PaulHaynek — Roleplayer Guild

"Was that... necessary, father? They've served us faithfully for generations."

"...I know, my son. But there cannot be exceptions, or else the yokai will have victory over us."

"Remember, Takeshi. You must never, ever fight alongside yokai, much less defend them. Promise me this, my son."

"...I promise."

...

"I'm sorry, father."

-

Varjan War Camp

The Code Of Shizuyama

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

“Can you heal him? If so, don’t just stand there. Help me. And we should carry him to one of the tents so he could rest.”Lunatea Vern Farnsworth

Takeshi felt hands and voices around him, saying that he needed healing. He jolted awake before he could moved. "I'm fine! I'm fine. No need to worry about me." The young Oja slowly got up as he shook his head, his legs still wobbly. He stared at his yokai allies and let out a deep sigh before surveying the now-empty war camp.

Had he been alone, he might have died. At best, he might have just been driven away. With light wounds. But here right now, three yokai were able to handle an entire Varjan war camp that even had a mighty caster. There was no doubting their abilities, and there was no doubting their necessity for the battles ahead. Takeshi wished it was not so, but this was the reality.

"Are all of you alright?" Takeshi asked his yokai companions. "I know the yokai are hardy, but still. The journey ahead is going to be long."

"Uhh, thanks... by the way."

Takamori's Dojo

Takamori, Blessed Sight

~ @Rezod92 ~

"Part of me wants to believe that she did all of this against her will, but your reaction.....it tells me something different. Have you always suspected that Setsuna had a....darkness within her? That one day, she would.....betray you like this?"Kerry Maros

With a deep sigh, Takamori turned back to Kerry. "The reason's simpler than you think, yokai."

"When I told Setsuna the news about the incoming Varjan invasion, she proposed... that we join them, to survive. She said that we had skills the Varjans won't waste and if we joined them, we'll not only live through the invasion but maybe also thrive." Takamori sighed again. "...The ensuing argument got heated, and I convinced her... I thought I convinced her not to dwell on this unspeakable act ever again."

"I really should've known. That girl's a survivor, she'd do anything to keep her life." Takamori finished.

"We're finished for today, yokai. I... need some time to rest, and think." Takamori told Kerry. "Tell Takeshi-sama that he needs only to call for me if he wants me wherever. In the meantime, I'm going to try and find any clues as to where my 'daughter' could be. I need to stop her before she hurts any more of my people."

Takamori had been successfully recruited, the task is done. Kerry can head to Terauchi Temple to break the news or go somewhere else.

Tokinomiya Estate

Sorae, Gentle Heart

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

"But that's just my thinking, feel free to use our help even as meat targets."Skarsneek

"...We have a code, yokai. We can never accept help from you, no matter what." Sorae replied.

"Besides, I would never burden others with personal problems." The last Tokinomiya continued. "I doubt the Varjans were involved. If they were, there would definitely be Varjans among those who attacked. Or at least, Varjan weapons. No, I believe this matter is purely between Shizuyamans. At least, for now."

"If Takeshi-sama wants to help me, he can come himself." Sorae added. "Now then, if that is everything that is needed to be discussed then our business is concluded. Run along now, yokai. It's bad enough that I invited you into my house."

The warriors of Shizuyama were truly a stubborn bunch. Perhaps a more stubborn head can get through to her?

Fung Temple

Nobutada, Unwavering Will

~ @Restalaan (GRI) ~

With the Varjan Warriors taken care of, Gringor charged at the Varjan Elite with heavy stomps and an animalistic roar.

The Elite stayed calm in the face of this rampaging High Orc. Just when Gringor's hands were about to grasp the halberd, the Varjan Elite made a quick sidestep to avoid the charge... but did abandon his halberd to the High Orc's hands. Turning to see, Gringor saw the Elite roll towards his fallen Varjan Warrior allies and took their axes.

Now re-armed with dual axes, the Varjan Elite prepared to face Gringor again. But this time, new challengers arrived into the temple. Two more Varjans, armored similarly like the Elite and wielding halberds, entered the fray. Two more Varjan Elites, it seems. And Gringor still hasn't harmed the first one, not that they did any damage at him either.

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 ~

---
"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.

PaulHaynek Member

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