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"I'm here seeking a certain Lady Kyouko of Shizuyama, 'cuz that's who my superiors assigned me to come and help. So, you that Kyouko? Or is that just a common name 'round these parts?"
"Hehe, you are quite the feisty Gremlin, aren't you?" Lady Kyouko giggled in amusement at Relica's response and attitude. "Still, I am glad that mighty Grelden sent forth a resourceful and knowledgeable Gremlin to our aid, especially with an advanced Automaton amongst our ranks. Thank you for coming, Miss Nox-Umbra." She bowed to Relica.
"Come, follow me." Lady Kyouko began leading Relica from the port and towards a small hill further inland, situated near the village. The Gremlin could see the makings of an estate on the hill, all the while being briefed by the Inari. "I must admit, you are pretty late. The main taskforce has already left for Shizuyama on a ship way before the Varjan armada blockaded the island. Right now, the only way I can send reinforcements there is through an exhausting teleport spell to an exit point in a place called Terauchi Temple. The temple is my secret base in Shizuyama, where my human spies reside in. Now, I am told that it's where the taskforce is based on... as well as a safe haven for any Shizuyama refugees."
"Once your teleported there, acquaint yourself with the taskforce and begin helping the people of Shizuyama fight off the Varjans. Or at the very least, help them survive." Lady Kyouko continued. "My main spy there is a woman named Ayu. She'll be most likely the first there to welcome you. But there is another important person there: Takeshi Oja. Please, I ask that you take care of him and his father."
Relica and Kyouko soon reached the estate and the latter bid the former to head inside. The courtyard was spacious, with a large stone platform in the middle. A robed and hooded figure emerged from the building to greet the two. Her appearance might be obscured, but Relica could feel immense power emanating from this figure.
The Gremlin was placed in the middle of the platform. "Now then, stand still. This'll only take a second." Lady Kyouko and the hooded figure glowed with magical power, and Relica's vision went white.
"Takeshi-san, I request your aid. For...reasons, my sister and I wish to seek out Yurine the Death Keeper. Would you be so kind as to lend us your guidance on the journey?"
"If she joins, try to make sure she doesn't kill Io or try to put her to an early grave a second time."
"Of course! I'd be happy to accompany you to seek out Yurine." Takeshi replied before bowing at the monk to end that conversation. "Although, might I remind you that we actually need to seek them out so we can rescue my father. Any other reasons for seeking them out should come secondary." The young lord appreciated the taskforce helping the people of Shizuyama, but it's been a while since they looked for one of the people he asked them to look for.
"And don't worry, I can explain to Yurine not to hurt any of you nor bother Io about her undeath. Y'know, as much as possible." He assured Skarsneek.
"If you guys aren't going anywhere, I'm actually thinking of traveling around to visit the nearby settlements and shrines. Part of my research into this island."
"We're actually heading out to look for Yurine." Takeshi answered the Wererabbit before voicing his concern. "I won't stop you from exploring the island, but you do realize we're in the middle of an invasion, right? Even if the settlements and shrines around here are still intact, traveling to them will probably get you a bad encounter with the Varjans. You may be a yokai, but I think it's too dangerous to be just roaming around."
"Why don't you come with us? You can go sightseeing while on the way." He offered to Lunatea. It would also be quite convenient for him since he could keep watch of the yokai and make sure they don't get into any trouble.
But before anyone could respond, a flash of light came from the pagoda where new arrivals get teleported to. Curious, Takeshi decided to be the one to greet before Ayu. "Another yokai...?" He led the group to the pagoda and went inside.
Relica's vision returned to clarity and found herself in an empty wood chamber with Zipanguese shrines and statuettes on one side and a row of doors on its opposite end. And those doors opened to reveal a human man and several monsters. "Hm, greetings yokai. Welcome to Shizuyama." He said to the Gremlin. "I assume you're here to join the taskforce of the enigmatic Lady Kyouko. Well met then, I am Takeshi Oja. Son of Hideo Oja, the island's Lord."
Looking at Relica's relatively diminutive size, Takeshi decided to take a guess. "You are a... Dwarf?"
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.
Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
-Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
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..."
A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached.
"There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying."
"Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it."
There was a monk by the temple entrance and he immediately spoke as soon as the taskforce member approached.
"Yokai! Will you please help me?"
"I have to get to a hidden survivor camp in the woods, occupied by people who are seriously ill. They need a healer! The area might be overrun with bandits or Varjans, so I need protection."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"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."
"Sorry, miss. But this is far as I can take you. Shizuyama's been blockaded by Varjan ships. Whole island's surrounded and effectively cut off. Still, not really sure why you wanna head to that island. Place is as anti-monster as they get. Although I guess if you wanna do something about it, I heard the mistress of this island, an Inari named Lady Kyouko, has plans."
Relica's boat ride for Shizuyama was cut short and she was dropped in Otomo Port in the island of Akamagaseki. Strangely, the port had numerous ships docked upon it. All armed for war, full of supplies and weapons and equipment. There were also soldiers and sailors in the port, both man and monster. They were making plenty of preparations, talking to each other about plans and checking the armaments on the ships. The Gremlin might be familiar with the sight, being a war veteran and all.
A figure stood out from everyone else, an Inari monster with snow-white hair and skin and wore light blue clothes. Her aura exuded authority and desperation, but her face softened upon seeing Relica.
"Hello there, Miss Gremlin!" She happily greeted Relica. "We don't get many visitors here in Akamagaseki, and I'm afraid you caught us in a very... busy time. A-Anyway, welcome to the island. I am Lady Kyouko and please feel free to tell me what you seek here."
Eula traveled to Honoka's home, near the Yabo area. Trekking through the dirt roads of Onrai, the Automaton would occasionally spot Varjan patrols in other, distant roads. They were too far away to matter though and they didn't even seem to see Eula. Still, it was a bad sign that the Varjans were spreading quickly across Shizuyama.
The Automaton reached her destination, a lone wooden house situated in the grasslands but near a forest. The home had clearly seen better days, the foundations were barely holding on and the sliding doors' sheet coverings were full of holes. It also seemed barren, barely any usable supplies as far as Eula could see. Empty baskets lie scattered on the corners.
On the porch was a villager woman kneeling down. She seemed alone, so she was probably Honoka. "...A visitor? In the middle of an invasion?" She said upon seeing Eula. "You don't look like a Varjan. Who are you?"
Takeshi watched as Eula went out to help another beleaguered local. He contemplated joining her to keep his mind off from what happened with his peers last night. But he decided against it, perhaps Eula took that mission alone willfully.
After feeding his horse, Takeshi wandered around until he met with a monk who was staring off the distance. Particularly at the direction of the nearby hot springs.
"I think the Varjans are afraid of our hot springs, Lord Oja. They avoid them." "Perhaps they don't like the smell of sulfur... or they're afraid that taking a bath will make them sick." "Let's hope they stay afraid, my lord. If any warrior is going to gain strength from Shizuyama's hot springs... it should be you and your taskforce." "I don't exactly lead the taskforce nor did I form them, but I can't argue with your point."
~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.
Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
-Takeshi Oja
"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.
She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."
-Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
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..."
A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached.
"There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying."
"Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it."
There was a monk by the temple entrance and he immediately spoke as soon as the taskforce member approached.
"Yokai! Will you please help me?"
"I have to get to a hidden survivor camp in the woods, occupied by people who are seriously ill. They need a healer! The area might be overrun with bandits or Varjans, so I need protection."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"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."
Yeah, I'm just announcing that, uhh, the supposed update's not coming due to suddenly increased workload in the workplace. So the updoot will just be posted by the upcoming weekends and give others more time to post.
I wanted to make the update to get @Xaltwind into the game, but I just can't. Sorry.
With the banter between Evelyn and Leon over, quite suddenly in fact with the latter simply ignoring the former. A fact that Einer found amusing, but back to the matter at hand. Donovan asked if there was anything they need from him before the magus party departed and Leon was the first to ask.
"Altho, If it ain't too much Mr.Donovan. I would require a complete detailed blueprint of your building. I just wanna know every possible entry point and every exit there is. I'm still not convinced this is a perfect crime. As an esper, it's always an advantage to perceive things beyond the normalcy of our eyes."
"Adding to that, Sir Donovan." Einer spoke up immediately as Leon finished. "Do you know of any key personnel there in the site? I believe it would help the investigation if we hear about what they have to say about the theft." That, and Einer also wanted to ask about the magical weapons. And not just the stolen ones, the bard would also ask about how much would they be selling their merchandise.
Wait, what? There's an update tomorrow? But nobody's responded to your latest IC post yet. o_o
Understandable since some players are in a collab and the holidays are coming but if there are no posts, then the update will be dedicated entirely to Flare.
Although, that's all subject to change depending on ny writing speed and my addiction to Gmod.
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