Cale stretched and stood up. "It's about time!"

"What's about time?" Anubis asked, eyes closed, still meditating.

"That Sterling got here."

"I don't see him." Sekhmet scanned the length of maze in front of him.

"That's because I'm right behind you."

Sekhmet whirled to face him. "Well it's about time!"

Cale walked up to his son. "Did you get them?"

"And then some."

"Huh?"

Sterling pointed to the assorted people behind him. "By the way..."

"Yes?"

"Did you and...Kayura have a fight?"

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"Why? I'll tell you why!" Kayura stepped up to him. "You forgot my birthday, that's why!" She crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Ooooo! Cale's in trouuuuuble!"

"Shut up Anubis!!"

Mia blinked. That's it? THAT'S why she was looking for him?

"Oh Caaaaaaale..."

"Yes, Kay?"

"Why the hell are you living with the enemy?!"

Cale winced. "Talpa kicked his out. Found better warlords than us."

"Speaking of which..." Everybody turned to Cye. "Have you figured out who they are yet?"

"Sage did, actually." Sekhmet replied.

"Oh? Who are they?" Rowen asked. "And just where the hell is Sage?"

"I can answer the first one." Webby hurried in front of the group and spun towards them, her hands up and out to the sides. "We are!"

The Ronins were silent a moment before Kento's voice rang out.

"So THAT'S why you wanted my armor!"

Webby rolled her eyes. "Duh."

"Ok, ok." Ryo said. "Now that we've established who the warlords were replaced with, do any of you brilliant ex-warlords know where Sage is?"

"And where the hell is Daddy?"

Anubis sighed. "I was wondering when someone was going to ask that. We don't know where Dais is and Sage is out looking for him."

"Woah, woah, woah." Kento shook his head. "You mean to tell me that Lady Lasso over here is Dais' DAUGHTER?!"

"That's right fatty, I'm his daughter. Deal with it!"

Cye turned to Rowen. "That means two we saw earlier were Anubis' kids."

"Brilliant deduction, Holmes!"

"Roanna." Anubis gave his daughter a warning look.

"Sorry."

During all of this, Sekhmet was looking around. "Speaking of kids," He said, "Where are Viper and Spider?"

"Oh! Webby and I were sick of their bickering, so we kinda ditched them."

"Oi, Roan!"

"Oh come on, Dad! You would have ditched them, too, if you were there!"

"Hate to break this guys," Kento stepped in between Roan and Anubis. "But shouldn't we

be looking for Dais and Sage? Not to mention fighting Talpa..."

"Kento's right." Ryo agree. "Where we find Talpa, we'll probably find the others."

With everyone in agreement, the fourteen of them set off for Talpa's castle.

--

Talpa floated in front and above the two figures in his throne room. "SINCE I ALREADY HAVE TWO OF THE RONINS, IT WOULD ONLY BE FITTING TO HAVE THE OTHER THREE. GET THEM!"

"Yes, Master." The two bowed and teleported out.

Talpa turned to his two captives. "SOON YOUR FRIENDS WILL JOIN YOU AND THEN YOU WILL BE DESTROYED!" Evil, gravely laughter echoed throughout the room.

Rich glared at the giant ugly laughing above him. HOW MANY MUST I SAY IT?! I'M. NOT. STRATA! He started struggling in his spider web bonds. I gotta get us out of here!

Sage watched his friend's brother in idle curiosity/boredom. The bonds are too strong. He'll never break free. After a while, Sage decided to meditate. Perhaps the answer to all this would make itself apparent to him.