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

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

Despite [u]Shizuka's[/u] attempt to defuse the situation, [u]Alice[/u] continued the fight by launching herself to the air with a pillar of flame that erupted from the ground. This forced the azure swordsman to intercept her in the air with his own technique, unleashing a barrage of icy slashes to stop [u]Alice[/u] from whatever she was doing. All the while as the taskforce watched with varying degrees of interest.

[u]Alice[/u] blocked the ice attack from [u]Shizuka[/u] and both fighters descended from the air. The Mad Hatter expected a landing by herself, but she was instead caught by Takeshi who had moved in as the clash ended. [u]Alice[/u] was then let down before receiving a stinging flick to the forehead courtesy of the young lord.

"I don't mind yokai fighting each other for even the pettiest reasons and making a fool of themselves, but do it somewhere where you can't cause harm to innocent bystanders. That goes for all of you." Takeshi reprimanded the entire taskforce. "Now then, if this is all over. Have a good night and I'll see you all tomorrow." He finished and walked away before [u]Alice[/u] bid her final words to [u]Gringor[/u].

Moments later, Ayu arrived to see what was going on and saw the aftermath of the fight. Particularly, the hole that [u]Alice's[/u] fire pillar erupted from. "[color=red]...Well, at least we have the shovels to fix this.[/color]" She sighed.

~THE NEXT DAY~

After the dinner, the taskforce rested until morning. 

It was a new day for Shizuyama and although the refugees were thankful for surviving another day not dying or captured by the invaders, they lamented that yet another day passed with their homes destroyed or occupied and to travel outside this temple safe haven was basically a death wish.

[u]Alice[/u], [u]Gringor[/u] and [u]Shizuka[/u] seem to have something to do for the day.

Meanwhile, Takeshi was tending to his horse as it ate from its trough. If a taskforce member wished, they could ask him to tag along on a mission.

[hr]
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[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]

*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*

[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]

[hider=A Time To Heal]
There was a monk by the temple entrance and he immediately spoke as soon as the taskforce member approached.

"Yokai! Will you please help me?"

"I have to get to a hidden survivor camp in the woods, occupied by people who are seriously ill. They need a healer! The area might be overrun with bandits or Varjans, so I need protection."
[/hider]

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

[hider=The Heavenly Strike]
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful."

-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]