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

A second after [u]Eula[/u] explained her function, the monk and the mother returned. The former had some moss in his hand and both had hope in their faces. "[color=fff79a]Remember, Mika. Crush the moss, add them into a cup of water and bring to a boil. Have your son drink the mixture and he should be fine the following morning.[/color]" The monk said as the two entered the house.

"[color=39b54a]Thank you, healer.[/color]" Mika nodded her head. "[color=39b54a]Rikuo, how are you doing? How's the yokai?[/color]"

"[color=00a651]Mother, healer! I am doing fine.[/color]" The boy immediately answered since he could not wait to break the news. "[color=00a651]The two yokai, the hornet and this backpack girl. It looks like they're together![/color]"

"[color=fff79a]What?[/color]"

"[color=39b54a]Really? I never would have guessed![/color]"

"[color=fff79a]Now, now, Mika. Very few of the yokai have relationships like these with each other, but they do exist.[/color]" The healer turned to [u]Relica[/u]. "[color=fff79a]Still, even I did not know this. I am glad that you two found each other.[/color]"

What was once one were now three. Truly, a lie travels way faster than the truth.

[center]-[/center]

[center]~ [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Kerry Maros][color=fff79a]"No, no. I'm not here for you to help me. I'm here to help you, your dad and everyone else in this village out. See, a few of my friends and myself are with a monk who wants to heal you folks. I just have a couple of questions. How many of you have fallen ill? When did the first of you get sick and how?"[/color][/quote]

"Ill?" The boy repeated, confused. "Err, no one's sick in the village. At least, as far as I know. We are running low on food, though. Although, I suppose that's better than being attacked by Varjans..." Jin continued. "I wish the next supply caravan comes soon--"

"Jin! What's going on there? Is the yokai not leaving?"

The boy turned to answer, "No, no! She's-- she's leaving, father!" Before returning to [u]Kerry[/u]. "I'm so sorry, miss yokai, but we don't want to involve ourselves in anything right now. Oh and, there are no ill people here. Really sorry and I hope you have a great day." Jin then closed the sliding door on the Hornet.

[u]Kerry[/u] then remembered that the healer said earlier that despite their urgent business, he needed to go and assist the poisoned boy they are taking care of right now. That probably meant that this was not the settlement that was afflicted with the illness.

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

[quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=0072bc]"How long must we continue this until someone keels over? There is no need to drag this contest out any longer, admit defeat Dancing Blade."[/color][/quote]

[quote=Io]"[color=thistle][b]Surrender and I can-[/b][/color]"[/quote]

[quote=Yuki Akamata][color=f7941d] “If it is not over yet, then I will make sure it is over….you won’t be standing for long….!”[/color][/quote]

Kazenosuke smiled as [u]Yuki[/u] charged at him with her electric-charged Oni claws. [u]Shizuka[/u] prepared for Kazenosuke's counterattack but [u]Io's[/u] casting of a magical cage around the dancing swordsman was too late, [u]Yuki[/u] was already upon him.

But Kazenosuke made no move to defend himself nor counterattack, he dropped down to the ground instantly instead. [u]Yuki[/u] crashed through the wooden walls of the dancing swordsman's home, dazing the Oni a bit but otherwise unharmed. She could even get a glimpse of Kazenosuke's humble living quarters if she decided to look around. A single table, a mat to kneel on and some bits of miscellaneous furniture.

"[color=indianred]Bwahahahahaha![/color]" Kazenosuke burst out into laughter but made no attempt to escape [u]Io's[/u] magic cage. "[color=indianred]Oh man, that's so good![/color]" He continued, wiping a tear off his eye. "[color=indianred]Well, you've got me. Looks like it's my loss.[/color]" The dancing swordsman surrendered. "[color=indianred]You people work together well as a team. That's good, that'll be real useful against your enemies.[/color]"

"[color=indianred]Although, I shouldn't be surprised. You all are married, after all.[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Fukami Port[/h3][/center]
[center][b]LOST AT SEA[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption], [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

The rainbow knight tilted his head and simply watched [u]Alice[/u] and [u]Carroll[/u] sink into the water. "Huh, I didn't know Cursed Swords could do that. Did I read that file right...?" He remarked to himself, likely not heard by the underwater Mad Hatter.

Not long after, someone jumped in after [u]Alice[/u] much to the rainbow knight's surprise. It was [u]Liliana[/u], but the knight did not know who she was. All he knew was that someone thought this Mad Hatter/Cursed Sword/Whatever was sinking and drowning and spared no thought in trying to save her. The rainbow knight supposed such a trait was blameless, if reckless.

The knight decided to give them a little helping hand by getting some rope, tying one end to a small anchor that was lying around and lowered it into the water where the monsters decided to go swimming. Now, one would think on how one measly knight could lift at least three monsters. But the rainbow knight would not be there if he wasn't good at his job.

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

[center]~ [@Hammerman] ~[/center]

It was not long after the taskforce arrived at the temple when Takeshi and Kikyo arrived too in their horses, although the group had long split up. The two warriors found only [u]Lunatea[/u] when they entered the temple. Takeshi bid Kikyo farewell as they disembarked their horses and the young Oja approached the Wererabbit.

"Lunatea." Takeshi greeted, who had now replaced his kimono top with a similar garb. "I assume the others have gone to rest? It was a pretty hectic battle back there, wasn't it?" He guessed. "You know, you're gonna have to give that back someday." Takeshi motioned at his red kimono currently being worn by [u]Lunatea[/u]. "I mean, I guess I can let you keep it. A nice, little souvenir from Shizuyama: The clothes of the Island Lord!"

"Anyway, I think I'm going to go have a dip on the springs before I do anything else. It's been a long day. What about you?" Takeshi might have not said it, but he would probably indulge [u]Lunatea[/u] if she wanted him to do something else.

[center]-
[@Restalaan] (GRI)[/center]

Seeking out Nobutada, [u]Gringor[/u] managed to find the monk along with some refugee villagers at the back of a pagoda. The High Orc was not near enough for him to hear what they were discussing. His presence was noticed before he could get close enough and Nobutada bid the others farewell to go meet with [u]Gringor[/u].

"[color=orange]I see you're wearing some armor. Have you finally encountered a weapon that can pierce your yokai skin?[/color]" Nobutada noticed the High Orc's newly-equipped armor pieces. "[color=orange]And it looks Varjan too, have you decided to join the invaders?[/color]" The monk then let out a laugh. "[color=orange]I jest. The Varjans will never tolerate your presence.[/color]"

"[color=orange]Have you come to me to just show off your new attire or is there something else?[/color]"

[center]-
[@Restalaan] (SKA), [@AzureKnight] (HIN)[/center]

[u]Skarsneek[/u] was shown an empty room inside a grain storage building with a bed by some helpful monks to place [u]Hinami[/u] in. Not long after, a familiar old warrior came to visit them.

"[color=violet]How's the undead holding up?[/color]" Yurine asked. "[color=violet]Still knocked out? Well, I suppose that's for the best.[/color]" The old woman remarked. "[color=violet]While I'm ready to begin the spell to visit her mindscape, I understand that we're all tired right now and I think we should talk to the undead herself regarding this.[/color]"

"[color=violet]Do you know what the spider yokai does to calm her sister down?[/color]" Yurine asked [u]Skarsneek[/u]. "[color=violet]I assume the undead isn't a feral that attacks everybody all the time.[/color]"

[center]-
[@AzureKnight] (ATS)[/center]

Soaking in the warm waters of the spring, [u]Atsuha's[/u] body immediately began to relax. Unfortunately, the burdens weighing on her mind might have prevented her from fully enjoying the spring. Perhaps it would be best for her to clear her mind for the time being in order to properly refresh it.

Easier said than done when [u]Atsuha[/u] overheard two peasant women talking as they passed by springs.
"[color=8dc73f]I'm telling you, I saw him![/color]"
"[color=fff200]I believe you [i]think[/i] you saw him.[/color]"
"[color=8dc73f]I'm not lying![/color]"
"[color=fff200]Remember when you said you saw a Centaur a year ago?[/color]"
"[color=8dc73f]Yes...[/color]"
"[color=fff200]And it was just a horse rider behind a bush?[/color]"
"[color=8dc73f]This time it's different! It was Lord Takeshi Oja![/color]"
"[color=fff200]Of course it was...[/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=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]