[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN, ATS & SHI), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92], [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI) ~[/center] [quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=royalblue]"Your Lordship, I fail to grasp how you can be so [i]calm[/i] about this!"[/color][/quote] Takeshi was actually taken aback from [u]Shizuka's[/u] outburst. "I-I thought this was normal behavior for yokai. They are obsessed with sex and pleasure, after all." The young lord scratched the back of his head. He then watched [u]Shizuka[/u] tell off [u]Kerry[/u] about the irresponsible pregnancy. Takeshi was surprised that the Hornet yokai answered back, declaring that she would be staying here with Alice even with a child incoming. The young lord was not sure... No, he was sure this was foolish. Raising a child in a warzone was one thing, raising a yokai child in Shizuyama in front of his father? Takeshi could not imagine the wrath that would visit the nascent family. Still, that was the future... and the future could change. The island was supposed to be doomed, and that did not come to pass. [quote=Shizuka Kannazuki][color=royalblue]"But, right now, I need some time to rest. I also haven't eaten anything all day..."[/color][/quote] [quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"Food, eat. Need strength for fight."[/color][/quote] "Ah, well, how about some good old rice and fish then? Sorry there isn't much variety. We don't exactly have access to classier goods and Komatsu Bay had just been liberated so it'll be a while before your Lady Kyouko's supplies get here." Takeshi explained. "But don't you worry! I'll prepare the feast myself and you will all have a taste of the heir's culinary skills." Despite his confidence, Takeshi's dishes of steamed rice and fried-to-a-crisp fish were nothing out of the ordinary. [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Carroll[/u] attempted to dine and dash... but as the defenders of Terauchi Temple, the dishes they ate for the night were free of charge. Which was fortunate for the Automaton. [center]---THE NEXT DAY---[/center] The taskforce rested until morning, the day they would take on the students of The Heavenly Strike technique. But the sun did not greet them when they woke, instead they opened their eyes to cold winds blowing across the temple. The breezes were not strong but they carried the occasional raindrop. Dark and thick clouds blotted out the sun, preventing the heavenly body from warming the land. At least, the clouds weren't thick enough to completely block sunlight. Takeshi and Revuel stood next to each other as they observed the bad weather, the latter wearing his full armor to stave off the cold. "[color=cyan]This land's weather drives me crazy...[/color]" "Well, the frequent downpours of this island do make the soil fertile." The young lord responded. "We're used to it. Indeed, the refugees of the Terauchi Temple went about their day normally as if it was any other morning. [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=The Shadow Of The Taskforce {END OF ACT I}] [color=fff200](REQUIRES ALL PLAYER CHARACTERS)[/color] "I finally have all that I need to rescue my father from the Varjans. The only thing missing now is where the invaders have him imprisoned. I'm coming for you, father. Just wait a little longer." -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]~~ SHIZUKA (MERCHANT) TALES ~~[/center] [hider=The People's Servant] "One of the farms near Komatsu Bay looks like it's had some trouble. Someone should make sure the people there are all right." -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. Better take Lord Takeshi with you too or else it might be a fight again." [/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]