[center][h3]Kozukata Cemetery[/h3][/center]
[center][b]YURINE, DEATH KEEPER[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Hammerman], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Enkryption] ~[/center]

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"Well, this is… embarrassing…"[/quote]

"Oh, now you're embarrassed with having your underwear seen?" Takeshi sighed. "Come if you wish, but I can't make any promises of protection if your body gives in to exhaustion, okay?"

---

[u]Skarsneek[/u] attempted to both distract [u]Hinami[/u] and fight off the Dragon Warrior. A difficult task to say the least, but then a sword emerged from the Dragon Warrior's torso. A bare-chested Takeshi ran the warrior through from behind with a blade, killing him instantly. With his sword wet with blood, the young lord surveyed the immediate area.

[u]Hinami[/u] looked feral and out of control, a rabid yokai loose in this cemetery surrounded by fallen Shizuyaman warriors. A haunting sight had Takeshi not known they were traitors trying to kill him. Besides, [u]Skarsneek[/u] there was also a naked [u]Alice[/u] who did not seem to be participating in the fight. "...Do I want to ask what's going on?"

While [u]Atsuha[/u] was stunned, [u]Liliana[/u] came to her defense by stopping a spear before it hit the spider monster. She then retaliated with torrents of water that blasted from her tiny sword, something that the Spearmen did not expect and so, they were swept away and crashed into some of the gravestones. After Yurine dispatched her current enemy, she saw what happened and could only sigh.

The Dragon Warrior did not respond to [u]Gringor's[/u] taunts. Instead, he suddenly sat down with his legs crossed. He closed his eyes and relaxed, calming himself from the thrill of battle before glowing blue. When [u]Gringor[/u] started attacking, his hits on the Dragon Warrior simply bounced off harmlessly. It seemed similar to Nobutada's ability, but it felt different. A paper talisman then attached itself on the Dragon Warrior's shoulder, breaking his concentration and allowing the High Orc to pummel him out cold.

"[color=violet]...Looks like that's all of them.[/color]" Yurine approached [u]Gringor[/u], the source of the talisman. Indeed, the attacking Shizuyamans were either on the cemetery's stone floors or have fled to parts unknown. And would you look at that, Takeshi and [u]Lunatea[/u] have come back.

Now, the only enemy the taskforce had was one of their own: [u]Hinami[/u].

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]A TIME TO HEAL[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Xaltwind], [@Rezod92], [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

[quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"If you're not going to help, then don't just stand there. Head for the temple, it's not far. Get going!"[/color][/quote]

[u]Kerry[/u] told the scared villagers. She had recently defeated the Varjan Warrior dueling her while the axe-thrower that had her in his sights was zapped unconscious by [u]Relica's[/u] remaining drone. Despite the immediate vicinity clear of hostiles, the peasant couple still did not make any move to get to safety. Either too scared or simply did not believe a yokai's words.

[u]Relica[/u] then used her drone to further incapacitate the Varjan Warrior thrown, and knocked away, by the Elite. His body only jerked when he was hit, showing no signs of stirring. The Gremlin's attack on him might be needless, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The last enemy was the Varjan Elite, about to swing down his mace unto [u]Eula[/u]. But the Automaton evaded the vertical attack and then he was ran through from the side by [u]Kerry[/u] with her spear. He uttered nothing but he was clearly hurt, swinging his mace to the side which forced the Hornet away. With him distracted, [u]Eula[/u] used the opportunity to slam both of her mechanical fists against the sides of the Elite's helmet.

The two monsters waited for the Varjan Elite's next move... but after a few seconds of standing firm, the Elite collapsed to the ground defeated. The taskforce has won.

"[color=fff79a]That was amazing, taskforce![/color]" The monk ran towards the yokai trio to congratulate them. "[color=fff79a]I'll let you three get your bearings while I talk to the villagers.[/color]" He then left [u]Eula[/u], [u]kerry[/u] and [u]Relica[/u] alone.

[hr]
[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Crowvette], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

[quote=Io]"[b][color=thistle]We are working together to protect Shizuyama. Even if Shizuyama considers us unlikely allies.[/color][/b]"[/quote]

"[color=indianred]Oh? And what do you get in return for helping this yokai-hating island?[/color]" Kazenosuke asked. "[color=indianred]Never mind, I think I know the answer. You just want Shizuyama to stop hating the yokai. Fair enough.[/color]" The swordsman jumped to his conclusion. However, he did not seem to mind the false reason.

"[color=indianred]Still, I don't wanna waste my time and efforts on a lost cause. You're gonna have to prove to me that you lot are worth helping.[/color]" Kazenosuke said, completely disregarding the Oja Clan's authority on this matter. The swordsman began pondering, scratching his chin with his eyes closed. "[color=indianred]Hmmm, but how...?[/color]"

His eyes then widened, having arrived at a suitable answer. "[color=indianred]Ah, I know! How about a duel?[/color]" Kazenosuke suggested. "[color=indianred]Not a one-on-one duel, mind you. I'll take on all three of you at the same time. Beat me, and maybe I'll throw in with this little resistance Takeshi has going. If I beat you, though, then I get all the money you three currently have.[/color]"

"[color=indianred]What do you guys say?[/color]"

[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]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. "Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
[/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]