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

[hider=RIP Takeshi]
"[color=0F52BA]Terra Axe: Reverse Shatter![i][/i][/color]" Alice shouted, as drew Carroll into her left hand, and planted his haft into the ground; breaking the earth, and shrouding herself with a shield of her Demon Energy. For the moment, she could weather the storm of attacks, as her Demon Energy lasted. However, her resources were finite, and the shield was eating away at it with each brutal attack. "[color=0F52BA][i]Takeshi! I need my right arm! Give me permission to use it![/i][/color]"

The request flabbergasted Takeshi, who had immediately returned to the hut with his sword drawn and none the worse for wear. "W-what? Why do you need my permission to use your arm?" The young Oja was completely lost as to why Alice asked that from him.

But now was not the time to ponder, the angry bear was hammering on Alice's shield. It swung its mighty arms and rammed its huge body against the barrier, roaring each time it did so. "S-sure! Go ahead! Use your arm!" Takeshi told the Mad Hatter. He would get his answers later, one way or another. But right now, they had a wild bear to fight.

However, Takeshi did not wait for Alice to counterattack. He slashed at the bear and was about to strike again when a retaliatory paw-swing from the animal forced him to back off. Now, the bear focused on Takeshi and left Alice, chasing the young Oja through the alchemist hut.

Hesitation was no longer an allowance. Although Takeshi had only known Alice for the duration of a few hours, if he could see the grin on her face, even he would think it was out of character. As would the sudden miasma of Demon Energy, as Alice took Carroll in her right hand...

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Zephyr.[/i][/b][/color]"

Takeshi would feel the rush of infused air, as it raced over his head, like a blade, and cleaved through parts of the house - forcing a path.

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Eruption.[/i][/b][/color]"

The crackling din of embers gave way to the roar of flames, as fire broke out from nowhere, and seared a hole through the roof - barring retreat or escape.

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Shatter.[/i][/b][/color]"

Takeshi was suddenly surrounded by an malevolent warmth; crashing head first into Alice’s chest, and able to hear, but not feel the bear's paw slam down behind him.

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Rainbow.[/i][/b][/color]"

The sound of spraying blood and cracking bone overtook the sound of the fire and collapsing house, as Alice pulled Carroll out of the floorboard... 

...the axe soaked in blood, and transformed into something befitting the mood.

Cackling like a true villain, Carroll would shout to the bear, "[color=9b111e][b][i]It would seem your right paw has de-pawed-ed from your body! Shall you lose your head next!? Keeyahahah![/i][/b][/color]"

"[color=9966cc][b][i]If you wish to escape, there is no better time,[/i][/b][/color]" Alice says, as she adopted a stance, and handled Carroll like a sword, "[color=9966cc][b][i]Sola Axe: Heavenly Strike...[/i][/b][/color]"

For the briefest moment, Alice felt light. Very light, as if she could travel entire lands with only a few steps. But that feeling only lasted when she slashed at the bear with the Heavenly Strike technique, finding herself on the opposite end of the animal. The bear itself was instantly killed from the strike, its body lying slumped on the ground. Takeshi could only marvel at what just occurred.

The hut continued to burn down, and the young Oja quickly grabbed Alice's non-grotesque hand and led her out of the abode. The two safely made it outside, and they watched the abandoned hut collapse into a smoldering ruin... from just killing a bear. "Not gonna lie, that may have been a bit too much. I think we lost a lot of valuable potions in there too." Takeshi remarked, the glow of the fire reflecting off of his tired face. "But thanks for saving me, I suppose."

"Anyway, I managed to snag a potion before it was too late. Here, this should restore your energy." Takeshi handed Alice a small bottle with a pale, viscuous liquid inside. "So uhh, mind telling me why you needed my permission to unleash your power?"

"[color=9966cc][b][i]In a minute,[/i][/b][/color]" Alice says, before turning.

[center]"[color=9966cc][b][i]Zephyr.[/i][/b][/color]"[/center]
Almost faster than Takeshi could see, Alice swung her cursed blade, and drew air into the trio of blades - air she drew away from the fire.

[center]"[color=9966cc][b][i]Zephyr.[/i][/b][/color]"[/center]
Alice swung again; tearing the ground up, and suffocating the flames more, as she moved closer.

[center]"[color=9966cc][b][i]Zephyr.[/i][/b][/color]"[/center]
Alice moved through the burning hut; creating a vacuum with each swing that sucked the oxygen away from the flame, and extinguishing it. Cracking her neck, she would grab the corpse of the bear, and drag it out of the hut. Single-minded determination was the vibe that she gave off, as she returned to Takeshi.

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Go see what survived the fire,[/i][/b][/color]" she ordered, "[color=9966cc][b][i]And, to answer your question: because you’re the closest in power to honour the deal I made with your Lady. The rest of that answer, get it from her.[/i][/b][/color]"

Alice would throw the bear before her, and start using Carroll to skin and section the meat. 

It was common knowledge that her species were normal women once. So, it bade the question:

[center][i][b]Who[/b] was the woman that Alice [b]wasn’t?[/b][/i][/center]

Takeshi was a bit taken aback by Alice's sudden change in personality, from timid to confident. Although, he did not ponder on it too much. The Mad Hatter was that, mad, and this one in particular seemed madder than most. Especially as she was armed with a monstrous weapon. Still, the young Oja obliged Alice's request as the latter dragged the bear out of the smoldering ruins to skin.

Searching the remains of the hut, Takeshi could not find anything more of value from the potion shop. All the bottles shattered and the other supplies burnt. So much potions wasted all because his Mad Hatter companion went a little overboard, though Takeshi supposed there was little choice in the matter. He did not have his bow with him, and fighting a bear with just a sword was a challenge even for him. Bears, at least the ones in Shizuyama, can make short work of careless melee fighters. So hunters typically shoot at the animals with arrows from a safe distance, preferably with one shot to the head.

"There's nothing left back there." Takeshi returned to Alice, who was busy skinning the freshly-killed animal. "You like bear meat? I know someone who also does. She doesn't show it, but I know she's real happy to be eating the stuff."

Alice looked back at Takeshi, blood-soaked from her fingers to her cheeks, and yet she maintained that same apathetic look of derision for... well, everything. "[color=9966cc][b][i]This is done for profit. I just need water to maintain my health,[/i][/b][/color]" she says, "[color=9966cc][b][i]As for your potions dilemma, I should have asked the bear for patience, so I could loot around your dead body while it ate you.[/i][/b][/color]"

Takeshi shook his head and paid no more heed of the Mad Hatter's words. Alice's sudden shifts in attitude already confused him and if he indulged her further, he might get swept away by her. He already tolerated the yokai's presence and aid, he cannot let them do anything more.

Smirking, Alice tilted her head cutely, "[color=9966cc][b][i]Just kidding~! Ready to go, Ta~ke~shi~?[/i][/b][/color]"

Takeshi would notice the sultry descent in Alice's tone; the shift in her interaction with him. Normally, the sight of a woman soaked in blood - animal or not - wouldn't be appealing to any but the most depraved souls, but Alice wore it well... beautifully, even. The clash of a feral huntress cleaning her kill upon the visage of a regal queen attending to such menial chores created a strange attraction to the intense dichotomy.

It was like watching the farmer's daughter turn into a noblesse before his eyes.

Standing, Alice walked away from her bundled prize, and popped the cork on the bottle. "[color=9966cc][b][i]You need to restore your strength, Takeshi,[/i][/b][/color]" she says, tipping the potion back, before the swordsman found himself upon his back, and the smooth, warm potion sliding down his throat, as well as Alice's tongue inside his mouth.

Lifting up from the very nonconsensual, but very sensual, kiss, Alice looked down at Takeshi. "[color=9966cc][b][i]I lied to you,[/i][/b][/color]" she confesses, her left hand drifting to his pants, "[color=9966cc][b][i]I do need water to survive, but that's not all I need. Time to time, I need to fertilize the gardens, so to speak... You'll do...[/i][/b][/color]"

Takeshi would be reminded that Alice was a Mad Hatter, and not your ordinary Matango. She'd her needs, but she isn't a mindless carnal beast. Even if she was stronger than him, he could try to reason with her with whatever parts of his brain weren't in a spore-fueled haze.

So reason, he did, despite the daze from the sudden kiss. "H-Hold on! Hold on!" He put up his hands. Takeshi was tempted to simply yell at her and try to forcefully get her off him, but he was not looking for a fight right now nor enmity with her in the future. "A-A-A proud and noble woman like yourself should not debase herself with just an average man like me, right?" Even the young Oja felt the lie leave his tongue, being the son and heir of the island's supreme lord. "You should, uhh, seek more quality energy elsewhere. I believe your taskforce has a... spirited man, right?"

"[color=9966cc][b][i]The son of the Isle Lord, and the heir apparent... average, hm,[/i][/b][/color]" Alice smirked, as she slipped her into Takeshi’s slacks. "[color=9966cc][b][i]Telling such naughty, little boy. You’re anything but average...[/i][/b][/color]" she licked her lips, "[color=9966cc][b][i]In stature and status - spiritually and physically.[/i][/b][/color]"

Yep. He figured Alice would see the lie immediately, but it was still worth a shot.

Alice let her left hand continue the conversation, as she kept Takeshi pinned with her right hand. However, for all her overpowering might, there was a clear-cut serenity in her aura - a method to her madness, if one will. Mad Hatters were fiends - succubi, in their own right - but they weren’t without sense and planning. Torturously, Alice stroked Takeshi’s ego - above and below - with honey-sweet words and soft coos, as her silken fingers guided him towards the edge...

...and left him there.

Stuck on the brink of climax...

Forcing him to choose to jump into the unknown or fall backward into safety.

"[color=9966cc][b][i]We better hustle,[/i][/b][/color]" Alice says, "[color=9966cc][b][i]This detour has taken up quite a bit of our time.[/i][/b][/color]"

A severely flustered Takeshi, resisting his body's urges all this time and wondering how he could have let this all happen, managed to let out an answer. "Yeah... We definitely should.. "

Takeshi may have been raised and trained thoroughly to resist the yokai, but to be actually be under the mercy and temptations of one was a whole other world. Admittedly, the young Oja had underestimated Alice's regal charms... and maidenly touch. Her otherworldly beauty did not help, although that was a trait inherent to yokai, even if stained by blood. Try as he may to resist it, he definitely wanted this Mad Hatter to finish what she started.

The temptation was great, and unbearable, but to give in would be to turn his back completely on his honor, his people and his island. And yet, such things didn't seem to matter in this moment. And besides, she was fighting for Shizuyama. A little 'aid' to sustain her was not unreasonable. As long as they didn't go... 'far'. It should be alright, right?

"Let me... let us finish then, and 'fertilize your gardens'." A helpless Takeshi said. "Just... no 'unions', okay? That's my only request."

Alice chuckled, as she removed her right hand from Takeshi’s shoulder; freeing him to lift himself to a degree. For a moment, she dropped her guard, her seductive aura, and caressed his cheek with her monstrous hand gently. At a glance, Takeshi wouldn’t be frowned upon to think the parasitized flesh and mycelia would be grossly moist and slimy from its appearance, but it couldn’t be more the opposite, as it was warm and silken; as firm and giving as skin could be, and as soft and inviting as a woman’s should be. 

"[color=9966cc][b][i]No unions,[/i][/b][/color]" the dethroned queen asks, "[color=9966cc][b][i]Spoken like a man keeping his honour intact.[/i][/b][/color]"

Alice smiled softly at the young lord, "[color=9966cc][b][i]Don’t make a decision you’ll regret,[/i][/b][/color]" before she started to stand.

"What?" Takeshi was, once again, confused. What he expected would come had not. He raised his upper body to stare in disbelief at Alice, his mind still puzzled as to what the Mad Hatter was actually after. Was she even after anything? Or... was this all just one big joke, just the teasing of a whimsical yokai such as Alice? With him as the punchline?

The thought incensed the young Oja. Usually, such frivolous matters did not faze Takeshi, but the Mad Hatter had successfully riled him to his peak. If Alice was not going to finish what she started, then he would finish it for her. Takeshi seized the Mad Hatter, grabbing her by her arms with unusual strength. He did not care, or seem to have forgotten, that Alice was much stronger than him. Her gardens needed nourishment, and she would have it from him... on her knees.

...

...

The ordeal had left Takeshi sitting on the grassy ground, a hand on his face. Despite Alice's earlier warning, he deeply regretted what he had done with the Mad Hatter. All his life, he was preparing for this test... and he failed. He had let himself give in to yokai temptations. Sure, they had not 'come together' but if anyone the young Oja knew saw what he had done, no doubt that they would say that Takeshi was lost to the yokai. With a deep sigh, Takeshi wondered if he was still worthy to be heir to the island. Probably not, considering he had already accepted the aid of yokai to help Shizuyama.

His horse, Kuro, was sitting nearby. Having left for safety when the bear attacked, the steed returned to see its master downtrodden... but not injured. And that was enough for the horse to relax, not at all concerned with its master's other 'affairs'.

As shame burned through Takeshi, it processed into a more functional energy in Alice's belly. "[color=9966cc][b][i]Congratulations...[/i][/b][/color]" Alice purred, as she wiped her lips. "[color=9966cc][b][i]How did it feel? Defying principle? Defying honour? Embracing what you want,[/i][/b][/color]" she asks, "[color=9966cc][b][i]How did it feel to bridge the gap between Humans and Yokai? And, more importantly, how did it feel to be Lord of Yourself, and not your People? Liberating, I should think. Maddening, I know. Absolutely.[/i][/b][/color]"

"[color=9966cc][b][i]Regardless, I will be going to sleep now. I should conserve the strength you’ve afforded me,[/i][/b][/color]" Alice says. "[color=9966cc][b][i]Should you have need of my services, professional or personal, hesitate not to call on me,[/i][/b][/color]" she says, with a wink, "[color=9966cc][b][i]Day or night.[/i][/b][/color]"

Smiling warmly, the transformation receded behind the seal, and Alice wobbled for a moment, before pitching forward to fall towards her face.
[/hider]

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

[u]Shizuka's[/u] fog covered the village, throwing the bandits in disarray. But this was no mere magic fog, illusions of ghastly warriors emerged from the mist to harmlessly swipe at the brigands. The Swordsmen, believing what they were seeing, started attacking back, only for the illusions to vanish and find themselves slashing each other. Their screams filled the fogged village.

*BOOM*

A cannonball landed in the middle of the village which then burst open and released a strong pressure of air, pushing the magical mist away and bringing clarity back to the village. There were a few casualties for the bandits, but this group was still relatively strong. And now, [u]Shizuka[/u] and [u]Eula[/u] were now in the open and in their sights

"[color=aba000]So... this was the duo, who got my boys running.[/color]" [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/battlerealms/images/f/f3/Cannoneer_2_-_Serpent_Clan.jpg]A large man with a tengu mask appeared before the taskforce. He had few armor pieces on him, likely salvaged or scavenged, but in his hands was a cannon so big that only someone with his physique could possibly lift it, let alone fire it[/url]. "[color=aba000]I'll give it to ya, ya got some pretty nice tricks. But this show's over![/color]"

This was no doubt the bandit group's leader and he started by firing a regular cannonball at the taskforce duo, followed by a charge from the remaining Swordsmen. The crossbowmen were beside the leader, waiting for a chance to shoot.

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

[center]~ [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center]

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"Bored, let's fight."[/color][/quote]

[u]Gringor[/u] would find Nobutada medidating in front of a statue, not inside in any of the temples, but near a tall tree a bit away from the temple grounds. "[color=orange]Should you really be seeking a fight right now? Your wounds look grievous.[/color]" He replied, still kneeling in position, eyes closed and his head not even turning. "[color=orange]Are they inflicted by the Varjans? I thought you were sterner than that.[/color]

"[color=orange]As you can probably see, I am quite busy.[/color]" The large monk continued. "[color=orange]Do you not have your fellow taskforce members with which to vent your battlelust? Why not ask them?[/color]"

"[color=orange]Well, I suppose you have your reasons.[/color]" Nobutada finished. "[color=orange]Still, I'm in no mood to fight. But you are free to swing at me as much as you want, not that it'll do anything.[/color]" The monk finished with a chuckle, as if inviting an attack from the High Orc.

-

[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Rezod92], [@Nakushita], [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN), [@Enkryption] ~[/center]

As the taskforce continued their business in the temple, Ayu was almost about to ask them to search for the missing Takeshi Oja when the slow clopping of hooves signalled the arrival of the subject himself.

A tired and despondent Takeshi Oja rode in with his white horse. Sitting behind him, sleeping soundly with body leaning onto the young lord's back was the Mad Hatter [u]Alice[/u]. Ayu breathed a huge sigh of relief upon the sight. "[color=red]Oh, I was about to send a search party for you two. When Gringor returned by himself all banged up, I thought you were in serious trouble. I mean, if Gringor got beaten up then...[/color]"

"Heh, you don't trust my abilities, Miss Ayu?" Takeshi replied with a smile. "Don't worry, we're fine. We actually separated from Gringor because of... reasons. Anyway, it seems he went after our targets himself... and was repulsed." The young Oja sighed. "As for us, well, let's just say we... fought a bear. Yeah, we were looking for supplies when a bear jumped us."

"[color=red]A bear managed to knock out Miss Alice?[/color]"

"Ah, no. Her tiredness is... unrelated to that."

Takeshi had no intention of revealing what had really happened after fighting that bear. He could only hope that the... 'mark' he had given her would be undetected until the end of time.

It was just then when [u]Alice[/u] began to stir.

[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]