So here's another, pretty dramatic, chapter. Updates will take longer than usual because I'm occupied with my academic duties.
Dark is starting to become the person you expect him to be, but it's a process and it takes time.
Enjoy his road for self realization.
Dark slept alone that night, as Barak did not return to their room, but his sleep was rapidly interrupted by the loud moans from a nearby room, Link's room. Dark placed the pillow over his head, trying to block the sounds, his face burning red only at the thought of what might be happening at that room. Only at early morning it turned silent, and Dark finally fell asleep until loud knocks on his door tore him from his peaceful dreams.
"Come on, kid," Link's voice was heard from behind the door, "Get up. It's a bright sunny day outside."
"Go to hell." Dark mumbled underneath his blanket and turned over to adjust a better sleeping position. The door lock was being unlocked and Dark pulled the covers higher over his head. Someone uncovered the sheets, and gently shock his shoulder.
"Wake up. We're going for a walk and we would like you to join us." Barak's voice hit Dark's ears, soft and warm, and his eyes opened lazily.
"I barely slept thanks to mister lover over there," Dark complained, motioning with his head to Link, who stood at the doorstep. "Go on without me."
"We can't." Barak replied firmly, still holding Dark's shoulder. "It's a heroes bonding thing. You gotta hang out with us." the sorcerer explained and Link chuckled, "Besides, none of us slept tonight, and we worked harder than you did." Barak winked, giving Dark a naughty smile.
"Fine, get out. I need to get dressed." Dark huffed, sitting in his bed and rubbing his eyes.
"I've seen you naked already." Barak said calmly, raising an eyebrow. Dark blushed in many shades of red, but returned the sorcerer a firm look.
"And yet, you will respect my privacy." Dark said sharply, regaining some of his old self. Barak raised his hands in surrender and left the room, allowing Dark to slip into a duke blue tunic. He joined them at the lobby and they went outside to search for breakfast. The usually sleepy town was caught up in a frenzy; the following night was the night of the festival and the preparations were reaching a climax. People ran in the streets with a determined expression, carried logs of wood around, built stages and stands, cleaned the town and mostly looked happy and unworried. Dark looked around with wonder; are they absolutely retarded or do they choose to live in denial?
They sat on the soft grass in the north part of the town, each holding a foot long sandwich and devouring it hungrily. Barak wiped some sauce from the corner of his mouth and swallowed the bite before saying, "You heard quite a lot about us, but we know very little about you."
Dark shrugged, "There is very little to tell. Nothing too interesting."
"You aren't a Gerudo." Link stated, spitting food everywhere, and Barak nodded his head in frustration, "You look nothing like your father."
Dark frowned, he was not keen on answering these questions. "My father was wounded in one of the wars. He is unable to... reproduce." Dark replied, the answer leaving a bitter taste on his tongue.
"You're not a common elf either," Barak said thoughtfully, "And I find it hard to believe your father will adopt an elf."
"I wasn't adopted. I was ...made." Dark said quietly, looking everywhere but at them. He could imagine the wondering faces of his companions and continued, "They manipulated samples of my father's flesh and blood, isolating the genetic characteristics. Then they inseminated a female with it."
Link seemed completely repulsed, horror in his eyes, but Barak appeared more interested than anything else. "Who are 'they'?"
"My father and his former chief sorcerer." Dark said casually, forcing himself to enjoy the rich taste of the sandwich, "My father is a capable wizard and Sheryl really was a genius."
"What happened to Sheryl?" Barak asked curiously and fearfully, his eyes wide and sparkling.
"Sheryl died while giving birth to me." Dark answered in a distant tone, his red eyes dull and mat, "There were complications." he added offhandedly.
"That is one hell of a sacrifice in the name of science." Link said with appreciation. Dark gave him a blank stare, and said, "It has nothing to do with it. She did it because she loved him."
"That's what your father tells you." Link teased him with an evil smile. The next second Link was nailed to the ground with Dark's knee at his chest, and Dark's hands around his neck, chocking him. Dark's mind was empty of logic, all he felt was animalistic rage and strong urge to hurt Link as much as possible. Dark did not know how strong he really was, because he never attacked a man in such manner; Link was starting to gurgle underneath him.
"Dark!" Barak yelled at him, trying to yank him off Link's body. Almost unconsciously Dark swung one of his arms backwards, elbowing Barak in the face. Barak's cry snapped him out of his madness, and he eased the grip on Link's neck allowing him to breathe.
"Don't you ever speak that way about my parents, if you value your life." Dark spat, and got off Link, turning around to see Barak's bloody face. It was really saddening to see his gorgeous face damaged, and Dark felt ashamed, and angry at himself for hurting the gentle sorcerer. However; his pride prevented him from apologizing and he turned his back to the two surprised men and walked away, troubled. He spent the day without them, just wandering around lost in his thoughts, hoping he did not ruin all chances to friendship with his partners. Link was definitely out of line with his comment, yet he should have controlled his emotions, and not let anger get the best of him; he acted like an angst filled adolescent. When he returned to his room late at night he was surprised to see Barak in there, sitting on the bed, reading a book peacefully. His face looked as perfect as ever, and Dark sighed in relief; only a closer look revealed a slight swelling in the nose area, but nothing too bad.
Dark walked to the bed, his hands in his pockets, "I'm really sorry for the ..."
before he managed to finish his sentence Barak cut him roughly, "Forget about it." his tone was harsh, and he did not bother to raise his eyes from the book.
"No." Dark said quietly, his eyes locked on the wooden floor, "I acted inappropriately. And I'm sorry for hurting you."
"Well, It's really nothing." Barak said in a soft voice, raising his violet eyes to gaze at Dark, who felt his knees slightly shaking. "You definitely caught Link off guard. You're pretty strong." he commented, his eyes examining Dark's body bluntly.
"I was furious." Dark sighed, dropping to sit on the edge of the bed, removing his boots.
"I was glad to see you in other mood than your polite, good tempered self." Barak commented with a smirk, "Considering who we are facing, we could use a killer on our side."
"I'm not a killer," Dark protested, flinching, while struggling with the buttons of his tunic.
"By the end of this adventure, you will be." Barak promised in a ominous tone, "Or you'll be dead." he added matter-of-factly. Dark slightly paled at this statement, and pulled the tunic over his head, hoping Barak was wrong. "I thought you didn't want to change in front of me." the sorcerer remarked coolly.
"Nah," Dark said casually, "You already saw me naked," he added with a smirk, and slid under the covers.