Dairou

Overview

Dairou is a Seidan mercenary in the Mortal Kombat series, originally appearing in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Originally part of the Seidan Guard, he is manipulated by the terrorist Darrius into working against the realm's law and order.

In Mortal Kombat: Deception, he fights with Wing Chun and Escrima, while in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, he fights with Mízōngquán. His weapon in both games is a large, modified dao.

He was originally slated to appear in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, but did not make the cut. He does not appear in the series alternate timeline or the New Era timeline, although it is revealed that the New Era Havik's real name is "Dairou" (leading some to believe that Havik is that timeline's Dairou).

Story

Prior to the events of Mortal Kombat: Deception, he was a highly-respected member of the Seidan Guard under the command of General Hotaru. When his family was murdered, he kills the assailant in a fit of rage and is sentenced to life imprisonment. He escapes prison during a riot incited from Darrius's Seidan Resistance Movement and instead of giving in to Chaos, becomes a neutral mercenary for hire.

Unknowingly to him, the assailant who killed his family was hired by Darrius himself, as Darrius believed that Guardsmen would be strong recruits for his cause. Despite his neutrality, Dairous ends up being contracted by the Resistance for a few tasks, namely the heist of the realm's constitution and the assassination of his former General.

The fates of these missions remain unknown, and he is believed to be slain in the Battle of Armageddon like countless others.

Endings (non-canon)

Mortal Kombat: Deception

Despite his tendency for less-risky ambushes, Dairou challenges Hotaru in combat and defeats him. Feeling compelled as some code of honor, he attempts to confess who ordered the hit, but the General dies before doing so.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

Dairou defeats Blaze, whose fire envelops him in a golden suit of armor. The armor allows him to withstand a challenge by Shao Kahn, leaving him to defeat the emperor and claim Outworld for himself, turning it into the majestic realm it once was.