As a continuation of this post and the thought that HW and BotW are really the only two games where the legend of the Hero is known and is an acknowledged reality:
HW is the first time in their known history that the Hero is recognized and is given a major public role from the start. In this hypothetical situation, he comes before BotW and is BotW's Link predecessor.
The seals holding Ganon were damaged and were acknowledged that they would not hold for long. HW is also one of the few games with a real Sheikah tribes, even if they aren't seen on screen. Their Hero is getting older -- maybe a colonel or general himself by that point -- and the Sheikah propose a plan to give him aid: the Divine Beasts, in honor of the previous Heroes and those who appeared in the War of Eras. Queen Zelda, thrilled at the thought of this new legacy, agrees.
Having learned the lesson of pride in the War, Link is the one who urges caution. It's insanely dangerous to make such a powerful weapon that they could not guarantee control. The new plan is too grand and exciting, and Link's warnings are ignored.
Trapped by regret and unable to move on, Link sees how the creation of the Divine Beasts eventually leads to the doom of the Sheikah -- of Impa's people -- and the creation of Yiga: traitors far worse and deadlier than he saw in the War.
He watches his legacy in how the Hero is known and how it almost destroys BotW Link and Zelda both. He watches how Ganon takes the Divine Beast and his country falls. He watches Link fall.
The legends of the Hero rarely mention how painful their legacies tend to be.