[center][h3]House By The River[/h3][/center] [center][b]NO PLACE LIKE HOME[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Rezod92] ~[/center] [quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"What's good, fellas!? Who wants an ass whoopin', courtesy of a sexy badass!?"[/color][/quote] The Varjans were momentarily awed at [u]Kerry's[/u] sudden appearance. "[color=6ecff6]It's a monster! Why's a monster here?! We're not good against monsters![/color]" "[color=7ea7d8]Doesn't matter! Just focus her down! Don't relent![/color]" Perhaps half a dozen or so of the pink-armored Varjans descended unto the Hornet, attempting to surround her and decrease the space she could use to move around. They wielded one-handed swords, axes and maces but as they neared [u]Kerry[/u], a couple used their free hands to launch fireballs at the Hornet. These were the magical warriors of Varjo; the Immortals. Despite seemingly focused solely on [u]Kerry[/u], the Immortals sensed of the simple distraction plan of the taskforce. "[color=6ecff6]...I smell more of them.[/color]" One of the Immortals stopped in his tracks and began watching the surroundings instead of joining the attack on the Hornet. Another joined him in monitoring the situation. With them on guard, they would certainly spot [u]Sam[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u] should the two monsters head for the house. [u]Skarsneek[/u] would need to make his move soon and increase the distraction to keep the plan. [center]~ [@Nakushita], [@Dark Cloud] ~[/center] [u]Kerry[/u] and [u]Skarsneek[/u] had split off according to the plan. [u]Sam[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u] would sneak into the house during the carnage, hopefully undetected, to rescue the mother and child. But upon keen observation of the building, the two monsters could see people through the open windows. Armed people, wearing chainmail and wielding bows. They watched the Varjans outside battle [u]Kerry[/u] for now, but they were nocking arrows just in case. They were not the fully-armored warriors outside but [u]Sam[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u] knew their stealth mission was not going to be easy. [hr] [center][h3]Yagata Shipyard[/h3][/center] [center][b]FATAL PULSE, SHIPPING AND HANDLING[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree] ~[/center] *BOOM* Lightning crackled as the bolt struck the shipment crates and in that instant, the Nolkro boxes ignited and created a huge explosion that covered the vicinity in fire and flame. The Varjans reeled from the sight and promptly began to flee once they saw what was coming next. The fiery blast did not consume all of the crates, a few packages of the Nolkro were launched into other stacks of boxes and created a devastating chain of explosions that spread to the entire shipyard. Some of the launched crates even reached the sword-covered Varjan ships, setting off their own Nolkro shipments. The vessels exploded and were finished off, sinking into the water as their hulls gave way. The Varjans cleared out of the area, not one of them risking their lives to preserve any of the volatile drugs. Some unfortunate ones were caught in the explosions, the most unfortunate ones had flaming Nolkro boxes land on them directly. One could only hope they died instantly in the resulting blasts. As [u]Liliana[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u] flew away, Fatal Pulse fell to his knees at the sight of the burning ruin that was once Yagata Shipyard. "[color=crimson]Ohh nooo! It's burning![/color]" He lamented. "[color=crimson]My precious Nolkro drugs! Gone forever![/color]" He then let out the most ugliest shriek the swordsman and the Fairy ever heard in their lives. The cow that [u]Liliana[/u] summoned offered its sympathies by sitting down with the sorrowful mercenary. No Varjan pursued the duo and the drug operation lied smoldering in the soil. [u]Liliana[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u] had completed their mission and could now return to Terauchi Temple or go somewhere else. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Crowvette] ~[/center] [quote=Io]“[b][color=thistle]Ayu. Is there someone who makes clothes here? It would be best if they had something to cover them up, at the very least.[/color][/b]”[/quote] "[color=red]Err, I'm sure some of the refugees here are. Why don't I help you find one?[/color]" Ayu decided to aid the Lich. "[color=red]And thanks for not... desecrating the locals and keeping them out of sight. I know Zombies are pretty harmless, but they're not exactly the most... appealing of the monsters.[/color]" - Asking around, [u]Io[/u] and Ayu managed to gather three villager women who could weave clothes. "[color=red]...so yeah, we basically need some new outfits for our Lich friend here and her Zombies.[/color]" She finished explaining to the villagers. "[color=00a99d]Haaah? You want us to make clothes for dead people?[/color]" "[color=00aeef]Why should we bother? No amount of pretty fabrics would make them any less dead.[/color]" "[color=0072bc]And besides, is now really the time to be worrying about attires? Need I remind you that we're in the middle of an invasion.[/color]" A sheepish laugh came out of Ayu and tried her hand in convincing them. "[color=red]Please, please. This is such a small favor from someone fighting for your home. Why not indulge her just this once? And there will be compensation, of course.[/color]" One of the women sighed. "[color=00a99d]Okay, okay. What kind of clothes does the undead want and what does she offer in return?[/color]" [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption], [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN), [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center] [quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]“Seriously? This is not the time to be shy, you know. Her life is in mortal danger.”[/quote] [quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"My goodness, first thing in the morning, and all ready we have all this racket. Takeshi-san, if you're too inexperienced in this sort of thing, then please more over and let the adults handle it."[/color][/quote] "But she's a..." Takeshi sighed instead of arguing any further with the yokai. Despite being shamed for being unable to dress the wounds of an ally for an admittedly petty reason, he was thankful that [u]Lunatea[/u] and [u]Atsuha[/u] were more than capable of restoring [u]Alice[/u] to health and save him the trouble of doing it himself. [quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"By the way, Sorae seems to have a lead on her family's assailants. Hinami and I were going to assist her in her quest. I was wondering if either of you wanted to tag along with us. Of course, I still owe a debt to you as well Luna-chan."[/color][/quote] The Jorou-Gumo's offer was accepted by [u]Lunatea[/u], and [u]Gringor[/u] even appeared to join. Where did he come from? Takeshi would accept too. It was his chance to really express his gratitude for [u]Atsuha[/u]. But didn't he already do that? Well regardless, the young Oja wanted to talk to the spider yokai again. However, before Takeshi could speak... [quote=Alice]"[color=9966cc][b][i]Dare thee to cast thine strange magicks upon me without mine own permission! State thine intentions, and do so well, before I give thee leave of thine own head with mine own blade![/i][/b][/color]"[/quote] [quote=Carroll]"[color=9b111e][b][i]No, no... stay your words... gift us cause....[/i][/b][/color]"[/quote] [u]Alice[/u] suddenly awakened, and was not exactly appreciative of the magic infused into her, even if it was beneficial. Her horrid arm had overtaken her body and morphed into a protective, spiky armor for the Mad Hatter, her cursed axe thirsting for violence. Takeshi reacted quickly and put himself between [u]Alice[/u] and the rest of the yokai, his hands on his sword's sheathe and hilt. He, too, was ready to draw his blade should this scene escalate into a fight. But [u]Alice[/u] was an ally and was probably just scared and panicking after surviving her wounds. "Calm down, Mad Hatter. Peace, your friends had done nothing but use healing magic to fix you up." "Perhaps some gratitude, instead of rage, is in order." [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]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center] [hider=Teacher And Student] "Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center] [hider=The Headman] "Lady Sorae has tracked one of the conspirators behind her family's slaughter. She said his name is Headman Jiro, a once loyal servant of Clan Tokinomiya. Jiro is hiding somewhere here in Onrai, but Sorae has located his brother and believes trailing him will lead us to the deceitful snake." -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] [center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center] [hider=Heavenly Strike] "The Mad Hatter [u]Alice[/u] retreated from seeking this legendary technique. She will probably need help if she wants to continue the search. We'll need to seek her out for the details." -Takeshi Oja [/hider]