[center][h3]Otomo Port Village[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Xaltwind] ~[/center]

"[color=8dc73f]Sorry, miss. But this is far as I can take you. Shizuyama's been blockaded by Varjan ships. Whole island's surrounded and effectively cut off. Still, not really sure why you wanna head to that island. Place is as anti-monster as they get. Although I guess if you wanna do something about it, I heard the mistress of this island, an Inari named Lady Kyouko, has plans.[/color]"

[u]Relica's[/u] boat ride for Shizuyama was cut short and she was dropped in Otomo Port in the island of Akamagaseki. Strangely, the port had numerous ships docked upon it. All armed for war, full of supplies and weapons and equipment. There were also soldiers and sailors in the port, both man and monster. They were making plenty of preparations, talking to each other about plans and checking the armaments on the ships. The Gremlin might be familiar with the sight, being a war veteran and all.

A figure stood out from everyone else, an Inari monster with snow-white hair and skin and wore light blue clothes. Her aura exuded authority and desperation, but her face softened upon seeing [u]Relica[/u].

"[color=powderblue]Hello there, Miss Gremlin![/color]" She happily greeted [u]Relica[/u]. "[color=powderblue]We don't get many visitors here in Akamagaseki, and I'm afraid you caught us in a very... busy time. A-Anyway, welcome to the island. I am Lady Kyouko and please feel free to tell me what you seek here.[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Honoka's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]EMPTY BASKETS[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

[u]Eula[/u] traveled to Honoka's home, near the Yabo area. Trekking through the dirt roads of Onrai, the Automaton would occasionally spot Varjan patrols in other, distant roads. They were too far away to matter though and they didn't even seem to see [u]Eula[/u]. Still, it was a bad sign that the Varjans were spreading quickly across Shizuyama.

The Automaton reached her destination, a lone wooden house situated in the grasslands but near a forest. The home had clearly seen better days, the foundations were barely holding on and the sliding doors' sheet coverings were full of holes. It also seemed barren, barely any usable supplies as far as [u]Eula[/u] could see. Empty baskets lie scattered on the corners.

On the porch was a villager woman kneeling down. She seemed alone, so she was probably Honoka. "[color=f49ac2]...A visitor? In the middle of an invasion?[/color]" She said upon seeing [u]Eula[/u]. "[color=f49ac2]You don't look like a Varjan. Who are you?[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple Training Grounds[/h3][/center]
[center][b]HEAVENLY TRAINING[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (GRI), [@Rezod92], [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Enkryption] ~[/center]

(Currently in collab)

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

[center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Nakushita], [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

Takeshi watched as [u]Eula[/u] went out to help another beleaguered local. He contemplated joining her to keep his mind off from what happened with his peers last night. But he decided against it, perhaps [u]Eula[/u] took that mission alone willfully.

After feeding his horse, Takeshi wandered around until he met with a monk who was staring off the distance. Particularly at the direction of the nearby hot springs.

"[color=0072bc]I think the Varjans are afraid of our hot springs, Lord Oja. They avoid them.[/color]"
"Perhaps they don't like the smell of sulfur... or they're afraid that taking a bath will make them sick."
"[color=0072bc]Let's hope they stay afraid, my lord. If any warrior is going to gain strength from Shizuyama's hot springs... it should be you and your taskforce.[/color]"
"I don't exactly lead the taskforce nor did I form them, but I can't argue with your point."

[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]

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

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[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]