Chapter Twenty Seven.His bedroom stunk of sweat and blood. Illuminated by a sole purple-blue candle besides his bed, Dio's translucent skin was a wash of pale light and pools of shadows. Scars marked him where his inhuman biology was working to repair him. His crown and brain had healed for the most part, a fading scar was all that remained of his chair inflicted wound.
His ribs were a little rough, rubbing against one another and the flesh of his torso as he pushed them down. 'Heal quickly, we have much work to do.' He said, reaching for a bottle besides the bed. The liquid inside it was the colour of deep-wine, incarnadine in the right light. He pulled the lit free, filling his mouth with the coppery-tang of blood. He had collected it on his return home, if one had a map of the city, they would find a straight line of victims heading from the battle between All Might and One for All, all the way to Dio's home.
'Redden the earth,' he said, remembering an old mocking jest made out of his father's drinking habit. How fitting it was in this instance, though at least Dio was capable of keeping his civil. To some degree, at least.
He pulled himself free from his bed, only to take the candle with him throughout the place he called home. It was dark, the lights were off, the blinds drawn shut. The only illumination throughout his home was that of the candle. He turned on his television, only to stare wild eyed at the date. He had not slept through a night, but two. Two nights, spent as sleep.
'What a waste of time,' he said, acknowledging a certain form of irony.
A knock at his door drew his attention from his musings. Taking a moment to open the windows and blinds, he then took his time walking towards the door. Opening the door he was assailed by light. The light of a middays sun, hanging high in the sky.
'Dio,' the voice of Aizawa was one that the unkept haired boy had not expected to hear. 'Might I and All Might come in?'
Dio placed the candle to the side, ignoring the flames. 'All Might?' He saw a blonde-haired man besides Aizawa, his eyes filled with a dead joy. 'Apologies Mr Aizawa, but an explanation may be needed. One which can wait for after you two are seated.'
Allowing the two to enter his currently humble abode, Dio took a seat opposite the pair. 'I must regret to inform you both that I have not been keeping uptodate with current affairs. I have been occupied with… other matters.'
'You are not aware that we launched a raid against the League of Villains?' Aizawa asked, masking his shock well, though not as well as to prevent Dio from seeing it. 'Or that All Might is soon to retire?'
'No,' Dio said, honestly surprised. 'I had blocked out all exterior information, focusing instead on fortifying my mind for the future. But please, enlighten me.'
With a brief run down of the information Dio had been unaware of, including a brief mention of him drinking blood, he learned of the battle between All Might and One for All.
'I see. I must compliment you on your service, All Might.'
The diminished blonde-haired man shook his head waving his hand dismissively. 'Not at all, young Dio.'
'If we could get to the after at hand,' Aizawa said. 'Dio, please take a look over this.'
Reading over the document handed to him, Dio went into a state of rage. 'A dorm? They wish for me, Dio, to share a dorm with scum like Mineta and Midoriya. No, I can not be forced into some like this. Besides, I need this place. The money I have paid in advance is… Wait, why should I care about that. More importantly, the Arrow, the knives, not to mention the blood-bottles. Perhaps I can weezle my put of this.' Dio thought, his mind wondering. 'Wait, could they know that I am the one called Worldbreaker? Impossible, I changed my voice, hid my face and outfit, though my shoulders and arms may be a slightly give away. Or perhaps they believe there to be a mole. Perhaps, after all, I did assist with the attack on the camp. No matter.'
'It is certainly an interesting offer,' Dio lied. 'However, I must refuse the invitation to participate in your Dorm System. The money I have paid in advance rent is not refundable. And I also have several possessions which I can not risk being lost or misplaced. This place is also well situated, giving me access to everything I need.'
Aizawa nodded. 'Well, Dio. Due to the current climate, we are trying to ensure the safety of all U.A. Students. To do that, the school has deemed that we need to keep them on campus. If we allowed just one student the freedom of living off campus, then we would have to extend that to all.'
'That much I can accept,' Dio conceded. 'However, was it acceptable to stay here, say once or twice a week, that I could deal with.'
'I think we can work something out, there should be other students in similar circumstances,' All Might allowed.
'Excellent,' Dio said, faking joy. 'But one tiny thing has been bothering me.'
'And what would that be?'
'The training course and USJ incidents. Each time, the league knew about where we would be, and, it seems, with who. I can not help but ask myself this question; how do they know?'
Suppressing a grin, Dio thought to himself. 'Yes, let us see what you have to you admit to having suspicions, or will you cover up your possible investigation. How much do you know, that I work with the League, I think not. It is a shame though, Aizawa, that you find yourself under the scrutiny of the press. For that reason alone am I sorry.'
'We have been investigating the matter as best as possible. However, we have not been able to find any link to the League with either our students or fellow teachers.'
'I see,' Dio said. 'I will have to think about the dorms for now.'
'Very well, goodbye then, Dio.'
Aha, you thought it would be Jam, but no, it was I, Dio! Yes, I DIO. As my injuries heal I must rest myself and shy away from battle. How shameful, that I, Dio, must shy away from my lessers. But that is of no matter. I know now that to some degree the heroes are aware of my participation in the leaking of information. For now I must lay low, let the mask of Worldbreaker be hidden. For soon I shall rise like the phoenix.
Thank you Lord Dio. Now, I must thank you all for your continued patronage. Well, take care all, and spread the name and will of Lord Dio.