[center][h3]House By The River[/h3][/center] [center][b]NO PLACE LIKE HOME[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Rezod92] ~[/center] Kalaj remembered the days when he and the Scarce Legion fought off monsters to keep his fellow humans safe. All that changed during Serena's Rebellion and he had not fought a monster since then. Always, the enemy was an Ortusian or a Pure Dwarf or a Serena loyalist. He did not mind fighting them, they sometimes entertained him. But he missed the days of being able to rend a monster's flesh with his magical gifts. And now, his wishes were granted. At an, admittedly, unlikely place. The Hornet came at him from one side and the Goblin from another, flinging a basket at him for distraction. Kalaj sliced the straw object into two as the two monsters closed in on him in a pincer attack. But Kalaj was fast despite his armor, he would not be Scarce Legion otherwise. Not falling for [u]Skarsneek's[/u] feints, Kalaj swatted away the strike aimed at his knees. But Kalaj could not counterattack, for [u]Kerry[/u] began thrusting and swiping her spear at the legionnaire. Kalaj tried his best to evade but he was struck several times, though his armor protected him from the hits. But then the Warlock saw an opportunity! After a missed thrust, Kalaj grasped the polearm to hold [u]Kerry[/u] in place and swung his flaming blade at the Hornet. His khopesh's range did not reach, but it was not meant to. The swing created a wave of fire hurtling at [u]Kerry[/u], who managed to get away but losing her weapon in the process. With the Hornet's weapon on his hand, Kalaj imbued it with quickening magic before hurling it at [u]Skarsneek[/u]. With a speed too fast to simply dodge. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE HEADMAN[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center] Sorae said nothing more about Takeshi and the two other yokai, immediately focusing on the business at hand. "[color=mediumslateblue]Sogen is competent. He knows how to hide his tracks well, but his brother Dosan... not so much. I just saw him cart food for the refugees here.[/color]" The woman then sported the most unsettling smile. "[color=mediumslateblue]We will take what I need from him.[/color]" --- The last Tokinomiya led the taskforce trio out of Terauchi Temple, following Dosan's trail. They immediately caught up with him, easily hiding from sight within the dense woods of this part of the Onrai region. Dosan, himself, was pretty average-looking save for his stout belly and seemingly carefree attitude. He looked and dressed like any other Shizuyaman villager and with him was a small wagon with a roof made of hay, covering up any goods he had. Dosan was utterly unaware of the group discreetly following him, although he spared the occassional glance behind him. Unfortunately for him, his unkeen eyes spotted nothing suspicious. "[color=00a99d]If we run into Varjans, Niji. You're on your own, hahaha![/color]" He told his horse. "[color=mediumslateblue]He's completely oblivious to us. Once we get near enough, jump him.[/color]" Sorae said to the taskforce trio. Although, the taskforce could suggest something else to the vengeful woman. Maybe they need not ambush Dosan, considering his route might lead them to a hideout. And they should also consider that Sorae might... lose control again. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE HEAVENLY STRIKE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption], [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center] [quote=Alice]"[color=0F52BA][i][b]Found!? I'm being attacked and you're asking questions like that! Help me![/b][/i][/color]"[/quote] Takeshi witnessed [u]Alice[/u] attack [u]Gringor[/u] as soon as the two met up. Or perhaps a retaliatory attack, [u]Gringor[/u] did initiate this whole conflict, after all. Although, [u]Alice[/u] did draw the first weapon. Regardless, [u]Gringor[/u] fought back and Takeshi decided to disembark his horse and help [u]Alice[/u] to break up this petty fight. Unfortunately, it was over before Takeshi could draw his blade. [u]Gringor[/u] had kicked down [u]Alice[/u] and held his axe near her face and a foot on her chest, pinning her down. The male High Orc, declaring his victory, demanded [u]Alice's[/u] intentions. Of course, the Mad Hatter was not amused by this chicanery and opted not to indulge her attacker. [quote=Alice]"[color=0F52BA][i]I would put myself to the sword first, and fall upon the blade, before I gave you the satisfaction of leading me... Solve your own problems, since it's so easy for you to ambush and defeat a woman weakened by battle.[/i][/color]"[/quote] [u]Alice[/u] began to walk away and left [u]Gringor[/u] and a facepalming Takeshi. Maybe this taskforce was a bad idea, after all, and his faith in them misplaced as the others have told him. [quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"So what youz planning to do now? Continue?"[/color][/quote] "You don't seem to be interested in others' opinions, Gringor. So what's the use of asking me?" Takeshi tiredly replied before whistling for his white horse. The stallion dutifully galloped towards his master who embarked. "You're free to pursue the people Alice was after. But you should know that she came back severely wounded after a fight with just three of them, so be careful if you're fighting them." Takeshi told the male High Orc. "...Or you can come with me and apologize to your own teammate. But I believe that isn't your style." "Let's go, Kuro!" And with that, the young Oja rode away. --- [center]~ [@Enkryption] ~[/center] [u]Alice[/u] had already made some distance from that humiliating altercation, searching for an inn to rest in. The sound of hooves coming up from behind probably elicited a defensive reaction from the agitated Mad Hatter, but it was only Takeshi Oja riding up to her atop his equine mount. "Peace, Mad Hatter. I am not here to demand anything from you." The young Oja greeted the yokai. "In fact, I only offer my apologies for not breaking the fight earlier. Eeeven if you, sorta, started the whole thing by transforming into a fully-armored warrior with a scary, glowing axe." "A-Anyway, that's besides my point." Takeshi waved his hands. "I figured you must be tired from all... that. So, wanna ride? Kuro's a big horse, after all. Consider it my apology too." [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree], [@Crowvette] ~[/center] [quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=0072bc]"I'll be resting in the temple for a while. But, I'm always available. Just give word if you need me for anything."[/color][/quote] "[color=red]Whew, sounds like you had a really rough time with that 'Fatal Pulse' guy.[/color]" Ayu replied. "[color=red]Well, at least you stopped him for now. I don't even wanna know what he wants to do with those drugs. It's a shame what happened to the shipyard, though, but this is war and stuff like that usually happens. Besides, better the place be destroyed rather than it be something the Varjans can use against Shizuyama.[/color]" "[color=red]Anyway, you and Liliana have definitely earned some rest. If you'd like, we've got some nice, hot springs near here. Feel free to take a dip and relax.[/color]" Ayu suggested to the weary swordsman. "[color=red]Anyway, I've got other stuff to handle so I'll see you around.[/color]" --- As [u]Shizuka[/u] and [u]Liliana[/u] walked through the temple grounds, they would chance upon [u]Io[/u] deep in meditation. While also hearing two villager women talking to each other. "[color=f7976a]What do you think this yokai taskforce are really doing here?[/color]" "[color=fdc68a]They're yokai. And you know what they want...[/color]" "[color=f7976a]What?[/color]" "[color=fdc68a]To eat us![/color]" "[color=f7976a]I haven't seen the yokai try to eat anyone.[/color]" "[color=fdc68a]They don't do it out in the open![/color]" "[color=f7976a]They eat our food. I've seen that.[/color]" "[color=fdc68a]Ugh, I wish you weren't so naive. They only do that to fool you, and it's working![/color]" "[color=f7976a]...[/color]" [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] [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]