[center][h3]Komatsu Bay[/h3][/center]
[center][b]BREAKTHROUGH[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

In the face of being surrounded by a mob of Varjans led by someone far more dangerous than any of them, the taskforce retreated to the flaming building whose fires were dying down from the rain.

"[color=mediumpurple]Cowards! Come out here and fight![/color]" Na'kratz yelled at the retreating taskforce. He then barked orders to the rest of the Varjan mob. "[color=mediumpurple]You all! Surround the manor and make sure none of them leaves! I'll go in there and deal with them myself.[/color]" The Varjans obeyed the command and moved to form a ring of shields around the manor. Na'kratz marched to enter the manor, but his boot then bumped into the unconscious form of Merneptah. Disappointment and rage filled Na'kratz and ended the Warlock's life with claw thrust to the neck.

Na'kratz then, bravely, entered the ruined manor at the frontmost door. Or rather, where the frontmost door should be if it was still there. If the taskforce had any traps for him, he wanted them sprung immediately.

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

[u]Liliana[/u] encountered nothing but rain while on her way to her allies in the manor. However, she soon hit an obstacle in the form of Varjan Warriors and Brigands surrounding the aforementioned manor. The structure seemed it was in flames recently, the rain probably putting it out far earlier than it's normal lifespan. The smoldering embers were still visible even from where [u]Liliana[/u] was.

Her friends were likely inside the manor judging from the ring of Varjans around the building. Taking on all these Varjans may be possible for the warrior Fairy in order to give her allies an opening. Or, she could use her diminutive size to sneak past the encirclement and rendezvous with the taskforce. From there, they could plan their next course of action.

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]TEACHER AND STUDENT[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"Can you live with that?"[/color][/quote]

Takamori smiled and looked at [u]Kerry[/u], amused. "[color=yellow]I've already suffered your aid, yokai. I can suffer this easily.[/color]" He then looked away again. "[color=yellow]Although, I will be extremely disappointed in her if she doesn't give you the fight of her life.[/color]"

The master archer then turned towards the Hornet, a pose that indicated that his next words were as serious as possible. "[color=yellow]Listen, Miss Kerry. I don't know the best time to say this, so I'll say it now: Lord Takeshi's collusion with you, yokai, has gone very deep. Once we rescue his father, there is no doubt that he will be sentenced with a harsh punishment. Perhaps he could've gotten away with exile if he were not heir apparent, but as Lord Hideo's son, Takeshi is likely to suffer something worse.[/color]"

"[color=yellow]Whatever happens, can you promise us one thing? Just one thing from the taskforce.[/color]" Takamori asked of [u]Kerry[/u]. "[color=yellow]Do not intervene in Takeshi's punishment. Do not rescue him, or come to his defense or anything like that. Let us not make this any harder than it has to be. I'm sure Lord Takeshi himself will agree.[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]THE HUSBAND[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

[quote=Eula 039][color=C48BD3][b]”Subject secured, Sorae,”[/b][/color][/quote]

Sorae was about to strike down the final Varjan Warrior when the latter was hit in the back by [u]Eula's[/u] stunning bolt. "[color=mediumslateblue]So you did. Good job.[/color]"

Meanwhile, the bound woman Kana struggled with all her strength to escape [u]Eula's[/u] gentle grip. Even as the Automaton took her to Sorae, she continued squirming and writhing. Not once did giving up enter her thoughts. "[color=00a99d]Let me go! Let me go! Don't you know she's going to kill me?! She's crazy, I tell you![/color]" Kana shrieked at [u]Eula[/u]. "[color=00a99d]I don't know anything! I swear I don't know anything! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Please let me go![/color]"

"[color=mediumslateblue]If you continue whining like that, I might just do exactly that.[/color]" Sorae simply said that in jest, but the bloody blade of her naginata seemed to gleam at those violent words. "[color=mediumslateblue]Now then, yokai. If you please, put her down so we can... get some explanations.[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Fort Tanabe[/h3][/center]
[center][b]SECOND CHANCE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center]

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"Go to port, heard from weak Goblin got big fight."[/color][/quote]

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]I do believe Shizuka-san and co will be just fine. He's the captain for a reason after all! I believe we've had enough excitement for now; Heading back to Terauchi Temple sounds like a fine idea."[/color][/quote]

"I agree with Atsuha and besides, Komatsu Bay is very far from here. It might all be over by the time we get there." Takeshi said, but [u]Gringor[/u] was adamant in heading towards his next fight and took off by himself.

The young Oja sighed, but made no effort to follow the High Orc. And neither did the Hangai sisters, leaving them and Takeshi with each other. Which, actually surprised the young lord.

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

"I hope trouble doesn't get into him..." Takeshi half-joked by reversing [u]Hinami's[/u] sentiments. "I'll be honest, I thought you two would actually go with him. You sisters seem pretty close with Gringor and Skarsneek. I mean, I suppose that's just a given since Skarsneek is married to one of you." He noted with a sad smile.

But before anyone could point it out, Takeshi wiped it away with a sudden jovial grin. "Well, let's not waste any time then. Let's go join Kikyo and make for Terauchi Temple. "I'm sure Gringor can take care of himself. The worst thing that can happen to him is he gets to Komatsu Bay with Shizuka and the others already celebrating."

The trio then joined Kikyo in escorting the rescued prisoners back to Terauchi Temple. Takeshi had to break away from the sisters to talk and catch up things with Kikyo. The young lord expected a dressing down from the warrior woman, but they actually had a pleasant conversation regarding their childhoods. "[color=lavender]Did you really tell the yokai about that time you dressed as a shrine maiden? You made everyone present swear never to talk about that ever again.[/color]"

"Ah, well, how else would the yokai prove that I sent them?" Takeshi laughed.

"[color=lavender]...I'm sure there were other ways.[/color]"

Despite the light-hearted talk, an ominous chill went down the spines of the Hangai sisters as the two conversed.

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center]

[u]Gringor[/u] traveled to Komatsu Bay to join the taskforce there, leaving behind Takeshi and the Hangai sisters in Fort Tanabe. Dusk had already fallen while he was on the road, and Komatsu Bay was still far away. It would likely be already night by the time he reaches the port.

Turning on a curve since the dirt path circled around a hill, [u]Gringor[/u] happened upon a usual yet unexpected sight. A horse-drawn cart carrying several boxes had gotten two of its wheels stuck deep in the mud. There was a person attempting to push the cart out of the mud. But the cart's weight and the boxes it was carrying were too much for the strength of this poor fellow.

However, this 'fellow' had a unique appearance to himself. [url=https://i.pinimg.com/550x/dd/36/18/dd3618e3d97844e545e85fcd47f4e530.jpg]He wore a all-black outfit with red-lensed eyewear[/url]. He wore a sword on his hip and another one on his back. It was strange to witness who was basically an armed mercenary doing something so trivial as to be pushing a cart out of mud. It appeared this kind of problem was universal.

"[color=crimson]Hey, you! Astolfo-lookalike! Help me out here, will ya?[/color]" The unfortunate man noticed [u]Gringor[/u].

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Enkryption] (CRL) ~[/center]

[quote=Carroll]"[color=808080][i]In the future, you’ll be able to repeat and refine. A sword always needs sharpening, after all.[/i][/color]"[/quote]

"[color=fff79a]Heh, 'the best grindstone is experience' as my mentor says.[/color]" The swordsmith chuckled. "[color=fff79a]We sure could use her skills right about now...[/color]"

Soon, the work was finished and the swordsmith presented the sharpened Benihime and Nozarashi to [u]Carroll[/u] with a bow. At least, sharpened to his ability. "[color=fff79a]Many may disagree with your help, but many also count on you to save us, Madam Yokai. Bring peace to our island, and bring ruin to the invaders.[/color]"

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption] (ALI) ~[/center]

[quote=Alice][color=976f29][i]I’m bereft of my former memories and understanding of it, so I’m starting back at square one,[/i][/color][/quote]

"[color=honeydew]A loss of memory, I see, but you seem untroubled by it.[/color]" Katsuhiro noted. "[color=honeydew]An unusual response to such a happening, but I will trust you know what you are doing.[/color]"

"[color=honeydew]But I digress, forgive me.[/color]" Katsuhiro then grabbed a small candle and lit it before placing it between him and [u]Alice[/u]. "[color=honeydew]If you are to start from the beginning, then you must begin by knowing the legend behind The Heavenly Strike.[/color]"

[center]
......

[color=honeydew][i]"When Shizuyama was first settled, strange and terrible thunderstorms assaulted the island quite frequently. Whenever these storms struck, they heralded the arrival of Raijus; Yokai that wielded piercing lightning. These violent creatures tore through villages, causing death and destruction wherever they went. 

Moving too quickly to be stopped, the people knew only one man who could possibly stand against the lightning beasts – Kenshiro, the fastest swordsman in all of Shizuyama and was said to have never lost a duel. With years of practice, he had created the Heavenly Strike, an attack that struck quicker than the eye could follow. 

Kenshiro lured the lightning yokai to a desolate beach in the western edges of Onrai, where the sand would slow their movement. Their clash turned the sand to ash and bleached the leaves of trees white. Kenshiro's Heavenly Strike cut through them faster than they could move. As the final beast fell, the strange thunderstorms cleared and Shizuyama was safe again. 

Kenshiro then began a life of seclusion. Few students found him, and only the bravest and most skilled proved worthy of learning the Heavenly Strike. When a storm approaches, a sword is placed at Kenshiro's Rest by a student who knows of its location to remind the defeated Raijus that the Heavenly Strike lives on."[/i][/color]

......[/center]

"[color=honeydew]Unfortunately, the students of The Heavenly Strike have joined up with The Varjans and betrayed Shizuyama. They must be stopped, not only to protect the innocent but to protect Kenshiro's name and technique as well.[/color]" Katsuhiro finished. "[color=honeydew]I heard the yokai of the taskforce have already been repulsed by the students twice now. I suggest seeking out Lord Takeshi Oja for this. He is possibly the best swordsman in this island we have. Maybe he can deal with them, with help of course.[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Breakthrough (ONGOING)]
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[hider=Second Chance (ONGOING)]
"We almost have everything we need to save my father. However, we cannot leave the refugees of Terauchi Temple defenseless. We need warriors to fortify and defend the temple while we are away. Kikyo knows of some imprisoned warriors who can help replenish our ranks."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=Teacher And Student (ONGOING)]
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Husband (ONGOING)]
"Lady Sorae told me that Kana, Sogen's wife, has disappeared during the attack on the temple. She wants help tracking her down as Kana is the only lead we have on the identities and whereabouts of the killers of Clan Tokinomiya."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Whispers In The Woods]
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.

"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."

"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
[/hider]

[hider=The Other Side Of Honor]
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.

"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."

"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. 

"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
[/hider]

[hider=Bottoms Up]
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.

"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
[/hider]

[center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Heavenly Strike]
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]