[center][h3]Castle Kaneda Gate Fort[/h3][/center] [center][b]SHADOW OF THE YOKAI[/b] (ACT I FINALE)[/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Rezod92] (KRY), [@Restalaan] (GRI) ~[/center] The magic that summoned the mighty bull already alerted the men in the watchtowers. They immediately started screaming and ringing their bells, but it was far too late. The sudden tearing of wood and support was loud and clear to the garrison, rousing every warrior from their slumber. The patrol groups immediately converged to the entrance, gathering any Varjan who was ready with them. [quote=Liliana][color=f49ac2][b]"For Shizuyama!"[/b][/color][/quote] The warrior fairy's cry was taken as the cue for the human part of the assault team to move forth. Precise arrows from Takamori hit the watchtower guards in their necks. A small group ready to fight attempted to engage Liliana, but a giant figure ran past her. It was not her summoned bovine but rather, the monk Nobutada. He crashed into the group and bear-hugged one Footman, crushing the Varjan's body with his immense strength. Axes and swords were swung at him, but they simply bounced back despite the monk being unarmored. Brandishing his kanabo, Nobutada sent a Varjan flying with each swing. Some Varjan Brigands attempted to re-secure the battered gate, but Yurine was ready the opening. Despite being very old and wielding a heavy axe, Yurine was graceful and deft. She evaded attacks before countering with a stumbling or sweeping kick, an opener to make sure the swing of her axe found its mark. Varjans were cleaved as Yurine brought danced the art of death. The garrison was completely caught by surprise and they were scrambling to organize. Varjans trickled out of the buildings piecemeal, and they would be walking into a grinder. But the task force would notice that these were mere Footmen and Brigands. Not exactly the troops one would deploy to defend an important castle. Something was off. [hr] [center][h3]Castle Kaneda Inner Courtyard[/h3][/center] [center][b]SHADOW OF THE YOKAI[/b] (ACT I FINALE)[/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN), [@Restalaan] (SKA) ~[/center] The stealth team infiltrated the lesser-populated inner courtyard with absolutely none of the garrison ever realizing. It was the dead of the night and most of the Varjans awake were drowsy, letting out yawn after yawn. Thus, the few patrollers were quickly eliminated by Kageho and Kazenosuke. Believing it would be best to eliminate as much Varjans as possible should they be discovered, Sorae entered a building and began slamming her naginata down on the sleeping garrison. But then, alarm bells started ringing from the gate fort. They were loud enough to wake even the garrison in the inner courtyard. Thus, the Varjan garrison began hastily arming themselves and discovering the infiltrators, as well as the latter's bloody handiwork. Kageho, Kazenosuke and Sorae were forced to rendezvous out in the open to directly confront the remaining Varjans, numbering a dozen Brigands and Footmen. The yokai part of the team can join the fight directly or hit the Varjans where they still don't expect. They had just woken up and their senses had not wholly come back to them. Surprising them again would not be difficult. [hr] [center][h3]Castle Kaneda Back Garden[/h3][/center] [center][b]SHADOW OF THE YOKAI[/b] (ACT I FINALE)[/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] (Currently in collab) [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]