A/N

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Zelda. Original Characters belong to me. Cover art was drawn by gracefulspider on DeviantArt. I rewrote this chapter so it wasn't all over the place with flashbacks. I got rid of a lot so it makes more sense.

Chapters labeled (E)-Edited, (R)-Revised. I haven't yet edited most chapters, but I will eventually.

Termina
Early Evening— (Day One)

Link sat beneath the base of a tree outside the plains of Termina, a short voyage away from any civilization, his grip tightening on the hilt of his gilded sword. He scorned the reflection staring back. Useless. Worthless. Unwanted memories resurfaced, memories he wanted no part of.

For five years, he remained in this world, unable to transverse to the kingdom he once knew and loved. But looking back, it had brought him nothing but grief and devastation. Had the events of Hyrule's usurp not happened, he might have lived out his life in Kokiri Forest, forever playing with the other children. But fate worked in mysterious ways. No. It wasn't fate… The mark on his left hand said otherwise.

A curse.

At a time of innocence and naivety, he had strived to help the Princess of Destiny save Hyrule from the Gerudo King, Ganondorf. But the happiness he hoped to attain led him on a path of devastation. And all his achievements meant nothing in the wake of fame and glory.

For the lives of those lost in the turmoil of that war, it meant nothing. Saria had given up her life as Sage to vanish Ganondorf into oblivion, along with the other Sages scattered across the kingdom. When Mido learned of her sacrifice, he disappeared from the Lost Woods, never again seen among the other Kokiri. And in the short seven years after Ingo took over the ranch, Talon died, and his daughter, Malon, took her life after.

What happiness had he achieved? Nothing. Nothing besides Hyrule's salvation. But at what cost? In the years following Majora's cataclysm upheaval, horrid thoughts led Link astray. Thoughts which left him questioning his worth as a warrior. What was the point of his existence if he couldn't protect the people he loved? Their sacrifices weren't worth the ending. In his mind, his Hyrule no longer existed.

A failure.

I failed all of you for the sake of the kingdom. Through the fires and chaos of Ganondorf's reign, I didn't hear your cries. I'm sorry…

A wetness brushed his cheek, and his cerulean gaze shifted to the dark clouds billowing overhead. A storm approached. Still regretful of his past mistakes, he regained his standing and touched his head. Another migraine formed at his temple, and he groaned. But he couldn't pull himself away from his musings, and his gaze wandered to his bandaged hand where the Triforce of Courage rested.

It's just a fleeting memory now. I should move on—

A jingling noise resonated throughout the woods and tore him from his musings. And he turned, expecting to encounter a familiar peddler with a large sack of masks, but there was no one.

Disappointed, he turned from the clearing, but he paused once more, his eyes widening as he witnessed a strange phenomenon. A golden pillar of light tore through the clouds in the distance and crash landed further into the forest like lightning.

Was it a sign from the Goddesses? Or something else? He followed the trail, but as he neared, he realized he wasn't far from home. His grip tightened on his blade. The closer he neared, the more he realized the destruction that light had caused to the surrounding area. Though its glimmer remained, a small portion of the forest within radius had dissipated from existence, leaving behind a stark landscape of brown earth.

Before he could venture further to inspect the surrounding area, he paused when he felt an ominous aura closing in from behind. Reacting just before the blade struck him, Link threw himself out of way, rolling onto the ground as the creature swung, and unsheathing his sword, he recognized the enemy.

A lizalfos.

Strange... they normally inhabit Great Bay. Why is here?

But it wasn't alone. Several other reptilian creatures slithered from the trees and brush, their elongated heads and slender builds and piercing crimson eyes warning him that this was an ambush. For whatever reason, they locked onto him and charged, swinging their massive halberds and curved scythes right and left.

There were at least five in a pack and armored too. Considering their build and height, coupled with the vast range of attacks from fireballs, lightning and ice, Link realized they were stronger than the average Lizalfos. Still, why were they all the way out here and not in their distinct region?

Could it be the pillar of light drew them to this place? Or were they waiting this whole time to ambush me?

Perhaps he would never understand their reasoning, especially since he couldn't understand their tongue, and as they fought with all they had, Link mustered his courage and countered their attacks, using his shield to deflect the fire and ice attacks toward those weilding the opposite element.

And it worked! Two lizalfos were down and only three remained. They struck his shield relentlessly, two attempting to strike him from behind, but with careful and nimble footwork, Link somehow barely evaded their attacks. The moment he saw a chance, lunged forward and slashed the foul creature's back, causing it to fall onto the ground unmoving just like its brothers.

But just before he could lock onto his two targets from behind, the scaly creature charged him, ramming his shield relentlessly once again, and Link staggered back from the force. Unfortunately, it took two strong hands to push against its weight, this one must larger than the others. Because of this, the remaining monster knocked three arrows and shot them.

In an instant, while still holding up his shield, Link shot his leg under the now tiring lizalfos in front of him, still hammering on his defenses, which in turn caused it to trip and lose its balance. As it fell forward onto him, Link took that moment to sidestep out of its path as the creature took the brunt of its brother's attack.
Only one lizalfos remained.

It must have realized its situation, because its head shot left and right, noticing the blood-stained ground of his fallen comrades, and it took three hesitant steps away from him. This only pressed Link forward, his sword ready to strike his enemy down, but before he could charge forward, a golden light shot toward him.

"Windscar!"