Okay, I apologize in advance for the shortness of this chapter, but with my recent revisions, I added another page! Yay! Anyway, there is a major spoiler in here for those who have not gotten far enough in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn to discover the identity of the Black Knight. If you don't care, then go ahead, but for those who do, you've been warned. Also, remember that this is a crossover, k'? 'Tween Zelda and FE: Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn. Just a reminder...
Chapter 2: Black and Red
A great shadow stood on the great cliff overlooking the dark gash in the earth that was the river flowing beneath him. The stars twinkled unknowingly as the dark knight sent a young man plummeting to his death in the frigid waters below. Zelgius watched carefully to make absolutely sure that his enemy would no longer present a problem to his plans. Once he was sure that the man was lost in the raging rapids of the river, the shadow slid the pitch-black helm from his head and shook his head lightly, causing his navy blue hair to loosen from its flat state. He looked down at the river one last time before turning back to the castle and scanning the area quickly with his green eyes. Just on the other side of the castle, a dull yellow light shone lazily and the low murmur of people going about their night owl lives. The surrounding wood loomed menacingly in the night, threatening to hide any intruders from Zelgius' ever-watchful eyes. Zelgius cast a nervous glace at the great hulking thing that was Hyrule Castle, watching carefully for any movement. Luckily, no one inside had heard the battle, and Zelgius—free to complete his task without further interruption—stepped carefully to the body of his intended victim.
Perhaps he should have brought some of his remaining men with him to help keep an eye out for approaching guards. Zelgius quickly shook the thought quickly from his mind; the few that had survived the treacherous journey across the desert were not reliable enough to take part in such a delicate task. Zelgius sighed and closed his eyes slowly, reminding himself that time was short; the queen's vassals would soon become aware of her absence. Looking down, Zelgius knew that if he left the queen the way she was, it would be difficult to convince the guards that a pack of bandits had killed her. He knelt down and carefully lifted Zelda's limp arm to help fix his minor problem.
"Sorry love." Zelgius whispered as he bent Zelda's pale arm violently.
The soft crack of breaking bone was heard easily in the nighttime air, and Zelgius paused for a moment to listen for approaching footsteps. Zelgius took a moment to scan the area once more, when he noticed something ruffling in the sparse bushes lining the nearby forest. Reaching back to grab his blade, Zelgius slowly stood, eyeing the quivering bushes carefully. His pure white sword shone in the moonlight as he gently raised it in the direction of the shaking bush. Zelgius brought his glowing saber down with tremendous power, sending a blue wave of energy that lit up the surrounding darkness. A strange humanoid figure emerged from the dancing bush, its bright yellow eyes glaring at him beneath hair of leaves. Zelgius took a cautions step forward, and the short creature let out a soft yelp and danced back into the forest, watching Zelgius the whole time with its menacing yellow eyes. Zelgius let out the small breath he had not realized he was holding. It was merely an animal, nothing to be concerned about, even if it was a creature that he had never seen before. Zelgius carefully set the white sword behind him as he knelt down once more, this time next to Zelda's leg. He wrapped his large hands around the queen's cold flesh and twisted it roughly, listening for the small snap. Zelgius took both hands and pressed down on Zelda's still chest with a steady rhythm on the queen's groaning ribcage. Once he was sure that several ribs had been broken, Zelgius carefully pulled a small dagger from the sheath tied to his waist. He went to work, quickly making several seemingly random cuts across Zelda's body.
Nothing the man did was random; every movement had been carefully planned out. Even so, several things had been unexpected; Zelgius had planned for Link to be gone by the time he got there, leaving the princess alone. But even then, the former general had handled the task flawlessly; not leaving a second body to roughen up. Zelgius slowly wiped his knife in the damp grass and carefully slid it back into its sheath. He stood and lifted his ivory bade and let it hover over the left side of Zelda's chest. Zelgius cast one final glance around him before he plunged the sword into the princess's dead heart.
Zelgius carefully removed his thick blade and examined the body laying in front of him, confident that her current state was more than enough to bend the guards to his will. Sighing quietly, Zelgius prepared himself for the final strand for his web of lies. Zelgius looked down at his dark armor; he would have to dispose of it before he could turn his blade on himself. It only took a thought for the black metal to dissolve from his body; replaced by his less majestic red armor. Zelgius had never expected for his sword—the blessed blade Alondite—would ever be turned on him. He took a deep breath as he slowly brought Alondite to his side and closed his eyes. In one quick motion, Zelgius swept the blade across his armor, Alondite slid easily through to Zelgius' flesh leaving a thick gash running through his side.
Wincing slightly, Zelgius cupped his hands, collected some of the blood leaking from his armor and poured it into his mouth. Ignoring the strong metallic taste, Zelgius let the blood settle in his mouth for a few seconds before letting it slowly dribble down his chin. He drew his dagger once more and used it to make deep gashes in his armor, none deep enough to penetrate the thick metal. The last thing to do was to get rid of Alondite; which disappeared just as easily as his armor had, replaced by a plain steel sword. Zelgius threw this a short distance away before walking smoothly to the castle wall. He leaned up against it and slid slowly down, leaving a thick blood trail along the wall. Zelgius smiled through his blood; all he had to do now was wait for someone to discover him and the beaten corpse of the princess. They would think the legendary hero dead, and credit Zelgius for risking his life to save the princess. He wanted to laugh, but Zelgius knew that he couldn't; he must appear to be near death for his plan to work.
Footsteps echoed in the night—the guards had finally become aware of the princess's absence. Of course it was too late. Zelgius stifled another laugh; he closed his eyes and prepared himself for the task ahead.
Whew! Hopefully, that will be the worst that I write, but I doubt it.
If you are reading this, please, please, PLEASE review! I have never been good at proof reading, so I would like to know if I have any embarrassing mistakes in my writing! Also, I love feedback.