[hider=Small bit for Hammerman] [quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]“As for my questions, I would like to know as much as possible about both Shizuyama and the Varian. It is my firm belief that any knowledge regarding them would be useful in performing our mission."[/quote] "[color=powderblue]I cannot give you a detailed explanation right now, Farnsworth-san, but I hope this summary will suffice.[/color]" Kyouko began to explain. "[color=powderblue]Shizuyama is an island free of monsters, ever since the founding clans drove out the ancient yokai thousands of years ago. The island trains agents and warriors specializing in dealing with yokai, both foreign and domestic. Shizuyama became famous for these talents and skills, but it waned after The Great Change. Still, the island has not seen a yokai in its soil. Until now, I suppose.[/color]" "[color=powderblue]As for Varjo, not sure why you called them 'Varian', they are a member of The Order, a very large religious organization based in the continent of Oa. I'll not go into specifics about The Order but they are also against yokai and so, have relations with Shizuyama.[/color]" Kyouko then stopped herself. "[color=powderblue]Wait, we're talking about Varjo, are we not? Well, Varjo is a wicked kingdom ruled by an evil and cunning royalty. They're well-known for their brutality and pillaging and I have no idea why The Order, who proclaims themselves as virtuous, would tolerate their behavior.[/color]" "[color=powderblue]And that is why I worry for Shizuyama. A Varjan fleet approaching the island, it keeps me awake at night. I cannot stop thinking about it, worrying about it.[/color]" [/hider] [hider=Small bit for Rune_Alchemist] [quote=N'ylaatothk][color=a187be]-aaaaaaaa~!"[/color][/quote] Despite being tackled into the ground and smothered in eldritch slime, Kyouko let out a joyful laugh at [u]Nyla's[/u] behavior. "[color=powderblue]I am absolutely fine, Nyla! Haha, all thanks to you. You have served me well but I need you with them now. And please, do not worry about me. I can take care of myself and besides, you said you've already taught the other servants, have you not?[/color]" After standing up, Lady Kyouko continued. "[color=powderblue]And do not be sad, Nyla. While I still have business here that I need to attend to, I plan on going to Shizuyama myself. We [b]will[/b] see each other again.[/color]" Kyouko placed an assuring hand on [u]Nyla's[/u] shoulder. As the master and servant parted, the former had one last order. "[color=powderblue]Oh and Nyla? If you... if you see someone of the Oja Clan there, please treat them as you would treat me. Please?[/color]" [/hider] [center]-------[/center] [center][i]Varjo, once our ally, is now invading our home. They have gained the approval of The Order to conquer Shizuyama. They are brutal, relentless... and unstoppable. We are a thousand warriors, trained from childhood to fight monsters, against an army that contains none. Today, we will all die for our people.[/i][/center] [hr] [center][h1]ISLAND OF SHIZUYAMA[/h1] [h2]Saikoten Region[/h2] [h3]Sanjo Area[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS, HIN & SHI), [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@Dark Cloud], [@WanderingDragon], [@FrogRFlowR], [@Noblebandit], [@Rune_Alchemist] ~[/center] The preparations were done and everyone had introduced to everyone, it was time to depart. Lady Kyouko bade them farewell and her figure shrunk into the distance as the ship sailed into the sea. It took a day and a half for the ship to reach Shizuyama. It then took another half of the day sailing along the island's coasts to reach the Saikoten region and to the taskforce's destination. It was already dark out when the ship dropped off the the team into a remote coast near Sanjo Town, a village connected to Sanjo Port where most of the visitors of Shizuyama arrive. And certainly where the Varjan fleet had went to. The taskforce ascended a tall cliff, a good vantage point overlooking both the town and the port as well as the beach beside it and the bay waters beyond. And what they saw would likely send chills up their spines: There were ships of varying sizes floating near the port too many to count, some having already docked on the seemingly abandoned port and landed on the beach. The vessels were dark and wicked, decorated with bones, skulls and spikes. These were the Varjans, an entire fleet of them ready to take over Shizuyama. On the hills overlooking the beach and Sanjo Port, a thousand-strong force of Shizuyama warriors have set up barricades and towers. There were samurai fighters, onmyoji casters, shrine maidens and auxiliaries, all fully-armed and ready for battle, likely the last battle of their lives. They manned the hastily-built wooden walls and towers, but they did not move against the landing Varjans. At least, not yet. Sanjo Town was not far from the port, yet it was not empty. Civilians were still walking through its streets and the homes still had lights inside, indicating they were occupied. Did they not know of the Varjan fleet poised to strike at their port? Perhaps they were confident in their protectors to repel the invaders. A flattering thought, but the Varjans appeared to outnumber the warriors of Shizuyama twenty-to-one. [center][b][h3]*BOOM*[/h3][/b][/center] And then it happened, the port where some of the Varjan ships docked and were unloading troops exploded. A trap from the defenders, taking out at least three Varjan ships and the forces with it. Horns blew, arrows were let loose, the night sky was lit up by the exchange of magical spells and artillery from both sides. As the Shizuyama casters conjured giant fireballs to launch at the Varjan ships, the latter loaded flaming boulders into their catapults and hurled at the island's defenders. The long beach was still filled with Varjans though, but the samurai warriors rode out in their horses to greet them while being supported by shrine maiden archers in the towers. But the Varjans disembarking from the boats were numerous, could the samurai cavalry really beat them all? The samurai cavalry crashed into the arriving Varjans decisively, but it looked like they were wading into a flood. As the battle raged, more ships made landfall on the beach. The defenders could not cover the entire stretch so these Varjans met no resistance. Some joined the main fight while a whole vanguard broke off and went straight for Sanjo Town, probably in an attempt to hit the defenders from behind. The fighting had alerted the village, but they had no idea that there was a contingent of Varjans heading their way. The taskforce was at a critical moment, and [u]Shizuka[/u] knows that the taskforce's main objective is with the Shizuyama defenders at the beaches. Still, the team was big enough to split up and go for both the defenders at the beach and warn the villagers at the town. The question was, who goes where?