[center][h3]Shizuyaman Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center][u][b]The Heavenly Strike[/b]: ~ [b]紫電一閃[/b] ~[/u][/center][hr][center][@PaulHaynek][@Enkryption][@The Irish Tree][@Rezod92][@Restalaan][@Crowvette][/center][hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3YdqYf1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0zvnz6I.png[/img][/center] Shizuka had nodded in agreement with Lord Takeshi's proposal, and silently followed him as he and the taskforce made for Kenshiro's Rest. The light rain accompanied by slight chilling breezes did little to bother the ronin, in fact, he actually welcomed it. His teaching instilled in him the belief that the rain cleanses the soul and brings relief. He attuned his chi to the weather, silently prepping for the certain battle ahead as he felt Takeshi's aura rousing. Eventually, they group had found the Varjan warband described in the report, and as typical fashion they surrounded themselves with corpses and decay. A sight that caused Shizuka to share in Takeshi's building rage, and he witnessed as the young lord decided to start the hostilities. Takeshi challenged one of the students of the school and watched as he vanished, only to appear behind Young Oja and fall to the ground with a fatal gash. While Shizuka instructed the taskforce on how to deal and even incorporate the Heavenly Strike technique for this very mission, this was the first time he ever laid eyes on the attack. True to it's name, the slain user had blended masterful footwork with a clean motion slash aimed at the enemy's vitals. Normally, a person wouldn't even be able to see the attack coming, but beings like the taskforce wouldn't have that problem. The young man's chi left a trail to follow, plus his blinding speed left a subtle hint of shifting wind with it. Takeshi, of course, saw this as well, and easily countered. All of the other members of the taskforce decided to follow suit and begin there advances as well. Liliana was emboldened by Alice's words, found the courage to fight on this bloodied battlefield, and wield her sword Whimsy with a renewed vigor. The precision she wielded her blade with was something not yet seen, and Shizuka couldn't help but be impressed. She used her own variant of the Heavenly Strike technique while also showing a greater control of her volatile magic, quickly toppling one of the students. Shizuka had looked toward Eula with worried eyes, as she was faltering and was so conflicted that ebon tears began to spill from her eyes. Alice had slammed Carroll down as she continued her advance. This allowed Eula to take her up, and the demon weapon's words had helped her to find a new resolve to keep going. She, too, used her own unique spin on the aforementioned technique, creating a thunderous boom that echoed across the entire battlefield. Kerry and Alice were in perfect sync, with the Rebellion defending her lover whilst wielding one of her lances with deathly swiftness. Their advance was like a bloody waltz on dirty ballroom. Their banter befitted a married couple to boot, which earned them a light chuckle from the swordsman. Gringor, on the surface, had recklessly rushed forward, as per his modus operandi. However, upon clashing with one of the students, he made an interesting maneuver. Baiting out the student's strike, Gringor swung his axe earlier than he let on, allowing him to catch the practitioner off guard and soundly defeated him with a couple of well-placed strikes. Most notably, Gringor realized that he couldn't copy the Heavenly Strike, so he instead internalized the training to remember what facing the technique was like and relied on his natural instincts and upbringing to counter it. In the end, he chose to spare the student's life, as noted by Skarsneek. The High Orc turned his attention toward the Varjan Legionnaire, as did Alice. The latter knocked the High Orc's axe out of his hand, opting to use it herself for a bit. She and Carroll then took on the forms that Shizuka and the rest of the force were first introduced to them in. Shizuka maintained a straight face, as the forms brought back rather...interesting memories. She used her vines to have the spear Dusk reinforce the handle of Gringor's war axe, using it and her monstrous strength to apply menace to the Varjan commander. Eventually, she cornered the Legionnaire, throwing Dusk back to her lover and discarding the giant axe. It seemed, the fight was for now over. Shizuka stood in front of the taskforce and began giving a light round of applause. [color=royalblue]"I must say, that display was most impressive!"[/color] He cheered. [color=royalblue]"One has to wonder if you even needed me. I must Alice, the way you lead the others during that skirmish was most impressive, giving them the strength to push forward whilst still fighting off the enemy in the heat of battle was no small feat."[/color] He then turned to the others. [color=royalblue]"Liliana, Eula, I can understand that many things have happened here on this island within a short amount of time, and it's caused you to have doubts about the path forward. Just know that you won't have to face these challenges alone. We'll all here to aid each other. Gringor, I understand that you've taken some advice from that monk back at the temple? I certainly shows, and I'm glad to see that you've found your own way to break the Heavenly Strike."[/color] [color=royalblue]"Kerry, you and Alice were in perfect sync, as if you two had been fighting together for years. Not to mention how you've both seamlessly incorporated the technique into your respective repertoires, imbuing it with your magics."[/color] He was silent for a moment, looking at the original forms of Alice and Carroll, who likely sensed his complex emotions, however small. [color=royalblue]"Alice and Carroll, I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less from you. Well done, both of you. Now, the question remains, what to do with our new friend here. Do you have anything thing in mind, Takeshi-Dono?"[/color] He said, turning to the heir of the island. [color=royalblue]"I also agree with Alice and Kerry in that the master of this technique is something that should be treated with our full attention. If possible, I'd like to be the one to face him. Especially since most of our members have just got through fighting."[/color] Shizuka looked to Atsuha and Io for a moment. [color=royalblue]"We can't afford to be too careful here, would you two mind casting some healing magic on everyone who just fought?"[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cDfjYN0.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/0u0wcUo.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NporBQG.png[/img][/center] The sisters were washed over with a sigh of relief as the battle seemed to have been decided, although they too, were left wondering if they were needed for this battle. [color=9e0b0f]"My Dearest, you always fuss over my and Hinami's well being, but you're always the one throwing yourself into the Lion's Den."[/color] Atsuha said to the goblin by the unconscious student. [color=9e0b0f]"That goes doubly to you, Takeshi-san!"[/color] She scolded the young lord, who technically did cast the first stone. [color=9e0b0f]"I know your skill with the blade is to be feared, but you make us worry all the same"[/color] Atusha would bade Shizuka's request, as a gentle and fuchsia breeze flowed from the cherry blossom tree on her abdomen. The pink petals danced around the taskforce, who would begin to feel any minor wounds and fatigue brush away from their persons. Hinami looked at the cornered legionnaire, pondering with a finger below her lips. [color=7bcdc8]"Hey! If you want someone to interrogate him, I vote my Big Sis! She can use various toxin and her own natural poison to coax stuff outta him, plus she can get really mean toward jerks like the Varjans!"[/color]