[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] [center] [hider=Another Day in the Life] [Youtube]https://youtu.be/COjEoKQxB6Y?t=735[/Youtube] [/hider] [/center] [center][b]Kazenosuke, The Dancing Blade[/b][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@Crowvette][@Nakushita][/sub] [b]Kazenosuke's House[/b] [hr] Before making his, two members of the taskforce had went up to the swordsman - the Lich Io and the little Oni Yuki. Giving a hand gesture of appreciation toward Lady Kikyo, he turned to face his two mamono allies. [color=0072bc]"Io-san, I'd be grateful for your presence."[/color] He said, with a friendly smile. He then turned to Yuki, who had sprinted to catch up with the two. [color=0072bc]"Greetings. I believe your name is Yuki, yes? I don't think we've been formally introduced. My name is Kannnazuki Shizuka, the appointed captain of the taskforce. I certainly wouldn't mind having another ally on this quest. Hopefully nothing too extraneous happens during our excursion."[/color] While the swordsman was still smiling, he made a peculiar squint at the Oni girl. [color=0072bc]"I'm quite familiar with your kin, little miss, and am aware your your, "hobbies", we'll call them. While I do my part in respecting mamono nature, I also humbly request that you remain on your best behavior, Yuki-chan. Currently, due to recent circumstances, I'm not in much of a mood for shenanigans..."[/color] Shizuka's tone was still friendly, but it carried with it and underlining sternness. A foreboding of sorts, if you will. -- Walking along the trail outlined by Lord Takeshi, it wasn't long before the trio had reached the part of the woods the fabled dancing blade made his home. Upon approaching, Shizuka sensed several chi signatures. Four of them in total. Three of them had a rough in violent air about them - Varjans. He was familiar with the general feel of their aura, it wasn't particularly pleasant. Of the three of them, one clearly stood out, upon closer inspection it was coming from the Man wearing what looked to be a dog muzzle... Judging by his chi, was someone of considerably skill. [color=0072bc]'This could be troublesome.'[/color] He silently thought. The fourth signature belong to a native who wore garb similar to his own, standard for a ronin. That was obviously the man they were looking for, Kazenosuke. His chi was as calm as the gentle wind around them, yet as sharp as a deadly torrent. As expected of an arguable kensei; As Shizuka continued to monitor the situation, he say they appeared to be conversing with one another. [color=0072bc]"Io-san, Yuki-chan, less hang back for a moment. "[/color] He said, motioning for them to halt. From what he caught of their conversation, it sounded like the masked Varjan were attempting to have Kazenosuke join them. [color=0072bc]"They must be doing that with the other locals..."[/color] It made sense, many of the locals have been utterly hostile to the taskforce since they arrived. One even stabbed him at the temple... Thankfully, it didn't seem that the other swordsman was willing to bite, and told them to leave. As they did, Kazenosuke stood there in silence. He didn't seem to notice them yet, not that they needed to hide anymore regardless. [color=0072bc]"You two, let's make ourselves known. Sometimes the best way to reach someone is directly. But, perhaps it'd be best if you two kept your distance. The locals still haven't taken to mamono yet."[/color] He informed them. Shizuka was also curious about this Lord Serek'uar that was briefly mentioned. Was he some sort of commander among the Varjans? Walking out from the trees, Shizuka made himself known in front of the fellow vagrant. [color=0072bc]"Hail there. Apologies for appearing before you so suddenly, but I was attempting to look for you."[/color] He started. [color=0072bc]"My name is Kannazuki Shizuka, I am a ronin who was tasked by a benefactor of the Oja clan to assist in driving back the Varjan invaders. We've come to inform you that both Hideo-dono and his son Takeshi-dono are alive and well, and we've been assisting the latter for the past few days in gathering more allies for the cause. We were hoping you would lend your blade to our cause. Ah..."[/color] He paused for a moment, checking Kazenosuke's mood to confirm we they stood with him. [color=0072bc]"Also, if you don't mind me asking, who were those men you were speaking with just now? In addition, Takeshi-dono was wondering why you didn't join the battle on Sanjo Beach days ago."[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] [center][b]Yurine the Death Keeper[/b][/center] [sub][@PaulHaynek] [@The Irish Tree] [@Hammerman] [@Restalaan] [@Enkryption][/sub] [b]Kozukata Cemetery[/b] [hr] Seeing Yurine prep herself for battle, Atsuha quickly tried to diffuse the situation. [color=9e0b0f]"Yurine-san, wait! The three who are coming mean no harm!"[/color] Finally coming into view, Gringor, Liliana, and Alice had arrived to the cemetery. Although, one would find it a bit odd that Gringor has walking on all fours, sniffing the ground like a boar. [color=9e0b0f]'Did he trek all the way here like that?"[/color] She thought. Perhaps even stranger was Liliana riding to the scene atop a...cow? She rode the cow like it was a stallion! Even more, Alice was completely naked. Liliana held her on her side like a rag doll, implying that the mad hatter may not have come her by her own choice. The sight...honestly raised Atsuha's spirits. The comical scene that played before them made her chuckle a bit, and having more allies show up was never a bad thing. [color=9e0b0f]"Yes, Yurine-san, indeed they are. We apologize for the intrusion, but the more the merrier they say, haha."[/color] She mused to the gravekeeper. The brief moment of levity was cut short, however, as a threatening voice made itself known to the gathered allies. Two native warrior groups made their presence known to the taskforce. There had to be at least two dozen of them in all, three of them in particular demanding that Yurine abandon them and liberate the island on their own terms. [color=9e0b0f]"How did they happen upon us without me noticing them? I couldn't sense a thing..."[/color] She said. Yurine explained that the three fighters were known as Dragon warriors. They were trained to specifically deal with yokai, and were resistant to demon realm sliver and monster magic. If It had been just Yurine, Skarsneek and Atusha, they more than likely would've fallen here... Yurine stepped up and defended the yokai, saying they were allies of Takeshi and reminding them of their place. This did little to sway, as expected, they brandished their blades to attack. [color=9e0b0f]"Curse it all!"[/color] Exclaimed Atsuha. Taking some of the materials that the death keeper provided, Atsuha shot a rope of web past the three dragon warriors. She ensnared a few of the grunt fighters behind them, the talismans attached to the rope draining their mana. If her plan was successful, she bludgeoned the dragon warriors with some of their allies. In the midst of all the fighting, an eerie glowing gushed forth from behind the combatants. Hinami, now awakened, was standing in a slanted and unnatural pose with her arms hung to the side. Her claws were elongated and her sharp fangs were bared. The sigil that her sister placed on her head had glowed intensely before it shattered like glass, the pieces falling and dissipating barely before they hit the ground. With an inhuman wail, her aura caused dust to blow past everyone present. A look of sheer bewilderment took over Atsuha as she turned around. [color=9e0b0f]"Hina-"[/color] Her sentenced was cut short as Hinami had bit into one of the spearman from the crowd. She moved with such speed that most present couldn't perceive it. [center][hider=Feral Hunger][Youtube]https://youtu.be/h9U3fMcWdtA[/Youtube][/hider][/center] [color=7bcdc8][i]"Chi..."[/i][/color] She uttered in a disturbing voice. [color=7bcdc8][i]"Hunger...want...chi!!!"[/i][/color] The warrior began to grow pale as she further sucked the lifeforce out of the man. After she was done feeding, she smacked the man to the side with great force, who was sent tumbling several times over. A swordsman attempted to slash at her head, only to have the blade be caught by the Jiangshi's teeth. With little effort, she bit the blade into bits, the sound of shattering metal reverberating across the field of graves. Before the fighter could react, Hinami threw herself at the man and sank her fangs into the side of his neck, claiming her next victim. She then moved to the next, and would continue to do so until she was stopped or absorb the lifeforce of everything around her. The taskforce would have to be careful on how to approach the feral Hinami, as it was doubtful that she could distinguish friend from foe. However, perhaps they could also use the chaos her rampage was causing to their advantage.