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[hr][center][b]Breakthrough[/b][/center][hr]

[i]Komatsu Bay[/i]: [@PaulHaynek][@The Irish Tree](Lili)[@Crowvette][@Restalaan](Skars)[hr]

Much to the relief of the Taskforce, the plan worked. The Gatekeepers were none the wiser to the spiel given by Ayu's brother, and allowed him along with the cart to pass through into the shipyard. It was unfortunate that Ayu couldn't join the team, and it was clear that she also thought so. But, it was for the best in this case. 

Having bade good luck to Lili, Shizuka and co made their way to the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Surveying the area, he noticed that the amount of Varjan troops serving as lookout weren't too numerous - for now. The lower part part of the bay held the bulk of the establishments, that's where Lili was headed. Instead, they were eyeing the higher part of the bay, looking at the more regal houses and the large estate where the former leader of the town lived. Shizuka looked a Io as she addressed him. 

[color=royalblue]"For now, I think it's best we stick together Io-san."[/color] He responded, then turned to Skarsneek. [color=royalblue]"I was thinking we could sneak around for a bit and inspect some of the houses, looking for Varjan elites or other people of interest. Given our talents, I don't think it'll be that hard for us to stay out of sight."[/color]

Shizuka wasn't bothered by the rain droplets that began falling on him. In fact, he welcomed it; The swordsman's strength increased in this type of weather. He thought to himself for a moment. [color=royalblue]"Given the time of night, proximity to the sea, and the current weather, I don't think a fog would be [i]too[/i] out of place."[/color] The ronin then motioned for the group to follow him, as they would carefully jump from roof-to-roof until nearing the higher half of Komatsu. Confirming there were no guards around, he would the generate his mist on the ground. With a hand, the beckoned them to follow. 

[color=royalblue]"This fog will go where we go, masking our presence. This should help us remain undetected, but don't worry. We, or at least I, can still see fine within the fog."[/color]

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[hr][center][b]Second Chance[/b][/center][hr]

[i]Fort Tanabe[/i]: [@PaulHaynek][@Restalaan](Grin)[hr]

The battle at Fort Tanabe had begun.

With some of the prisoners now free, they quickly took to arms and enacted their revenge on their Varjan captors. Atsuha didn't care much for all the violence, but she was relived that the mission was going as planned so far. She looked back at her team near the entrance, glad that they were able to join the fray as well. She also noticed that Lord Takeshi had finally arrived via horseback, happy to see him here as well. 

A furry of arrows had suddenly rained down on the freed Shizuyaman fighters, preventing them from advancing further and giving the Varjans more time to mount a counterattack. Kikyo quickly pointed out the source of the bolt storm: two watchtowers stationed at the entrance of the fort. They would need to take them out before things a turn for the worst. Gringor had damaged one of the towers, and began swiftly climbing up one of them. Hinami had summoned a a three-sectioned bo staff, and with great force began destroying the support beams to the second tower, hoping to cause it to completely topple it over completely. 

Atsuha looked at the poor animal that was trapped during all the chaos. She had a mind to free it, but she doubted a scared animal could tell the difference between friend and foe. She'd free it later, for now she had to focus on providing supporting the Shizuyamans. Promptly scurrying over to them, she began healing any injured warriors and then used a talisman in order to summon a barrier that'd protect them from the deadly rain. 

[color=9e0b0f]"Yes, I'm a yokai, brilliant deduction! Worry about that later, for now, if you want to live stay inside my barrier for now."[/color]