[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]
[center][b]PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (GRI & SKA), [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center]

The combined magical barriers of [u]Io[/u] and [u]Atsuha[/u] put a veritable wall between the Varjans and the insides of the temple, taking down the first attackers who attempted to pass through them. The warriors of Shizuyama and some of the taskforce were with the Varjans on the other side of the barrier, making them the focus of the invaders' ire. Something that was preferable in the defense of Terauchi Temple.

Losia, a Varjan Champion of the Blood Horde and also a legionnaire of the infamous World Hounds, was only further angered when [u]Kerry[/u] used her as a stepping stone to get further into the Varjan lines. The Champion was about to go after the Hornet when she was struck in the face by a sectioned staff, courtesy of [u]Hinami[/u]. Only Losia's head twisted in the attack, and she looked back at the Jiangshi before spitting out a bloody tooth.

With almost inhuman speed, Losia slammed the edge of her shield into [u]Hinami's[/u] midsection which knocked the wind out of the undead. The Champion then kicked [u]Hinami[/u] with enough force to knock the Jiangshi flat on her back. Seeing the figures of [u]Atsuha[/u] and [u]Io[/u] after [u]Hinami's[/u] fell, Losia switched targets. Much like her compatriots in the Blood Horde and the World Hounds, she utterly despised spellcasters. And she could tell these ones were casters with only one glance.

"[color=ed1c24]RAAAAAHHH![/color]" She thrust forth her sword, loosing several fireballs at the monsters' positions and sending wisps of flame flying at the very wooden buildings of the temple.

Meanwhile, [u]Skarsneek[/u] saw all this happening from one of the roofs of a pagoda. He also saw in the distance a group of Varjans deep inside the temple already. They were in one of the corners of the temple, a section full of the crude, hastily-built shelters for refugees. One of them wore a distinct blue armor and [url=https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/048/370/545/large/ruslan-korovkin-ts.jpg]his helmet was far more noticeable than the others[/url].

Fortunately, the hiding peasants were nowhere near this area. Unfortunately, the Varjan group has freed and were now speaking with all the prisoners the taskforce has taken so far.

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

Fighting alongside the warriors of Shizuyama, [u]Eula[/u] took down all of the Varjans that stood in her way while looking for an opportunity to break through the enemy lines. But the attacking Varjans were just too many, and the few Shizuyaman warriors were becoming even fewer. Magical barriers from her fellow taskforce members were erected to halt the Varjan advance, but [u]Eula[/u] was on the other side alongside her human allies.

After a samurai was hit in the chest by a javelin, [u]Eula[/u] found herself alone and surrounded by Varjan Brigands and Warriors. A most unfortunate development and the Varjans were not waiting, a Varjan Footman fired an arrow at the Automaton to start this one-sided fight.

*TING*

The arrow bounced off the sword of Takeshi Oja, who had rolled in past the Varjan encirclement to aid the lone Automaton. "I've got your back." The young lord assured [u]Eula[/u]. The Varjans hesitated, one monster was one thing but a monster and the Island Lord's heir? They took a moment to gather their courage and attack.

With her back covered, [u]Eula[/u] now only had to face a Varjan Warrior with a two-handed axe who went for a horizontal swing at her with a sword-armed Varjan Brigand following close behind.

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

[u]Kerry[/u] flew past the advancing Varjans and reached their backline in but a moment. She did not go unnoticed, of course, but few of the attackers had ranged weapons, much less ranged weapons that could reach the Hornet's altitude.

Soon, [u]Kerry[/u] spotted the Varjan artillery: Two catapults hurling burning boulders at the temple. [u]Io's[/u] shield continued to protect the temple but it was a dangerous risk to continue relying on the shield. [u]Kerry[/u] also spotted a small, dark obelisk between the catapults. It was covered in runes that glowed blue.

Meanwhile, a couple of Varjan Footmen attempted to drive her off with some arrows while the catapult crews continued their work but also watching [u]Kerry[/u] cautiously.

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@Hammerman], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

[u]Yuki[/u] and [u]Lunatea[/u] elected to stay behind and handle any Varjans that got past the defensive lines held by their allies, the latter joining the former after giving a short speech to the refugees that confused them... but also reassured them.

Their positions were soon tested, however. The rest of the taskforce had chosen to stand with Takeshi in the main entrance, leaving the other entrance a little undermanned. Still, both entrances held but [u]Yuki[/u] and [u]Lunatea[/u] heard the barks of vicious canines. They saw, in the other entrance, a group of Varjan Wardogs zip past the Shizuyaman defenders and start attacking the refugees who were still out in the open. They lunged and bit, going for the legs and the necks of their hapless victims.

Four of the Wardogs spotted [u]Yuki[/u] and [u]Lunatea[/u] and they moved in for the kill, not showing any sign of fear towards the monsters. Even [u]Yuki's[/u] current appearance did not deter them the slightest.

[hr]
[center][h3]Varjan Ship[/h3][/center]
[center][b]LOST AT SEA[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption], [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@AzureKnight] (SHI) ~[/center]

(Currently in collab)