[center][i]

"Was that... necessary, father? They've served us faithfully for generations."

"[color=ivory]...I know, my son. But there cannot be exceptions, or else the yokai will have victory over us.[/color]"

"[color=ivory]Remember, Takeshi. You must never, ever fight alongside yokai, much less defend them. Promise me this, my son.[/color]"

"...I promise."
[/i]

...

"I'm sorry, father."

-[/center]

[center][h3]Varjan War Camp[/h3][/center]

[center][b]The Code Of Shizuyama[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Hammerman], [@FrogRFlowR] (RKU), [@Rune_Alchemist] ~[/center]

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]“Can you heal him? If so, don’t just stand there. Help me. And we should carry him to one of the tents so he could rest.”[/quote]

Takeshi felt hands and voices around him, saying that he needed healing. He jolted awake before he could moved. "I'm fine! I'm fine. No need to worry about me." The young Oja slowly got up as he shook his head, his legs still wobbly. He stared at his yokai allies and let out a deep sigh before surveying the now-empty war camp.

Had he been alone, he might have died. At best, he might have just been driven away. With light wounds. But here right now, three yokai were able to handle an entire Varjan war camp that even had a mighty caster. There was no doubting their abilities, and there was no doubting their necessity for the battles ahead. Takeshi wished it was not so, but this was the reality.

"Are all of you alright?" Takeshi asked his yokai companions. "I know the yokai are hardy, but still. The journey ahead is going to be long."

"Uhh, thanks... by the way."

[hr]
[center][h3]Takamori's Dojo[/h3][/center]

[center][b]Takamori, Blessed Sight[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"Part of me wants to believe that she did all of this against her will, but your reaction.....it tells me something different. Have you always suspected that Setsuna had a....[i]darkness[/i] within her? That one day, she would.....[b]betray[/b] you like this?"[/color][/quote]

With a deep sigh, Takamori turned back to [u]Kerry[/u]. "[color=yellow]The reason's simpler than you think, yokai.[/color]"

"[color=yellow]When I told Setsuna the news about the incoming Varjan invasion, she proposed... that we join them, to survive. She said that we had skills the Varjans won't waste and if we joined them, we'll not only live through the invasion but maybe also thrive.[/color]" Takamori sighed again. "[color=yellow]...The ensuing argument got heated, and I convinced her... I thought I convinced her not to dwell on this unspeakable act ever again.[/color]"

"[color=yellow]I really should've known. That girl's a survivor, she'd do anything to keep her life.[/color]" Takamori finished.

"[color=yellow]We're finished for today, yokai. I... need some time to rest, and think.[/color]" Takamori told [u]Kerry[/u]. "[color=yellow]Tell Takeshi-sama that he needs only to call for me if he wants me wherever. In the meantime, I'm going to try and find any clues as to where my 'daughter' could be. I need to stop her before she hurts any more of my people.[/color]"

Takamori had been successfully recruited, the task is done. [u]Kerry[/u] can head to Terauchi Temple to break the news or go somewhere else.

[hr]
[center][h3]Tokinomiya Estate[/h3][/center]

[center][b]Sorae, Gentle Heart[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN), [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@FrogRFlowR] (TMI) ~[/center]

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"But that's just my thinking, feel free to use our help even as meat targets."[/color][/quote]

"[color=mediumslateblue]...We have a code, yokai. We can never accept help from you, no matter what.[/color]" Sorae replied.

"[color=mediumslateblue]Besides, I would never burden others with personal problems.[/color]" The last Tokinomiya continued. "[color=mediumslateblue]I doubt the Varjans were involved. If they were, there would definitely be Varjans among those who attacked. Or at least, Varjan weapons. No, I believe this matter is purely between Shizuyamans. At least, for now.[/color]"

"[color=mediumslateblue]If Takeshi-sama wants to help me, he can come himself.[/color]" Sorae added. "[color=mediumslateblue]Now then, if that is everything that is needed to be discussed then our business is concluded. Run along now, yokai. It's bad enough that I invited you into my house.[/color]"

The warriors of Shizuyama were truly a stubborn bunch. Perhaps a more stubborn head can get through to her?

[hr]
[center][h3]Fung Temple[/h3][/center]

[center][b]Nobutada, Unwavering Will[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center]

With the Varjan Warriors taken care of, [u]Gringor[/u] charged at the Varjan Elite with heavy stomps and an animalistic roar.

The Elite stayed calm in the face of this rampaging High Orc. Just when [u]Gringor's[/u] hands were about to grasp the halberd, the Varjan Elite made a quick sidestep to avoid the charge... but did abandon his halberd to the High Orc's hands. Turning to see, [u]Gringor[/u] saw the Elite roll towards his fallen Varjan Warrior allies and took their axes.

Now re-armed with dual axes, the Varjan Elite prepared to face [u]Gringor[/u] again. But this time, new challengers arrived into the temple. Two more Varjans, armored similarly like the Elite and wielding halberds, entered the fray. Two more Varjan Elites, it seems. And [u]Gringor[/u] still hasn't harmed the first one, not that they did any damage at him either.