[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center][b]PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center] [u]Skarsneek[/u] and the [u]Hangai sisters[/u] moved to join [u]Io[/u] and Takeshi in fighting this small Varjan detachment. Their arrival was greeted by the smell of burning bodies nearby, a pile of charred corpses that didn't belong to the refugees... but rather, of the taskforce's prisoners. [u]Skarsneek[/u] distracted the Scarce Legion Warlock and hit the latter's helmet with a stone and hit the arms with the stuck to disrupt the magical blast. "[color=00aeef]Why you...![/color]" The Warlock started shooting smaller, but easier to cast, beams of magical destruction at the male Goblin from his staff, causing more damage to the structures of Terauchi Temple. Meanwhile, Takeshi continued to fight off the two Varjan Elites. The young lord was having a hard time getting past their armor while the Elites were getting minor hits on him. [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman], [@Nakushita] ~[/center] As [u]Lunatea[/u] dispatched the Wardogs after her with powerful wind magics and mighty kicks, so did [u]Yuki[/u] and their new ally in red armor. The hiding villagers could only watch in awe at the powerful beings fighting to protect them. The Wardogs have all been taken down, granting the two monsters and the spellcaster some reprieve. "[color=cyan]...This fight is over, yet the battle still rages.[/color]" The red-armored spellcaster remarked to [u]Lunatea[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u]. Indeed, the battles in both the temple entrances were still ongoing, but the attack has lost its momentum. The tide has changed and the attackers were being repulsed. "[color=cyan]You don't look like a warrior, Wererabbit, but you certainly move like one.[/color]" The spellcaster then offered his hand to strained-leg [u]Lunatea[/u]. "[color=cyan]I am Revuel. Revuel Arvida. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance, taskforce member.[/color]" The taskforce's newest ally finally introduced himself. "[color=cyan]I shall continue helping rout the Varjan attackers, but you look like you are at the end of your ropes.[/color]" Revuel commented on [u]Lunatea's[/u] condition. "[color=cyan]I can take you to somewhere safe, but you are free to rejoin the fight if you think you are still able.[/color]" [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@Rezod92], [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center] [u]Gringor[/u] charged through the Varjan lines unimpeded, for the attackers were retreating. They cared little, if any, at the charging male High Orc, more concerned with leaving the area alive. Still, the back lines with the catapults were still holding. [u]Gringor[/u] saw [u]Kerry[/u] fling a fire pit into one of the catapult pieces, setting the wooden artillery on fire and routing the crew. Meanwhile, [u]Kerry[/u] saw [u]Gringor[/u] charge through the lines and attacking the other catapult's crew. The Varjans manning the artillery tried their best to defend themselves, but they all fell to the High Orc's attacks. [u]Gringor's[/u] rampage was interrupted, however, by a Varjan Elite who wielded an axe and a shield. He bashed the male High Orc away from the catapult and followed it with a mighty vertical swing. [center]---[/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] [quote=Eula][color=C48BD3][i][b]"Love humans too much to see them die."[/b][/i][/color][/quote] "[color=indianred]...Hey, wait![/color]" Kazenosuke reached out a hand to stop [u]Eula[/u], but was not able to. He could only watch as the Automaton rejoined the fray, unconcerned of her injuries. Fortunately, [u]Eula[/u] did not have to fight for long. After a few more seconds of fighting, the Varjans were retreating. But their backlines seemed still intact, considering that [u]Eula[/u] saw [u]Gringor[/u] charge out further into the Varjan lines. Before the Automaton could follow, she was stopped by a sudden katana blocking her way. "[color=lavender]Stand down, yokai. You are in no condition to fight any further.[/color]" The beautiful warrior woman known as Kikyo Kinkakuji sternly told [u]Eula[/u]. "[color=lavender]I may not like your kind, but I must respect the conviction you have at serving your cause. Risking your life saving humans so we become indebted to you? A plan as deplorable as it is deceitful, but at least you're willing to die for it.[/color]" "[color=indianred]Come now, Kikyo. She told me she does that because she loves humans.[/color]" Kazenosuke caught up, offering a retort. "[color=lavender]And you would believe the words of a yokai? Creatures who lie and deceive all the time?[/color]" Kikyo countered. "[color=lavender]...Although, I don't expect someone like you to understand, Kazenosuke.[/color]" [hr] [center][h3]Hama Island[/h3][/center] [center][b]LOST AT SEA[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption], [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@AzureKnight] (SHI) ~[/center] After disembarking from the boat, the father immediately appeared. "[color=8493ca]Maki...?![/color]" "[color=f49ac2]I'm here father![/color]" The daughter responded after getting off the boat. "[color=8493ca]Oh, thank the gods![/color]" They embraced each other tightly for a moment, a reunion neither thought was going to happen this soon and in these circumstances. "[color=f49ac2]I was with them for days, father. Days.[/color]" "[color=8493ca]I should've come sooner.[/color]" "[color=ghostwhite]You two both need rest, and get to a survivor camp or a shelter once you have the strength.[/color]" Ian interjected. "[color=ghostwhite]And not forget to say 'thank you' to your yokai saviors![/color]" The two villagers both formally bowed at the taskforce members. "[color=f49ac2]Thank[/color] [color=8493ca]you.[/color]" [center]---[/center] [center][h3]Fukami Port[/h3][/center] Ian rowed the taskforce back to Fukami Port while the father and daughter rest and recover back in the small island. "[color=ghostwhite]All's well that ends well, as they say.[/color]" The rainbow knight remarked once he and the taskforce were off the boat and well on land. "[color=ghostwhite]I'm guessing y'all tired from this little shindig so I'm not gonna occupy much of your time anymore. Still, it's kinda sad that y'all aren't getting much reward from all these adventures. Why don't we rectify that?[/color]" "[color=ghostwhite]For your reward on this mission, you can ask me any question. Any question, no strings attached![/color]" Ian told the taskforce. "[color=ghostwhite]Ask a question and get an answer! Well, as best an answer I can give you.[/color]"