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

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

Shizuka fully felt his blade cleave straight through Na'Kratz's arm, along with making a large gash across his abdomen. The sorcerer's blood sprayed over Shizuka's chest, with a bit of it getting on his cheek. The ronin silently watched as his foe writhed in pain before crumpling to the ground with a thud. He wiped the blood off of his cheek as he continued staring at his motionless body, noticing that he still seemed to be alive. 

[color=royalblue]"You should've used your free hand to break you leg bindings to make a last minute dodge. My attack had too much momentum and power to be blocked by your flesh and garb alone."[/color] He said coldly. He swung his sword to remove the excess ichor from it, then sheathed it in one smooth motion. He then turned to his allies, who appeared to be alright. Skarsneek stumbled to his feet, glad that the fight was over. 

[color=royalblue]"He was indeed strong."[/color] He said to the goblin. [color=royalblue]"I would've liked to fight him alone to avoid any unnecessary casualties, but this wasn't the stage for that. Better to use the environment to our advantage."[/color]

As Shizuka delve more and more into these conflicts, he can fell himself slipping back into those bloody days. Days where constant killing elicited no emotion and were a daily constant. He wasn't a fan of it, but it didn't really matter did it?

He watched with curiosity as Skarsneek took the helm of Na'Kratz and began to walk outside with it, exclaiming that their show-called champion had been slain. His cheeky stunt worked spectacularly, as the morale of the rest of the warriors was instantly crushed and they scattered away like ants from a fire. Soon, the sounds of brigands outside were replaced by the whispers of the locals. Picking up Na'Kratz's unconscious body, Shizuka motioned for his allies to follow him out, and what they witnessed were all of the villagers gathered around them. They had concerned and intrigued looks on their faces, unsure of what to think of the taskforce. 

That's when Ayu stepped in to help them decide. 

Playing heavily into the role of, "hypeman", Ayu told them hyperbolic statements of the taskforce's power. Shizuka gave Ayu a look as she went into her hammy speech. It seemed to work, as the locals soon started singing their praises, and even bowed before them. 

[color=royalblue]"I suppose that's that, then. Liliana, I hope you're no worse for the wear as well."[/color] He said to their reunited sprite comrade. He then went over to Ayu for a moment. 

[color=royalblue]"Ayu, are you sure about this? This may have...unfavorable outcomes down the line if we're not careful. As for this brute."[/color] Shizuka motioned toward the defeated Na'Kratz on his back. [color=royalblue]"I believe imprisoning him would be to our benefit. We lost Kasseros in the previous attack. He's already told us the mastermind behind this whole invasion - A man named Serek'uar, known as the Sapphire Prince. Also, we've confirmed that Takeshi-dono's father, Oja Hideo, is in fact alive and is being held at Kaneda Castle. We'll have much to discuss once we return."[/color]