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

"[color=mediumpurple]BARGH![/color]" Na'kratz screamed in pain as one of his wrists was bent out of shape when [u]Skarsneek[/u] decided to meet the Amethyst Prince's mailed fist with his monster-strong head.

With one hand disabled, Na'kratz was powerless to fight back against the skeletal hands that sprouted from the black magic circle that [u]Io[/u] conjured. There were far too many of them and the Amethyst Prince only had one hand. He struggled as best he could but there was simply no escape. He was pinned and immobilized there.

And then came [u]Shizuka[/u] with his slashes of wind and lightning. Na'kratz could only stand there and take them, his armor being sundered in many places. [u]Shizuka[/u] then delivered the final blow, a powerful downward strike with his sword. The Amethyst Prince, breaking one of the skeletal limbs grabbing him, raised his remaining arm in a futile attempt at defense. All it resulted, however, was a sliced off arm with the slash continuing to hit the main body. 

Seemingly mortally wounded, Na'kratz fell to the ground with a thud. Bleeding from his missing arm and multiple slash injuries as well as being electrocuted from [u]Io's[/u] earlier trap, it was kind of a miracle that the Amethyst Prince still held onto life.

Regardless, the taskforce trio had finally won and the Varjans' top leader here was eliminated. They could hear sounds of fighting outside and should probably check, but they can also inspect their wounds first.

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

As [u]Liliana[/u] predicted, the Varjan Elite immediately attempted to grab the Fairy after the latter blocked his attack. However, his hand missed when [u]Liliana[/u] shrunk in size and was slashed in the arm for his trouble. Despite wincing in pain, the Elite made no sound.

Putting some distance between her and the Elite, [u]Liliana[/u] watched the Varjan swing his mace upwards despite being nowhere near her. But striking her was never the plan, the mace head made contact with the muddy ground and so, a splash of mud and water was sent flying towards the Fairy. 

[u]Liliana[/u] only had a second to react to this surprise maneuver. Regardless of what happened, the Varjan Elite immediately trudged over to continue his assault.

[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]"In truth, I don't think anyone of the task force would, logically, or emotionally, be traitors to anyone in Shizuyama. If so, the Varjans could easily have torn the temple apart and lain waste to us all. As for why this map was in her possession...perhaps, there is another branch of resistance to be found somewhere. Or, her connections as a noble allowed her to procure it,[/b][/color][/quote]

Sorae scoffed. "[color=mediumslateblue]Need I remind you, yokai, that Ayu has been spying for your Lady Kyouko for what could be a decade. She may be fighting the Varjans, but that doesn't make her Shizuyama's ally.[/color]"

The warrior woman was silent for a moment, pondering her words and relenting. At least, a bit. "[color=mediumslateblue]...But I suppose it's not much evidence. At least, not enough.[/color]" Sorae said. "[color=mediumslateblue]I will continue my investigation and look for more leads other than this. In the meantime, I want you to ask Ayu about the map. Coax the truth out of her. Use threats if necessary...[/color]" She asked of [u]Eula[/u] before realizing just what kind of person the Automaton was. "[color=mediumslateblue]...If you're capable of that. You seem to be unwilling to hurt even the most annoying fly.[/color]"

"[color=mediumslateblue]Regardless, we'll part ways for now. I'll see you back at the temple.[/color]" Sorae nodded at the Automaton.

This quest was done. It was up to [u]Eula[/u] to head back to Terauchi Temple, or go somewhere else.

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

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

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]“If you can’t fight, then tell me, any fighters on the Varjan side that are strong? Or important? Anything they can do? How many bois they lead? Where are they?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=crimson]Uhh, all of them? Have you seen the weapons they swing? Gigantomassive, right?[/color]" The stranger shrugged, seemingly that [u]Gringor[/u] has dispatched many of these Varjans.

[u]Gringor[/u], probably dissatisfied with the answer, continued on his way. But after passing by the mercenary, the High Orc would feel something incredibly hard hit the back of his head. It had enough force to actually send [u]Gringor[/u] falling face-first into the soil. Upon looking, the High Orc saw a crossbow bolt right beside him. It appeared someone shot him with a crossbow aimed at his head from behind, and hitting the mark. Had [u]Gringor[/u] been a human, he would be long dead.

Looking back, Keith could be seen holding a crossbow. Which he quickly hid behind him. "[color=crimson]Hey, don't look at me. I didn't do anything![/color]"

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

[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"My Lord and Lady, is...everything alright?"[/color][/quote]

Takeshi and Kikyo's conversation was cut short when [u]Atsuha[/u] asked the question. The former was the most confused. "Umm... everything's alright, Atsuha." He let out a sheepish laugh, wondering where exactly this came from.

"[color=lavender]Indeed. Or perhaps you are jealous that I have Lord Takeshi's time to myself right now?[/color]" Kikyo accused the spider monster, albeit in a teasing, non-serious way. Although, such a jest was uncharacteristic of her.

"Ah, but Madam Atsuha's already married, Kikyo." Takeshi pointed out. "She only has eyes for Skarsneek."

"[color=lavender]Hmph. You defend the yokai too much, milord.[/color]"

The ominous feeling passed, but the [u]Hangai[/u] was sure they felt it.

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

[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL) ~[/center]

A whole group of Shizuyamans approached Terauchi Temple and despite their plain clothes, they did not appear to be mere villagers and peasants. They all had weapons on them and walked with a regal pride befitting of warriors. The group was headed by Kikyo, who simply gave a neutral nod at the present taskforce members at the gate as a greeting before leading the group inside the temple grounds.

Following behind this group, however, was Takeshi who was together with the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters and having pleasant conversation. "...and that's why I plan on growing coffee beans here once I become Island Lord of Shizuyama."

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

(Currently in collab)

[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]

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

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

[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]