[center][h3]Unknown Inn[/h3][/center] [center][b]SORAE, GENTLE HEART[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN), [@Restalaan] (SKA) ~[/center] [quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"She. Was [i]mine[/i] to do. Not [/color][color=8882be][i]yours[/i][/color]. [color=ed145b]Your ass owes me one. And I'll have it."[/color][/quote] Sorae was about to retaliate when [u]Skarsneek[/u] smacked her behind. The naginata was ready to strike, but Sorae chose to hear out the male Goblin for now. She said nothing in response to [u]Skarsneek's[/u] words and quietly allowed the taskforce members to leave the inn and the bloody aftermath of the prisoner execution. But as the group conversed outside, they were joined by Sorae who had words for them. "[color=mediumslateblue]Yokai.[/color]" She began. "[color=mediumslateblue]I'm going to stay here and look for clues regarding my family's killers. But you should head back and tell Takeshi-sama that I will help him fight against the Varjan invaders. In fact, I'll be heading out to see him once I'm done here. Mind telling me where he is staying at?[/color]" Once that question was answered, the taskforce's mission here was done. They could head back to Terauchi Temple to break the news or go somewhere else. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAGEHO, INNOCENT SHADOW[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center] The rock [u]Gringor[/u] hurled at the mages missed when the target simply ducked to evade it before resuming burning the forest near the male High Orc. [u]Gringor's[/u] loud bellow caught the Varjan party's attention, now pinpointing the monster's precise location. However, they had to dive out of the way when [u]Gringor's[/u] chopped tree fell upon them. With their attack disrupted, [u]Gringor[/u] leapt from the tree that he had rode as it fell. His axe fell upon a startled mage, instantly taking him out. The other mages managed to levitate away before [u]Gringor[/u] could get to them, hiding behind a human wall of Brigands. The mages raised their arms once more and streams of blue fire arced over their Brigand protectors and towards [u]Gringor[/u]. The male High Orc could evade the flaming streams, but not for long since the mages would soon predict where he would go. Still, [u]Gringor[/u] could see isolated Brigands get pulled down into the grass and even saw one of the furthest mages get taken down as well. [hr] [center][h3]Isolated House[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE COST OF IRON[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Crowvette] ~[/center] [quote=Io]"[color=thistle][b]That many will not be an issue. Please stay inside.[/b][/color]"[/quote] The wounded villager bandits watched [u]Io[/u] face the Brigands by her lonesome. They watched her walk out, their weapons still drawn. While they imagined many things of her, they never expected her to be a spellcaster when she pulled her grimoire out and cast forth a bolt of lightning at the Varjans and their Wardogs. The magical bolt arced at the first Brigand before jumping to another, then to another, then to another. The lightning bolt jumped three times before the next Brigand wisely dove into the ground to avoid the lightning magic which crashed into a tree and searing its bark. Four of the Brigands were electrocuted by the spell and knocked unconscious and out of the fight. However, none of the four Wardogs were deterred and descended upon [u]Io[/u]. A hound immediately leapt and clamped its jaws on the Lich's arm, trying to drag her down. The attempt was futile thanks to [u]Io's[/u] innate monster strength, it didn't even hurt that much. But it did immobilize her arm, likely preventing her from casting any more spells until she was free from the canine. The other Wardogs were poised to strike, but [u]Io's[/u] newly-reanimated Zombies came to her aid. The once-male Varjans were now clearly women, possessing attractive bodies, albeit bloodied and damaged from being violently killed earlier and all. The three other Wardogs were quick to notice the new threats and quickly pounced on the undead. But while Zombies were not at all deft, they were pretty hardy. The Wardogs were too quick for the Zombies to catch but the Zombies were too durable for the Wardogs to actually hurt. "[color=c4df9b]She needs our help! Come on![/color]" The four surviving villager-bandits exited the house to fight the three remaining Varjans. A Brigand hurled a javelin which impaled and killed a villager before the two groups entered melee. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][b]A BRIDGE TOO FAR[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Rezod92] ~[/center] The Varjan Footmen could only watch as [u]Kerry[/u] burst her cyclone and sent the Varjan arrows all over the ravine. The bowmen did not have time to take cover and so, were struck with their own projectiles. Then, the Hornet moved to the Footmen climbing the ravine. Arrows gathered by the cyclone shot at them and hit them in their backs, sending them plummeting to their doom and filling the air with their screams. An exhausted [u]Kerry[/u] landed near the awestruck villagers and waited for any Footmen who still remained and ascend the ravine. But none came, only the screams of panic and fleeing came from the Varjan invaders down below. This fight was over. "[color=fff79a]I heard their screaming, yokai. You gave them what they deserved.[/color]" The villager complimented the Hornet. Likely an unwanted one. "[color=fff79a]Thank you for what you have done. You may be yokai, but we will never forget what you have done for us. We will be heading to the temple haven, but will probably avoid the roads. They seem to be infested with Varjans.[/color]" After bidding farewell, the villager refugee group made their way to Terauchi Temple. This task was done and [u]Kerry[/u] can go with the villagers to the temple or go somewhere else. [hr] [center][h3]Yagata Shipyard[/h3][/center] [center][b]FATAL PULSE, SHIPPING AND HANDLING[/b][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree], [@AzureKnight] (SHI) ~[/center] Everyone, including Fatal Pulse, was confused when [u]Liliana[/u] apparently summoned forth an ordinary, unremarkable cow. Being conjured from magical means, the Varjans were still apprehensive of the bovine. "[color=crimson]This... this isn't gonna explode, is it?[/color]" Fatal Pulse warily asked. When the warrior Fairy slapped the cow, the beast made an agitated 'moo' and dashed towards Fatal Pulse and the Brigands in order to leave the small warehouse as soon as it could. While the Brigands were disoriented a bit from the stampeding animal, Fatal Pulse merely stepped to the side to make way for the cow before deftly evading the ice shots aimed at his feet. His eyes fixed upon the fleeing [u]Liliana[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u], realizing that the seemingly-nonsensical bovine spell was but a distraction. Sword in hand, Fatal Pulse began to gave chase. The taskforce duo had left the warehouse through a side door and began to take to the sky, but Fatal Pulse took brandished a small, cylindrical object and pressed a button on the end. He then hurled it at the fleeing [u]Liliana[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u], the cover of the mist did not matter as the object was an explosive. An unusual one that simply emitted a bright flash of light and a loud sound that sent ears ringing with noise. With the duo back on the ground, Fatal Pulse was immediately upon them. "[color=crimson]Leaving so soon? The party's just getting started![/color]" He said as he leaped into the air for a diving slash against [u]Shizuka[/u], who at least was far enough from the Nolkro to regain control. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE HEAVENLY STRIKE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] ~[/center] The fight began in earnest, with none of the warriors aware of the spores [u]Alice[/u] was breathing out. But when the Mad Hatter charged the nearest warrior, she saw him take a unique stance and suddenly disappeared. [u]Alice[/u] then felt as if she had been slashed at the body. Maybe she was, she simply did not see it. Her monstrous physique made sure no blood was spilt, but the pain was true enough. She then noticed the warrior she charged was now behind her. Was this the 'Heavenly Strike' technique? [u]Alice[/u] found out she could weather its blows, but a continued assault might put her in a pickle. And the warriors did not appear to be yet affected by the spores, [u]Alice[/u] will need a plan of action if she wanted to last long enough for her ability to win this fight. The second warrior closed in, and began a series of slashing attacks against [u]Alice[/u]. [hr] [center]~ [@Nakushita] ~[/center] Upon arrival at the rendezvous location, the port village of Otomo, at nighttime, [u]Yuki[/u] met with the enigmatic Inari monster Lady Kyouko. She told [u]Yuki[/u] that she was sort of late to the meetup but was glad that she showed up anyway. Lady Kyouko briefed [u]Yuki[/u] of the situation: The Varjans have invaded Shizuyama and has blockaded the island, surrounding it with their fleet and making ship travel impossible. So in order for [u]Yuki[/u] to get to Shizuyama, she will have to be teleported to Terauchi Temple, the current home base of Kyouko's Taskforce. The Inari monster told [u]Yuki[/u] to help out wherever she could, and not to be too hurt by the words and actions of the anti-monster Shizuyama. [u]Yuki[/u] was teleported by Lady Kyouko herself and a mysterious cloaked figure. She saw bright, white light surround her and before she knew it, she was no longer at the port. [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman], [@Dark Cloud], [@Nakushita] ~[/center] [u]Yuki[/u] found herself in a chamber in what appeared to be a temple. There were monks praying at the shrines but upon her arrival, one of them kindly escorted her out of the room and into the temple grounds. The temple area was walled and filled with tents and people, refugees from the invasion. The gold-colored leaves of the surrounding trees made the place beautiful, but the sight of despondent villagers marred the sight. Still, this was Terauchi Temple and [u]Yuki[/u] could already see some yokai hanging about. Presumaly part of the taskforce since it was made very clear that there were no yokai in Shizuyama prior to the arrival of the taskforce. [u]Samael[/u] had spent time resting in the temple base. He had the opportunity to leave the island and the bloody war it was involved in, but chose to stay for now. [quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"Thank you. For the meal. It's delicious."[/quote] "Using your hands for your food is barbaric, but I guess you're a yokai and all." Takeshi remarked. "Still, you want me to show you how to use chopsticks? It's pretty easy for me and all my friends and family but I've met foreigners who could never get used to them." The young Oja proceeded to give [u]Lunatea[/u] a pair, and gave himself a pair as well. "Just hold it like this..." "By the way, tell your friends too that I'll be happy to help this 'Kyouko's Taskforce'." [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade] "Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father. Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [hider=Yurine, Death Keeper] "Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries. She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center] [hider=Honey Trap] There was a villager woman, crying alone near a large tree within Terauchi Temple. "Yokai, could I speak with you? A group of bandits is terrorizing Sanjo. They slaughtered my whole family, like animals! They were killed at our home, near a river. I am Saki, please avenge my family and stop those bandits." [/hider] [hider=Empty Baskets] A villager woman sitting near a bonfire was muttering to herself when the taskforce member approached. "Poor Honoka, she'll likely starve soon. Oh, I didn't see you there. Err, Honoka's a widow, living alone in the outskirts of Yabo. Please, if it's not too much of a bother, do you mind checking in on her?" [/hider] [hider=No Place Like Home] An upset woman noticed the taskforce member approaching. "As if losing our homes wasn't bad enough, we have to see Varjans in them as well. They took a home nearby a few days ago. The man who lived there won't leave the area. He keeps begging for help." [/hider] [center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center] [center][i]Current Legendary Tale in progress[/i][/center]