[center][h3]Unknown Forest[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Restalaan] (GRI), [@Rezod92], [@AzureKnight] (SHI & ATS), [@WanderingDragon], [@Rune_Alchemist] ~[/center]

The other yokai chastised the golden Dragon for teasing him, which confused Takeshi a bit. Weren't yokai supposed to be salacious creatures eager to devour men? These ones appear to be behaving more civilly than he expected. The Dragon sulked into a tent for being rebuffed, and Takeshi felt a little sorry for the girl. Hold on a moment, was he really going to sympathize with a yokai that made a move on him?

[quote=Kerry Meros][color=fff79a]"An Inari by the name of Kyouko sent us here to investigate what's been going in Shizuyama and to help you if need be. And given to what we've just been through, you're gonna need [b]ALL[/b] the help you can get, my guy."[/color][/quote]

[quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=0072bc]”As she stated, we are a task force sent here by Kyōkō-sama to aid Shizuyama in its fight against the Varjan forces. My name is Kannazuki Shizuka, the leader of said force. As for the other island defenders, I had urged them to retreat and live to fight another day. I don’t know if they took head to my plea and I am unsure of the fate of the individuals you mentioned. All except for one.[/color][/quote]

So an Inari yokai by the name of Lady Kyouko was the one behind this... taskforce. What could she possibly get out of helping Shizuyama? Well, the answer was clear as day. If aided by the yokai, Shizuyama will have no choice but to be friendly to the creatures. The plan was so simple, easily spotted. It was almost an insult to even try this tactic against Shizuyama.

But... things have changed. Everyone in the beach knew there was no stopping the Varjans, everyone knew Shizuyama was lost when the shinobi informed them of the large fleet coming to conquer the island. Regrettably, Takeshi admitted that the Hornet was right. If the island wanted to fight off the invasion, then they were going to need plenty of help. Even from the yokai. But the young Oja was not going to say that out loud and give satisfaction to this taskforce.

The man, who called himself [u]Shizuka[/u], also said that there could be a force that also fled from the beach landings thanks to his urging. But even with the survivors, they will not be enough to stem the Varjan tide. Unless, as previously stated, yokai also came to help. More importantly, however, how did [u]Shizuka[/u] convince them to disobey his father's orders and follow yokai advice? Takeshi sensed deceit.

[quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=0072bc]”The defenders informed me that your father, Lord Hideo, was captured by Varjan soldiers. So, for now, it at least seems that he is still alive. You have my word that we’ll do our utmost to rescue him and take back the island. I understand you and your people’s relationship with monsters, but please understand that the one’s here are trustworthy and are here to help. They just got done risking their lives to save the nearby villagers! I understand your feelings, believe me. But, for right now, get some rest for tonight and will think of a plan of attack in the morning. Or if you’re feeling hungry you could join us for some dinner.”[/color][/quote]

As if [u]Shizuka[/u] was reading his mind, the swordsman tried to assure Takeshi that he and the yokai were here to help. The young Oja was skeptical, this could all be a ploy to switch Shizuyama's stance on yokai. But they did rescue him and according to [u]Shizuka[/u], also saved the villagers of Sanjo Town. Whether they were genuine or not, Takeshi was indebted to them now.

But that was a side thought, Takeshi was more fixated at his father's capture. "My father's alive? Where did they take him?" Takeshi demanded from the azure swordsman but the latter did not know. Only that he was captured during the beach landings. Takeshi would breath a sigh of relief for his father being alive, if not for him being a prisoner and all. Still, Lord Oja's survival gave his son hope that maybe, just maybe, everything can be restored.

His thoughts were broken when a Shoggoth slithered to [u]Shizuka's[/u] side to inform him of some things. Her mere presence gave him shivers, and more reason to distrust the azure swordsman. If they were together, and it looked like they did, then [u]Shizuka[/u] may not be entirely in control of himself. He scooched himself away to address the other members of the taskforce.

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"Are there more of your tribe? If we rally what's left, and get more, we can have another go at them."[/color][/quote]

"We'll need far more than that if we want to fight off the Varjans, half-naked man." Takeshi replied. The young Oja believed [u]Gringor[/u] to be human, but he had a sinking feeling that there was more to this barbarian than meets the eye. "But... I do know some people. People I didn't see with us when the Varjans arrived in Sanjo. I have no idea why they couldn't make it or where they could be right now, but it is possible that they're all still alive." He continued. "...I hope they're alive."

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]”Oja-kun, I’m glad to see you’re alright. You probably don’t remember, but I’m the one who saved you on the beach earlier. You gave me quite the scare, I must say. Covered in wounds and arrows with that broken armor. Thankfully my magic saw you through. My name is Hangai Atsuha, by the way. Why not calm down a bit and join us for a late dinner?”[/color][/quote]

Takeshi's brows raised upon meeting the Jurou-gomo yokai, who claimed that she was the one that rescued him in the beach and healed his wounds. Her appearance was fearsome, even by the standards of her species, but Takeshi found himself a bit enchanted anyway. And his memories did somewhat recall a beautiful face similar to [u]Atsuha's[/u] back when he was nearly dead. He supposed that was her.

"You... have my deepest gratitudes then, Hangai-san." Takeshi formally bowed at the spider yokai. "I suppose... I'll have dinner then." He can't believe what he just said. Was he really going to break bread with yokai? Sure, they saved him and ready to help Shizuyama and all but wasn't he going against everything he was taught his entire life? Well, it can't be helped. It wasn't like he could just whip out his sword and start attacking his saviors. "I-I'll be over there if any of you need me."

Takeshi's inner conflicts made him awkward in talking to the taskforce. Finding a spot a bit outside the center of the camp, he had decided to sit near the drinking [u]Wyndressa[/u]. "...It is strange to see a human woman amongst a group of yokai." He remarked, assuming incorrectly about the white-haired hybrid.