[center][h3]Kenshiro's Rest[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]"All of you, gonna join fight? Then you follow Underboss Takeshi, or Shizuka. Or I crack yer 'eads in. If not, then do whatever you want."[/color][/quote]

"[color=deepskyblue]Fufu, we'll help in our own way, Sir...[/color]" The Raiju responded coyly at first, before her eyes narrowed as she realized just exactly what [u]Gringor[/u] was. "[color=deepskyblue]Wait, you are a monster... but also a--[/color]"

The Raiju was interrupted when the better part of the taskforce intervened to defend [u]Dinah[/u] from the upset Takeshi. The stress soon got to the fused mycelium yokai, which prompted her to dash away in search for peace in multiple meanings of the term.

[quote=Skarsneek][color=ed145b]"Right, anyone wants to explain further on who's Dinah? She's like...a twin of Alice or something? You said something about merging and ripping eyes out-?" [/color][/quote]

[quote=Liliana][color=f49ac2][b]"Okay! So! Dinah is Alice and Carroll when they do a…a thing…and…become one person, somehow. And she’s really cool and fast, and we fought, and she was like ‘wunanunanuna’ and I was like “kapow, blam, zoom,’ but she’s still waaaaaay faster than me, so, so, and then, she’s scared of fire, so she freaked out from the lightning during the battle, and was scared, and got scared that we were gonna die and was running to get us out of there, but I told her we were gonna fight, and she got her feelings hurt, but she came back and used her party to heal everyone during the fight, but I think people calling her Alice upset her because she’s her own person, so I gotta go!”"[/b][/color][/quote]

Takeshi Oja wanted to respond, mostly with questions, but about half of the taskforce went after [u]Dinah[/u] after [u]Liliana's[/u] brief explanation. Well, at least that cleared one detail for the young lord regarding Alice and Caroll. "Whatever am I gonna do with these yokai?" He released a very tired sigh.

"[color=deepskyblue]Uhh... Is everything alright with the taskforce, milord?[/color]" The Raiju, who only watched the scene unfold dumbfounded, was compelled to ask.

The young lord pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to form a suitable explanation but could not come up with any. "It's... complicated, I suppose." He replied to the Raiju yokai present. "My gratitude, by the way. Even though such words would earn me execution had our circumstances been normal. At any rate, I think we should part ways for now. Farewell."

"Let's go, everyone. We're finished here." Takeshi took his leave, heading through the crack in the mountain wall, but the taskforce members would hear a bit of the Raijus gossip as they left.

"[color=deepskyblue]Aww, man. I wanted at least one of them to introduce me to that azure swordsman guy.[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center]

Takeshi's half of the taskforce traveled peacefully through Onrai's countryside. Smoke pillars rose in the horizon, but there was nothing much the group could do about it. Still, it pained the young lord that their fight was far from over. Looking for a distraction, he had the taskforce to converse with... even though they were his and his ancestors' sworn enemies for hundreds of years. War truly made for strange bedfellows.

"I believe this is the first time we've all fought together, haven't we?" Takeshi began. "It could've gone better... but the others were right, it could've gone worse. Way worse." Approaching [u]Io[/u], the young lord's mischievous side showed when he decided to ruffle her hair. "I guess a second death would be quite troublesome, don't you think?"

Being alone with the young lord, the taskforce members present were afforded an opportunity to ask any questions they want from the island's royalty... Or notify him of any future plans.

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[u]Shizuka[/u] and [u]Dinah[/u] carried their dozing teammates back to Terauchi Temple without further incident. They reached their temple base first, having already traveled a bit ahead of Takeshi and the others. The refugees in their way immediately recognized them and bowed lightly in respect and gratitude.

Oddly, however, there seemed to be less people in the temple than when they left. In fact, most of the warriors guarding the area were gone. Inquiries should probably be made about that.

Revuel was the first to actually greet the arriving taskforce. "[color=cyan]You've returned.[/color]" The former Warlock was not sure if he recognized [u]Dinah[/u], but definitely [u]Shizuka[/u]. The former was also carrying asleep taskforce members so she was probably with them. "[color=cyan]Looks like it was quite the quest with some of you knocked out.[/color]" He remarked. "[color=cyan]Your quarters are fully prepared. Take some rest, you all.[/color]"

Gazing at the sleeping [u]Kerry[/u], Revuel became pensive. "[color=cyan]Any... developments regarding the Madam Kerry's pregnancy?[/color]"

[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]