[center][h3]Komatsu Bay[/h3][/center]
[center][b]BREAKTHROUGH[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

[quote=Liliana][color=f49ac2][b]"Give it to 'im Whimsy! Please!"[/b][/color][/quote]

Another wave of magma spewed forth from [u]Liliana's[/u] magical sword. The Varjan Elite was, indeed, stopped dead in his tracks as the molten rock washed over him and instantly encased him solid.

With that Varjan defeated, the warrior Fairy turned her attention to the remaining stragglers. A few Warriors and Brigands left, all of whom still had courage to try their lucks against [u]Liliana[/u] and Ayu. They approached with axes and swords drawn, but something happened that caught all parties' attentions.

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]“Na’Kratz is [b]dead![/b] Your leader is dead!"[/color][/quote]

The remaining Varjans beheld the helm that [u]Skarsneek[/u] raised, and immediately believed the male Goblin's words. They all dropped their weapons and scrambled away as fast as they possibly could, screaming and sobbing as they vacated the fortress town. They did not even spare their fallen a single glance and soon, all the Varjans who could leave did so.

Ayu patrolled a few of the streets and saw no more signs of the Varjans. At least, any who was still awake. Their occupation of this town was undoubtedly over. The spymaster could barely contain a laugh. "[color=red]We... we did it! We did it! The Varjans are gone! We did it, taskforce! We've liberated Komatsu Bay! The Varjans are all gone![/color]" She yelled at her yokai allies as she rejoined them.

Her echoing shouts did not go unheard. The Shizuyamans that had the unfortunate fate of living in the brief Varjan occupation began emerging from their homes. They were beaten and battered, covered in wounds and bandages. But there was light in their eyes, hope born from Ayu's yells. The Shizuyamans of Komatsu Bay all gathered around the taskforce over at the manor, whispering and wondering if what they were seeing was true.

"[color=fff200]Did they... defeat all these Varjans?[/color]"
"[color=c4df9b]I... I think they did.[/color]"
"[color=7ea7d8]Unbelievable... These are not normal yokai.[/color]"

"[color=red]These are not your average yokai.[/color]" Ayu addressed the crowd, striding to them and motioning at the taskforce members. "[color=red]They are the Taskforce! A mighty band of powerful yokai, here to destroy the Varjans! Sunder their armors! Shatter their weapons! Sink their ships with a flick of their hands![/color]" Ayu entranced the peasants with quite the showmanship, hyping up the taskforce.

Ayu's tone and confidence in her tall myths inspired even more hope from the crowd. They whispered to each other for a moment before all bowing at the taskforce in full gratitude. Ayu had a satisfied smirk as she stood beside the liberators of Komatsu Bay.

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]

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

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]“Here, Gringor has a joke. Dead funny joke.”[/color][/quote]

"[color=crimson]Really? Can't wait to hear it~[/color]"

The mercenary stood his ground as [u]Gringor[/u] approached, tossing away the crossbow and putting his hands on the hilts of the swords strapped to his waist. [u]Gringor[/u] could almost see the smile hiding behind the mercenary's mask. Whoever this warrior that Varjo hired, he was not afraid of the male High Orc or his axe. [u]Gringor[/u] will need to watch out for any tricks up the merc's black sleeves.

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

[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

Takeshi was left in the dust at the entrance to the temple grounds when the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters went after someone who blinked past the arriving group. The young lord could not be completely certain, but he could swear it was [u]Alice[/u] whom the sisters chased. Takeshi wanted to follow, but the yokai were too fast and his horse was nowhere nearby. He could only sigh as the yokai taskforce seemingly troubled themselves with each other again.

Shortly after the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters left, Takeshi would see that [u]Eula[/u] has returned. "Oh. Hey, Eula. How was your search with Sorae? Did you get that girl Kana back?" He greeted the Automaton. "I just arrived here myself along with Kikyo and the Hangai sisters plus some prisoners we freed. But, uhh, I think I saw Alice leave in a hurry and the sisters went after them sooo... there's that. Kikyo and the prisoners have already went inside."

Before any of them could speak more, the spellcaster Revuel Arvida approached out of his armor and wearing only crimson robes. "[color=cyan]Ah, Lord Takeshi. I'm glad you've returned safely. Greetings to you too, Madam Eula.[/color]" Revuel nodded at the Automaton. "[color=cyan]May I have you privately, milord? I have news for you regarding the Sir--[/color]"

But Revuel was interrupted when the [u]Hangai[/u] sisters returned with [u]Carroll[/u] and an unconscious [u]Alice[/u]. "[color=cyan]Ah, the Sir Alice. Thought of the devil, it seems. I have some words for-- Oh, he's knocked out.[/color]"

"Uhh, why do you refer to Alice as if she's a guy?" Takeshi asked.

"[color=cyan]Because that is the truth of it, milord.[/color]" Revuel answered. "[color=cyan]For you see, Sir Alice and Madam Kerry has... made love to each other recently.[/color]" The spellcaster revealed, but decided not to go into the important details. That would be up to [u]Kerry[/u] or [u]Alice[/u]. "[color=cyan]They are, by all accounts, a couple.[/color]"

"Two women loving each other does not necessarily mean 'husband and wife'." Takeshi frowned as he pointed out.

Revuel spent a moment forming his words. "[color=cyan]Well... Sir Alice possesses the male organ so I went with that conclusion.[/color]"

Takeshi's frown disappeared and raised an eyebrow. "And you know this... how?"

Now, the spellcaster was at a loss for words and decided to pass the ball. "[color=cyan]I... think it would be best if Sir Alice explained it to you himself. As soon as he wakes up, of course.[/color]"

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

The warm waters of Shizuyama's hot springs never fail to relax the nerves and ease pains. As the Hornet soaked in them, she would overhear two peasant women passing by.

"[color=ed1c24]...You know who drove away the attackers of this temple?[/color]"
"[color=f7941d]Yes, it's the yokai taskforce... led by the Island Lord's son.[/color]"
"[color=ed1c24]Wait! The Oja who survived Sanjo Beach... is young Lord Takeshi?[/color]"
"[color=f7941d]The one who defeated the Frozen Ridge Bandits when he was sixteen.[/color]"
"[color=ed1c24]My brothers couldn't stop talking about it... Then there's hope for us.[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Breakthrough (ONGOING)]
"Lady Kyouko needs a port to dock her fleet to properly engage the Varjan armada and deliver supplies, and that port will be Komatsu Bay. If we're going to liberate the fortress, we'll need help and Ayu says she has a friend for the job. We can join her and go to this friend's house, just outside Komatsu Bay."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Past Never Passes]
"Lord Takamori's traitorous former student, Setsuna, is training Mongol archers across Shizuyama. Lord Takamori posits that she plans on attacking Omi Springs, his hometown and a refuge for villagers. We should meet with Lord Takamori as soon as possible."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Traitor]
"Sorae is on the hunt for Sogen, one of the conspirators behind her family's murder. To track him down, Sorae has asked us to speak with Ayu who may know where we can find him."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[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]

[hider=Bottoms Up]
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.

"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
[/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]