Hisaya could barely make out the human's long-winded and clumsy rant aimed in her direction. It fell flat and awkward, but he seemed to enjoy it as he was the only one laughing. "Yes, I'll go and do that." She shrugged, responding with about as much indifference and enthusiasm as a stone wall. "Meanwhile, you can go to whoever taught you jokes and tell them to commit seppuku, young one. Your banter is more stale than the resin in your pipe." 

"QUIET! ALL OF YOU!" Gaignun's guttural roar was like a pack of angry tigers. It was so fierce that the trees around the caravan swayed from its powerful volume. He stood before them, halting their progress down merchant's path. His lizard mount was large, almost the size of two horses - if they were also pulling a supply cart. Its long purple tongue flickered into the air, bulbous eyes darting about. For a moment it appeared as though the oni demon was about to yell at them for their obnoxious behavior. The driver of the supply cart was getting ready to rise and bow with sincerest apologies, but Gaignun raised his palm to further drive the much needed silence he so demanded. There was nothing. Only wind and birds chirping and-

"Help!" It came from a distance, away from the path and into the forest from the left side of the caravan. Little frantic steps could be heard, followed by a distant rumble that gradually shook the forest all around them. Kotori joined Gaignun at his side with sword unsheathed. The oni demon dismounted from his lizard, bringing out the long axe slung behind him. Gaignun's eyes stared deep into the shadowy tree lines until he felt the frenzied beats of a little human heart. 

A small figure tumbled onto the road. A boy, no younger than 10, stood shirtless wearing a helmet with the Ameratsu crest on it. 

"Boy, what's happened? Who's chasing you?" Kotori dismounted, noticing the blood dripping down his right eye. The thunderous sound of something fast approaching grew louder. The kid turned back to face the forest he came from and pointed. 

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From 100 feet away the tree line toppled over as three colossal amalgamations of oak and demon came stampeding toward the caravan. They were at least 10 feet tall, growling wickedly as their claws ravaged everything in sight. Kotori stood in front of the boy, who was then picked up by Gaignun and placed on top of his mount. Long axe in hand, he charged forward and slashed down at the first monster that came out from the brush. The edge of his blade slammed into its horned skull, but it wasn't sharp enough to penetrate through. The impact, however, made the monster roar in pain. It slashed maniacally at Gaignun, who then proceeded to slam his right fist into its eye. The crackling blow caused the monster to stumble and lose balance.

"Let's see what you deadbeats are made of!!!" Kotori yelled at the Hakumei, diving in along with the oni leader and struck at the beast's legs, forcing it backward. The other two pounced onto the road. One slammed into the supply cart, while the other flanked the tail end of the caravan, claws as long as short blades digging at anything it could feast on. 

"Your weapons can't pierce their skin!" The boy cried out. "Go for their eyes!"