[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA) ~[/center] [quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"Huh, so what made you change side Revuel? Usually you folks always scream to high heaven and hell that you're gonna kill us all. Well, welcome to Shizuyama, it's the current rainy season so bring an umbrella wherever you go."[/color][/quote] "[color=cyan]That decision was made for me, Sir Skarsneek.[/color]" Revuel cordially replied. "[color=cyan]It's a rather long and complicated affair but let's just say that once my Legion swore loyalty to Varjo, they did not consider me and many others as one of them.[/color]" "[color=cyan]And worry not about me concerning precipitation. If I am sufficiently inconvenienced, I can simply conjure a simple barrier to drape around myself and ward off the water.[/color]" The spellcaster smirked. "[color=cyan]Although I have to say, the weather in Shizuyama is quite erratic.[/color]" [center]--- ~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN, ATS & SHI), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92], [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI) ~[/center] [quote][b][/b][/quote] A magical invitation sent by [u]Alice[/u] materialized in front of the taskforce members, detailing an excursion to finally deal with the traitorous students of the Heavenly Strike technique once and for all. The sender was still somewhere outside Terauchi Temple with [u]Liliana[/u] so a rendezvous will be needed if any of the taskforce members wanted to inquire about the details. [quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"A-And......hehe......I'm also carrying.....our unborn.....c-child."[/color][/quote] [quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"Ah, so Alice is a guy? Wait, that's not right, that's my stick."[/color][/quote] "Ahh, so that's what Revuel was being cagey about." Takeshi emerged from behind [u]Shizuka[/u]. "And yeah, Revuel also thinks that Alice is a guy and I guess, this is what he meant about that. I may have to recontextualize and reconcile some memories if that's true..." "Anyway, not even a week has passed and you two already have a child coming? I've heard the thrill of battle stimulates our reproductive instincts, but this is on another level!" Takeshi then laughed at his own remark before his gaze at [u]Kerry[/u] became concerned. "But seriously, though. Like, really seriously. You're going to battle while pregnant? Don't you and Alice think that's... You know, reckless?" "And yes, I know that you and the taskforce are potentially heading off to battle. I snuck a peek on the invitation on Shizuka." Takeshi casually revealed. "And it looks like Alice wants to go after the Heavenly Strike students with all of you. Hmm, it's about high time that threat gets dealt with. Let me tag along and let my blade be of assistance." The young lord suggested. [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=The Shadow Of The Taskforce [END OF ACT I]] [color=fff200](REQUIRES ALL PLAYER CHARACTERS)[/color] "I finally have all that I need to rescue my father from the Varjans. The only thing missing now is where the invaders have him imprisoned. I'm coming for you, father. Just wait a little longer." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center] [hider=The Past Never Passes] "Lord Takamori's traitorous former student, Setsuna, is training Mongol archers across Shizuyama. Lord Takamori posits that she plans on attacking Omi Springs, his hometown and a refuge for villagers. We should meet with Lord Takamori as soon as possible." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center] [hider=The Traitor] "Sorae is on the hunt for Sogen, one of the conspirators behind her family's murder. To track him down, Sorae has asked us to speak with Ayu who may know where we can find him." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ SHIZUKA (MERCHANT) TALES ~~[/center] [hider=The People's Servant] "One of the farms near Komatsu Bay looks like it's had some trouble. Someone should make sure the people there are all right." -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. Better take Lord Takeshi with you too or else it might be a fight again." [/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]