[center][h3]Sawmill[/h3][/center]
[center][b]THE HEADMAN[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center]

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"Dearie, no one here is going to hurt you. But, perhaps you could tell us what exactly you're doing here?"[/color][/quote]

The scared woman did not respond, at least not immediately. Her eyes dilated, her gaze fixed directly at [u]Atsuha's[/u] arachnid half. "[color=00a99d]AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH![/color]"

The bloodcurdling scream rang throughout the sawmill, and even into the surrounding forest. So much so that some of the birds were spooked, startling flocks of them into flight. A recovered Sorae immediately came to see what had happened, but her eyes narrowed at the sight of the frightened villager. "[color=mediumslateblue]Kana. Now what is Sogen's wife doing here?[/color]"

The villager woman Kana recoiled as Sorae approached, clearly recognizing the Tokinomiya. "[color=00a99d]My husband is innocent! The Varjans killed your family![/color]"

"[color=mediumslateblue]Where is he?[/color]"

"[color=00a99d]I don't know...[/color]"

Sorae did not believe the answer. She seized Kana and pinned her against a wall. "[color=mediumslateblue]You're lying![/color]"

It was obvious that Kana was indeed lying, but perhaps there are better ways to coax the truth out of her.

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption] ~[/center]

(Currently in collab)

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[center][h3]Homestead[/h3][/center]
[center][b]HONEY TRAP[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

[quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=0072bc]"Afternoon, sir. Me and my associate here are simple passerbys, and it recently came to our attention that you and your comrades had slaughtered the family that used to live here and ransacked their home. Unfortunately, it seems your friends rudely ran off before we could question them about the matter. Would you be kind enough to lead us back to your hideout so they can weigh in on the situation? Also, I'm a bit curious and would much like to learn more about that glass blade you were so dead set on running away with."[/color][/quote]

[quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][b]"I would listen to my human friend here. If you cooperate, I can at least guarantee that he will not behead you. But if you take too long... He has been known to start from the thumb."[/b][/color][/quote]

The bandit groaned in pain as he was kicked so hard, he was sent flying against the wooden wall of the house he was previously looting. Realizing he was cornered, he attempted to bring up his weighty glass sword but [u]Shizuka[/u] already had his sword at his neck. He gulped as the two taskforce members interrogated him regarding his gang.

But instead of answering, his fear and conflicting goals broke the bandit and he recklessly swung his glass sword despite death looming over him. "[color=f7976a]Ragh![/color]"

The sudden attack caught [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u] by surprise and with the Automaton's hands on the bandit's, they were the first... and only targets. The glass blade shattered quite explosively upon contact with Eula's arms, sending shards of it flying everywhere. Some of them blew towards [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u], the former being protected by her metal body while the latter was not so lucky, being stabbed and pricked by a few bits. The bandit was the unluckiest, numerous glass shards hit him and instantly killed him.

But that was not everything, the glass sword had left a deep wound on [u]Eula's[/u] arm. Somehow, the magical but unstable blade was able to rend the Automaton's steel skin, exposing circuitry and even cutting a couple. This glass sword was no joke.

With their only lead gone, the taskforce duo were left with nothing. Or were they? The moist soils of the Onrai region meant that it was easy to leave behind footprints. They could follow those, or maybe they would investigate the house more first?

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Rezod92], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

[quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"It.... Let's just say getting there early would've made a world of difference. Also, did I hear you right? Kyouko's coming? Here?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=red]Err, well not right now.[/color]" Ayu scratched the back of her head. "[color=red]I'm fairly sure Lady Kyouko's still readying some stuff back in Otomo Port. And with the Varjan blockade surrounding the island and the major ports occupied, it's gonna be hard for her to come here with her forces. Uhh, sorry for getting your hopes up if I did.[/color]"

"[color=red]But she'll definitely come once she gets the opportunity to do so. Not really sure why she's very involved with Shizuyama's affairs, but I trust her.[/color]" Ayu continued. "[color=red]Anyway, you all can take a breather first before heading out. I believe we even have some hot springs near here if you wanna take a dip.[s][/s][/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=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=Whispers In The Woods]
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.

"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."

"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
[/hider]

[hider=Lost At Sea]
A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached.

"There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying."

"Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it."
[/hider]

[center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]