”

Link was taken aback with confusion. “I thought I cleaned up the house well before we left.”

“You did. But not to Nanna’s standards. She can tell when another person who’s not you or me has been inside the house!” Aria then let out a giggle. “I bet Nanna can tell if a Yiga is disguised as a tree!”

“Ha ha. I imagine she can. Still, Ari… Nanna’s not happy that you skipped school again. This is what, the third time you’ve done this. If it happens again, you might get expelled.” Link told her with a frown.

Aria pouted. “I know. I know. But I told you before, I don’t like the girls in the Academy. And they don’t like me either. And the teachers don’t really care anyway.”

Link looked to his sister with concern. “Didn’t you have friends in the Academy?”

Aria bit her lip. Her eyes glanced away as she sank her face into her knees. “I have one friend that I like but we don’t always get to hang out as much this year. And I think she likes the other girls more than me.”

“Oh,” Link could only say. He let the silence hang in the air for a short moment before he then asked, “Does Dad know?”

“He does. I already told him about how I feel about the Academy.”

“Okay. What did he say?”

“He said that he’ll figure something out. But I’m not sure if he can with how busy he is. With the Royal Guard and Army and all.”

Link nodded. He then looked over to his sister with concern, “Do you want me to talk with him about this?”

“No, you don’t have to, Link.”

“Hm, do you need a hug?”

“Yes.”

Link smiled a bit before he scooted himself closer to his sister before giving her one big bear hug. Aria leaned into his embrace. Wrapping both her arms around him and resting her face on his shoulder. She then let out a sigh of relief and a tear. Link could feel his sister hugging him tightly, not wanting to let go.

“Hey, you can always call for me whenever you need help, okay?” He told her softly.

“Even when you’re busy?”

“Yes, even when I am busy.”

“Even when you’re with Princess Zelda?”

Link paused briefly before taking a deep breath. “Yes. Even when I am with the Princess. I’m sure that she will understand.”

Aria smiled, “Thank you. You’re the best.”

Link sighed softly, “You’re welcome.”

The two continued to hug one another in this close familial moment between the two siblings. But after a short while.

“By the way, you did remember to bring back my travelling cloak from Zelda, right?’

Link’s face broke.

“Oh um-”

“You forgot, huh?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

Rather than feeling annoyed, Aria just let out a laugh with a smile when she pulled herself away from the hug. “That’s okay. But please bring it back as soon as you can. It was a birthday gift from Dad and I really like that cloak.”

“Alright, I promise I’ll bring it back.” Link replied apologetically. Though he was happy to see that his sister was feeling a bit better.

Just as the two siblings heard their grandmother calling for them from downstairs.

“Link! Aria! Dinner’s ready!”

Both siblings glanced over to the door and then to each other with a smile. Link then waved her off before standing back up onto his feet. “Go ahead. I’ll just change my tunic out before heading down.”

“Okay, and um, thanks for hearing me out.” Aria said as she jumped back onto her feet.

“Hey, that’s what having a brother is here for. Because, the only person in all of Hyrule who is allowed to terrorise you is me.”

“Hey! Do that and I’ll make sure that there’s slime in all of your food!”

“Eew, please don’t.” Link mockingly said, sticking his tongue out in disgust.

Aria laughed before she rushed through the door. “See you downstairs, Moblin!”

Link could only shake his head with a laugh and hands on his hip. He then looked over to his bed. The Master Sword still wrapped with his own travelling cloak as it lay across the mattress rather comfortably.

“Huh, promise me that you don’t snatch me to the Princess,” Link said rather off-handedly as he changed out from his blue Champion’s tunic.

He had been told before by Princess Zelda that the Sacred Sword that Seals the Darkness once had a divine presence that past chosen heroes were able to hear. Whether the sword’s spirit was still present or not, he hoped deep down that it too was able to keep promises.

[aufi-creative-mind]

AO3 Version is also available!

[aufi-creative-mind]

Getting to Know You: A Family Introduction - INTERLUDE

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Interlude [you are here] | Chapter 4 [wip] SYNOPSIS: Most people only know Link by his role as the Wielder of the Sacred Sword that Seals the Darkness for the prophesied Return of Calamity Ganon. But beyond this role, none paid much attention to his origins. Zelda was one such person and only saw him as her personal knight-bodyguard. Until one stormy day when she gets a glimpse of what kind of person Link really is and the family he was part of.

INTERLUDE

“I’m home!”

Link called out as he entered through the front door and removed his muddy boots. He had decided to return home from Hyrule Castle to rest for the night. It was late evening, though the house was busy with activity. The fireplace was fully alight to warm the inside with candles providing soft ambient light. He could hear the sounds of cooking from the kitchen area with the savoury aroma present in the air.

An elderly woman stepped out of the kitchen with a surprised look and then quickly a smile upon seeing her grandson.

“Ah Link! Welcome back! I thought you were staying in the Castle’s grounds for the night.”

“Hi Nanna,” Link greeted his grandmother, Ayaka with a smile before embracing her and then receiving a quick kiss on the cheeks.

“You look exhausted, dear. I heard that you returned from Zora's Domain. I hope that you and the Princess were not caught by the storm we had earlier today.” Grandma Ayaka expressed concern with a concerned frown.

Link insistently shook his head, “No, we were fine. We found shelter just in time and we were able to wait out the storm.”

“Ah, that’s good to hear!” Grandma Ayaka then let out a rather exasperated sigh. “I cannot say the same about your dear sister.”

Link raised both of his eyebrows as he resisted the urge to make a knowing smirk and crossed his arms.

“Um, what did Aria do this time?” He asked, already knowing what their grandmother was dismayed about.

“That wild child. She skipped school again. I was called by one of the Academy’s own teachers while I was at the Castletown markets. And not only that, Aria brought her friends along to hide in our house during the storm.”

That last statement was new to Link.

“W-What? Aria brought her friends here?” Link asked out loud.

“Oh yes, especially after seeing the mess they had left in the horse’s stable and main living room. I swear, your sister is becoming a bad influence,” Grandma Ayaka said, shaking her head.

Link nodded his head slowly, as if to process all this new information. “I see. Where is she anyway?”

“She is upstairs right now, putting away the tatami mat, pillows and blankets she had brought down earlier.” Grandma Ayaka replied with a quiet sigh before glancing up at her grandson. “But enough about your sister. You must be tired from your travels. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, dear. I’m making your favourite! Pumpkin stew for dinner tonight. It will be ready in half-a-moment’s time.”

Link smiled, “Thank you, Nanna.”

With that, Grandma Ayaka returned to oversee her stewing pot while Link headed up the stairs and down the hallway towards his bedroom. When he opened his bedroom door, he stopped before making even one step inside his room. He then paused and squirted his eyes ever so slightly.

“Hmmm…” He quietly hummed to himself as he slowly removed his cloak and unbuckled his baldric belts that were equipped to the Master Sword’s scabbard. The sacred blade was still sheathed inside its scabbard. He peeked inside his room as he wrapped the Master Sword with the cloak before tossing the heavy weapon onto his bed with a bounce upon landing.

“BOO!”

Aria jumped out of the wardrobe with a bunny face mask. Only to stop when she saw that it was only the Master Sword. She pulled up her mask with a confused look. Her brother was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh?”

And then, leaping down from the ceiling’s support beam, Link ambushed her with his arms wrapped around her.

“Got you, silly bunny!”

Aria let out a high-pitched, joyous scream as she tried to escape from Link’s arms.

From downstairs, Grandma Ayaka could hear the playful stomping and laughing screams of her grandchildren through the house’s walls and ceilings. She could only let out a soft sigh as she continued to stir the pot.

“Ah, to be young.”

---

Both Link and Aria were sitting on the floor rug by the bed, with tired smiles and laughs. The older brother patted on his younger sister’s head, undoing her hair braids.

“Hey, stop that or I'll bite you!”

“Oh, that’s not very nice, Ari.”

Link laughed tiredly. His arm resting over Aria’s shoulder, pulling her closer as she rested her head onto his shoulder.

“So, you and Zelda didn't get in trouble with the King?” Aria asked him.

“No, we did not get in trouble.”

“That’s good. I thought you were going to sleep in the Castle’s dungeon tonight.”

Link pouted with a very incredulous glance. “Ari, they don’t throw people in the dungeon for being late by the weather!”

“I’m kidding! You didn’t have to take it so seriously,” Aria groaned as she pulled herself away from Link’s side.

Link shook his head. He quickly let the annoyance slip away before he turned his head. His arm on his knee as his head rested on his hand.

“So, you told Nanna that you brought friends over here?”

Aria shrugged, her arms wrapped around her knees. “Well, you did tell me not to tell anyone else about Zelda being here. So I had to tell her something when she saw the mess you left behind.”

Link was taken aback with confusion. “I thought I cleaned up the house well before we left.”

“You did. But not to Nanna’s standards. She can tell when another person who’s not you or me has been inside the house!” Aria then let out a giggle. “I bet Nanna can tell if a Yiga is disguised as a tree!”

“Ha ha. I imagine she can. Still, Ari… Nanna’s not happy that you skipped school again. This is what, the third time you’ve done this. If it happens again, you might get expelled.” Link told her with a frown.

Aria pouted. “I know. I know. But I told you before, I don’t like the girls in the Academy. And they don’t like me either. And the teachers don’t really care anyway.”

Link looked to his sister with concern. “Didn’t you have friends in the Academy?”

Aria bit her lip. Her eyes glanced away as she sank her face into her knees. “I have one friend that I like but we don’t always get to hang out as much this year. And I think she likes the other girls more than me.”

“Oh,” Link could only say. He let the silence hang in the air for a short moment before he then asked, “Does Dad know?”

“He does. I already told him about how I feel about the Academy.”

“Okay. What did he say?”

“He said that he’ll figure something out. But I’m not sure if he can with how busy he is. With the Royal Guard and Army and all.”

Link nodded. He then looked over to his sister with concern, “Do you want me to talk with him about this?”

“No, you don’t have to, Link.”

“Hm, do you need a hug?”

“Yes.”

Link smiled a bit before he scooted himself closer to his sister before giving her one big bear hug. Aria leaned into his embrace. Wrapping both her arms around him and resting her face on his shoulder. She then let out a sigh of relief and a tear. Link could feel his sister hugging him tightly, not wanting to let go.

“Hey, you can always call for me whenever you need help, okay?” He told her softly.

“Even when you’re busy?”

“Yes, even when I am busy.”

“Even when you’re with Princess Zelda?”

Link paused briefly before taking a deep breath. “Yes. Even when I am with the Princess. I’m sure that she will understand.”

Aria smiled, “Thank you. You’re the best.”

Link sighed softly, “You’re welcome.”

The two continued to hug one another in this close familial moment between the two siblings. But after a short while.

“By the way, you did remember to bring back my travelling cloak from Zelda, right?’

Link’s face broke.

“Oh um-”

“You forgot, huh?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

Rather than feeling annoyed, Aria just let out a laugh with a smile when she pulled herself away from the hug. “That’s okay. But please bring it back as soon as you can. It was a birthday gift from Dad and I really like that cloak.”

“Alright, I promise I’ll bring it back.” Link replied apologetically. Though he was happy to see that his sister was feeling a bit better.

Just as the two siblings heard their grandmother calling for them from downstairs.

“Link! Aria! Dinner’s ready!”

Both siblings glanced over to the door and then to each other with a smile. Link then waved her off before standing back up onto his feet. “Go ahead. I’ll just change my tunic out before heading down.”

“Okay, and um, thanks for hearing me out.” Aria said as she jumped back onto her feet.

“Hey, that’s what having a brother is here for. Because, the only person in all of Hyrule who is allowed to terrorise you is me.”

“Hey! Do that and I’ll make sure that there’s slime in all of your food!”

“Eew, please don’t.” Link mockingly said, sticking his tongue out in disgust.

Aria laughed before she rushed through the door. “See you downstairs, Moblin!”

Link could only shake his head with a laugh and hands on his hip. He then looked over to his bed. The Master Sword still wrapped with his own travelling cloak as it lay across the mattress rather comfortably.

“Huh, promise me that you don’t snatch me to the Princess,” Link said rather off-handedly as he changed out from his blue Champion’s tunic.

He had been told before by Princess Zelda that the Sacred Sword that Seals the Darkness once had a divine presence that past chosen heroes were able to hear. Whether the sword’s spirit was still present or not, he hoped deep down that it too was able to keep promises.

[aufi-creative-mind]

It’s that time of the year. Completed 30 solar rotations and counting!

[aufi-creative-mind]

The moment I saw this puff fireball dog, I was willing to lay my life for Pombon.

But please Game Freak, keep this dog on all four legs when they evolve! We haven't had an original fire dog Pokémon design since Entei!

[aufi-creative-mind]

Late posting but here is my 2025 Art Summary.

Looking back, I think I did less art than 2024. I have a ton of WIPs in my files that are mainly rough sketches than completed works. I should post them more often. ( Oct and Nov are previews~ ;3c )

2026 is also a big milestone year. Especially for me in March.

[aufi-creative-mind]

Soooo...how's everyone else's start into 2026?

A belated New Year's Day! I had mostly been busy with work over the Christmas-New Year season. And finally on my break to catch up on the artworks that I have been working on.

So a lot of previews coming soon!

[Update: quick fix on panel #4.]

[truffeart]

A Patreon request I did some time ago, for the lovely @aufi-creative-mind ! Zelda and Link were caught in the rain and stopped at his house for some shelter :) I dunno why I changed the distance between them in panel 3, but anyway, moving on. I hope you like this!

[aufi-creative-mind]

Ahh thank you @truffeart !! These are always so precious!! (´ ꒳ ` ✿)

For anyone interested, you can find my fic story “BotW: Getting to Know You” - via my blog or on AO3.

[aufi-creative-mind]

2019 (after Sequel to Breath of the Wild announcement)

2022 (BotW2 hype - before the title reveal)

2025 (TotK / Age of Imprisonment - sketch wip)

6 years of Link's glowy hand.

[aufi-creative-mind]

UPDATE [26/11/25]

How are you all so quick in making complete fanart..?

[aufi-creative-mind]

Also I just noticed that this blog account has reached 2000+ followers soooo here's a comic page preview of Link being so done lmao. ;3

Thank you to everyone for following me so far! Despite my very irregular posting activity.

Take care! HYAH!

[aufi-creative-mind]

2019 (after Sequel to Breath of the Wild announcement)

2022 (BotW2 hype - before the title reveal)

2025 (TotK / Age of Imprisonment - sketch wip)

6 years of Link's glowy hand.

[aufi-creative-mind]

[Legend of Zelda: Sequel to Breath of the Wild] - REDRAWING: Wrath of the Wild

How's it going (2021) check on image for a larger view

How it started (2019)

Another redrawing of Wild and his glowy green magic arm. Is it a blessing...or a curse?

[aufi-creative-mind]

Reblogging in light of the latest BotW2 Tears of the Kingdom update!

Still very proud of this redrawing.

[aufi-creative-mind]

Reblogging this BECAUSE HYRULE WARRIORS: AGE OF IMPRISONMENT CAME OUT AND I JUST SPOTTED AN ENDGAME (MAJOR SPOILER) CUTSCENE THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THIS.

Now I feel the urge to redraw this. For both TotK AND Age of Imprisonment.