Kenren slid the door to Raiden's room open, as a young samurai-ko brought tea for the two of them. She laid it on the low table, then bowed and eased backward out of the room, closing te door as they left.

The Phoenix sat in silence, observing Raiden's art.

Raiden finished the painting of Shiro Mirumoto and hung it on the wall. The painting, while only black and white, did capture the image of Shiro Mirumoto with the sun rising over the keep. The snow covered mountains around it.

"Sometimes you should remember why you fight, Kenren-san"

The Isawa could only nod, and as he sat watching Raiden paint, he thought about why he was fighting. It wasn't his problem. He could have just... walked away. The Dragon had no shortage of shugenja. His talents were not as outstanding as those of the Fire Tensai.

Why, then?

And the answer came to him, and unwilling as he was to accept it. he could not deny its truth.

He needed to see her again.

Keiko.

Kuyuden entered the tea house, his armor was dirty and battered, but Kuyuden was in good condition.

"How long do you think this will last" Kuyuden asked.

"Till the Lion get tired of this, or we all die."

Dai seemed to be in some sort of empty void. He just felt like floating there, nothing to disturb him. His wounds were nonexistant, his body feeling refreshed and in a state of peace. He didn't want to leave.

Suddenly, a large field formed around Dai. He was all alone, with nothing but grass in the seemingly infinte expanse of grass. When the samurai finally got his bearing, he noticed that he was wearingall his armor, holding his yari. He was ready to fight fight, but what was he fighting?

His oppenent showed himself after a short amount of time. An armored warrior, sword out, an offensive stance being taken. With a closer look, it turned out to be his ancestor, back again to pester him.

"What do you want now?" Dai asked, sighing as he did so.

"You were pathetic in that last fight. If you ever want to be a great warrior, you must defeat me," Murai rasped.

"This is your almighty punishment and annoyance? A challenge? You're ancient, how can you still fight?" Dai mocked.

"If you won't fight me, then I'll just have to show you what this ancient body can do," Murai snapped back. With startling speed, Dai's ancestor ran up and stabbed Dai's spirit body. There was no pain, but it was obvious that a sword was sticking through his gut. "With death, I have gained much knowledge. Defeat me and you will be ready to fight, but right now you are not ready. I will come back when I feel you are ready."

With that, Dai's ancient ancestor dissipated, leaving the samurai alone to reflect on what he was taught. Although he had learned something, he was more annoyed than anything else. He felt like he wasn't even taught anything, just given a goal he knew he couldn't achieve without years of training. Dai just stood there for what seemed like forever, trying to figure out what to do after this odd incident in his own head.

The ground began to crack beneath Dai. The ground was undermined beneath him like there was a hidden chamber beneath him.

With the ground cracking around him, Dai couldn't help but follow his insticnts. He began running away from this figment of his imagination. He didn't know what was going on, but something about it fascinated him.

The ground collapsed reavealing a hidden chamber beneath. The chamber was dark but the interior looked like a small shrine. Near the alter sat a set of full armor. looking as it had been discarded. The shrine was to Benten, godess of beauty.

Dai climbed down into the chamber and looked around in awe. He had never seen anything like this in his life. Noticing the armor, he walked up to it, marvelling at its beauty. Noticing that it was made out to Benten, he thanked the great goddess for this incredible gift.

With the armor in hand, Dai waited for himself to come back to consciousness. He didn't know what this gift from Benten, would have in the real world, but his imagination was holding the most magnificent piece of armor he had ever seen. He once again thanked the goddess for his gift as he waited.

The armor had a blank mon on the back, but at Dai's touch the mon changed to his families mon. The armor was beautiful and contained the images of all the animals of the calender, and black kanji shaped to resemble vines and lightning. The helm of tharmor resembled a dragon and on the forehead gaurd "Armor of the Loyal Son" was written. The armor obviously contained powerful enchantments.