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[hr][center][b]Breakthrough[/b][/center][hr]

[i]Komatsu Bay[/i]: [@PaulHaynek] [@The Irish Tree](Lili) [@Crowvette] [@Restalaan](Skars)[hr]

[color=royalblue]"The Sapphire Prince?"[/color] Shizuka said. He thought the name sounded overly flashy and tacky; no doubt something the Varjans would come up with. [color=royalblue]"Kaneda Castle, is it? Thank you for confirming Lord Oja is still alive and his location."[/color] He said, shaking the blood off of his sword with one swift motion and sheathing it. He was glad his gambit worked and he was able to subdue the warlock, though, he wanted to interrogate him more. It appears his [b]Ikazuchi[/b] was a bit much for the poor dolt, and there he laid - face down in the mud. Much to the contrary of his earlier bravado.

Before anyone could act further, the rest of the patrolling soldier overheard the commotion and came running to the vicinity. Shizuka and his comrades were now surrounded on all sides; the ronin was about to give orders, but noticed the soldiers weren't prepping for an attack? Odd, perhaps they were shaken by Merneptah's defeat? Some of them did seem taken aback by the loss of their respected superior. However, their behavior soon changed as they began a ritualistic chant. 

The name they kept repeating over and over again was: [b]Na-Kratz[/b].

Shizuka felt a chilling aura coming from the masked man. Shizuka had seen him during his visit to Kazenosuke's home, but one could tell he was an entirely different realm of guile than his braindead subordinates. He also noticed that he seemed to recognize Skarsneek, likely from the early mission in Sanjo Town. 

[color=royalblue]"Don't test your luck with this one."[/color] Shizuka said to Io directly, as Skarsneek was likely already acquainted with this man's menace. [color=royalblue]"This one can't be compared to all of the other fighters we've been facing up until this point, we need to give ourselves every possible advantage we can this time. We'll follow Skarsneek's lead for now"[/color] 

With his fog now dispelled, their options for cover we now limited to the inside of the damaged mansion. Shizuka decided that was their best bet for now, in order to make a distraction, Shizuka let loose a thunderbolt at the ground near Na"Kratz and his soldiers. With the blinding flash he signaled for Skarsneek and Io to follow him back into the mansion. There, they hoped to pick off at the muzzled man and the Varjan mooks steadily without losing much stride. 

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[hr][center][b]Second Chance[/b][/center][hr]

[i]Fort Tanabe[/i]: [@PaulHaynek] [@Restalaan](Grin)[hr]

Atsuha silently looked on as Kikyo further explained the situation to Lord Takeshi, the latter pondered on the event for moment before he addressed rest of the party. It was decided that they'd worry about the implications of the prisoners' treatment later, and for now would simply lead them back to the temple as new allies. Takeshi then addressed the Hangai sisters and Gringor, asking if they had plans for continuing to another destination or to head back to base camp.

Hinami didn't care much for Gringor's retort to her scolding, responding by blowing the High Orc a raspberry. Apparently, he wanted to go to Komatsu port where Shizuka's group was undergoing the liberation mission. Apparently, things were expected to get pretty intense there, which just sounded like more fun to their battle freak friend...

[color=9e0b0f]"I do believe Shizuka-san and co will be just fine. He's the captain for a reason after all!"[/color] Atsuha said with a reassuring tone. [color=9e0b0f]I believe we've had enough excitement for now; Heading back to Terauchi Temple sounds like a fine idea."[/color] She said to Takeshi. Hinami nodded in agreement, but then looked at Gringor concernedly. 

[color=7bcdc8]"I just hope that bonehead doesn't get into too much trouble..."[/color]