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

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

[quote=Relica Rune Nox-Umbra][color=lime]"I'm here [i]seeking[/i] a certain [i]Lady[/i] Kyouko of Shizuyama, 'cuz that's who my superiors assigned me to come and help. So, you that Kyouko? Or is that just a common name 'round these parts?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=powderblue]Hehe, you are quite the feisty Gremlin, aren't you?[/color]" Lady Kyouko giggled in amusement at [u]Relica's[/u] response and attitude. "[color=powderblue]Still, I am glad that mighty Grelden sent forth a resourceful and knowledgeable Gremlin to our aid, especially with an advanced Automaton amongst our ranks. Thank you for coming, Miss Nox-Umbra.[/color]" She bowed to [u]Relica[/u].

"[color=powderblue]Come, follow me.[/color]" Lady Kyouko began leading [u]Relica[/u] from the port and towards a small hill further inland, situated near the village. The Gremlin could see the makings of an estate on the hill, all the while being briefed by the Inari. "[color=powderblue]I must admit, you are pretty late. The main taskforce has already left for Shizuyama on a ship way before the Varjan armada blockaded the island. Right now, the only way I can send reinforcements there is through an exhausting teleport spell to an exit point in a place called Terauchi Temple. The temple is my secret base in Shizuyama, where my human spies reside in. Now, I am told that it's where the taskforce is based on... as well as a safe haven for any Shizuyama refugees.[/color]"

"[color=powderblue]Once your teleported there, acquaint yourself with the taskforce and begin helping the people of Shizuyama fight off the Varjans. Or at the very least, help them survive.[/color]" Lady Kyouko continued. "[color=powderblue]My main spy there is a woman named Ayu. She'll be most likely the first there to welcome you. But there is another important person there: Takeshi Oja. Please, I ask that you take care of him and his father.[/color]"

[u]Relica[/u] and Kyouko soon reached the estate and the latter bid the former to head inside. The courtyard was spacious, with a large stone platform in the middle. A robed and hooded figure emerged from the building to greet the two. Her appearance might be obscured, but [u]Relica[/u] could feel immense power emanating from this figure.

The Gremlin was placed in the middle of the platform. "[color=powderblue]Now then, stand still. This'll only take a second.[/color]" Lady Kyouko and the hooded figure glowed with magical power, and [u]Relica's[/u] vision went white.

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]
[center][b]YURINE, DEATH KEEPER[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@Xaltwind] ~[/center]

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"Takeshi-san, I request your aid. For...reasons, my sister and I wish to seek out Yurine the Death Keeper. Would you be so kind as to lend us your guidance on the journey?"[/color][/quote]

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"If she joins, try to make sure she doesn't kill Io or try to put her to an early grave a second time."[/color][/quote]

"Of course! I'd be happy to accompany you to seek out Yurine." Takeshi replied before bowing at the monk to end that conversation. "Although, might I remind you that we actually need to seek them out so we can rescue my father. Any other reasons for seeking them out should come secondary." The young lord appreciated the taskforce helping the people of Shizuyama, but it's been a while since they looked for one of the people he asked them to look for.

"And don't worry, I can explain to Yurine not to hurt any of you nor bother Io about her undeath. Y'know, as much as possible." He assured [u]Skarsneek[/u].

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"If you guys aren't going anywhere, I'm actually thinking of traveling around to visit the nearby settlements and shrines. Part of my research into this island."[/quote]

"We're actually heading out to look for Yurine." Takeshi answered the Wererabbit before voicing his concern. "I won't stop you from exploring the island, but you do realize we're in the middle of an invasion, right? Even if the settlements and shrines around here are still intact, traveling to them will probably get you a bad encounter with the Varjans. You may be a yokai, but I think it's too dangerous to be just roaming around."

"Why don't you come with us? You can go sightseeing while on the way." He offered to [u]Lunatea[/u]. It would also be quite convenient for him since he could keep watch of the yokai and make sure they don't get into any trouble.

But before anyone could respond, a flash of light came from the pagoda where new arrivals get teleported to. Curious, Takeshi decided to be the one to greet before Ayu. "Another yokai...?" He led the group to the pagoda and went inside.

[u]Relica's[/u] vision returned to clarity and found herself in an empty wood chamber with Zipanguese shrines and statuettes on one side and a row of doors on its opposite end. And those doors opened to reveal a human man and several monsters. "Hm, greetings yokai. Welcome to Shizuyama." He said to the Gremlin. "I assume you're here to join the taskforce of the enigmatic Lady Kyouko. Well met then, I am Takeshi Oja. Son of Hideo Oja, the island's Lord."

Looking at [u]Relica's[/u] relatively diminutive size, Takeshi decided to take a guess. "You are a... Dwarf?"

[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]
[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]

[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]