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

[quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][b]"Hm. While I don't believe that you're lying to me, I'll have to check your supplies to make sure, In addition, can you inform me if any other groups may have stolen from civilians in the area?"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=f9ad81]What the--?! No way![/color]" The bandit was suddenly defensive about the food. "[color=f9ad81]You're asking for too much. If you want to see our food, you'll have to get past us![/color]" And just like that, the bandits readied their weapons again. None of which seem able to hurt [u]Eula[/u], but it showed off their flimsy courage.

"[color=f9ad81]And what do we know of other groups? Haven't heard of them ever since the Varjans came. They could've joined the invaders for all we know.[/color]"

[quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][b]"Given your knowledge of the Varjan camps nearby enough to steal supplies, have you considered enlisting with the local army regiment? You could serve as scouts, and secure your homeland from the invaders it faces," [/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=00a651]Don't try to fool us with that.[/color]" Another bandit spoke up. "[color=00a651]We've heard about Sanjo Beach. All the mighty warriors of Shizuyama are either dead or captured. It's why the Varjans are running around our island without a care in the world. They know anyone who can oppose them are gone.[/color]"

[quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][b]"Times are rapidly changing. Yokai as well as humans need to work together to repel the Varjans."[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=f9ad81]Work together with yokai? We know you only want to eat us. We won't fall for your 'work together' trick.[/color]" The bandit retorted. "[color=f9ad81]You'll eat us as soon as our backs are turned.[/color]"

"[color=00a651]Well, I heard the yokai give you a good time [i]before[/i] they eat you.[/color]" The other bandit pointedo out. "[color=00a651]Really, it's a better death than getting mauled by Varjans. Or worse, captured and tortured.[/color]"

"[color=aba000]No, no. The yokai eat you [i]during[/i] the good time.[/color]" Another bandit piped in. "[color=aba000]You keep going until your soul is completely sucked out.[/color]"

This negotiation sure turned... somewhere. But perhaps [u]Eula[/u] can take advantage of these bandits' ignorance of monsterkind.

[hr]
[center][h3]Kozukata Cemetery[/h3][/center]
[center][b]YURINE, DEATH KEEPER[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Hammerman] ~[/center]

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"You just have to ask that, don't you? Yes, they're together. I thought that's obvious enough."[/quote]

"...I see." Takeshi betrayed no emotion in his brief reply. Although, the lack of it was probably more telling.

-

The two soon reached their destination, a clearing near the edge of a pond. There, the human and the the Wererabbit were greeted by a small field of the red flowers that Yurine needed for her concoction. "Those are the flowers we need. Let's both gather some, the mixture might need an extra punch since a yokai will be using it." Takeshi wasted no time in plucking flowers from the moist soil but as they gathered, both [u]Lunatea[/u] and Takeshi would detect a presence heading towards them. An entire group, actually.

Takeshi immediately put himself in front of [u]Lunatea[/u], and faced the newcomers. The incoming group was actually made up of Shizuyaman warriors, armed and armored however. "...I know you. You're from Kikyo's group." The young lord identified them.

"[color=6ecff6]Indeed, and you soil her name by trapaising with the yokai! Just like what you're doing right now![/color]" A samurai stepped forward to accuse. "[color=6ecff6]We heard that you left with some of the yokai. Thought it was a prime opportunity for the yokai to 'betray' you.[/color]"

Takeshi said nothing in reply, only stepping forward himself with a face of tranquil fury. The two men put a hand on the hilts of their sheathed swords, eyeing each other carefully, trying to figure out which one of them would make the first move. Several silent but tense moments passed, only broken when the samurai made the first move. He moved forward, his hand pulling his blade out of its sheathe for one clean strike.

But in those precious few seconds, Takeshi already had his own sword out and it was already wet with the samurai's blood. The samurai stared at [u]Lunatea[/u] in disbelief for a moment while his open neck oozed out his blood, before dropping dead to the ground. The young lord spared not a single glance at the first casualty, immediately focusing on the five remaining warriors. Three samurai swordsmen and two archers, the latter having nocked their arrows and aiming at Takeshi.

"I don't want to hurt any of you! Stop!"

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]
[center][b]A TIME TO HEAL[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Xaltwind] ~[/center]

[quote=Relica Rune Nox-Umbra][color=lime]"What kinda healing do they need, mister? 'Cuz if its just broken bones and injuries, that's fine. But if you're going somewhere where people're actually [i][b]sick[/b][/i] and [i][b]ill[/b][/i], you might wanna think things through. Helping those in need is noble and all, but if they're infected with some disease, you might get yourself infected. Then, when you return here, you might spread it to the folks in this temple. So, which is it? Injuries or illness? If all you needa do is deliver medicine though, I think we could work out a way to do that without putting your health at risk."[/color][/quote]

"[color=fff79a]Your concern for me is greatly appreciated, lady yokai, but I know the risks. I was told that the illness isn't exactly infectious, but I don't think I will be returning here once I get there. At least, not until I've made sure that the sick have completely healed. So don't worry about the illness spreading to the temple, or anywhere else.[/color]" The monk assured [u]Relica[/u]. "[color=fff79a]And besides that, I still need to be there to properly identify the illness. Medicine is one thing, but I also need to tell the people how to use it.[/color]"

"[color=fff79a]Still, you've made me curious. How are you able to get medicine there without risking me? Is it some kind of teleport technology or magic?[/color]" The monk asked. "[color=fff79a]I've heard tales of the incredible magics and technologies the outside world had. Ships that flew in the air, giant orbs that can locate anyone in the world and statues that can instantly impart knowledge to those who approach it. Do you have something like that?[/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]
[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]

[hider=The Other Side Of Honor]
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.

"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."

"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
[/hider]

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

*Tale commencing*