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Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

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Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Varjan War Camp

The Code Of Shizuyama

~ @Hammerman, @FrogRFlowR (RKU), @Rune_Alchemist ~

Nyla unleashed her tendrils to try and get ahold of Senusret, but the Warlock responded by firing a jet of flame from his hand to burn away the slimy eldritch tentacles. Lunatea was the next to act, flanking Senusret and launching light elemental spells at the Warlock in an effort to distract him and make an opening for the Shoggoth to exploit.

Senusret raised his staff to erect an invisible magical barrier against Lunatea's spells, while using his other hand to continue fending off Nyla's tendrils. This defense was quickly draining the Warlock's spirit energy. The monsters would break through in due time, which meant Senusret had to go into the offensive. Perhaps a bit of divide and conquer could work.

He stopped fending off Nyla's tendrils and put both his hands on his arcane staff. He then thrusted it forward, unleashing a shockwave too large for Lunatea to evade and was sent flying into a tent. But just when Nyla was about to get him, her tendrils only hit black smoke. Smoke that shot into the air before falling down behind the Shoggoth, with the smoke disappearing as Senusret rematerizalized.

The Warlock immediately formed a large fireball between his hands, to launch at Nyla at point-blank range. It would not kill the Shoggoth, but it would definitely hurt. Nyla could already feel the heat emanating from the flaming orb... and something climbing on her back?

Using the Shoggoth's slimy mass as leverage, Takeshi leapt above Nyla and rammed his blade unto Senusret's chest as he landed. The young Oja was a bit singed by being so close to the flame spell, but fortunately it dispersed when its caster was slain. Takeshi removed his sword before collapsing right next to the Warlock's corpse.

---

Takamori's Dojo

Takamori, Blessed Sight

~ @Rezod92 ~

---

Other Parts

"Well, I don't personally know Takeshi, but an Inari named Lady Kyouko does. I'm part of a taskforce she sent to investigate what's been going on in Shizuyama and to help you locals out whenever and wherever we can. I actually came to the party late, but was able to help rescue your lord and get him out of Sanjo Beach along with my teammates. As for the beach..."

Kerry Maros

The samurai's eyes narrowed. "You'll have to forgive me if I find your... taskforce and motivations suspect, yokai."

.....Sanjo Beach has been taken. Sanjo Town, as well. Again, I came in late, but form what I could tell, there was a lot of dead. Most of them were.....your people. I'm sorry. If there is any silver lining to this, the residents of Sanjo Town evacuated before the Varjans overtook it, so it's not a total tragedy. As for Takeshi's father.....I'm not sure. He's not with us and wasn't among the dead when I flew over the beach and town. So either Hideo is missing or captured."

Kerry Maros

Takamori's eyes widened. They then seemed to grow wet but he closed his eyes and breathed deep. "...I'm not surprised. We were never going to win in that beach, and the Varjans knew it." He then made another sigh. "And Lord Oja is missing. Captured, at worst. But there's hope, Takeshi's alive and well."

"Shizuyama needs you, but that can wait. For now, I'll help you save your little girl. On that, you have my word."

Kerry Maros

"Do all yokai proselytize like you, Hornet?" Takamori remarked on Kerry's little speech.

"Anyway, no you won't. I will not go against Takeshi-sama allying with yokai but I, myself, will not ride, much less fight, alongside them. I have my honor as a warrior of Shizuyama, yokai. Which means if I am not fighting you, I have to have as little involvement with your kind as much as possible." Takamori declared. "...Go back to Takeshi-sama. Tell him you found me, but I can only offer my sword after I find my daughter."

Looked like Takamori needed more convincing. Or maybe just a more stubborn head.

Kerry gave a bit of a flinch at Takamori's response. After she said all of that and reached out with goodwill and kindness, that was his retort? After saying that she understood his reluctance and wanting to prove that she could be trusted, he rejected her aid?

What. The. Hell?

"I'm sorry, did you just reject my offer to actually help you?, Kerry spoke, disbelief in her tone...as well a bit of offense. Dude, let me paint the picture for you: You are alone. Your kid has been taken by Varjans, no doubt brought back to a fortified war camp or stronghold somewhere. Aside from me, there is no else around for you to call on short notice to come help you. You really think you can save your child by yourself? Against a legion of Varjans that stand between you and her? We may have just met, but I can see that you're a clever man, so I know you're not stupid. Drop the tough guy act and accept the help. That 'honor' is gonna get you killed and then you won't be saving your homeland, let alone your daughter."

Seriously, the man had to have realized that he was about to embark on a suicide mission. Surely...

Takamori considered Kerry's words for a few moments. Closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh, he conceded. "...Try to keep up, Hornet."

"Ain't that my line, human?", Kerry shot back, internally heaving a sigh of relief. So these islanders can be reasoned with once you get passed their fear, ignorance and bull-headed stubbornness. Oh, and I believe I haven't introduced myself. Name's Kerry Meros. Now let's go get your kid."

-

The moist soils of the Onrai region meant that footprints from people were easily left behind. It was not difficult for Kerry and Takamori to find a large set of footprints that led out of the dojo and into the roads. "My daughter's name is Setsuna. She's... not actually my blood daughter, she's an orphan I adopted. I found her skulking in my dojo looking for food. When I tried to apprehend her, she fought back... and she fought back well. I decided to take her under my wing." Takamori said as they followed the trail. "She has a lot of potential. Could grow up as a mighty warrior, capable of slaying yokai by the dozens. No offense."

"A bit taken, but whatever. I see how it is.", she commented, rolling her eyes. Is that really what's best for the girl? Had Takemori really thought and take into consideration Setsuna's feelings about that? Is that what she really wanted to do with her life or is that what he wants for her?

The trail soon led to a small fort by a cliffside. Takamori took Kerry behind an outcrop on a hill overlooking the fort. "...I hoped we could've caught up to them before she was taken to anything fortified. Looks like that was too much to hope for." He remarked. "This is Fort Nakayama. It's no special fort but with the right men, this place can last weeks."

The fort was small and its walls were made of crisscrossed wood beams. There were two watchtowers at the farther corners of the fort, a housing quarters for the defenders and a stables for the horses. Its original occupants were likely all dead in Sanjo Beach and now, Varjans occupy the fort. It was not a large contingent, maybe two dozen men at most and there were only a couple of those fully-armored Varjan Warriors. Most of them were lightly-armored or unarmored Brigands.

"Fortunately for us, the Varjans aren't 'right' men." Takamori smiled. "I can't believe I'm doing this but... take the lead and I'll support you. You're a yokai, a creature that can match entire units of warriors. The Varjans won't stand a chance, and you'll have me to watch your back."

"Need I remind you that I'm a Hornet and not some battle-junkie mamono like Minotaurs or Ogres?", noted Kerry before shrugging. "Eh, whatever. Okay, here's the plan: I'll fly in and start making a huge fuss. Once they see me easily toss around the whelps, they'll have to send in their better fighters to come deal with me. That way, you deal with the Brigands while I got their Elites. Let's do this."

With that, Kerry took off and head straight for the heart of Fort Nakayama. Seeing a group of soldiers sitting around a bonfire, she dove in, Dusk in hand as wind currents swirled around her body. Flipping forward, she landed in the bonfire as the winds expanded outward, causing an explosion of wind and flame that sent every unfortunate Varjan nearby flying and burned. To the Varjans that were not caught in the explosion, they would rush to investigate the commotion and find a beautiful Hornet wielding a black spear standing in the smoldering remains of their campfire.

"Hey, boys! What's a girl gonna do to get a cutie around these parts!?", Kerry taunted, announcing her presence to all in the entire fort as she pointed Dusk toward the nearest Varjan soldier.

The Varjans howled their war cries at the Hornet. "She's just one glorified bee! Kill her!"

A dozen Varjan Brigands tried their luck against Kerry, furiously swinging their swords and axes at the Hornet. But Kerry was too fast for them, and their weapons only hit nothing but air. The Hornet began taking down one Varjan after another, her openings covered by Takamori's well-placed arrow shots from outside the fort. Bodies, either dead or unconscious, began to gather at the fort grounds. The Varjans' morale was quickly breaking before the seemingly untouchable Hornet.

"Damn it, we're not here to fight! Much less fight a monster with backup! We gotta get out of here!"

The remaining Varjans quickly made their way out of the fort, trying to avoid Kerry as much as possible but fighting back should she come close. Some of the routed Varjans had arrows planted on their backs as they fled, increasing the body count. Soon the fort only had Kerry within who was then joined by Takamori. "These Varjans fight like drunk Gyoubu Danukis." He remarked before surveying the area. "Alright, yokai. Let's look for Setsuna, or any clues as to where she could be."

-

The Hornet and the samurai split up during the search to cover more ground. Kerry's flight allowed her to see from the air, and she found a peculiar sight. Behind the living quarters was a bamboo cage full of still-living Shizuyama villagers. Approaching the cramped cage, she saw that there were probably six or seven prisoners inside a cell fit only for four. Of course, the Shizuyama villagers immediately took notice of Kerry.

"Waaah! A yokai!"

"...That's it, we're dead. But at least we'll have a pretty sight before we croak."

"Yeah, I heard yokai kill you with sex. Much better than being hacked to death by Varjans."

"....Okay, two things: One, I'm not pretty. I'm smokin' hot and you better remember that. Two, why am I not surprised that the locals here still believe that stupid Order propaganda crap? Seriously...", Kerry responded, deadpanned in tone as she slash the lock off the cage, freeing them. "Oh, before I forget, have any of you seen a girl named Setsuna? I'm helping her father look for her here. His name is Takamori, do you know him?"

---

"Oh, before I forget, have any of you seen a girl named Setsuna? I'm helping her father look for her here. His name is Takamori, do you know him?"

Kerry Maros

"What? You're with Lord Takamori? No way..."

"Lord Takamori would never involve himself with yokai."

But Takamori himself joined the conversation as the villagers walked out of their cage. "Never mind about that. Answer her question, where's my daughter. Where's Setsuna?" The question elicited gulps and side glances from the villagers. "What's wrong? What happened to her?"

"My lord, I cannot be too sure if it was her since I don't know her face but..." One of the villagers began. "There was a girl, imprisoned like us. But then she told the Varjans that she was a great warrior, told them that she was your daughter and student. She offered her skills and knowledge to them in exchange for freedom." Takamori's eyes widened in disbelief. "As a test of her loyalty, she was asked to kill a couple. Tobio and Hachi. She slaughtered them without hesitation. The Varjans gave her a room in the barracks."

"No... no..." Takamori bolted towards the living quarters with Kerry following him. Checking each of the rooms, he found one that differed from all the others. Within that room were articles that was Shizuyaman rather than Varjan. Takamori surveyed the room before his eyes focused on a clothing rack containing a kimono, yellow in color.

"This is Setsuna's kimono..." Takamori muttered. Sauntering over at the table with scrolls, he picked one up. "Setsuna's writing... telling the Varjans about the secret routes Shizuyama has." Finding a quiver full of arrows, Takamori grabbed one and observed it. "When I make arrows, I make them like this. Something I taught to Setsuna."

Finally convinced with the evidence, Takamori walked outside with his mind elsewhere. "Damn it... Gods damn it... I should've known... I should've known..."

---

Tokinomiya Estate

Sorae, Gentle Heart

~ @AzureKnight (ATS & HIN), @Restalaan (SKA), @FrogRFlowR (TMI) ~

"Your forces got totaled. Only a handful survived. Takeshi man is trying to rally what's left together to continue fighting. That includes you. As to his father, ain't got a clue. We know he might be taken by the Varjans and kept alive but aside from that, no one else that fought in the beach made it."

Skarsneek

Sorae let out a deep sigh. "There was no winning that battle. We knew it, and the Varjans knew it. They could've easily took the time to surround the island to stretch our forces incredibly thin, but they knew they didn't need to do that. They made it clear where they would land first and dared us to stop them." The last Tokinomiya let out an amused snicker. "It was about sending a message as much as it was a battle."

"Sorae-san, I-I'm so sorry. Thank the gods that you survived, but the rest of your family… I…I am at a loss for words."

Atsuha Hangai

"I shall not let myself be pitied by yokai, so save it." Sorae coldly rebuffed Atsuha. "And I'm not thanking the gods for letting me live while everyone I knew and loved died."

"You said something about traitors and assassins being sent? You got any ideas who they are or suspect at least?"

Skarsneek

"No. And I intend to rectify that soon. Very soon." Sorae's words dripped of restrained rage.

With everyone within Sorae's room, the last Tokinomiya began. "So, Takeshi's alive and free and he's working on fighting back. He's also willing to ally with yokai to do so too..." Sorae was obviously troubled by the last part. "I'll trust the young Oja for now. Tell him that I'm more than willing to raise my weapon against the invaders, but I cannot let the massacre of family go unanswered."

"Tell the young Lord Oja that I will join him in this fight, but I will need several days to sort out this problem."

---

Fung Temple

Nobutada, Unwavering Will

~ @Restalaan (GRI) ~

The Varjan Elite hopped back to evade Gringor's horizontal sweep, but was surprised when instead of a follow-up attack, the High Orc opted to strike one of the Varjan Warriors to the side.

When Gringor swung his axe, it never hit the Varjan Warrior's shield. The Varjan Elite had moved to intercept it, swinging his halberd down on Gringor's axe and burying it on wooden floor. Splinters flying everywhere, the Elite then backhanded the High Orc to momentarily stun him while a Warrior swung his axe at the axe hands, making Gringor lose his grip on his weapon.

The Elite then rammed his halberd unto Gringor's torso, but did not even pierce skin thanks to monstrous durability. The Elite then began to push hard, joined by the other two Warriors, to get Gringor away from his axe and to a wall where he would be very vulnerable.

---

Terauchi Temple

Rude Awakening

~ @AzureKnight (SHI) ~

”Your prejudice blinds you to the truth. Were the yōkai the ones who slaughtered your allies on the beach in cold blood? Were they the ones who even now continue to murder your people and take your lands as their own? If fighting is the only thing that will make you see reason, then so be it.”

Shizuka Kannazuki

"You have no idea how much the yokai have taken from us. How many of us had to leave the island because of them."

When Mizore was performed, one of the miko's magical talismans glowed before bursting outward in a bright flash that annihilated all the sleet coming towards her. The miko missed her vertical strike though when Shizuka disappeared and reappeared above her, about to perform the technique Kogarashi. However, one of the remaining four ofuda glowed and zapped Shizuka.

The azure swordsman felt nothing but the cold energies that accompanied the technique was completely gone. The miko easily sidestepped the vertical spinning attack and retaliated with a slash that Shizuka narrowly blocked. But then it was followed by a nasty roundhouse kick to the face that sent Shizuka spinning around, just in time to see the prisoner Kasseros Telmar exploiting the commotion and straight up escaping via the temple's entrance.

Well, there was no time to deal with him. Shizuka had to deal with his current opponents, and now he knew what the floating talismans did.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Hey guys. I'm just swamped with work and won't be finishing anything in the days ahead.

So I'm pushing the update to the early weekends, maybe Friday. Sorry for the delays.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Ayo guys!

Since there's a bit of confusion regarding my last GM post, update's delayed so it could be worked out. See y'all tomorrow (hopefully)!

EDIT: PENTUPOL POST!

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Ayo guys!

It's doubtful that I can finish the post today so it'll be delayed to tomorrow. Also gives time for others to post. See y'all tomorrow!

EDIT: QUADROPOL POST! _{It's an announcement}

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Hey guys! My schedule flipped and now I'm free as ever.

I'll update if there are posts, but it's also fine to just skip this week for now.

EDIT: TRAPOL POST?! _{Well it's an announcement}

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Hey all! I'm gonna be busy during the weekends (Easter and all that) so there's a decent chance that there might not be an update this week.

Still, I'll do my bestest to update if possible.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Y'all going to spam my post with likes?!
Well two can play at that game.
*will furiously like all player posts in this round*

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

@Rezod92

Man, you post fast. XD

Update just came out the oven and you already got a bite off of it.

Tales Of Shizuyama (Far-Eastern Monster Girl RP)

Varjan War Camp

The Code Of Shizuyama

~ @Hammerman, @FrogRFlowR (RKU), @Rune_Alchemist ~

---

Little something for Hammerman

“It’s okay if you want to see my panties. Unlike some, I’m not shy about showing off my body. My mother caught my father by constantly flashing her underwear to him. I intend to find my husband the same way, especially since she said my butt is cute and all. Do you find my butt cute? I have yet to ask enough males to affirm my mother’s opinion to be a fact.”

Lunatea Vern Farnsworth

"I'm not surprised. Such are the ways and wiles of yokai." Takeshi replied immediately. "And yes, I did find your buttocks cute. But they stopped being cute at around the third time you showed it off. Now it's just a nuisance, like an annoying fly buzzing and irritating me in every possible way." Takeshi pulled no punches. It was strangely cathartic for him too, to finally say something to the yokai other than pleas for help.

Well, sure, he had to lie that Lunatea's behind stopped being cute, but it still got annoying.

---

Takeshi was pleasantly surprised when the yokai with him, Roku included, had all decided to let him take care of the war camp alone as he wanted. He expected them to protest, but he was glad they didn't. The young Oja was relieved, that was one dilemma off his mind.

He made his way to the war camp, hiding behind natural covers and the tall grasses and avoiding the sights of the posted guards. Taking them head on might be possible, but the safer way was taking them all out silently. Right, even if he was found eventually, hopefully he would have already eliminated half the camp and the Varjans would be in more manageable numbers.

Takeshi slipped past the walls through a large gap on the palisades. Taking out a Brigand guard who was on his lonesome with a stab on the neck, the young Oja then moved on to a Varjan Warrior inspecting some weapons displayed on a rack. Takeshi rammed his sword into an exposed area on the Varjan's armor, but the invader did not fall immediately. He screamed in pain as he flailed about, bringing him and Takeshi towards the weapon racks and crashing unto them.

Swords and axes and halberds clanged upon hitting the ground, alerting the entire war camp. Everyone dropped whatever they were doing to investigate the noise and they found Takeshi red-handed, finishing off the Varjan Warrior with a slash on the neck.

That could have gone better, Takeshi thought. There were maybe a dozen or so Varjans invaders facing him, most of whom were unarmored or fur-clad Brigands and only a few were fully-armored Warriors. So long as he was careful, Takeshi believed he could take them all on. His grip on his sword tightened, it was still going to be a hard fight.

The Varjans came at him and Takeshi did his best to fight them off. He managed to fight off and wound the first attackers, but these Varjans knew how to use their numbers. Some quickly circled around to try and hit the young Oja from behind. Takeshi's defense was soon breached and a spear managed to pierce his shoulder. He took down the spearman by hurling a kunai's at the latter's neck, taking a life. Pulling out the spear, it was dawning to Takeshi that he might have bitten off more than he could chew.

It was then that Lunatea took attention of Takeshi when she kicked down a Varjan from the air and started disrupting the Varjan formation with her wind magic. Roku followed behind, her sword deflecting any attack directed at her and retaliating with a fatal counterattack. As the Varjans reeled from the sudden appearance of the monsters, a quickly expanding Nyla appeared on the other side of the war camp.

Coming to the false conclusion that they were surrounded, by monsters no less, most of the Varjan troops lost their nerves and began to scatter. They were not numerous enough to take on monsters, nor were they prepared to fight such creatures. Seeing there was no way to get past Nyla's slimy mass, the Varjans instead tried to get past Lunatea and Roku. Although if they didn't need to fight, they didn't. They would run past the monsters.

But a powerful presence made itself known by dispelling Lunatea's wind magic and saving that one particular Varjan lifted into the air. The powerful winds were redirected towards the rabbit monster and the Ochimusha, blowing them away towards Nyla's side and briefly stunning them. "Stand and fight, you cowards! Come back here!" A gruff male voice attempted to rally the Varjans, coming from an imposing caster fully armored in blue-colored plate with gold outlines and emblems. He wore a long, mage skirt and some other sorcerer accessories while wielding an arcane staff.

The Varjan Warlock, Senusret of The Scarce Legion, was annoyed that he was assigned the minor task of constructing a war camp to guard one road amongst many of this blasted island. He envied the Warlocks who had the more prestigious tasks like taking over forts and establishing Varjan presence there along with the Master Warlocks and the Princes. Well, at least there was no one to boss him around here.

He paid no attention to the commotion outside at first, believing it to be an accident as was oft the case. But when the screaming and the winds started, Senusret immediately left his tent to find the war camp in disarray and his forces routing. He narrowed his eyes at the monsters and quickly went to work, disrupting the rabbit girl's magic.

Warlock Senusret was the monsters' final foe, the few Varjans who stayed behind being handled by Takeshi who was powering through his injured shoulder.

---

Takamori's Dojo

Takamori, Blessed Sight

~ @Rezod92 ~

"And before you ask how I know your name, I'm here on behalf of Takeshi Oja. He wanted to come and see you personally, but he couldn't. Something about still being dressed up as a miko? Anyway, as much as I want to do some hubby-hunting, now is not a good time for that so why don't you just put the bow and arrow down, hop off the roof and get over here so we can talk this out. Maybe tell me what happened to your dojo?"

Kerry Maros

Takamori's eyes widened. "How did you...?" He then shook his head. "For you to know that, the young master must still be alive and have told you that willingly." The samurai then lowered his bow. "I do not know why the young master would trust a yokai, much less send one in his stead, but I shall believe in his judgment... for now."

Takamori then slid down the roof and landed on the ground with grace expected of a samurai. "Tell me everything you know, yokai. How you know Takeshi Oja and how you got him out of Sanjo Beach. The Varjan invasion force, at least the main bulk of it, was landing there. Takeshi survived, but did others? What about his father? Lord Hideo Oja?" He shot Kerry a lot of questions. "Don't tell me we actually won and repelled the Varjans."

"As for what happened here... Well, Varjans happened." Takamori started. "I was packing up to join the battle in Sanjo Beach when out of nowhere, a band of those bloody Varjans assaulted my home." Taking a look at the ruined dojo, Takamori continued. "I hid my daughter under the floorboards and led the Varjans away from here before picking them off one by one. When I came back... she's nowhere to be found, and the corpses of the Varjans I killed here were also gone."

"They've taken her, yokai. And I intend to find her." Takamori approached Kerry as he finished. But then added something after a sigh. "...I cannot join Lord Oja until I do."

---

Tokinomiya Estate

Sorae, Gentle Heart

~ @AzureKnight (ATS & HIN), @Restalaan (SKA), @FrogRFlowR (TMI) ~

"Takeshi sent us since he couldn't come, and he's still dressed as a miko. So step away from her, now."

Skarsneek

"Look, whatever happened here, know that we come in peace. However, that may change if you don't get a damn thing away from my sister. Kindly remove your weapon from her and we can talk like adults, or I can break it in half and shove it someplace I don't think you'd like."

Atsuha Hangai

"You must be Sorae-san. As Skars-kun stated, we are here on Takeshi-sama's request and wish to aid in your fight against the invaders."

Hinami Hangai

"Can't we just drop our weapons, have a talk and finally go have a nap?"

Tomi Gōrudo

Unintimidated by Tomi's fiery tantrum on one of the buildings, Sorae glared daggers at Tomi. "...Don't push your luck, Dragon."

Sorae, however, heard the taskforce's earlier words and let out a deep sigh. She spun her naginata and got its blade away from Hinami's neck only to smack the Jiangshi on the back with the weapon's shaft, making the undead monster stumble towards her companions. She twirled her naginata again before planting it on the ground, holding it in a relaxed manner.

"...So, the young lord's alive. Although, I doubt he remains uncompromised considering he's willing to send yokai to do his bidding and trust them with his secrets." Sorae began. "But he's alive, and that's what matters for now. Do you know happened in Sanjo Beach? Takeshi-sama managed to survive, but what of the others? Did anyone else survive? What of his father? Tell me everything."

"Clan Tokinomiya, my family, was supposed to join the defense of the beach. But then, assassins came to our estate two nights ago. The battle was fierce, but we were outnumbered in the end." Sorae paused, her eyes becoming wet. Very wet. "I was the only survivor, as far as I know. My father, my mother, all our servants and retainers... my dear sister. They're all gone, Clan Tokinomiya... is dead."

"And as the last of my clan, I intend to avenge my family."

The woman then relaxed further and chuckled. "Although, I should thank you really. I was waiting for the traitors to send more troops to finish me off but after your friend's roar there, I think they'll be thinking twice. Everyone here knows a Dragon's bellow when they hear one." Sorae then motioned at the taskforce to follow her.

"Come, let's go to my still-intact room. Tell me what Lord Oja wants while your little kiddie Dragon over here takes her afternoon nap."

---

Fung Temple

Nobutada, Unwavering Will

~ @Restalaan (GRI) ~

"Come, let's fight these Varjan's to the death."

Gringor

"What the-? Who are you?" Nobutada was glad to be free of his chains, but he immediately noticed the weapon Gringor wielded and the chi he emitted. "You're a... you're a yokai?"

Multiple horns then blew, it seemed a lot of the Varjans in the area saw Gringor make the bold rescue of the warrior monk. "We have to get to the other monks before the invaders do anything to them. Come!" Nobutada told the male High Orc. The warrior monk made his way to the pagoda, bowling over any Varjan that tried to stop him. Weapons swung at him broke upon contact.

With his body alone, he smashed open the doors to the temple. Within the sacred structure was a shrine to a saintly statue surrounded by candles, as well as a squad of Varjan Brigand guards who were swiftly dispatched by both Nobutada and Gringor. "The other monks are held under the pagoda, yokai. Can I trust you not to move from this position and eliminate any Varjan that attempts to get past you?" Nobutada asked of Gringor. "I have to get my boomstick then we can try to repel the invaders from this holy place."

Gringor then watched Nobutada exit the building where multiple arrows were shot at him, only for the projectiles to shatter upon hitting him. But as soon as he left, three Varjans arrived to challenge the High Orc.

Two of whom were standard Varjan Warriors wielding a shield and axe while the third one appeared different. His armor was slicker and he had a half-skirt behind his waist, a halberd in one hand. This guy must be one of those renowned Varjan Elites.

---

Terauchi Temple

Rude Awakening

~ @AzureKnight (SHI) ~

"I am allying with these mamono, because of aforementioned reasons. So, what will you do? Will you allow us to save the lives of your people, or will you instead point your blades at those who would aid you?"

Shizuka Kannazuki

"...I've heard those 'reasons' before, Kannazuki-san." The miko replied, her enraged and disappointed look at Shizuka betraying her ultimate answer. "Let me guess, once the yokai help us, Shizuyama should 'see them in a new light' or 'let them stay in the island for a while, they've earned it'. I am no stranger to the ways of the yokai, Kannazuki-san. I see through their lies and deceit... just as I should've seen through yours."

"Please, miko-sama! Our reasons to help are genuine!" Ayu made her feeble attempt in dissuading a fight. "The island's being invaded, we mustn't fight with one another!"

"It is being invaded." The miko agreed as she drew her sword, prompting Ayu to do the same. "And not just by Varjans..."

The miko gripped her blade, only to suddenly throw an ofuda that radiated magic at Shizuka. Fortunately, Ayu sliced it in mid-air, stopping the spell, before charging into the opposing force. With her in action, one would notice how large her blade was. A strange weapon for espionage, but it certainly helped here where Ayu clashed with melee-specialized samurai. The priestesses threw magical talismans at Samael and Valeriya who responded with some magics of their own.

The civilians around the temple took shelter within the pagodas and the surrounding buildings once the fighting broke out. Still, they all opened their windows to watch the showdown unfold.

The miko facing Shizuka grabbed five more ofuda and threw them to the ground, they didn't hit the stone pavement but instead started circling around her by her feet. They moved alongside her, and the miko charged at Shizuka with her sword raised high in the air.