[center][h3]Kozukata Cemetery[/h3][/center] [center][b]YURINE, DEATH KEEPER[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman] ~[/center] Upon learning of the samurai's true intentions, [u]Lunatea[/u] went ballistic. After being struck by an arrow and a near-death experience from a sword inches away from her face, the rabbit monster unleashed immense power upon the unwitting samurai. Driven with rage, she started slaughtering the assassins with her lightning and her speed. Takeshi was witness to [u]Lunatea's[/u] rampage. He had slain his opponent just in time for him to see the Wererabbit's clothes get shredded from her power. He paid no attention to her half-naked form, instead he was at awe at her power. Even though she was destroying traitors to Shizuyama, he could not help but be a little afraid. He supposed he should be glad that [u]Lunatea[/u] was on his side... right? Soon, all the samurai assassins were either dead or unconscious. Takeshi warily approached the super-powered rabbit yokai. "Miss Lunatea? Are you okay?" He told her, sheathing his sword even if that might not be a good idea. "Y-- I saw an arrow hit you earlier. Do you... want me to take a look at it?" Takeshi knew he needed to get back to the others, but hopefully with a calm [u]Lunatea[/u]. [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Enkryption] ~[/center] "[color=violet]Err, are you two sure you're on the same page here?[/color]" Yurine asked of [u]Skarsneek[/u] and [u]Atsuha[/u]. "[color=violet]I have a feeling there's confusion in the words...[/color]" But before anyone could respond, the fog in the cemetery began disappearing. "[color=violet]Something's going on...[/color]" Yurine picked up her axe and stood on alert. "[color=violet]I have some empty talismans and ink over there if you need them, spider.[/color]" She told [u]Atsuha[/u] of some magical resources nearby. "[color=violet]Helping your sister has to wait it seems.[/color]" When the mist fully dissipated, a group approached. They were not hostile, at least not technically. [u]Gringor[/u] arrived along with a cow-riding [u]Liliana[/u] apparently holding a... bare, unclothed [u]Alice[/u]. Yurine winced at the sight of the arriving yokai and immediately pieced together who they were. "[color=violet]Friends of yours, I assume?[/color]" She then sighed. "[color=violet]What has happened to the island...[/color]" "[color=aba000]Yokai! Show yourselves![/color]" Two groups of Shizuyaman samurai appeared on the other, opposite side. It was a sizable group, containing at least a dozen swordsmen and spearmen. But there were three who stood out, [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/battlerealms/images/8/84/Dragon_Warrior.jpg]these warriors wielded long blades with their chests exposed and wore only robes for their lower bodies[/url]. "[color=aba000]Lady Yurine, forsake these blasted yokai and help us reclaim our land from all our enemies![/color]" One of these warriors pleaded. "[color=violet]Dragon Warriors. They're our answer against the magical attacks of yokai. Resistant to the magic silver too.[/color]" Yurine warned the taskforce before replying. "[color=violet]These yokai are the guests of the young master. You dare go against Lord Oja's son?[/color]" "[color=aba000]You leave us no choice.[/color]" The Shizuyama samurai charged. The cemetery has turned into a battlefield. At least, anyone who dies need not travel far for their wake. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][b]A TIME TO HEAL[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Xaltwind], [@Rezod92] ~[/center] The monk was startled when [u]Kerry[/u] suddenly arrived. He was pleasantly surprised that these two apparently knew each other, but was dismayed when the two yokai were running out of ideas on how to save the poor peasant couple. As the two yokai talked amongst themselves, the monk noticed the situation developing. "[color=fff79a]Yokai, look![/color]" He pointed. [center]-[/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] [u]Eula[/u] decided to leave Honoka without saying anything more. The Automaton walked back to Terauchi Temple, the deception of the peasant woman and the complexities of humanity in general still weighing heavily on her mind. They even distracted her from noticing a scene unfolding before her until she was snapped back to reality by the loud voices. "[color=ed1c24]Where are you hiding the supplies?[/color]" "[color=6ecff6]We don't have any![/color]" "[color=ed1c24]Liar![/color]" "[color=6ecff6]Please don't hurt us![/color]" Before [u]Eula[/u] was a group of four dark-armored warriors. She finally encountered Varjans in her stay in Shizuyama. Three of them were of the Warrior kind while the last one looked Elite, holding a large two-handed mace. They were harassing a couple of peasant villagers, holding them at swordpoint. Althought, not for long when they noticed the Automaton. "[color=ed1c24]Don't run or you'll regret it![/color]" The villagers were ordered. The four Varjans confronted Eula while the peasants cowered where they were. "[color=ed1c24]Well, well, well, lookie here. We got a lost little girlie.[/color]" The dark warriors drew their weapons, swords and shields and throwing axes. "[color=ed1c24]Give us the location of a hidden camp, or house, or just any group of little Shizuyaman cretins, and we'll consider letting you live.[/color]" "[color=8882be]...She doesn't look Shizuyaman.[/color]" The Elite noticed. This problem was rather simple and perhaps the simplicity was just what [u]Eula[/u] needed, morbid as that may be. [hr] [center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center] [center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI) ~[/center] [u]Shizuka[/u] followed the river per Takeshi's directions and soon found a humble peasant house nested in a depression in the forested land right beside the flowing river. The house was pretty unremarkable, but there were some simple fishing equipment laying about near the river. Although, what would catch [u]Shizuka's[/u] eye immediately was the group of men in front of the house. A group of three Varjans, two were the typical Varjan Warrior kind while the third was unique. [url=https://c4.wallpaperflare.com/wallpaper/476/460/21/anime-artwork-slipknot-music-mick-thomson-metal-music-wallpaper-thumb.jpg]His black hair was bared to reach his shoulder and only wore a snarling steel mask in place of a proper helmet[/url]. There was a fourth individual standing in front of the masked Varjan. [url=https://s1.zerochan.net/Kaedehara.Kazuha.600.3376177.jpg]He was a young adult with silver hair wearing simple, but unique, clothes of white and red[/url]. This was probably Kazenosuke. "[color=indianred]...[/color]" "[color=mediumpurple]Come now, there are already Shizuyamans joining us. This does not need to be a Shizuyama versus Varjo thing.[/color]" The Varjan said. "[color=mediumpurple]Yokai have already reached the island, you know? We should be together against them rather than each other, should we not?[/color]" After a few moments of silence, the Varjan continued. "[color=mediumpurple]Or maybe, you care little for those traditions. Maybe, you covet Lord--[/color]" "[color=indianred]Leave. Please.[/color]" Kazenosuke stressed. The Varjan snickered at the response. "[color=mediumpurple]I shall relay to my fellows not to cross you, so long as you do otherwise.[/color]" He then turned to leave. "[color=mediumpurple]If you ever make up your mind, you know where to find me. Or Lord Serek'uar.[/color]" Kazenosuke was then left alone by the Varjan group. The warrior was deep in thought from the conversation with the Varjan, and could not sense [u]Shizuka's[/u] presence hiding behind the trees. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Nakushita] ~[/center] Kikyo almost drew her blade at [u]Alice[/u] reacting aggressively, only for... everything else to happen. After all was said and done, a stunned Kikyo could only watch as the taskforce split up to do their own things. Mostly going off to assist her with protecting Lord Takeshi. Well, that was what they were [i]supposed[/i] to do but it seemed they went straight to the young lord himself. [u]Kerry[/u] went off to search for another yokai while [u]Shizuka[/u] gave up in reining in the taskforce and went to see Kazenosuke. Kikyo wished the azure swordsman luck, the Dancing Blade was not a very social person. "[color=lavender]This whole taskforce is insane...[/color]" Kikyo let out a heavy sigh. "[color=lavender]...And what of you two?[/color]" She muttered to the remaining taskforce members, [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u]. "[color=lavender]I suggest you go after the swordsman, I've got a feeling he'll need help with Kazenosuke. Although, you are yokai so he might flip out. Then again, better he learn he'll be joining forces with yokai sooner rather than later.[/color]" She advised the Lich and the Oni. Just doing the act already made her sick in the stomach. She then spurred her horse towards the yokai on Takeshi's trail. Their speed exceeded her horse's, though. [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] *Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale* [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] [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]