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

[quote=Eula 039][color=C48BD3][b]"None of you are my type. However, I wouldn't be against simply being 'friends'."[/b][/color][/quote]

The bandits watched with rapt attention at [u]Eula[/u] explaining the news of The Great Change accompanied with drawings etched onto bark. After her explanation, the vagabonds talked amongst themselves. There were disagreements, but they all agreed on one thing.

"[color=aba000]That's okay, yokai. You're not our type either.[/color]" One of the bandits replied. "[color=aba000]You have no chest and you're lacking in hips and ass. Barely any sex appeal at all.[/color]"

"[color=f9ad81]But anyway, do you think she's telling the truth?[/color]" A bandit moved to the more important topic.

"[color=00a651]I dunno, she sounded pretty sure. She even drew on the tree and all.[/color]"

"[color=aba000]You know, maybe that's why people have mostly been fleeing to Terauchi Temple for protection fron the Varjans.[/color]" A bandit realized and pointed out. "[color=aba000]I heard the place was full of yokai so I thought they were crazy for doing that but now...[/color]"

The bandits looked at each other as they all began to come to the same conclusion. "[color=f9ad81]...You know, we could find pretty yokai there.[/color]"

And that was the final nail in the coffin for these wayward Shizuyamans, the bandits quickly gathered their personal effects before taking off towards Terauchi Temple. Their tents and weapons and supplies were all left behind with [u]Eula[/u], including the sack of food stolen from Honoka. Or so the peasant woman says.

---

Taking the tied up sack back to Honoka's home, the young peasant woman beamed at the sight of [u]Eula's[/u] return. "[color=f49ac2]You're back! And you have the food![/color]"

Honoka took the sack and the Automaton inside her house. Beside the unlit firepit, the peasant woman untied the ropes to the sack and opened it slightly to see the contents. Within the sack was the unmistakable sight of rice grains. "[color=f49ac2]Rice! I don't remember the last time I've had rice![/color]" She scooped up a handful to observe it more closely.

Her exclamation was strange, though, as it did not match her earlier statements of having this rice stolen from her recently. Honoka was too mesmerized at the food to have noticed this, too joyful at having staved away starvation for a while. "[color=f49ac2]Thank you, yokai![/color]"

And with that, [u]Eula's[/u] job here was over. Although, she might have something to say about being deceived again.

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

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"He's right! I don't want to hurt any of you either!"[/quote]

"Seriously, you didn't get what they meant?!" Takeshi looked at [u]Lunatea[/u] incredulously, seemingly making the mistake of taking his eyes off his enemy just to correct this misconception. "They're here to kill us both then blame you!"

A samurai swordsman thought Takeshi was distracted and decided to attack with a vertical swing, only for the young lord to step to the side and retaliate with a couple of slashes of his own. The samurai warrior was wounded but fortunately for him, Takeshi's assault was interrupted when an archer loosed an arrow which he was forced to evade. Another samurai stepped in to try his luck against the young lord. And he had plenty of luck as despite his attack being parried, Takeshi had to evade another arrow from the second archer which prevented a counterattack.

The exchange continued until a samurai managed to finally land a hit on Takeshi, a diagonal slash to the back. The young lord gritted his teeth from the pain, but pushed on to keep fighting. One slash was not enough to take down the heir to Shizuyama and if he did not die in Sanjo Beach, he was not dying here.

Still, maybe [u]Lunatea[/u] should jump in and help. The samurai paid no attention to the seemingly harmless rabbit yokai.

[center]---[/center]

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

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"You seen other goblins before? When?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=violet]A long time ago. When I was way younger and Lord Hideo Oja was but a child.[/color]" Yurine answered. "[color=violet]I was briefly contracted by The Order to drive away the Goblins from their villages near Order lands.[/color]"

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"We are yokai from various backgrounds who were contacted by a supporter of the Oja family and Shizuyama as a whole, sent her to aid Takeshi-san the the natives against the Varjan invaders and save as many lives as possible. There's not really much more to it than that."[/color][/quote]

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"But me? I'm Skarsneek. I'm here to screw the Varjans over. But as to why Takeshi there changed? Let's just say their defense of the beach went poorly. He was the only survivor, heard your lord was captured but he might be dead already. And the Varjans are worse. Much worse than you think. They're attacking and conquering a nation of anti-mamono...so they can use this island to invade Zipangu as a whole. This ain't just your Island business anymore, it's the entire east we're talking about here."[/color][/quote]

"[color=violet]We couldn't care less what happens to the yokai-friendly parts of Zipangu.[/color]" Yurine crossed her arms. "[color=violet]If what you say is true, then I wish Varjo would've just steered clear of us and invaded the other isles.[/color]" After a sigh, she continued. "[color=violet]There's no point ruminating about what should've or shouldn't have happened...[/color]"

"[color=violet]Although, I am rather curious as to who supports Clan Oja and Shizuyama but sends yokai to help.[/color]" Yurine wondered that herself. She knew no one who fit such a contradicting criteria. "[color=violet]It couldn't have been Clan Amanomiya. Then-- No, wait. It couldn't have been [i]them[/i]... could it?[/color]"

[quote=Atsuha Hangai][color=9e0b0f]"You see, my sister and I are not natural yokai. We, we actually were born humans just like you and Takeshi-san. However, one day, my sister died from an illness. She...is very dear to me and I simply could not accept that she had been taken from me. So, I did the unthinkable - I underwent a ritual that involved resurrection magic. After I perform the ceremony, my sister and I took the forms you see before you now as punishment for breaking taboo. Perhaps her fury is some form of karma for defying the laws of nature."[/color][/quote]

"[color=violet]Perhaps it is. Perhaps these spells are taboo for a reason, young lady.[/color]" Yurine began to reprimand [u]Atsuha[/u], anger rising. "[color=violet]You sacrificed the sanctity of your humanity and deprived your sister of hers. Such an act could only be met with a swift death. And a swift death to the sister too, as a mercy.[/color]" The old warrior declared. "[color=violet]Only by the grace of the young master do you live. So I shall be content with letting you suffer your fates.[/color]"

"[color=violet]But once again, Lord Takeshi's kindness blesses you. He wants me to help you, and so I shall. You two owe him your lives twice over.[/color]" Yurine finished. "[color=violet]...The potion I will make should relax the undead's body, but clearing her rampaging mind will be up to her.[/color]" Thinking some more, she added. "[color=violet]I know a spell that can link minds. Someone can help her, but I think it will need someone with a stronger will than hers.[/color]"

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

[quote=Relica Rune Nox-Umbra][color=lime]"Let's get going whenever you're ready. I'll let you do the talking to any of your fellow locals and natives, as long as they ain't hostile. But if we get into a situation where we need to fight, I trust you'll follow my instructions, got it? My top priority here is to get you from here to there, in one piece preferbly, and I can't do that if you don't listen to me if or when it really counts, got it?"[/color][/quote]

The monk clapped in awe at the showcase of [u]Relica's[/u] aerial gadgetry. "[color=fff79a]Ohhh, such advanced technology! I now see that the tales of our travelers were not farfetched at all. I could certainly use a device like that.[/color]" He said. "[color=fff79a]Of course, I am wise enough to know that using such machines will not be easy. One would need training and discipline, yes? Things that require time, time that we don't have.[/color]"

-

[u]Relica[/u] and the monk began their trip towards the illness-assailed survivor camp with the latter leading the way. Their walk through the dirt roads of Onrai was peaceful so far. "[color=fff79a]Were you at the battle of Sanjo Beach? No, I'm fairly sure you just arrived recently.[/color]" The monk began. "[color=fff79a]I heard the first taskforce members took part there, and managed to save young lord Takeshi, giving hope back to our island. I look forward to your future achievements.[/color]"

But upon entering a lightly forested part of the road, the monk pointed ahead. "[color=fff79a]Wait, I see something up ahead.[/color]"

Ahead the duo and upon a fork on the path, was a group of armed figures wearing dark, bulky armor. They were clearly not Shizuyaman and they were accosting a couple of peasants whom they held at swordpoint. The monk led the Gremlin under some bushes so they would not be noticed as they observed the situation.

"[color=fff79a]Varjans.[/color]" The monk told [u]Relica[/u]. "[color=fff79a]Please, yokai. You have to do something before they kill the villagers.[/color]"

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

[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (GRI), [@Rezod92], [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Enkryption] ~[/center]

Emerging from their harrowing training session, the taskforce group slowly rejoined the inhabitants of Terauchi Temple. "[color=red]You guys sure took a long time in there![/color]" Ayu greeted the taskforce but upon getting a closer look, she saw the gloomy looks of some of the taskforce members as well as an asleep [u]Alice[/u] carried by [u]Shizuka[/u]. In general, the taskforce looked worn down. "[color=red]Whoa, what happened to you? Weren't you guys supposed to be just training?[/color]"

Other than Ayu's concerns, the temple remained the same as ever. Refugees going about their daily lives. The other taskforce members who did not take part in the training appear to be away, likely on their own missions.

Suddenly, the warrior woman Kikyo arrived on a horse. "[color=lavender]Hey, taskforce![/color]" She called to them. "[color=lavender]After Lord Takeshi left, I saw some of my men take off after him without telling me. I have a bad feeling about this so I intend to follow.[/color]" She then pointed to [u]Alice[/u] carried by [u]Shizuka[/u]. "[color=lavender]Someone wake that fool. She's the one who got painted with Takeshi's essence, right? I might need her to track him down.[/color]"

[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=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*