Just when you thought I was dead! Since August of last year, I've been working on a direct follow-up to Dante In Drakengard like I promised. It took quite a while, but it's finished. I'll preplan the third and final part when I can. This is the second part of the Dark Dragon Trilogy.
If you're not understanding what's going on here, you might want to read Dante In Drakengard for a little clarification. In this story, it revolves around the land of Hyrule, which I have it located in Europe for geographical specifications. The main characters will be Link & Zelda, and Dante won't appear for a while. If you did read the previous fanfic, then I can tell you this: Inuart will be much more malicious, callous, and spiteful than ever before. Carry on!
--
How humiliating. What's the worst way to suffer other than using your own sword and a broken tree branch as crutches to wander aimlessly on the broad, empty fields of Europe? Well, former Imperial General Inuart wasn't particularly happy about his kneecaps being blown away by a demonic human. Knowing that the Empire lost, he would not be able to relocate to any Imperial shelters. How long has he wandered, he cannot remember. His arms writhed in pain. His vision gradually blurred. But no. He refused to die. Inuart has yet to realize his own ambitions. He continued to lift his 'crutches' and pushed his legs to hop. He kept hopping until he slowly tipped forward. His vision went dark.
Inuart's nose twitched and his eyelids flipped open. His first sight was an oddly angled roof. Inuart sat up and removed the white sheet that covered his body. As he noticed a lantern beside him, he asked himself: "How did I end up in a tent?"
The former Imperial used his arms to crawl out of the soft, safe haven. Once outside, he saw that he was surrounded by tall stalks of trees below a night lit sky. When Inuart looked ahead, a man sat near an open fire placing a black pot over the rustling flame. His blonde hair was mostly concealed in a long, floppy green cap. His torso was donned in a long, white undershirt; over that was a green tunic. On his lower body he wore long, white pants and dark, brown boots. What was really distinctive about this stranger was his long, pointy ears.
Could he be an elf? Inuart thought as he crawled towards the pointy-eared stranger. "Excuse me, sir!"
The pointy-eared man looked away from the black pot, walked over to Inuart and squatted. "If you're looking for the food, I'm still cooking it," he spoke through a Scottish accent similar to David Tennant's.
Inuart chuckled. "Actually, I was wondering if you could heal my broken kneecaps? Bandits ambushed me and fired bullets at them."
The pointy-eared man whistled and pulled out pliers from his pant pocket. "I will, but it won't be a painless procedure. Once I'm done pulling out the bullets, I'll go to my horse and get a potion from my knapsack."
He slowly placed the pliers through Inuart's left kneecap. Scrunching his lips and eyebrows, Inuart strained a muffled scream as the first bullet was torn away from his flesh. Next, the stranger dug his pliers into Inuart's right kneecap and yanked out the second bullet, resulting in the Imperial releasing a louder scream.
"I'll come back in just a second," the stranger told Inuart. He walked over to an auburn horse that stood by the tent and grabbed a gray knapsack of the saddle. When the horse shook its head and whined, he gently ruffled its white mane. "Relax, Epona. I'm just getting a red potion." He walked back to Inuart and held out a clear bottle filled with red liquid.
"Drink this and your knees will be good as new," the pointy-eared man beamed.
"Thank you," Inuart quickly replied before clasping his hands on the glass bottle. He popped the cork, placed the brim of the bottle on his lips and poured the potion down his throat. After he drank the entire potion, Inuart handed the bottle back to the pointy-eared man. "Thanks so much, kind stranger."
"My name is Link," he replied, and held out his right hand, covered in a rugged, brown, fingerless glove. Inuart gratefully took his hand and shook it.
"Now go back to the tent and get some sleep," Link said. "Tomorrow, we ride for Hyrule Castle."
"All right, Link," was all Inuart could say before crawling back to the tent. As he lay on the white sheets, he grinned and held a multicolored orb to his face. "Once I gain a sufficient amount of power, I'll use this time sphere to coerce people of all time periods to rebuild the almighty Empire!"
--
The morning sun's brightness blazed across the sky. Inuart rose from his slumber and quietly sneaked out of the tent. When he heard a whistle, he turned left and saw Link atop his horse, Epona.
"Here!" Link called out as he threw a broad long sword to Inuart's hands.
"Thanks for keeping my sword safe," Inuart smiled.
Link modestly waved. "Hey, don't mention it. Now climb on."
Inuart hoisted himself onto Epona and sat right behind Link. With one flick to the neck, Epona stood on her hind legs, released a strong neigh and galloped out of the shady woods and onto the lush, emerald fields of Hyrule. While Epona ran at breakneck speed, Inuart noticed a sword and shield strapped on Link's back. The only noticeable feature of the sword was its purple hilt. The shield bore a picture of the ancient Triforce and a crimson bird.
"What are you, Link?" Inuart asked.
Link flicked Epona and replied: "I'm a proud Hylian! I was raised by a different family, but that didn't stop me from embracing my heritage."
"So is anything important going to happen at Hyrule Castle?"
Link stared off into deep thought. "I think the Royal Family of Hyrule is supposed to meet with the Union Army of England. They want to make a treaty of peace."
Inuart gulped when he heard the word 'Union'. "Peace… That's good! Peace is good."
Link raised an eyebrow at Inuart's strange behavior. The swordsmen atop the beautiful horse were quickly heading toward a large, bleached castle wall with a drawbridge at the center. Link spotted two armored guards standing at both sides, pole arms at hand. Epona passed straight on the bridge as Link gestured a friendly wave at the guards before entering the market.
For farmers, ox carts, and single riders, it was just another day at the castle square purchasing and selling produce. Then they heard the rough, clattering gallops of that adored horse, whom carried their beloved hero. The Hylian citizens stepped aside as Link passed them, various shops, and through a steel fence gate. A squared, brick road lead to a tall hill where the castle stood. Epona trotted to a full stop at the castle gates and Link, along with Inuart, hopped off the saddle.
"Oi, Link!" an armored guard smiled at the humble warrior. "Who's that with you?"
"A fellow swordsman who would've died if I hadn't spotted him in the plains," Link replied. "We can go in, right?"
The guard pulled the gate open. "Anyone who's named Link or is a friend of Link is always welcome to Hyrule Castle! The princess is in the throne room."
Link entered Hyrule Castle with Inuart following from behind.
--
Princess Zelda sat on her polished throne, scanning a long list of proposed laws by the Hyrulean Council members.
"What's with all these proposals of torturing our prisoners?" Zelda sighed exasperatedly, crossing off various torture schemes with a feathery quill. "These councilmen know I'm an advocate of peace, not bloodshed!"
A Hylian soldier ran to his leader and knelt to the red carpet. "Your Highness, Link and a stranger have arrived and are approaching this room."
Zelda gasped with a wry smile, rolled up the scroll of proposed laws and placed it on the right arm of her throne. "Thank you. Return to your post."
As the guard walked out of the throne room, Link and a man with a red mullet entered just when Zelda finished straightening her light pink royal gown. When her eyes met Link's, she instantly threw her arms around him. "Link, your visits are seldom! Why can't you just stay here at the castle?"
"I constantly travel to suppress the evils that threaten Hyrule," Link replied, stroking Zelda's luscious, long brown hair. "I'd truly love to stay here, though. It must be stressful for you to lead this kingdom alone."
Link released himself from the comforting embrace and outstretched his left arm toward the mullet-haired man. "Zelda, I'd like for you to meet Inuart. Inuart, this is my closest friend Zelda."
Zelda took Inuart's right hand and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Good to meet you as well," Inuart chuckled.
"So, is there any place where my new friend can stay for the time being?" Link shrugged with a nervous smile.
The princess nodded. "Yes. When you leave this room, go to the right side of the hallway. A few rooms are available, so choose what you like."
"Thanks, Zelda!" Link waved as he and Inuart left the throne room.
Link ran to the first door he caught sight of and opened it for the covert Imperial. "Here you go, pal! These rooms aren't too shabby at all, so enjoy your stay!"
"I will, thanks!" Inuart told the elvish swordsman before he left. Within his room were a king-sized bed and two dressers. He sat on his bed, folded his hands together and smirked with a devious smile burning in his pupils. "So… where do I begin?"
--
Zelda fans, Inuart is NOT my original creation. He is one of the primary villains in a video game series called Drakengard, developed by Square Enix. Just thought I'd let you know.