[center][h3]Honoka's House[/h3][/center] [center][b]EMPTY BASKETS[/b][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] [quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][b]"I was told that you were in danger of starving."[/b][/color][/quote] "[color=f49ac2]I... I shouldn't be talking to yokai...[/color]" Honoka started. "[color=f49ac2]...But I'm so hungry.[/color]" Swallowing her pride as woman of Shizuyama, the villager woman relayed her story. "[color=f49ac2]Bandits, Madam Eula. They took my food a day ago. Every last scrap.[/color]" She sobbed. "[color=f49ac2]They went into the woods. They probably have some camp there.[/color]" She pointed to the forest near her home. "[color=f49ac2]If you really are here to aid us, please get that food back before they eat it![/color]" Honoka begged the Automaton. "[color=f49ac2]Oh, ah, but please don't harm them. They're just as desperate as I am. We all suffer under this invasion.[/color]" She added. --- Honoka was quick to send [u]Eula[/u] away, not letting the Automaton get anymore words in. Perhaps she just couldn't wait a second longer for a meal. Regardless, [u]Eula[/u] made her way into the forest in search for the camp of bandit thieves. Fortunately, she did not hav to search for long. Past some bushes, she came upon a shallow pit in a clearing where some humans have set up camp. The camp was crude, but serviceable. A few small wooden tents here and there as well as a fire pit in the middle. The camp was occupied by armed men, maybe seven from what [u]Eula[/u] could see. These were probably the bandits that stole Honoka's food. Five of the bandits were out and about, patrolling the area above the pit while two slept soundly in some mats, near the largest tent among all others. It appeared the large tent also housed their supplies, [u]Eula[/u] could see sacks and a couple of crates within. This was likely where the bandits stashed their loot, as well as the stolen food. Now then, what would be [u]Eula's[/u] plan of attack? "[color=aba000]Satoru spotted an old woman and her grandson slowly making their way to the temple. He thinks they have food.[/color]" The Automaton overheard the bandit. "[color=aba000]Maybe we should greet them on the road...[/color]" The suggestion elicited laughter. "[color=a36209]...Things aren't bad enough to steal from old people and children.[/color]" "[color=aba000]We'll see how you feel once we finish the rice.[/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), [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@Xaltwind] ~[/center] "Oh, a Gremlin! My apologies, I haven't exactly met and know a lot of yokai in my life. Well, until now..." Takeshi admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But regardless, we're glad to have you with us. To help Shizuyama despite our attitude and policy towards your kind." The young lord bowed at [u]Relica[/u]. "Grelden, huh? I believe I have heard of that land..." "If you're looking for Ayu, she's the girl with the short white hair." Takeshi added. "She's pretty impressive for keeping this temple together under the stress of the invasion, with all the refugees pouring in nonstop. Had she not been a yokai collaborator, she would probably be appointed to a nice position for her efforts." "But as Skarsneek said, we are on our way on a mission. I've been gathering people I know to help us in our cause. You can come with us, for your first mission." Takeshi continued. "Or you can relax first, get to know the place. The other members of the taskforce are somewhere around here. I believe in training." "I admit, I am intrigued by your... mechanical pack. I believe we have a mechanical yokai among us, in fact. She's out on a mission right now, but you should see her once you get the chance." [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]