Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 20)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: Sage Date, all four Warlords, Lady Kayura
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: There's a lot this time! Alluded to past child death, mentioned past attempts by parents to kill their child, mentioned past parental murder, mentioned past burning of corpses (Cale did NOT have a good childhood), and nightmares of the Ronin Warriors dying (note: DON'T WORRY, they don't actually die). Nothing's super gory, but please be aware of this.
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

Cale usually took pride in his lack of refinement. While other warriors were foolish enough to care about their appearance, he had no qualms about getting his hands literally and metaphorically dirty to accomplish his goals. It was why he and those under his protection had survived all these centuries. However, meeting Master Talpa required at least the illusion of decorum. So, he stood perfectly still in his ‘spot’ in the emperor’s throne room, clad in his sub-armor. When Sekhmet joined him a moment later, a brief exchange of glances was all that either of them could afford in the way of acknowledgment. When speaking with the emperor, composure was an integral trait.

And that composure was the only reason he did not cry out in surprise when Anubis joined them.

Sekhmet, however, had always been more emotional. “I—what are you doing here? I thought that you—” He froze when Anubis’s blade was pressed against his neck.

“I serve Master Talpa,” Anubis informed him.

Sekhmet also didn’t know how to take a hint. “Okay, sure, we all do,” he huffed, tense but not cowed by the blade. “But my minions told me that you disappeared after your battle with Torrent and Wildfire. How did you escape?”

“I serve Master Talpa,” Anubis informed him.

Cale permitted himself another, stern glance at Sekhmet, who sighed but nodded as much as one could when they had a blade to their throat. Anubis pulled the weapon away and stood perfectly still to eventually address the emperor. Sekhmet was stubborn, but not as foolish as some might claim. That was a relief, since—no. Any thoughts like that needed to be pushed down. For now, he was Talpa’s obedient dog and nothing else.

Emperor Talpa’s spectral visage filled the room. As always, he went on about needing to capture the remaining Armors. Anubis detailed a plan about how he would kill Torrent by targeting his sister. And that confirmed Cale’s suspicions that Anubis had been brainwashed. Anubis had exiled himself over the guilt of killing Shin Mouri when he wasn’t in peak condition. Such a plan should have been anathema to Anubis, yet here he was, face blank as he provided the emperor the details of how he would kidnap the sister and then kill both siblings.

The Anubis he knew—that even when he was frustrating, Cale could respect—was gone.

“Cale?” Talpa intoned.

“Forgiveness, Master. I was just plotting on how we could bring the Ronin Warriors to our side.” He very quickly made up a story about how Sage of the Halo was close to his breaking point and how he would use that to convince him to join them. Predictably, the emperor was delighted.

--

“So, what are we going to do?!” Sekhmet bellowed the instant they were ‘safe’ in the mortal realm, clad in civilian clothing, and they had triple-checked for spies. “Anubis is Talpa’s puppet now, and his strength rivals Hardrock’s!”

“Peace, Sekhmet.” Cale held up a hand. “We both knew that Anubis would have to be confronted eventually. Although I will admit, this is sooner than I hoped.”

Sekhmet made a fist with his right hand and hit it against his left palm. “I know what we should do. We should poison Anubis with my venom!”

“Even with your strongest venom, Anubis would be alive long enough to kill you,” Cale smirked as Sekhmet gulped. “Sorry, but it’s true. I know this isn’t your style, but we’ll need a long-term strategy.”

“Fine,” Sekhmet huffed. “What do you propose?”

It was almost tempting to let Anubis and the Mouris finish each other off… but no, there was a better way. “Do you remember when I told Talpa I was going to bring Halo to our side?”

“Yes, and even I could tell that you pulled that out of your—”

“Regardless, I have been working to persuade Halo to join us. And yes, I remember that Dais failed every time to bring a Warrior to our side. However, I plan on using the truth rather than mind control. Halo is a pragmatic young man. Once he realizes that there’s no other way to save his friends, he’ll join us of his own volition.”

Sekhmet scowled. “How will you do that?”

“We’ll let him know what Anubis is up to, giving him the chance to save his friends. That will earn us his trust. After that… we just have to wait for a particularly emotional aftermath of a battle, when he’s more willing to listen to our concerns. Once he joins us, he’ll help us find the Jewel of Life.”

Sekhmet’s scowl deepened. “I thought that was just a story.”

“No. It’s real, and the only way we will ever be able to gather enough strength to defeat Anubis and Talpa.”

“I… see.” Now Sekhmet merely looked thoughtful. “I wonder if the stories about how the jewel can help one recover memories are true as well.”

Cale sensed it wasn’t wise to ask Sekhmet what he meant by that, so he settled for nodding. “I’m sure it can.”

--

“What are you doing?!” Cale’s annoying vassal, Sasuke, stood in the middle of the doorway. “You’re still a wanted man, Dais! Leaving Lord Cale’s quarters is just asking for a blade in your back!”

In the past, Dais would have blasted him away. But now? It seemed… overly dramatic. There were other ways to get his point across. And he even trusted Sasuke enough to know that he was only trying to help. He had mentioned to Cale that his head felt clearer after he had to forsake his Armor. What he hadn’t mentioned was that this extended to his spirit as well. He’d protect himself if needed, of course. And if Cale needed help in usurping Talpa, he would (most likely) provide it. But… he didn’t want to fight more than necessary. He felt almost like he did when he served Hiroshi, trying to figure out battles with the lowest number of causalities possible since he had thought Hiroshi was a kind lord who would unite all through his just, merciful nature.

Unfortunately for him (and Hiroshi’s victims), he had let his feelings cloud his perception. But that hadn’t been the case with Cale. He was no angel, but he was sincere in his quest to stop Talpa. It was… strange, trusting someone again. But it was also a relief. He’d never realized how terrified he was of everything until being brought here.

In fact, he felt brave enough to venture into the outside world today. “Relax, Sasuke, I’m already in disguise. And besides, it’s not like I’ve never left home before.”

“You’re not leaving home; you’re planning to visit the neighboring village. If someone harmed you in any way, I don’t know what I’d tell Lord Cale.”

“I just plan on learning more about this territory that Cale values,” Dais assured him.

“Well, I can’t fault you for that,” Sasuke grumbled, shuriken in hand, “but I insist on being your bodyguard.”

Dais felt himself smile at that. “I feel safer already.”

--

Dais did indeed feel safer with Sasuke by his side, but that was more than he could say for the refugees from the Spring Territory they observed while on his walk.

“I see more wraiths and demons are fleeing after Anubis disappeared,” Sasuke murmured as a demon with bovine features helped some wounded wraiths into a small house. After that, he went to speak to the woman who had been leading them to safety—Dais froze when he realized that the woman was Hikari, Anubis’s second-in-command and the confident onna-musha who had almost captured him. That steely resolve was still in her bearing, but she also looked filthy and exhausted as she spoke with the demon. Anubis had been eccentric, but he had always run his territory well.

“What happened?” He whispered to Sasuke.

“Come, my lord. Let’s find a private area to speak so we do not accidentally re-traumatize some of these poor souls.” They settled on a small bench well out of earshot of the refugees. “We’re not certain ourselves. For the past few years, Hikari had ruled the Spring Territory in Anubis’s name while he was in exile. But suddenly, our scouts are giving us reports about how Anubis branded Hikari a traitor and would take control to restore his territory to its former glory.” He watched as a middle-aged wraith tried to comfort a small, cat-like demon. “Some glory.”

Dais watched the young demon as she hugged the wraith tightly. He hadn’t opened his heart to others for centuries. However, he couldn’t resist the need to let his shields fall. There was desperation and fear but also hope that they could find safety here. Of course, that was mixed in with the sorrow for homes and loves ones lost forever.

The Dynasty was supposed to be different. You were supposed to realize your greatest dreams and ambitions. But right now? All Dais saw was the same useless bloodshed that he had hated and thought he was fighting against when he was a mortal.

“I have to do something for them.”

“Come again?” Sasuke rested his chin in his hand, sizing Dais up. “I thought Dais the Spider cared for nothing but his ambitions.”

“So did I,” Dais confessed. “But ever since I’ve taken off my Armor, I feel like…” He stopped himself before he said, like my old self. “Like a certain wolf might be worth seeking out after all.” That was all he could say in this realm without it reaching Talpa’s ears.

“Wolves are woefully misunderstood. They’re pragmatic but warm to those they choose to care for,” Sasuke said with a nod. That was all he could say. Then he brightened. “Tangentially, what do you think of Lord Cale? He’s quite handsome, and would never betray you and leave you to die.”

Why was Sasuke, who had been so careful about Cale’s plans to usurp Talpa, suddenly… oh, right. That. He’d pretended not to notice, but anyone paying even some attention would have noticed Cale’s crush on him at this point. He wasn’t sure why Sasuke cared, though. “I don’t know,” he said. “Your boyfriend trying to kill you—and then you spending decades torturing him psychologically as vengeance for that—leaves a mark.”

“You have a point,” Sasuke conceded. “But that mark may not be as painful as it was before. And you’ve changed since then.”

Whether he liked it or not, Sasuke was correct. The bitterness and pain of betrayal were still there. It would always be there. But he could think about other things now. Like how families were suffering in the Spring Territory and how Talpa appeared to be encouraging that. Someone had to help them and end their pain.

“Heavens help me,” he realized with a sickening feeling. “I’m becoming Torrent.”

Sasuke blinked. “Torrent? Oh, right, Torrent! The gentle-hearted Ronin Warrior who hates violence and wants to help everyone. Yes, I can see the similarity in your natures. I’d even say you could be his brother.”

“You could say that. And I could kill you right after you say that.”

Sasuke cleared his throat. “Of course, there are key differences.”

--

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the little spider,” Sekhmet said as he sauntered into the mortal realm’s small forest they had chosen for their meeting, clad in those strange rags of his. “Are you being a good homemaker for the big, bad wolf?”

Dais dusted off his kimono. “Bold words for someone who’s terrified that I won’t agree to work with him and Cale and he’ll have to face big, bad Hardrock with no illusions to protect him.”

Sekhmet staggered backward, jaw practically on the floor. “How—how did you—I mean, that’s not true at all, I’m the most fearsome warrior in the Dynasty—”

“Relax, I was bested by Hardrock as well,” Dais reminded him. “And you really know nothing concerning psychic or empathic ability, do you?”

“Those things have nothing to do with venom, so of course not,” Cale answered as he emerged from the shadows, once again in his doboku. “How did you think Dais was able to cast his illusions if you didn’t know about psychics, Sekhmet?”

“I thought he was a wizard,” Sekhmet said without missing a beat.

Dais tried (and failed) to hide his laughter. “Goodness—just give me a moment.” When he collected himself, he continued. “You know, Sekhmet, I wish we could’ve met when we were mortals. I think you would have made an interesting fr… acquaintance.”

Sekhmet’s expression darkened. “I wish I could tell you that you’re wrong, but I have no recollection of my life before Emperor Talpa summoned me to his realm.”

Dais walked over to Sekhmet. Cale was about to scold him for whatever scheme he was about to implement, but instead, Dais simply rested one hand on Sekhmet’s head, eye closed in thought. “Hm. There’s a block there. I could remove it, but it will require time.” He gave Cale a pointed look. “Of course, it would be easier if you really can convince Halo to join your cause.” His features softened into a concerned (at least, that’s what Cale hoped) frown. “You should be careful about that. I got too invested in trying to bring the Ronin Warriors down to my level, and look what it got me.”

“Thank you, but this decision is strictly business,” Cale assured him. “Halo’s abilities and perhaps more importantly, his desire to end Talpa no matter the cost make him the ideal candidate for removing Anubis and Talpa.”

“Agreed, but much of your plan assumes the best in people. You’re hoping that Halo won’t just cut you down when you approach him. You’re also hoping that Anubis will not hunt you down and that somewhere in the immediate future, Halo will suffer some battle that will leave him jaded about his mission and teammates enough to defect.” Dais shook his head. “There are too many unknowns for me to be comfortable with this plan, Cale. Therefore, I propose that I accompany you when you approach Halo. I’ll find the truths that lurk in his heart.”

Sekhmet harrumphed. “But if he’s psychic as well, won’t he be able to tell if you’re spying on him?”

“I have centuries of experience on that lad. Even if he is brilliant, he’ll never even know what I’m up to.”

“Yes, but when you fought Torrent, who can do weird mind stuff as well, he—”

Cale bristled. “You do not wish to finish that sentence.”

“It’s fine, Cale,” Dais insisted, although he looked like he was anything but fine. “I allowed my emotions to get the better of me when I fought Torrent. I will not make that mistake again.” He glanced at Cale. “Not when someone I want to keep alive is at risk.”

“I see,” Cale said, somehow keeping his composure after that comment. “Does… that mean you’ll assist with other parts of this plan as well?”

“I’m not sure if I’d be much help with Anubis or warfare in general. My martial skills have atrophied. However, if I can be of use to you in any way, I will help you.”

“That’s all I ask,” Cale whispered almost reverently.

“Yes, yes, we’ll defeat Talpa with the power of your love or whatever,” Sekhmet grumbled. “Are we done? My minions are supposed to be done getting the ingredients I need for my next batch of venom.” When Cale said that the meeting was concluded, Sekhmet disappeared.

“So, Sekhmet thinks that we’re together,” Dais mused. Then he smirked at Cale. “But how could he not, when you kept staring at me with puppy dog eyes.”

For the first time in centuries, Cale felt his face heat up. He didn’t know what to say, since he had never been in this kind of situation before. Lying would do no good since Dais was psychic. So, he settled for the truth. “I’m sure you know my feelings at this point. I will take whatever you give me and nothing more.”

“I see.” Dais looked away for a moment. “When I figure out my feelings, you’ll be the first to know. But for now, we should probably reach out to Halo. He’s having a vision. I can’t get the particulars, but it’s enough to distress him to the point of desperation. If you wish to speak to him, now is the time.”

--

It was one of those rare times at night when Sage was awake and Rowen was asleep. Sage took some comfort in that he didn’t wake up screaming. If he had, then even Rowen would have been awoken and then he would have to explain…

It was a vision, he reminded himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. It was not reality. Talpa did not grab Rowen in his giant, monstrous hands and snap his spine, dropping him to the ground.

Cye wasn’t killed in a wave of energy when he rushed in a desperate attempt to heal his dying friend.

Kento hadn’t been cradling Cye’s corpse as Talpa consumed the three of them.

Ryo hadn’t—the future wasn’t written in stone. He had the experience to support that. He’d saved his father’s life twice. He would save his friends.

Halo.

Sage tensed. The presence he felt was Dais, but there was no malice in his spirit. Only calm and purpose. He—he reminded him a little bit of Cye now, honestly.

Halo, Cale and I wish to speak with you. We’re not in our Armor, so don’t worry about putting Strata in harm’s way if you leave him for a moment. If you do grace us with your presence, you will know where to find us.

Sage sat up from his futon, ready to leave, but then remembered that Ryo would kill him if he broke their rule. (He was fairly sure Cye had survived only because they all loved Cye so much.) No, he sent out. We can talk like this.

You are a shrewd young man. No wonder Cale is so invested in recruiting you to our side. Sage shuddered as Dais chuckled psychically (that was the only way to describe it). Cale wished to alert you that Anubis is planning to target your princeling’s sister as part of his scheme to secure the Torrent Armor.

… Sayoko. Cye. Why are you telling me this?

Cale’s telling you. I’m merely the messenger. Frankly, I have little interest in your realm or you Ronin Runts anymore, but Cale seems to want to keep your group alive. And I can’t say no to Cale. So, yes, Anubis is going to try to kill your friend and his sister. Save them. Or don’t. It’s your life.

--

“Well, now he’s waking up Strata so he can explain what happened,” Dais smirked as he opened his eye. “You were right, by the way. He would do anything, even side with us if needed, to save his friends. And he’s quite aware that he’s now in your debt.”

“Your debt, you mean,” Cale corrected him. “You’re the one that reached out to him.”

Dais shook his head. “I meant what I thought. The only reason I alerted Halo was because of your influence.”

“… I see. Does that also apply to why you used the promise of recovered memories to reinforce Sekhmet’s loyalty to our cause?” Cale wasn’t psychic, but he knew manipulation when he saw it.

“Yes,” Dais admitted. “Although there was some curiosity on my part in that decision as well. I feel like if I can recover his memories, we might learn the origin story of his obsession with venom.”

Cale let out a short bark of laughter. “Are you absolutely sure you want to know that? I suspect it’s a strange tale.”

Dais smiled and shrugged. “You know me, always sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“Yes, and that’s what I… admire about you.” Cale had done his best to catch himself before he said anything awkward, but it was too late. The immediate silence between them was almost overwhelming. He supposed he had no one to blame but himself: he’d spent so long just surviving, then trying to build at least one space where children could live without fear, he’d never even considered romance until now. And if it was always this awkward, he was beginning to regret it.

“Hey.” Dais tapped one of Cale’s scars. “It’s not a good idea for you to linger out here. You’re supposed to meet Talpa again soon.”

“Correct as always.”

“Good of you to finally realize that.” Dais wasn’t quite sure why he reached out to place a hand on Cale’s arm for a moment, but the warmth was pleasing. The Armor had always been so cold. That had been something he had welcomed at first—it kept him alert. But now? He was realizing how much it had isolated him.

“Cale,” he said as they walked together back to the gate. “This is out of character for me, but… have you ever felt isolated?”

“All the time,” Cale replied, not missing a beat or a step as he kept going. “Don’t forget where I came from. The village thought I was a freak because I could see in the dark and could talk to wolves.”

Dais frowned. “In those times, those would have been valuable skills. At least I can understand why people would be wary around a psychic; no one wants someone to read their basest thoughts or sense their innermost desires. But your talents could keep yourself and others alive.”

“I know. And for a while, my father tried to dissuade them of their fears. My mother, on the other hand…”

It was going to be difficult for Cale to discuss this, but Dais could sense that he needed to. “Your mother,” he prompted.

Cale smiled bitterly. “Her plan was brilliant. The winter that year was the bitterest our village had ever known. We had already lost several children to the elements; no one would raise an eyebrow if one more perished. Especially if that child was the one that no one liked.” The smile faded. “I don’t remember much of that night. I tried to find my mother, but the snow was overwhelming. If it hadn’t been for Mama—”

“Wait,” Dais interjected. “You just said that your mother…” But then he caught a glimpse of an image of a majestic, silvery wolf with eyes so pale blue they were almost white, and he understood.

“You’re not going to tease me for connecting to an animal?” Cale was trying to look stern, but Dais had known him long enough to know that he was vulnerable.

“Cale, I spent way too much time and effort trying to kill a Ronin Warrior because he reminded me of my ex. I am in no position to judge.” He frowned. “No. I tried to kill him because he reminded me of myself, but that’s not the issue here. I think I can guess what happened next. The wolf sheltered you and brought you home. However, the fact that you had survived only cemented your mother’s fears that you were, indeed, a demon.”

“You guess right. Also, it convinced my father that he was wrong and that I was a monster that must be killed as well.” He didn’t say anything after that. He didn’t need to. Dais could see the images of the father, face contorted in terror as he attacked his son with a dagger. The mother, charging with naginata in hand.

Cale had been young—about Halo’s age—but still managed to channel enough fury to defend himself. Summoning Armor even colder than the winter to protect himself and kill those who would harm him. He also demonstrated enough presence to set the home on fire, so no one would suspect something sinister had happened to the couple. “And that’s when Talpa found you.” That meant that, unlike Dais, he had grown up in the Dynasty. No wonder he was so attached to it. It had provided him the home that the mortal realm had not. “Just one last question. What happened to Mama?”

“I offered to take her to the Dynasty with me, but she refused. She understood my decision, and even supported it, but never liked it. We still visited and even had our share of adventures, however. When I’m here, I try to check on her descendants.”

“Hmm.” Dais placed a hand on Cale’s back. “Maybe next time, I could go with you?”

Cale grinned. “Nothing would make me happier.”

--

If her bodyguards, tutors, nurses, and ladies-in-waiting knew where Kayura was, they would throw a fit. She wasn’t supposed to leave the castle. That, frankly, was faulty logic. If she was Talpa’s heir, then she needed to become familiar with the Dynasty. Talpa was powerful, but even he couldn’t rule eternally. While the Dynasty often boasted of immortality when trying to corrupt mortals, that was more of a plastic term than they would ever admit. You could still be killed. And even if you weren’t, eventually your will would be too exhausted to keep your flesh alive after millennia of existence, your spirit departing for the next realm. Despite his schemes, even Talpa would one day be defeated by time.

She suspected this was partly why her subjects acted more like jailors. She had been foolish enough to speak some of her bolder thoughts out loud a few centuries ago. Now, she was all but locked away in this blasted castle. Once again, that was faulty logic. She did not agree with everything her father did, but he was still her father. She would never betray him; she vowed as her fingers brushed against the amulet she always wore.

She froze when she heard a strange sound. “Who’s there?”

A monk appeared before her, staff in hand and a white tiger by his side.

“Hello, Kayura,” the monk said. “I was hoping that we could talk.”

This was probably a poor idea, but her curiosity, desire to frustrate her ‘helpers,’ and something deep within her soul compelled her to stay. “All right,” she said with a playful smirk. The monk didn’t appear to be a threat, but she needed to be prepared for battle just in case. That involved adopting the persona of Talpa’s cruel-hearted daughter. “Let’s talk, old man.”