Author: With an upload schedule of once per year, I'm not quite sure when I'm going to finish, but I'm not going to give this up. I like Dais too much.

Disclaimer: Nope.

For some unfathomable reason, the Ronin brought him to Hardrock's home and seemed prepared to allow Dais to stay with them while he recovered from his near-death experience. Although it was most likely a temporary arrangement, it still made Dais both suspicious and relieved.

Suspicious that someone could trust another person so easily, particularly when clearly an enemy of theirs.

Relieved that they had not recognized him for who he was.

Then again, he always had been the most secretive of the warlords, and doubted that the one glimpse they may have had of his face when they had been enemies made much of an impression. His armor had also modulated his voice, which further aided his disguise.

Dais had spent the time traveling with them listening intently while feigning disorientation. It was harder to accomplish without his armor, but he slowly picked up on the inflections and differences that made it difficult for him to fully parse modern Japanese. He likely wouldn't be able to speak it, but he at least understood most of what they were saying. That mismatch of skills would most likely prove useful, anyway.

Hardrock's abode was a bit cramped, but Dais had grown up in and around palaces, so he imagined that most places in modern Japan would feel cramped to him. There were more windows than he would have liked, but it seemed to have all the modern amenities. He was intrigued by the television and would examine it later. At the moment, he wanted to get his dried blood off of him.

"I'm not bleeding anymore, but I would like to wash it off," Dais said to Torrent. "Do I have to go to the bathhouse I saw down the street?" He didn't want to, but he'd do it if necessary.

"No, there is one in-unit. The bathroom is down the hall to the left. There should be a clean towel there that you can use," Torrent told him in halting archaic Japanese. "I can explain what all the dials do if you—"

"I will figure it out, don't worry," Dais replied as he let go of Torrent's arm. He wasn't nearly weak or woozy enough to need the support, but acting like he did had earned him sympathy and made him appear less threatening.

Dais found his way to the aforementioned room and stepped inside, closing the door firmly behind him. He looked around the small room, and dredged up what he remembered from the idle readings he had been forced to give up once everything in his life had exploded. He left his blood-soaked clothes on the floor, although compulsively folded them. The yukata at least was still serviceable—the modern clothes he had worn beneath it were less so.

After figuring out the shower and washing away the exhaustion, blood, and grime, soaking in the bath felt heavenly.

How long has it been since I could relax? Dais wondered as he brushed aside a strand of wet hair. How long has it been since I didn't have to worry about not having my armor on?

The reminder of the absence of his armor sent a pang of anger through him. It felt like he had lost a limb, maybe something even more fundamental. The fact that a mere thought couldn't bring it to him, that he wouldn't have the power and strength it brought, was physically painful.

He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

I'm not completely helpless, he reminded himself. I still have some illusory abilities. I'll just have to return to the level of prowess I had prior to taking up Talpa's offer. I can't afford to be lazy or careless.

"Hello? Are you okay?" Torrent asked through door after a polite knock.

Dais saw no harm in telling the truth for once.

"I have been fighting all my life," he drawled. "Let me enjoy not having to worry about someone trying to kill me."

That earned him an awkward pause.

"I'm leaving some clothes outside the door for you," Torrent said. "They should fit well enough."

Shortly after, Dais heard footsteps retreating.

Dais smirked and rolled his shoulders. Still, if Torrent had come looking for him, that likely meant he had been soaking for too long.

Out of a desire for cleanliness and a place to stay for longer than one night, Dais cleaned everything up and in accordance with what he remembered from the books and magazines and general politeness. Outside the bathroom door was a pile of modern clothing. Dais recognized a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, which made sense—the loose clothing could fit a range of sizes. The lack of underwear made him smirk, although he didn't mind, as the reason was understandable. He wouldn't feel comfortable wearing Hardrock's underwear.

Hopefully the gold I brought with me will help cover any purchases I need to make, Dais thought. Although I do have to wonder why they would help me in the first place.

The Ronin's voices drifted to him from the kitchen area, hushed enough that Dais couldn't make out exactly what they were saying.

Now that I've survived, what is my next step? Courting the Ronin? And just how exactly am I going to accomplish that? They may not recognize me as the Dark Warlord of Illusion, but there is no chance they don't know me as a Dynasty soldier. Well, might as well play to expectations. In this case, perhaps being honest isn't a bad thing. My tale might stir some sympathy in them.

Dais fished his sunglasses out of the small bag he had hidden on his person prior to the fight and slipped them on. The tint and dimming of the world was frustrating, but eye patches in the modern era made one noticeable and, for a while, he would have to avoid that. He placed his small bag in one of the sweatpants' pockets—no need to leave his belongings lying around—and threw his old clothes in the garbage. Even the yukata wasn't worth salvaging upon second look.

Now fully dressed, Dais made his way to the kitchen where the Ronin were waiting.

Torrent and Hardrock were clearly at a stalemate, both men looking frustrated as they glared at each other.

After a moment of debating being polite, Dais said: "Do you have anything to eat? It's been some time since I had something."

His voice startled them out of their sullen glaring match.

"Pardon?" Torrent asked.

Hardrock's face flushed red, his expression dark.

"It is him," he growled to Torrent. "The weirdo I've been seeing for basically the past year."

"Hush," Torrent scolded before turning his attention back to Dais. "What did you do to make the Dynasty hunt you into the Human World?"

Dais shrugged. "It was not the Dynasty hunting me, but the Crusaders."

"Crusaders?" Torrent parroted back.

"The ones who bled," Dais said as he wandered over to the kitchen. "They are the Crusaders."

"He better not break anything," Hardrock grumbled, and Dais barley contained a smirk.

"And the Crusaders wanted you dead?"

"I'm pretty sure it isn't past tense quite yet," Dais said as he opened cupboards looking for glasses.

"Tell him to stop looking through my stuff!" Hardrock hissed.

"What's the worst he can do? All your dishes and glasses are plastic," Torrent said. "And I doubt he's much of a threat. He's unarmed and even if he does try something, look at how frail he is—you can probably take him down without resorting to your armor."

Dais' jaw clenched as he found a glass for himself, and turned the plasticware in his hand.

"You think they'll keep on going after you?" Torrent asked in his halting archaic Japanese.

"No," Dais said and turned on the faucet, and watched the water run for a moment before filling the glass. "They will not be actively searching for me anymore, but that does not mean I'm not on their Most Wanted list." Dais turned to face the Ronin. "Why did you help me? Why bring me here? I am a Dynasty warrior. Your enemy."

Torrent hesitated. "You were hurt."

"Then why not kill me?"

Torrent stared, so Hardrock nudged him.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Hardrock asked, flashing Dais a dirty look.

"He asked why we didn't kill him," Torrent responded.

"Uh, because we're not evil?" Hardrock drawled. "Although I still think we should've left him alone. Anyone who has people chasing him out of the Netherworld and into the Human World is dangerous."

Dais took a sip of water to keep himself from smirking.

The phone ringing made Dais startle, but walking about Tokyo had at least inured him to that particular sound.

"I'll get it," Hardrock grumbled and pushed away from the kitchen table.

"If you know we are the Ronin Warriors, then you know that we won't randomly kill someone," Torrent said.

"You killed more than enough Dynasty soldiers when you assaulted the Keep," Dais pointed out. "Or do they not count, as they are embodied spirits and not flesh and blood?"

Torrent shifted in his seat. "It has been a number of years since our last visit to the Netherworld. We have…changed."

Dais tilted his head slightly. "That still does not explain why you would help an enemy to the point of bringing him someplace safe to recover."

"You were bleeding."

"All the less effort to kill, then."

Torrent rubbed his temples and muttered in modern Japanese, "Dynasty warrior. Right."

Exhaustion promptly pounced on Dais, and he had to lean heavily against the counter behind him. His vision had gone grey, and the glass had nearly slipped from his grip.

Right. Clean, with at least something in my stomach. Given how much Torrent is fighting against my argument, then maybe…

"Do you have somewhere I can rest?" Dais asked, his voice betraying his state. "Anything will do."

Torrent seemed surprised and said, "The couch is available—"

Torrent mentioning the furniture was enough permission, so Dais set the glass down on the counter, walked over to the couch, and after a moment of discomfort and internal grumbling about Western furniture, was dragged down into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Dais did not expect to see White Blaze inches from his face upon waking up. The two of them stared at each other, unmoving. Dais wasn't sure he could move faster than the tiger without his armor, and the beast's teeth would tear straight through fabric and muscle if Dais couldn't. He eventually decided that it wasn't worth the risk.

Well, if the tiger is here, that means Wildfire is present, Dais thought as they continued to stare at each other. I wonder how many of them are here and why. Perhaps to question me? How can they insure I don't lie to them?

"Shoo," he eventually told the tiger.

White Blaze's growl seemed somehow amused and he walked away.

Dais stretched on the couch and winced as his joints popped and muscles twinged.

"Guess he's finally awake, huh?" Dais heard Wildfire say, as White Blaze had joined his master. "I'm amazed he slept through everyone arriving."

"He mentioned that he had been fighting all his life and this was the first time he didn't have to be constantly alert for people trying to kill him," Torrent commented. "I suppose that means that he doesn't consider us a threat."

"You did basically save his life," Strata said. "Although even I don't sleep that deeply. Do I?"

"You do," Halo said, his voice wry.

Dais had gone from groggy to completely awake upon finding out that every Ronin was in the apartment. Even if Torrent or Hardrock didn't recognize him, there was a chance Halo or Strata could, and wouldn't that ruin everything?

Then again, they likely wouldn't be this relaxed if they did recognize me, he thought as he sat up. He looked around, and found his sunglasses wedged into the cushion of the couch. They were, thankfully, unharmed, and he slid them on. He pushed himself standing and turned to face the Ronin.

All of them had aged nicely. No longer were they boys, but young men. There was strength in their bodies, and they seemed less inclined to attack first and ask questions later.

Let us hope they matured emotionally as well as physically, Dais thought, but didn't move towards them. He liked having the couch between them. The last fight he had had with the odds stacked against him had landed him in this very situation, and he had no fall back plans.

The silence stretched until a woman—Mia, he believed her name was—came into the kitchen area. Dais felt a twinge of annoyance at her appearance, as he hadn't forgotten how often she had ruined their plans.

But, now…she may prove useful.

"You can understand me, can you not?" Dais asked, looking at her directly. "Torrent does an admirable job, but his skill has its limits."

Mia coughed in an attempt to smother a laugh, then said, "I understand you, yes."

"Good. I was getting tired of simplifying my sentences. I felt like I was talking to a five year old."

Mia actually did laugh then, and Dais caught Torrent giving him a nasty look. Halo seemed amused, which meant that he probably had a little skill as well.

That, oddly enough, broke some of the tension in the room.

"So, you recognize them as the Ronin Warriors?" Mia asked, taking a seat at the table, although her gaze never left Dais. From her expression, Dais had a feeling that she would, once again, be the most dangerous among the Ronin Warriors. She and the young boy had seen his face longer when he confronted Anubis over his defection.

"Everyone in the Netherworld knows who they are," Dais said. "It would be more surprising if I didn't know who they were."

"And we know nothing about you," Mia said. "I didn't know that the Dynasty employed human warriors outside of the Dark Warlords."

"Who require lieutenants of their own," Dais said. "As Netherworld soldiers are not the most creative thinkers, where do you think they would turn for competent help?"

"Then why weren't you at the Capital when the Ronin went to stop Talpa?"

"The Netherworld is a very large place," Dais said. "And the Ronin were merely five human children. Why would my help be required? There were other matters to contend with."

"And yet you recognize them."

"Torrent, Halo, and Hardrock were at the tender mercies of the Dynasty's hospitality for quite some time. It is not a stretch to identify the other two here as Wildfire and Strata."

Mia nodded, seemingly convinced. "And what should we call you?"
"Rajura," Dais immediately answered. It was a name he was used to responding to, and the role he was describing was the role he played when masquerading as Rajura.

"If you're just a lieutenant of the Warlords, why bother chasing you into the Human world?" Torrent asked. "And why weren't you wearing your arms and armor?"

"I will answer that question when you tell me why you played dumb when I mentioned the Crusaders," Dais riposted. "I was informed that you had been told about them."

Torrent's face flushed slightly.

"When can you guys start speaking normally?" Hardrock complained. "I hate not knowing what's goin' on."

"Cye's question is valid, however. Why chase a lieutenant into the Human World, especially one that is unarmed?" Mia said, ignoring Hardrock.

"What makes you think I wasn't merely exiled and that it was a rogue contingent that decided I should die instead?"

"From the battle that Cye and Kento described, it seems like you are more an escapee than an exile," Halo murmured.

Dais shrugged, declining to answer.

"Whatever the case, we are now at an important juncture," Mia said, looking to Dais. "You seem to know about the Crusaders, while I haven't been able to turn up anything."

"What is your point?"

"The Crusaders are causing trouble not just in Japan, but worldwide," Mia said. "Scholars are baffled by their appearance. They seem almost as if brought to life from a fairytale. No one knows who they are or how to effectively defeat them."

"And?"

Mia was clearly growing annoyed. "Any information you provide can help us in driving them away and saving the Human world."

Dais crossed his arms over his chest. "What profit is in it for me to tell you what I know?"

There was a long silence after his statement.

An idea hit Dais, and his lips pulled into a small smirk. "How about this—I will make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" Mia asked, wary.

"I will tell you what I know. I will help you defeat the Crusaders and their leaders here in the Human world. Once that has been accomplished, the Ronin will come with me and drive the Crusaders out of the Netherworld and back to the realm from which they came."

Mia's eyebrows snapped up. "They're not native to the Netherworld?"

"It's a fair trade. I help you rid this world of the Crusaders, and you will help me dispose of them in the Netherworld."

"How do we know we can trust you to give us accurate information?"

"Why wouldn't I? We have the same goal, and the longer I stall you from disposing of them here, the more time they have to wreck havoc unchecked."

"Okay, just what the hell are they talking about?" Hardrock snapped.

"Rajura says he knows about the Crusaders," Halo said in modern Japanese. "And is willing to help us defeat them."

"But?" Strata said.

"But we have to help him get rid of them in the Netherworld once they are gone from the Human world," Halo responded.

"What? Hell no! The Netherworld ain't our problem," Hardrock said.

That started an argument among the Ronin and Mia, so Dais went to the bathroom, got himself a glass of water, and sat back down on a cushioned chair that was angled so he could watch the Ronin interact.

They were talking over, around, and beneath each other quickly and casually, but after a moment of disorientation, Dais gained a better hold on the conversation and the language it was being spoken in.

By the time the group had come to a conclusion, Dais had a solid grasp on modern Japanese. It hadn't been that difficult, it just hadn't been truly necessary previously, so he had let that aspect of learning how to interact with the modern world slide.

He would still force them to speak in archaic Japanese just for his amusement and to keep up the charade that he couldn't speak or understand modern Japanese. They'd be less close-lipped around him that way.

"Fine," Mia said to him. "We'll help you if you help us."

"I'm glad you made the correct decision," Dais said with a small smirk, but remained where he was sitting. "Why don't I start with the Knights? They are the most dangerous fighters amongst the Crusaders."

"Knights?"

"Surely you have come across them in your battles. There are nine of them," Dais said. "Highly stylized armor, each able to tap into an elemental energy. Well, eight of the nine. The ninth requires a little more…explanation."

The Halo and Torrent looked at each other. "We have seen only one person like that," Halo commented.

"Most likely because the Dynasty was a slightly tougher fight than was expected. Humans were mere chattel, a resource. Obtaining them wasn't worth their attention, I suspect. Don't tell me that you have been having trouble with the footsoldiers?"

"They're human," Torrent murmured, as if that explained everything. As he was a Ronin, it did. They were meant to protect humanity. As the Crusaders appeared human, there was likely some discomfort in hurting them. He doubted the Ronin had ever killed one.

"They vanish once they've 'died,'" Dais said. "They are returned to the world they came from, traumatized but unharmed."

Torrent's head whipped to Dais. "What?"

"Very well, I'll tell you about that first, then."

"Can you come over here?" Mia asked.

"No."

"Why not?" Halo asked.

"I am unarmed and unable to arm myself," Dais said. "Each of you has access to a mystical armor. Try to see it from my point of view."

"Yelling across the room is inconvenient."

"Then sit across from me. There is a table between us that would hinder your progress and I am closer to the door."

"Gee, paranoid much?" Hardrock said once Dais' statement was translated for him, Strata, and Wildfire.

"I suppose it's understandable," Torrent said as they all stood. "He is from the Dynasty. One of the first things he asked me was why we didn't kill him when he was injured."

The Ronin, Mia, and White Blaze distributed themselves around the living room, which made Dais sit up straighter.

"When Talpa attempted to merge the Netherworld and Human World, it also opened up access from other worlds and dimensions as well," Dais began. "The Crusaders are from one of these…alternate worlds. They found their way in, and the leaders saw a chance. So, they began their invasion. It didn't go terribly well until they found an ally in the Netherworld—Talpa. Admittedly, he is calling himself Arago and walking around wearing Lord Anubis' body, but it is Talpa nonetheless."

"I don't believe you," Halo said.

"That's a pretty wild claim," Mia agreed.

Dais shrugged. "I saw him myself, and further intelligence gathering confirmed what and who I saw. I believe that Talpa is manipulating the Crusaders to first take over the Netherworld so he can reclaim power, and then again attempt to overtake the Human world. As the Crusaders are much more human, there will be less severe retaliation. It is far easier to justify killing an animated armor than a human."

After an appropriately dramatic silence, Dais continued: "But while they appear human, they are, in some ways, not. As the Netherworld spirits return to the Netherworld upon their 'death', so, too, do the Crusaders. Unfortunately, unlike Netherspirits, the Crusaders are capable of learning, which makes them a more effective fighting force; however, they can be dispirited and traumatized, which conversely renders them much less useful."

"Can't believe he just said that," Torrent muttered in modern Japanese.

"Said what?" Hardrock asked.

"That trauma can be used as a tactical tool."

"Damn."

"So, any Crusader that is 'killed' doesn't truly die," Dais said, ignoring Torrent. "They are merely returned to their home realm. Naturally, the humans from this world that they dragoon into their service do permanently die. I assume you have learned to distinguish the two?"

From the looks the Torrent and Halo shared, Dais guessed that they hadn't. They had simply assumed that killing a Crusader would result in a dead body, so any and all wounds were non-lethal.

How inefficient.

"Do you know why they began the invasion at all?" Mia asked.

"It is an outlet for aggression, a way to increase status and power, and a method 'cleansing' oneself. It may also be used as a way to obtain more land for excess population. Some are part of the invasion for personal gain, others do it out of religious zealotry. They are ridding the Netherworld of a, ah, demonic taint by removing it from the Dynasty's control."

It had taken a combination of Sekhmet and Dais' unique interrogation abilities to obtain that much detail. The zealous were wont to let any information slip.

"How do you know so much? This all seems like highly classified information," Halo said.

"I am my lord's right hand," Dais said. "I know almost everything he knows."

"And who exactly was the Warlord you served?"

"Given the current state of affairs in the Dynasty, I am certain that the Crusaders know everything about you—surely you should also get to know everything about them," Dais said, not bothering to answer the question.

"Something happened to the Warlords?" Torrent asked. He actually sounded concerned. Dais would have to tell Sekhmet once everything was over—the man would pass out from laughing too hard.

"For the moment, the Dynasty has fallen," Dais replied.

"Fallen?" Halo repeated. "Even with Kayura?"

A lesser man would have bristled at the implication that Kayura was the only reason the Dynasty had a chance at defeating outside forces, but Dais had better self-control than that.

"Even with the Lady," Dais said.

"Well, I mean, it's not that surprising, right?" Hardrock said once things were explained to him. "The Warlords are strong, sure, but not that strong. If we could beat them as teenagers, why couldn't they be beaten by an invasion from another world? Weren't we basically that?"

Dais' fingers drummed against the inside of his elbow as he bit his tongue. He couldn't let on that he could understand them, and he couldn't fight them as he was.

He would remember Hardrock's words, though, and when he retrieved his armor, the Ronin was going to learn just how strong Dais truly was.

"Still, that means that a buffer between the Crusaders and the Human world is gone," Mia said. "I want to know about these Knights Rajura spoke of. If the Warlords aren't distracting them anymore and Talpa is guiding them towards taking over the Human world, we're likely going to come across them shortly."

"Pft, we'll be able to take care of them, no worries," Hardrock said dismissively. "If the Warlords were able to keep them on their toes, they're probably pushovers."

"I'd rather know as much as possible," Halo said before turning his attention to Dais. "You spoke of Knights. Who are they?"

"They are men and women who are skilled at combat. Their armors each carry an elemental affinity, whose power they can use in inventive ways."

Dais provided the Ronin with a sketch of each armor's abilities, but left out major personal details of each Knight. After what Hardrock had said and how no one had debated how weak the Knights would be because of how 'weak' the Warlords were, he felt justified doing so.

There was a long, thoughtful silence from Mia and Halo, as Torrent gave Wildfire, Strata, and Hardrock a summary of what Dais had said.

Dais looked out through the back window of Hardrock's apartment and frowned. He had seen movement. White Blaze apparently detected it, too, as he growled and trotted over to the sliding door.

"What is it?" Wildfire asked and stood.

With the Ronin temporarily distracted, Dais had a moment to check on whether or not he was capable of returning to the Netherworld.

Dais closed his eye and found that no matter how he attempted to make contact, the wall that separated the Human world and the Netherworld was completely solid—at least to him. It felt like he was…caged. Trapped. If he needed to escape, the Netherworld was no longer an option. He was stuck.

Dais opened his good eye and slouched back into the seat. What kind of Warlord of the Dynasty was he if he couldn't even get into the Netherworld? It certainly threw a wrench in his plans.

At least I already know who all the pieces are, Dais thought as he looked at the Ronin. Strata, Wildfire, Halo, Torrent, Hardrock. As before the Warlords were my pawns, now are you. I look forward to getting to know everything about you that you never wanted anyone to know.

"False alarm?" Dais called out.

"Whatever was there, it's gone now," Mia told him.

Dais returned to perfect posture. "Can I count on the Ronin to not kill me?"

Halo and Torrent turned to look at him.

"We didn't kill you at your most vulnerable," Torrent pointed out.

"I suppose the question is, then, can I count on you to trust me? We will be forever looking over each other's shoulders unless we establish some trust. You can trust me to look out for my own interests—which, right now, involves helping you. But, can I trust you?"

"What's he sayin'?" Hardrock asked Torrent.

"He's asking why he should trust us," Halo responded. "He basically said that we can count on him to be selfish, and that will keep him working with us, since our interests are his. But, what reason does he have to trust us?"

"Uh, because we're decent human beings?" Hardrock responded, his voice dry.

"I don't think that kind of thinking will fly for a Dynasty warrior," Halo commented.

"Okay, look," Hardrock said. "I have the space that none of you do, 'cept for Mia. He's got no place to live right now—he can live with me. I mean, if that doesn't show you trust someone, what does?"

No one was more surprised by that statement than Dais.

"What?!" Ryo said, slack-jawed. "But—"

"Dude, even without my armor I'm stronger than the rest of you," Hardrock said. "And I got enough space that it's entirely possible that we can get through all this crap without strangling each other."

"But you can't understand him," Torrent said.

"And he can't understand me," Hardrock shrugged. "I don't actually see how that's a problem. He's at least smart enough to figure out some aspects of modern technology, so I won't have to make sure he doesn't, like, electrocute himself or something. Don't worry, guys! I got this. And it's also incentive to get things over with fast."

The last sentence made the Ronin chuckle.

Dais tapped his fingers lightly as he thought. He had never imagined he would end up cohabitating with a Ronin Warrior, let alone Hardrock.

Should I really be that surprised, though? He wondered. Something seems intent on throwing us together. Perhaps it is worthwhile to see how this runs its course.

Mia explained to him what the Ronin had decided, and Dais agreed to it.

After all, what other option did he have?