[center][h3]Terauchi Temple ---> Kozukata Cemetery[/h3][/center]
[center][b]YURINE, DEATH KEEPER[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"Say, Takeshi, what do you think Yurine? Feels weird that she's a grave keeper yet from your words, sounds like she was a fighter before that. Also, kind of skewed priority or there's something else within those cemeteries. You know, with the fight all."[/color][/quote]

"I'm fairly sure I said this already, but we sent Yurine to the cemeteries of Shizuyama to take care of our buried ancestors. Make sure they're impossible to desecrate, even long after the Varjans kill us all and occupy the island." Takeshi answered [u]Skarsneek[/u]. "But as you can see, things have changed. We might no longer need to protect the cemeteries, so we're moving out to pick up Yurine so her efforts can be put elsewhere."

As the party set out, Takeshi continued to answer the question. "Yurine is a fighter still, you know? She can swing her axe pretty well in combat but her long-standing job was to watch over the 'seppuku' of the warriors who have shamed themselves. After the dishonored warrior has killed themself, Yurine would lop off their head to quicken the death and save them from further pain."

"She would also be in charge with burying the dead warrior along with the latter's family. Thus, she knows a lot about graves and tends to them along with people like her. But besides being a gravekeeper, Yurine was also a retainer of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. So she helped my father raise me since he's always busy managing all of Shizuyama." Takeshi finished.

---

After a rather uneventful trip to the south of Onrai region, the group finally reached their destination. "Kozukata Cemetery. One of the largest graveyards in Shizuyama." Takeshi said. "Most of the Oja Clan are buried in Oja Cemetery up in Saikoten. But my mother was buried here, her home region, like she always wanted."

The taskforce would see rows upon rows of gravestones... if not for the thick fog that enveloped the area, revealing only a dozen or so as well as the stone paths granting comfortable access to visitors. "Quite the mist, though." Takeshi remarked. "It's probably not natural. Maybe this is Yurine's but it's too risky to assume that. Tread lightly."

Indeed, it was nigh impossible to see all of the cemetery with this fog, much less spot Yurine. "Do you guys think we should split up? We'll cover more ground, but we might get lost. Especially you, yokai, since you've never been here before."

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

While [u]Relica[/u] was setting up her own workshop in her own little corner in Terauchi Temple, a visitor came by to see her. It seemed the Gremlin need not search for Ayu.

"[color=red]Hello there! I hope I haven't interrupted you or anything![/color]" A woman with short, white hair and golden eyes greeted [u]Relica[/u] with a proud grin. "[color=red]I heard you were looking for me, so here I am. Not really sure why you want to, though. I also heard that young Lord Oja himself welcomed you personally so you're probably already briefed and know the current situation.[/color]"

"[color=red]But you probably have other questions so you called for me. Ask away![/color]" Ayu finished. "[color=red]Err, let's not make it too long, okay? I'm a busy woman, handling all... this, you know?[/color]" She gestured to the entirety of Terauchi Temple.

[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]