[center][h3]Kenshiro's Rest[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE HEAVENLY STRIKE[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (HIN, ATS & SHI), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92], [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI) ~[/center] [u]Kerry's[/u] spear reached the Iron Grinder in barely a second, and it was followed closely by a charged shot from [u]Eula's[/u] palm. The spear hit the arm that held [u]Liliana[/u], releasing the captured Fairy while the energy shot punched through the armor and sent the Iron Grinder flying into the mud. But the muddied Iron Grinder rose again despite his punctured armor, the tenacity of a legionnaire exemplified. He still had his sword and-- *BOOM* A large bolt of lightning struck the legionnaire directly. Electrified and fried, but somehow still alive, the Iron Grinder finally dropped unconscious back into the mud. His armor was singed and with the damage taken from the taskforce's attacks, probably unusable unless repaired. The taskforce's fight was done, now only Takeshi's-- *BOOM* Tetsuo Okinaga fell from the second level, rolling down the slope with his clothes also singed and burnt. The taskforce could still sense his weak Spirit Energy, indicating he was still alive. Takeshi Oja, his sword sheathed, slid down the slope to rejoin the taskforce. "Is it just me, or is this foul weather rather... fond of us?" He loudly wondered about the seemingly-coincidental-but-helpful lightning strikes during the battle. Another bolt of lightning struck the ground near the gathered taskforce, but the strike seemed... gentle. The lightning was bright and momentary, as all bolts were, but something appeared after this one. "[color=deepskyblue]Hiiii~![/color]" A group of four fair-skinned, beautiful women in blue, loose kimonos appeared. They had deep blue hair that ended in a light blue color, long enough to reach their waists. They were Raijus, monsters of thunder and lightning who were native and exclusive to Zipangu. "[color=deepskyblue]First of all, I wanna apologize for not directly aiding you all in combat. The students of the Heavenly Strike technique are [i]very[/i] familiar with us, so they'd know how to deal with us if they were sure we were here.[/color]" "[color=deepskyblue]And secondly...[/color]" The Raiju group all bowed in unison, a rather formal expression for a race known to be wild and rowdy. "[color=deepskyblue]We'd like to thank you for dealing with the students. It was... bloodier than we'd like, but we'll take it.[/color]" The Raiju spokesperson then explained. "[color=deepskyblue]You see, while the Heavenly Strike technique drove our ancestors from this island, we were raised to respect that technique and hold it sacred. Thus, we could not sit idly by while the students of the technique dishonor the move by slaughtering the very people the technique was invented to protect.[/color]" "[color=deepskyblue]But we could not intervene directly. Students of the Heavenly Strike are especially trained against Raijus. It would have ended badly, even if we survived.[/color]" The Raiju continued. "[color=deepskyblue]Fortunately, a ragtag taskforce with their cute and handsome sponsor were around and were more than enough to take back the technique from the wicked![/color]" While the Raiju group expressed their gratitude to the taskforce, [u]Dinah[/u] at the back was approached by a serious Takeshi. "Alice." He greeted her before crossing his arms, only aware and familiar with one of the identities. "While I appreciate you and the others coming back to help us win the day, your sudden retreat has left many of us in peril." His voice was stern, and unamused. "I'd, at least, like an explanation." [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=The Shadow Of The Yokai {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 (ONGOING)] "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]