[center][h2][color=beige]Kirei[/color],  [color=firebrick]Vară[/color], & [color=lightskyblue]Lavinia[/color][/h2][/center]
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[h3][i]Before the Retreat[/i][/h3][hr]

Having mopped up the handsy commander and the rest of the warring Varjan’s in their way, Kirei and Lavinia rejoined the rest of the group, following Janus as he led them back to his campsite. Kirei made note of the native man that Nyla had in tow, he thought that must’ve been a member of the Oja clan that Kyouko mentioned during her briefing. 

Meanwhile, Vară had her hands full with the masked Varjan lord and his clawed gauntlets. Camael attempted to slash at him, but he dodged the bites and claw rakes with deft ease. He dug into Camael’s ethereal flesh and used him as a shield against Vară’s fire blasts. Camael wasn’t hurt by them, of course. If anything, he liked being hit with his master’s fire, at least according to her…

Sidonus had shown up as backup for the demoness, stopping Na'kratz’s counter with his sword swing. He yelled at her to retreat with the others, and opted to hold the Varjan lord back to buy time. Unfortunately, it seemed that was easier said than done, as Na'kratz proved to be too nimble for a decisive blow. He found an opening during one of Sidonus’ thrust, and slammed a counter strike that cracked his armor. The blood and pained howl Sidonus let out indicated that the wound was likely deep. [color=firebrick]”Sir Sidonus!!”[/color] Vară exclaimed. She was about to assist him, but was stopped by his insistence on her to retreat. Biting her lip, she ran in the opposite direction, and eventually joined back up with the others. 

[color=firebrick]”I’m so sorry! I couldn’t do anything to help…”[/color] She uttered under her breath as she ran. 

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[h3][i]Janus’ Campsite[/i][/h3][sub][@PaulHaynek] [@Rune_Alchemist] [@Xaltwind] [@Vox Angelis][/sub][hr]

Having arrived back at the campsite, the team was now safe from danger, at least for the current interim. Kirei certainly didn’t mind. [color=beige]”Alright, nice work everyone.”[/color] He said, address all present. [color=beige]”No Stella, you’re correct. We’re going to need to rethink our strategy for the coming days. As Janus says, while Kyouko-san is currently amassing an army to aid in the fight, it can do nothing but remain motionless unless this territory accepts said aid.”[/color]

Vară meekly walked up to Janus, having a pained look in her eyes and showing a visible hesitance in speaking. [color=firebrick]”Janus…”[/color] She said. [color=firebrick]”Sidonus, he…he stayed behind back at the village. He was fighting…some weird masked man. I-I tried to help him, but all I could do was run away. I…don’t know if he made it or not… Forgive me.”[/color] Naturally as a monster, the thought of any human dying was a bitter pill to swallow, even more so for one that presented themselves as a dependable ally. 

Everyone’s attention was suddenly diverted as Takeshi Oja had finally come to, and naturally he was taken aback by the presence of so many monsters in one place. [color=lightskyblue]”Oh my, it seems our sleeping prince has finally come to~”[/color] Lavi mused. [color=lightskyblue]”I agree with Ms. Nyla, some men don’t like aggressive women you know~ Worry not, Lord Oja, indeed we come in peace. We mean to assist you in driving back these invaders, if you’ll have us.”[/color]

Kirei, being a human himself and a Zipangu native as well, thought he’d be fine in approaching the young lord closer than the others. [color=beige]”Greetings to you, Oja-san.”[/color] He politely said, removing his hood to reveal his snow-white hair that looked like a tiger’s mane. He then clasped a hand to his fist and made a bow. [color=beige]”My name is Kannazuki Kirei, a warrior requested by a benefactor to Shizuyama to lead this force and assist the natives in the defense against the attacking Varjan brutes.”[/color] He gently placed his hand on the stick the young lord was holding, lowering it until it was pointed to the ground. 

Kirei looked at the sword that Nyla attempted to give to Takeshi in good faith, chuckling a bit. Kirei could easily tell that the weapon was one forged not of metal, but from her own polymorphic body. While it indeed was stronger than normal metal, perhaps they shouldn’t do anything that would upset the man down the road. Lavinia could also tell the sword wasn’t a normal one, and also giggled at the scene. Vară, on the other hand, was a little confused at the scene, wondering what Kirei and Lavi thought was so funny. 

[color=beige]”Lord Oja.”[/color] Kirei said. [color=beige]”That sword is quite strong, but I would ask that you take care if you indeed decide to use it. It…may not be what you’re used to.”[/color]