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)
Beneath the shelter of a towering tree on the outskirts of Termina's plains, Link sat in contemplation, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his gleaming sword. The reflection in his blade seemed to mock him, mirroring the turmoil within. Unwanted memories surged forth, memories he wished to banish from his thoughts.
For five long years, he had been trapped in this unfamiliar realm, cut off from the kingdom he once cherished. The bitter taste of regret lingered as he gazed upon his reflection. He felt useless, his past achievements fading into insignificance.
Had the events in Hyrule unfolded differently, he might have spent his days in Kokiri Forest, enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood. But destiny's twists and turns had other plans for him. No, it wasn't mere destiny—it was the mark on his left hand that condemned him.
A curse.
Innocent and hopeful, he had fought alongside the Princess of Destiny to thwart Ganondorf's ambitions. Yet, the path he had chosen led to tragedy. The victories that had once filled him with pride now seemed hollow. The lives lost in the turmoil weighed heavily on his heart. Saria, Mido, Talon, Malon—each name etched with sorrow.
What had his sacrifices truly achieved? His actions had saved Hyrule, but at what cost? As the years passed after the cataclysmic upheaval caused by Majora, doubt gnawed at his soul. He questioned his worth as a warrior. The lives he failed to protect haunted him, overshadowing his past glories. His cherished Hyrule felt like a distant dream.
A failure.
"I failed you all, sacrificing your lives for a kingdom's sake. Amidst the chaos of Ganondorf's reign, your cries went unheard. I'm sorry…"
A sudden wetness on his cheek drew his attention skyward. Dark clouds loomed overhead, heralding an approaching storm. Still lost in his thoughts, he rose to his feet, only to be met with a familiar ache in his temple—a precursor to another migraine. Despite the discomfort, he found himself unable to break free from his introspection. His gaze settled on the bandaged hand that held the Triforce of Courage, a potent reminder of his past.
"It's time to move on, to let go—"
A faint jingle disrupted the quiet of the woods, momentarily diverting his attention. He half-expected to see the masked peddler, but no one was in sight.
Disappointed, he turned to leave the clearing, only to halt in his tracks once more. A radiant column of golden light pierced through the clouds, crashing to the earth like lightning. Intrigued and cautious, he followed the trail, realizing he was closer to home than he had thought. Gripping his sword tightly, he approached cautiously.
As he drew nearer, the extent of the destruction caused by the light became apparent. The once-vibrant forest had been consumed, leaving a barren expanse of earth in its wake. Confusion and curiosity mingled as he pondered the origin and purpose of the phenomenon.
Was this a divine sign, or something else entirely?
Before he could unravel the mystery, a foreboding presence enveloped him. Instinct kicked in, and he dodged just in time to evade a deadly strike. Unsheathing his sword, his trained eyes identified the threat—a lizalfos, its menacing eyes fixed on him.
An ambush. The forest was crawling with these reptilian assailants, their crimson eyes reflecting malice. Though he couldn't understand their motives, he could sense their hostility. With swift movements, he parried their attacks, using his shield to redirect their fire and ice assaults against each other.
Two fell to his blade, leaving only three. They closed in, relentless in their assault. Link's experience and courage drove him to retaliate, countering their strikes with calculated precision. A dance of combat unfolded, the clash of steel and fire painting a deadly tableau.
As the battle raged on, he couldn't help but wonder why these creatures, normally found in Great Bay, had ventured so far from their usual territory. The light from earlier—had it drawn them here, or was there another motive?
Determination fueled his every move as he whittled their numbers down. A tense standoff ensued with the last remaining lizalfos, its uncertainty palpable. With a swift strike, Link capitalized on its hesitation, felling the creature at last.
Yet, no respite awaited him. A golden glow caught his eye, a harbinger of another threat. "Windscar!"
Rewritten with Chat GPT