[center] "[color=steelblue]I'm told your son stands shoulder to shoulder with yokai. As he tears apart my Varjan forces.[/color]" "[color=ivory]At least he's doing one thing right.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]Heh... Oh, you pretend we are different. But we fight for the same thing; To create a legacy that outlives us.[/color]" "[color=ivory]I won my legacy with duty and honor. Maintained order and integrity to my home. And justice for my people.[/color]" "[color=ivory]You are nothing like me.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]Neither is your son, but his name is bound to your legacy.[/color]" "[color=ivory]Legacy is more than a name.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]Ah, true.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]Your clan has ruled this island since... its founding, yes? Your ancestral castle was damaged during our... visit. But repairs should be done by now.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]I think I'll be staying there, while I leave you here to starve to death.[/color]" "[color=steelblue]Alone, without honor.[/color]" "[color=ivory]...[/color]" "[color=ivory]...Damn it. What is he planning?[/color]" [/center] [hr] [hr] [center][h3]Castle Kaneda Outskirts[/h3][/center] [center][b]SHADOW OF THE YOKAI[/b] (ACT I FINALE)[/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI, HIN & ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI) ~[/center] After their agreement, Takeshi and the taskforce made their way to Castle Kaneda. On the way, Takeshi made sure to use a road that could behold the entirety of the castle. The sun had begun to set, but there was still enough light to see the entirety of the location: The main castle was situated upon a steep plateau with a long and wide bridge connecting to a smaller fort situated on another plateau, but with far more forgiving slopes. The fortifications still looked Shizuyaman, which meant the Varjans had not dug in that deeply. "You guys see that fort? That's the main gate to the castle and for most people, the only way in or out." Takeshi pointed as he began relaying his plan to the taskforce. "I'd love to just spirit my father out of the castle inconspicuously, but I know it's not gonna be that easy. And besides, we'll need a proper stronghold for our resistance against Varjo. That's why we're gonna take Castle Kaneda in one fell swoop." "The Varjans will likely execute my father once the attack on the castle starts. That is why I will need two teams. One team will need to be frontliners and the other team needs to be a tad more sneaky. I'll let you guys start deciding which team you belong to..." --- Night had fallen long ago when Takeshi and taskforce arrived at a small abandoned farmhouse just outside Castle Kaneda. The Shizuyaman warriors that the taskforce had assembled in the past weeks were gathered there, and they had bad news for the young lord. "[color=firebrick]My lord. Lady Kinkakuji and the rest of our troops are not here.[/color]" Kageho immediately reported. Indeed, Kikyo and the Shizuyaman warriors that fought alongside the taskforce in Terauchi Temple were not there. "What?!" "[color=orange]They were not here when we got here, and we have no idea where they could be either.[/color]" Nobutada spoke next. "[color=orange]We tried looking too but...[/color]" Takeshi's heart fell. Not only was Kikyo missing, so were the few troops they had. Confusion came with doubt as the young lord's resolve in his plan was tested. "Damn it, Kikyo. Where are you..." He whispered. Without the numbers, how could they take the Main Gate and made sure they wouldn't be trapped in the main castle, much less take over Castle Kaneda completely? "[color=indianred]Should we wait for them?[/color]" Kazenosuke asked. The young lord clenched his fists and inhaled before answering. "No." "Everyone! It's time!" Takeshi walked outside the crowd of warriors to properly address them. "Tonight, we free Lord Hideo Oja." He declared. "[color=yellow]I was told we would have a small army on our side.[/color]" Takamori mused. "They're not here... but we can't wait any longer." Takeshi replied before laying out his plan to everyone present. "We will all split into two forces. Well, three but-- Let me explain: The first team will attack and take the Main Gate. They will make sure the Varjans don't send any messengers to call for help, and have a path open for our retreat if things get too difficult for us. However, the first team will wait for the second team's attack before attacking themselves." "The second team will scale the castle's plateau and capture the bridge by taking the lower courtyard. The night should be enough to cover your stealthy entrance and if I know anything about the Varjans, most of them are probably asleep at this hour." Takeshi pointed to the mountain's face, covered in ledges and stubborn branches. "The lower courtyard contains the main armory and barracks though, so be careful. If you can, eliminate any sleeping enemies before starting a full attack. If need be, the first team can cross the bridge and assist the second team." "I will join the second team in entering the castle's plateau. However, I will instead infiltrate the main keep and find my father. Once the attack commences and all the Varjans are spread out, I'm fairly sure me and my dad can clear the whole place of Varjans." Takeshi smiled overconfidently. "If everything goes smoothly, Castle Kaneda will be completely liberated by sunrise." "[color=violet]This sounds like suicide, young lord.[/color]" The old Yurine remarked. "[color=violet]We're missing half our numbers. Are you sure this will work?[/color]" "...It has to. My father is counting on us." Takeshi finished. "Now, who wants to go where?" "[color=orange]I suppose I will go with the first team.[/color]" Nobutada started. "[color=yellow]Count me in too.[/color]" Takamori was next. "[color=violet]These old bones can fight but not really climb, so I'll be with the first team too.[/color]" Yurine piped in. "[color=firebrick]I suppose it's only obvious I'm with the second team.[/color]" Kageho said. "[color=indianred]Hopping around ledges should be fun.[/color]" Kazenosuke chose his team. "[color=mediumslateblue]If you fall, don't expect me to catch you.[/color]" Sorae responded, joining the second team. They would wait for the taskforce to pick their teams. Of course, the mostly-monster force can be a little disobedient and attempt to join Takeshi himself. Once that was done, this ragtag group of warriors would begin their daring rescue of the Island Lord. [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=The Shadow Of The Yokai {END OF ACT I} (ONGOING)] [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]