[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@AzureKnight] (HIN & ATS) ~[/center] [quote=Skarsneek]“For you, Takeshi? Getting rid of the students helped but you still didn’t learn the technique. Maybe get Shizuka to teach you, he seems familiar with the basics.”[/quote] Takeshi chuckled at [u]Skarsneek's[/u] remark. "I always learn from my fights, Sir Skarsneek." He replied with a cheeky smile on his face. "In fact, I picked up more than the Heavenly Strike technique during our battle in Kenshiro's Rest." [quote=Skarsneek]“You’re gonna have to learn how to get the remaining surviving students on your side. Every manpower at this point counts, just say that the master got defeated by you and that means you’re better or something.”[/quote] At this suggestion, Takeshi's previous cheery face scrunched into a frown. "I will not. They have already spilled the blood of our people. Not even warriors in a battlefield, but innocent villagers. They have already chosen their side in this war." The young lord declared, humoring no debate on this matter. [quote=Atsuha Hangai]"[color=9e0b0f]Takeshi-san, you lout! The prospect of death is no laughing matter![/color]"[/quote] Takeshi only laughed as he upset [u]Atsuha Hangai[/u] again. The spider yokai's general attitude reminded him of a lot of people he knew, people who were typically not amused with his sometimes macabre humor. [quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]“Normal Varjan bois, no problem, but them ‘ard bois are. More boiz too. So we need to strike and take their lootz. We go to their camp, bash their heads in. Take everything, and use it to bash more heads in.”[/color][/quote] "Well, at least one of us is having fun here." Takeshi remarked about [u]Gringor[/u], to the male monster himself. "But yes, some of the Varjans we fought were legionnaires. I don't remember if I said it before, but these warriors are powerful. Clad in blessed armors, their power and abilities are only second to actual blessed Heroes of The Order." "They were trained to specialize in fighting monsters." Takeshi finished. "But their true call was, apparently, fighting their fellow humans." After the brief conversations, the rest of the trip back to Terauchi Temple was uneventful. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI, HIN & ATS), [@Enkryption] (ALI & CRL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL & LIL), [@Rezod92], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@Crowvette] ~[/center] [quote=Shizuka Kannazuki]"[color=royalblue]Greetings, Sir Revuel. The battle was indeed long and hard fought, but we managed to pull off a victory in the end. We'd do well to rest, thank you much.[/color]"[/quote] Revuel was about to respond when he suddenly stopped, just when the visions of [u]Cecilia's[/u] memories entered [u]Shizuka's[/u] mind. The ex-Warlock's attunement to the extraordinary arts allowed him a more vivid sight to the dreams broadcasted by the unstable [u]Dinah[/u]. Despite lacking any meaningful connection with her, Revuel only smiled with a nod when [u]Shizuka[/u] suddenly went away. However, Revuel had to think deeply with what he had just seen. He quietly retired to his quarters to ponder this predicament. --- [u]Dinah[/u] had unwittingly shared some of [u]Cecilia's[/u] past memories to the taskforce in her continuous struggle to maintain herself. She may have wished that she did not bother the people she loved and loved her back, but it was far too late. Her newfound companions, and possibly some others, were well on their way to see her. Intending to help or, at least, comfort. [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]