Journey to the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai III: Trek of the White Wolf

Taro charged first, lashing out at 'Light Villagers A" with a vicious bite.

Taro dealt 8 points of damage to 'Light Villagers A'

As he clamped down on a villager, another attempted to stomp down on the wolf. But, Taro managed to release the other village quick enough to avoid the attack, causing the villager to step on another man by accident.

Taro evades

As 'Light Villagers A' was occupied with Taro, 'L Villagers B' turned their attention towards Rika. The men taking up burning clubs as their weapon they charged for the woman. Swinging wildly at her, but despite her attempt to dodge, she was dealt a hard blow. The flames hot enough to cause her to drip, her body slowly starting to melt as a result.

'Light Villagers B' lands a critical, dealing 24 points of damage (HP 76 -> 52)

Many took note of what was happening to her body, many staring in shock.

"By Kami, she's freakin' melting..."

"She's not even human! A snow women you find in the middle of a blizzard...she's one of them yuki-onna!!"

"Some spirit? I ain't down for that...She shouldn't even exist!!"

"Hey man, more for us..."

"Pass on already!!"

More words were said, more hatred aimed at her, but Rika refused to let that undo her. She took in a breath, the dripping seeming to stop as a wave of cold gathered around her hands. "Until now I've trapped myself here. I've been scared to leave the safety of this place...Scared to go into the world where survival isn't guaranteed, even though I want so badly to see more. So I let myself stay idle...Even when you all tried to have your way...I didn't do a thing..."

"But now that safety is gone..." [destroyed estate all around] "I can't live like that any more...and I don't want to!!"
[Waves both hands slightly, cold winds picking up around her, before thrusting both forth, a blue aura blasting out.]

"I won't stay idle any longer!!"

A beam of pure ice shot out of her hands, completely shrouding 'Light Villagers B' back into their icy prisons. At the sight of this Taro dropped his jaw, though Rota didn't seem very phased.

"Well, I did warn them...."

'Light Villagers B' K.O.ed, frozen men fall back.

Seeing this crazy display, several heavies with their Pitchforks jab forth at Rika. Rota watched as Rika is surrounded and seemingly jabbed with numerous pitchforks (throughout all of the damage to her in the fight so far, no blood has been spilled, despite earlier blushes she doesn't actually seem to have blood.

Heavy Villagers deal 10 points of damage to Rika (HP 52 -> 42)

Rota cracked his knuckles before charging towards the group that'd attacked Rika. With the numbers at large, he could afford to hold back a little less than usual. Rota rapid-fires blows through each of the group, knocking them to the ground, leaving them groaning.

Rota used Rogafufuken on Heavy Villagers dealing 18 points of damage
Rota also succeeded an intelligent roll, revealing their HP (41 -> 23)

After what they'd accomplished, Rota tried to reason with them again "I already warned you once and you didn't listen, if this keeps going you'll all end up like them again." he said motioning to the frozen over villagers Rika had defeated. He then returned to his fighting stance "Or I'll strike you down myself, we'll leave that up to fate." It was a hollow effort, however, as the villagers again refused to be swayed.

"Like I'm gonna submit to some naked brat!!" one man yelled.

"I don't know, it looks like he knows kenpo or somethin..." another man added. Either way, Rota got their answer.

"Well, your loss." He said attempting another attack, but unfortunately for him they were ready. Not only managing to avoid his attack, but striking back in kind.

Heavy Villagers deal 11 points of damage to Rota (HP 70 -> 59)

Some men started to keep their distance, too far away for them to hit with their fists, but it was no issue for their firearms.

"I bet you're some spirit to!!"

"Anyone heard of any ghost with a silver tail?"

"Dunno, but let's see if they're weak to lead!" Each man was prep and loaded, each taking careful aim. And though he attempted to, Rota couldn't avoid the oncoming bullets. The bullets hit their mark and....bounced off. Sure, they left a mark, and it hurt, but neither bullet penetrated him.

Medium Villagers attack Rota dealing 2 damage (HP 59 - > 57)

Round 2, start!
--------------
Initiative Order
--------------
Taro (15)
Light Villagers A (13)
Rika (5)
Heavy Villagers (5)
Rota (4)
Medium Villagers (3)

Rota (Lv. 2 / 57 HP / 97 KP / 5 AP)
Taro (Lv. 1 / 20 HP / 35 KP / 2 AP)
Rika (Lv. 2 / 52 HP / 95 EP / 5 AP)
Vs
Light Villagers A (Lv. ? / ?? HP / ?? EP / ? AP)
Medium Villagers (Lv. ? / ?? HP / ?? EP / ? AP)
Heavy Villagers (Lv. ? / ?? HP / ?? EP / ? AP)
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Taro's turn!

Taro sped across the battlefield to Rota's aid, jumping at the heavier men that had struck at him. They eyed the wolf with familiarity, and rightly backed away.

Taro attacks the Heavy Villagers with his Bite attack , but misses!

Taro growled, and dashed with his teeth at the ready. But these men had clearly dealt with the Gang Wolves in their time, maneuverering round him.

Taro burns an AP to try gain, but misses again! (AP 2->1)

Taro planned his movements a bit better, and jumped abruptly at a man who wasn't ready for him. But as he bit down fiercely, it was a pitchfork he had landed down on.


Taro burns a second AP to try yet again, but its another miss! (AP 1 -> 0)

Light Villagers A's turn!

The crowd of torch bearers were quickly at Taro's backside, and he retreated back from the hordes of men.
Light Villagers A attack Taro with their Torch attack, but miss!

But they cept their momentum going, charging right for Rota. Rota took a few steps back as they charged, before running right at them. Before they impacted, he jumped and soared right over their heads, superhumanly.

"How did he---"
"He really must be a Yokai after all!!"

Light Villagers A burn an AP to attack Rota with their Torch attack, but miss!

Their charged continued on...right for the former resident of the now destroyed estate. Rika drew back as quickly as she could, but the torches barely needed to touch her to melt away at her body...

Light Villagers A burn another AP to attack Rika with their torch attack, and inflict 6 damage! (HP 52 -> 46)

Rika's turn!


But the yuki-onna would not simply take this punishment, raising her arms abruptly so one crossed over the other, palms out. The torches nearly went out from the cold breeze that followed, before an even colder power drew up around her arms. She quickly uncrossed them, and the cold blasted out in an indistinct wave. The crowd of torch bearers were knocked off their feet and frozen blue, many falling into rather comical poses.

Rika attacks Light Villagers A with a Charged Ice Attack, inflicting 22 damage! (EP -12 95 -> 83)

Some had hidden behind the others who fell, suddenly backing up. Rika flicked her finger, and another wave took them down too.

Rika burns an AP (5-> 4) to attack Light Villagers A with a Basic Ice Attack, inflicting 14 damage and K.O.ing them! (EP -4 83 -> 79)


Heavy Villagers turn!
When Rika turned however, the heaviest of the men were piling down on her. She fell back, and her kimono sleeves came up, many hands grabbing her bare skin.

Heavy Villagers attempt to Grapple Rika, and succeed!

Rota's turn!

Rota charged in, intent on getting them off of Rika, but as he drew closer, he found that she was well guarded. When he charged for him, Rota found that they attempted to grab hold of him too. Rota managed to narrowly avoid it, one of the men just barely missing hit tail.

Rota attempted to attack Heavy Villagers but missed!

When he dashed a second time, Rota was intercepted again and pushed away.

Rota used an AP 5 -> 4 to attack again, but missed!

Rota realized he couldn't take this group lightly, so he decided to use a stronger attack yet again. He dug his feet into the ground for a better hold, then launched forward. Rota unleashed a flurry of attacks, knocking down all but one man, the one holding Rika.

Rota used another AP 4 -> 3 to use Wolf Fang Fist on Heavy Villagers dealing 20 points of damage 20 -> 3

Rota stared at the last man still holding Rika.



"How smart are you?" he asked, the man trembling but not letting go.

Not very...

Rota brought back a fist and attacks, only for the man to use Rika as a Human shield. Rota just barely managing to stop short of her face.

Rota used another AP 3 -> 2 to attack Heavy Villager, but missed!

Medium Villager's turn!

Rota stepped back after stopping short, calmly facing the two. Rika looked behind him, at the gun sporting men keeping their distance were raising their reloaded firearms.

"Rota--"

"I know." Rota responded, moving to the left and luring the guns away from Rika. They opened fire, and his swayed between several bullets. One however struck him on the temple, ricocheting down into the snow below. A light trickle of blood started down his brow, his expression hardly flinching after the initial hit.  

Medium Villager attacks Rota with their Gunshot attack, inflicting 6 damage! (HP 57 -> 51)

Round over!
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Round 3, start!
--------------
Initiative Order
--------------
Taro (15)
Rika (5)
Heavy Villagers (5)
Rota (4)
Medium Villagers (3)

Rota (Lv. 2 / 51 HP / 84 KP / 2 AP)
Taro (Lv. 1 / 20 HP / 35 KP / 0 AP)
Rika (Lv. 2 / 46 HP / 79 EP / 4 AP)
Vs
Medium Villagers (Lv. ? / ?? HP / ?? EP / ? AP)
Heavy Villagers (Lv. 1 / 3 HP / 32 EP / 1 AP)
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Taro's turn!

While Rota and Rika were attending to the Heavy villagers, Taro was focused on the other group. He pawed at the ground as he stared down the other group. They, thinking they could take him, egged on the wolf. "Come 'er doggy, Imma make a coat out of you!" one of the men said. At this moment Taro's eyes seemed to lock on to the man, and the others, seeing this, gingerly stepped aside.

"Eh?" he asked looking around him, noting the sudden space around him. He was then drawn back to the front, seeing Taro charging towards him. He tried to run but Taro managed to grab him by his pants. With a mighty enough tug Taro managed to force the man off his feet and slam him to the ground.

Taro attacks Medium Villagers dealing 8 points of damage!

While Taro scuffled with the other group, Rota was still in a standoff with the Heavy Villagers as the last one standing continued to hold on to Rika. She tried to get free, tilting her head forward before bringing it back with as much force as she could muster, however, due to how he was holding her she couldn't land a hit.

"Why you!" he said in anger as he tried to tighten his hold.

Rika attempted a headbutt, but missed!

Not willing to give up yet, Rika saw another opportunity, bringing up her foot and slamming it down towards the ground once again. The mans foot, which had been in the path at first, however, managed to slip to the side just enough to evade the stomp.

"Damn ice bitch!"

Rika burns an AP 4 -> 3 to attack again but misses again!

"Enough already!" he shouted, attempting a kick at Rika's back to stop her struggling. However, as he attempted to move he'd forgotten what her body was made of. The slickness of the snow that was her flesh giving him difficulty to hold her and attack at once. It was everything he could just to insure she couldn't get free of him.

Heave Villager attempts to kick Rika, but misses!

As his focus was elsewhere, the villager forgot that she wasn't the only one he was in direct conflict with. And having regained his hold on her, the man looked up to where Rota had been standing. The blind boy, much to his displeasure, was no longer standing there.

"Where?!"

"here."



A surge of pain erupted from the mans shoulder, and in an instant not only did his grasp on Rika slip, but his hold on consciousness did so as well. As the world fell dark and his body fell numb, Heave Villager fell limp to the ground.

Rota lands a neck chop to Heavy Villager, dealing 12 points of damage! (HP 3 -> 0) Heavy Villages down!

Rika, now free of the man, dusted off her dress "Ah... I had that handled..." immediately covering her mouth she turned back to Rota. "How rude of me to say...!!" Just as she finished apologizing, however, Rika found her eyes drifting down again. A blush forming yet again, Rika turned around 180 degrees away from Rota.

"You're gonna give yourself whiplash doing that..." Rota said scratching his head. He then turned towards the remaining group, though he couldn't see them, he could hear enough. Heavy breathing among those still remaining and what he thinks was an elevated heart beat. They still had some fight in them, but that could be changed quickly.

"One group left." he said as he dashed forward. The men attempted to be on their guard. There were only two standing so he went for the closes. Rota brought forward his palm, slamming it to one of the mens chest, sending him tumbling back and landing on the ground with a thud.

"Like hell I'll lose to some nudist!" the remaining man said as he lunged for Rota. Without looking Rota managed to dodge the mans attack. This, however, only seemed to anger him further as he pushed forward yet again.

Rota let out a sigh and lowered his stance, waiting for the mans punch, and reacted at the very last second.



The last thing he remembered was seeing that monster ape one last time before everything went white.

All Villagers defeated, Combat Endo!

Some time passed after the battle, and eventually Taro returned to Rota's side. Rota crouched down to pet the wolf, and a somewhat worried Taro licked at the small head wound.

"Don't worry," Rota told him, "I'll be fine. But what about you, how are you doing?"

Taro sat up, eyes looking away rather smugly, his tail beginning to wag.



In actuality, none of the angry mobs attempts to attack him had landed. Rika started to stroll over to the two, facing away from the still naked Rota. "Thank you for helping clean up this mess..." she motioned all around at the unconscious men.

"Feel free to get dressed with whatever clothes you find laying around..." she continued, motioning again to the unconscious men.

By now Rota realized that with his nudity, the pouch normally at his waist was gone. "Uh-oh. Hey, can you help me find my pouch? It has a glass ball of sorts in it."

"Of course." Rika quickly responded, looking around, "A glass ball you said?"

Rota started to feel around the debris, getting onto his knees without worry for injury. "Well it feels like glass, I honestly don't know anything else about it. My father gave it to me and said he found it just like he found me. Man has an off thing about crawling into holes."

Rika froze slightly, looking back at Rota, before smiling.

"The way you talk about him...you care about him quite a bit, I can tell."

Rota didn't think much of it, "Well I'd be dead if it wasn't for him. He didn't have to take me in, but he still did. I owe him everything..."

As he continued to feel around for his pouch, Rika watched him.

"I think I may understand the feeling..." she spoke softly, before beginning her search as well.

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...
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After some time, it was Taro who sniffed out the pouch and brought it over to the two in his mouth. As he arrives the glass ball slips out of the pouch, and rolls into the snow.



It was a brilliant orange sphere, with four stars within...As it rolled down an incline, Rika caught it and lifted it up curiously. Meanwhile Rota had found a proper shirt, walking over.

"Did you find it?"

"I think so...Orange, with four stars?" Rika responded, not realizing Rota wouldn't much know...

"Is that what it looked like?" Rota asked, "Old man never told me." He extended his hand, "Though I do know by touch."

Rika handed the orb back, now cold to the touch. Rota smiled.

"Yeah, this is it. Thank you." he tosssed it up a couple times, easily catching it. "So now that we have some quiet time. What exactly happened last night, did I get knocked out by that 'monster' they were talking about?"

Rika looked around at the destruction, unsure of what to say. Her eyes met Taro's for a moment.

"Something like that...Are you feeling all right?"

Rota shifted around, rotating his limbs around. "Hm...nothing broken."

Rika nodded slowly, "I suppose the two of you will be heading off soon then..."

Rota started to feel around for some more of a wardrobe, "Well I still need to sort through some things first but...What about you?"

Rika looked around at the destroyed Hiyashi Estate all around, eyes ending on a shattered teacup some feet away. "With my home destroyed..."

While her usual sort of monotone voice continued, Rika was smiling brightly.



"I'll just have to leave this place...And find a new home somewhere."

Rota considered the thought...but found a glaring issue.

"What about your condition? Won't you melt?"

"I'll just have to stay in the shade...Stay hydrated."

"...You sure about that?"

Rika looked down at the snow in thought...and over at a patch where some snow had melted away, revealing some living grass underneath.



"And...if it's at all possible...I'll try to find a way to become human."

Rota slipped his glass orb into its pouch. He couldn't quite fathom such a thought, he'd never even met a yokai spirit before, but he believed in her.

"But is there any other way for you to travel, I don't know much about yokai, but their has to be some way to keep you from melting without having to hide all the time..."

Rota's loose tail caught the attention of Rika, causing her to look over, and accidentally get a good shot of him leaning over...she turned around, promptly melting. Taro meanwhile found a pair of pants that would fit Rota, tossing them over.

"I don't know," Rika replied, "I've only ever been here at the estate."

"So..." Rota said, "How do you know anything?"

Rika tapped her chin, glancing up in thought. "I don't know..."

"Hmm..." Rota hopped around as he got his new pair of pants on, "I might have an idea...but we'll need to do a few things. First off, I'm still looking for someone and I can't go back until I find him."

Rika seemed concerned, "I could help you look some...before we part ways..." she looked down, somewhat saddened. Rota seemed oblivious.

"Thanks. Now, I met his son who said he was a farmer. I might not know his name, but I could at least see who knows his sons name."

Rika looked back with some familiarity.

"A farmer...Ah, I watch him all the time!!"

Rota and Taro faced her in silence.

"His home is just past the Silverpine..." Rika continued, "We've never met, but he's the only man I've seen that didn't try..."

She moved on from that, "His father you said...I remember him there to, a long time ago... If he went into the Silverpine, he never reached the estate."

Rota's mind momentarily flashed to the body he'd seen on his way, all cut up.  

"What happened to him?"

"Well...You've seen how dangerous it can be for normal people out there. And if I had to guess, you never ran into it ."

Rota arched an eyebrow, "It?"

Rika nodded, despite Rota not being able to see it..."The men called it..."

"Namahage."

Though he had his suspicions, having them confirmed didn't make Rota feel happy about it to any manner. And now that he knew, he was beginning to wonder if the worse had happened. Had Toshi's father managed to get frozen here in the mansion, then it would have been as simple and defrost him and return him home. But now, now he wondered if he would be able to return him at all.

"They're a yokai like me...I've never seen him, but while walking the forest I've heard him coming on occasion, and hurried home." Rika said, remembering the fear she'd feel as she'd been able to hear them in the distance yet never get a good look at them. "They'd say it came at them with knives, asking if their were 'Any naughty children around? ' or 'Any crybabies around?'." Taro looked to Rika and blinked, a little disturbed by what'd he's heard.

Rota seemed to agree "That's....creepy" he noted, thought quickly adding. "Reminds me of some guy who offered me candy once........but I don't like candy so I declined" Taro quickly turned to face Rota, eyes wide and a slight sweat forming.

Rika, with an innocent look on her face.

"Aw... I'd have taken that candy..."

Taro again turned back to her, sweating more than before. Though oblivious to what could be concerning the dog, Rika continued. "So maybe you could ask Namahage if they've seen the father." The blissful ignorance between the two had grown too much for Taro, and the canine fell over with a huff.

Rota pondered this for a moment, thinking back to what he'd found the night before. Sure, he managed to sit down and talk to Rika casually, but. "I don't think he's much of a talker, at least, not with words...."

Rika covered her mouth,  "Hmm... Finding people is difficult." She'd thought it over for a moment before her eyes turned towards Taro. Having god up from the ground, there was snow on its snout, which he'd rid of with a strong huff from his nose. "... Could your doggy sniff him out?"

Rota thought for a moment, Taro had been the one to find the body before, so, its no surprise that he'd have a great sense of smell. "Maybe, though he'd probably need a scent first." Taro saw this as his cue, quickly sniffing at the ground for a moment before making his way towards Rika's hand. Rota stared in confusion, wondering what he was smelling.

"Have you held anything of his recently?" Rota was about to deny it, but, he then thought back to when he'd spend that time at Toshi's home. The only thing he touched though was....

"The bowl." Taro finally seemed to pick up on something, making his way from Rota's hand, towards Rika. From there he seemed to catch the next lead, and made his way towards the mansions exit.

"Well, that was easy..." Rota noted, not expecting Taro's sense of smell to be so impressive. He then noticed Rika walking passed him.

"Shall we?" she asked, motioning a hand towards the still tracking Taro.

Throughout the conversation Rota managed to find a coat and a pair of boots to wear, turning back to Rika once he was properly bundled up. "Are you sure, this might lead to another fight. And I don't want to put you in any more danger if you're not up for it."

Rika looked away for a moment "Danger... Maybe I could use a little more of that." the turned around and started to walk towards Taro "Or maybe I'm the dangerous one." she completed as she walked passed the villagers she'd frozen once more. Rota couldn't help but chuckle a little,

"Guess I can't argue with you there." He said as he and Rika quickly caught up with Taro.

The three headed back into the Silverspine, and Rota found less danger then he'd had on his first trek. As he traveled with Rika the blizzard around seemed calmer. With Taro at his side, no fauna seemed prone to attacking them.

They went on for some time, Taro's sniffing leading them down a well trodden path, or rather picking up on various traces of the same scentt both old and new. He eventually seemed to find the freshest trail he could...

They arrived at an area of green-less trees, the pines all long gone. Rika and Taro immediately make out numerous cuts in the tree bark all around. Seemingly without reason...

Rota ends up tracing his hand along one as Taro sniffs at it intently...

"Another fight, or are they marking their territory?"

Taro looked up worryingly at Rota, like he'd found something. And suddenly a voice rang out from above them.

"Are their any naughty boys and girls around!?"

Taro's eyes shot open as he sniffed the air, before whipping his head around along with Rota and Rika. They looked up to find a large humanoid, covered in a straw cape, in the trees. It's body was mostly human, but its face was that of a terrible oni, an ugly bumpy red face with curved teeth coming out its mouth. It had wavy black hair that nearly reached its shoulders.



In both hands were what Rika could recognize as deba knives, cooking knives used to cut fish and meat.



"...Define naughty" Rota remarked.

"Quite the mouth, Namahage punishes thoughs with bad behavior!!" the creature shouted back. The branches it stood on broke beneath it, and it started to free fall towards the trio.

"Hmm...you smell like blood...Are you naughty children!?"

~Yokai - Namahage~

Rota smelled his hand, "Does he mean the blood inside?"

Though, there was actually some blood stains on the clothes he'd put on...

As Namahage came down he slashes both knives, and the three jumped back from the flashes of light that cut towards them.

"Namahage punishes...all the bad children!"

Engage Battle!
-------------------------------------
Initiative Order
------------------
Taro (16)
Rika (15)
Rota (10)
Namahage (10)

Rota (Lv. 2 / 61 HP / 96 KP / 4 AP)
Taro (Lv. 1 / 24 HP / 35 KP / 2 AP)
Rika (Lv. 2 / 56 HP / 91 EP / 5 AP)

Vs

Namahage (Lv. 2 / ??? HP / ??? KP / ? AP)

----------------------------------
Round 1, start!
Taro's turn!

As soon as Taro landed down, the wolf jumped full force at the yokai. No longer an alpha commanding his pack from a distance, instead taking the initiative himself. He growled, and opened wide for a bite.

The Namahage eyed the gang wolf knowingly, but his attempt to sway out of harms way was rather pathetic, and its teeth sunk into his shoulder, though failed to yank him to the ground. The Namahage shoved Taro away.

Taro attacks Namahage with his Bite attack, inflicting 13 damage! (HP ??? -> ??)

Rika's turn!

Namahage's head turned, to find a blast of cold blue air nearly pushing him over. Rika stood with a single arm raised. As he turned the thin ice that had instantly formed cracked apart and fell to the wayside

Rika attacks Namahage with a Basic Ice Attack, inflicting 15 damage!

Rota's turn!

Rota dashed forward after Rika landed her attack, sliding on the snow he closed the gap between him and the Namahage. With a rise of his leg Rota kicked it straight up off the ground.

Due to a critical Failure Namahage takes double the damage for a hard 24, ??? -> ???

Still up in the air from the last attack, Rota decides to take full advantage of it. He jumped into the sky catching up right behind the Namahage, grappling it before the two landed on the ground again.

"For a naughty child, you've certainly been exercising!" It grumbled as it fidgeted in Rota's grasp.

"Dad says its good to be in shape, now, tell me where your master is." Rota replied, needing to find out who was commanding these creatures. The Namahage, however, seemed confused about the question.

"Master?"

Rota grapples Namahage successfully

Now with a tight grasp of it, Rota couldn't help but notice something. Rota has a potent sense of smell, just like his hearing and sense of touch...and with it he can now get a whiff of what Taro was tracking...A smell not unlike Toshi the farmer...

Namahage...is...

But before he could make the connection, Rota was interrupted.

"Namahage won't let you kids get off without a scolding !!!"

Thought he was being held, that didn't stop him from fighting back as a suddenly a wave of pressure exudes out from Namahage.

Rika and Taro, being used to the cold were uneffected, but Rota being at the center of it could feel the chill go down his spine. Thinking he had let his guard down, Namahage lifts his knives quickly to slash at Rota, but with his grapple Rota twists the yokai around and around, stopping any attacks.

Namahage attempted to use a signature but failed!

But he refused to stop, and with his continued struggling he finally managed to make his move. Spinning within Rota's grasp, Namahage started to slice away at the blind child leaving several bleeding cuts along his body.

And although he was able to endure the pain from the attack, there was now blood dripping off Rota's body.

Rota managed to endure the attack and halve the damage to 16! 61 -> 45

Rota is now suffering from Bleeding for 5 rounds, take an action to make an Endurance/Willpower save to try and end the effect early

-------------------------------------
Round 2!
-------------------------------------
Initiative Order
------------------
Taro (16)
Rika (15)
Rota (10)
Namahage (10)

Rota (Lv. 2 / 45 HP / 96 KP / 3 AP) [Bleeding - 5 Rounds]
Taro (Lv. 1 / 24 HP / 35 KP / 2 AP)
Rika (Lv. 2 / 56 HP / 87 EP / 5 AP)
Vs
Namahage (Lv. ? / ?? HP / ?? KP / ? AP)

------------------------
Taro's turn!

A growling Taro stepped forward, ready to bite a chunk out of Namahage with Rota holding him down, until he called out to him.

"Taro!" Rota said, "Stay back for a second. Rika, you too, there's something odd about this thing."

Taro uses his turn to Rest! HP 24 -> 27

Rika's turn!

Rika had her hands lifted at the ready, though she glanced over, rather emotionless. "What is it?"

She pointed at Namahage, "By the way, it can talk after all."

Rika takes the Block action! (Endurance 1 -> 3)

Rota's turn!

Rota takes 4 damage from Bleeding! (HP 45 -> 41) (Rounds 5->4)


Rota turned his attention back to the yokai squirming in his grasp. He searched for the words for a moment, and...

"When I was outside of the blizzard I met a man, a man who grew up waiting for his father to come back. He was a good man, and for some reason I picked up a scent like his off of you. Tell me...Does the name Toshi mean anything to you?"

Namahage paused his struggles...

"Toshi?"

It's head dropped for a moment, before jumping back up as he thrashed against Rota's grip once again. "Should Namahage recognize that name!? Children shouldn't mess around with their elders, little brat!!"

Drip...

As some droplets fell into the snow below Namahage roared, "---what's that!? Are their any crybabies around!?"

From the sidelines, the watching Rika slowly lowered her hands. Taro ceased his growling. What Namahage didn't realize was the tears were streaming down its face.

Rota uses his turn to Rest! (HP +7 KP +8 AP +1)

Namahage's turn!

Rota cept his his tight grip on Namahage as best he could, but eventually it managed to struggle through one arm before slipping out completely.

Namahage makes to attempt to escape the grapple, making the second!

The round of tears streaming down its face seemed to come to an end, and it eyed the patches of snow in confusion.

"Some--" he suddenly lunged back at Rota with both knives raised, "--Trick is it!?"

Namahage's eyes widened as it suddenly ducked, a powerful kick zooming overhead. Rota pulled back, about to release a barrage of strikes , when Namahage's own attack reached him first. The yokai's arms blurred as it slashed and slashed across Rota, bloodying his new clothes, though the wounds didn't seem as deep as they should.

"The smell of blood... Was you!! You really are a naughty child, aren't you!?"

Namahage attacks Rota with his Shredding Punishment, who unsuccessfully counters with his Rogafufuken, inflicting 13 damage! (HP 48 -> 35)

"Namahage punishes naughty children like you, Toshi!" Namahage yelled, before freezing, eyes widening. It held the side of its head, knifes dropping into the snow... "W-What...Who is Toshi..."

Foggy images filled his mind...of a human pair of hands lifting up a red oni mask...Of seeing through those masks eye holes, and arriving to scare a boy who was lounging around. Then, still seeing through the mask, the vision of the boy older, clearly Toshi, waving at him goodbye as he steps into the blizzard...

"Who is that naughty child!?"

He sees the vision of that same boy, sipping soup out of an old bowl...

Stepping forward in realization, Rika's eyes were somewhat wide, "Namehage remembers him... But also does not..." she realized...it wasn't unlike her own experience .

Rika sees the the blurry vision of being within the Hiyashi Estate some time ago... Not alone...a lord like figure just blurry enough to not distinguish was always there. As she walks through the vision, the body arrives at a mirror. Looking back isn't Rika or some human version of her, but a completely different older women, a beautiful lady.

Rika looked over to Rota...

"I-I think Yokai might be like this..."

She saw a look of realization of Rota's face as well.

"I remember his name... The fathers name."

"...Being a farmer is tough, especially here. So eventually my father Koshi went in after the Udon Fortune...He was strong, he could handle the cold, and he'd grown up here in similar enough conditions he'd thought...If only he'd taken his own advice..."

"Your name...It used to be Koshi."

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~Yokai~
When someone dies their soul passes on to the afterlife. But the souls who resist the cycle, who are filled with great regret and emotions they cannot let go, sometimes stay and bring about new life in the form of yokai. The yokai are an entirely new identity from the souls past, but are bound by the regret and emotions of the deceased forever more.
---------------------------------------------------------

Despite his wounds, Rota calmly stepped towards Namahage without malice. "He's waiting for you, all this time he's been waiting. You can see him....one more time."

The yokai looked back, its expression soft. "Is he..."

"Is this 'Toshi'.... A good boy?"

"Yes," Rota nodded, "He is. If I had to guess, it’s because of you."

Rika frowned somewhat, Rota didn't seem to understand...

"Rota... He isn't really--"

"Namahage doesn't know this 'Toshi'..." Namahage interrupted, eyes glancing off, "But... Take Namahage to him. Namahage must praise good boys and girls."

Rota gave a bow, and Rika slowly looked between the two and smiled, while Taro was bewildered.

"Of course." Rota replied.

Combat Over!!

Outside of his farm Toshi was hard at work tending to his crops. Though the weather cold and many a times unforgiving, through his years Toshi was still capable of growing in the harsh environment. He stopped for a moment, even in the cold the labor was enough for him to sweat. Wiping away the sweat with his sleeve, Toshi took a moment to look about his farm. Though an honest work, Toshi couldn't help but ignore that it only seemed to grow harder with every passing year.

"I really do have to move..." He had this argument with himself before, the answer always seeming so simple, yet. "But no, I can't bring myself to do it..." Despite all reason telling him otherwise, there was always something, a thought in the back of his mind that prevented him from acting. He stared at the forest, the whole of the storm still raging. With a sigh he looked away and returned to his work.

"Old ghosts I suppose..."

After some time, Toshi was ready for a well earned break, Sitting on a stump in the field with a thermos in his hands. As he took a sip he noticed something off the corner of his eyes, someone, or something walking towards him in the snow. A small jump causing him to almost spill the contents of his drink, Toshi couldn't have looked away for anymore than a second. But whe he looked back, whatever he'd thought he'd seen was no longer there.

"By Kami, Toshi you've got to quit seeing things..." he closed his thermos, rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Always think that girl is here watching you, never actually there when you look..." Toshi shook his head, hard, and sighed. She doesn't exist....This place really is getting to you..." He reached for a thermos again, turning it bottoms up so he could finish it and return to work.

"Hello" Toshi's eyes bulge open as he spits his drink out in surprise. He turned around, almost falling over in the process. "You're real?!" This woman standing before him offered a smile and a wave.

"My name is Rika." she said with a slight bow ""I'm glad to finally meet you. Toshi..." Toshi stood up from his stump, returning the bow.

" "Ah. It's honestly nice to finally meet y--" he paused, turning upright again and with a look of confusion. "How do you know my name!?" he's also taken note of what Rika was wearing, dawned in nothing more than a simple kimono. "And aren't you freezing?!" even outside of the storm, it was still cold enough for a person to freeze if they weren't dressed appropriately.

No living person could stand that for very long.

And that's when a thought crossed his mind.

""Unless you're a... A g-g-gghost!!" Toshi couldn't help but take a step back, he'd never been faced with a ghost before, though he had heard stories and most did not go well.

"Not quite" Rika said tapping her cheek. Toshi calmed down for a moment, taking a step closer to Rika now.

"Right..." he said laughing at his reaction from before "Silly me..."

"I'm a yokai."

Toshi took two steps back that time, tripping over the stump he'd stat on from before. Rika took a few steps around the stump, bowing to a slightly freaked Toshi.

"I was always to shy to come say hello... I'm sorry..." Though it took him a few minutes, Toshi managed to compose himself. Yokai or not, Rika had done nothing that would insinuate he should be afraid of her. So he managed to get back on his feet, dusting off the snow from his jacket.

"And thank you..." Toshi looked up again, looking to Rika in wonder.

"'Thank you'? For what?" Rika hadn't responded, almost as though she didn't know why either. To clear the odd tension Toshi cleared his throat. "Right... Well, would you like to come in?" he said motioning towards his home. "I've got enough food for guests." Rika looked towards the home then back at Toshi with a smile.

"I'd like that." she said, but a small 'oh' escaped her mouth, as though remembering something. "Though I'm here with some others..." she turned over, pointing towards someone else. It took him a moment to realize who it was. Due to him wearing different clothing than he was when he'd left, but Toshi could still remember the face.

"You!" he began walking towards Rota, a smile across his face. "You survived Silverpine?!" Toshi had seen many enter Silverpine over the years, and this was the first time he'd seen anyone come back. Though Rota looked like he was in rough shape, that didn't change that he was alive, and Toshi couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Yup, though I had some help from a friend or two." Taro walked out from behind Rota and into few of Toshi. The man knew what he was, having encountered Gangwolves before. So his first instinct was to hide behind Rika who had followed close behind.

"Relax, he's friendly, watch." Rota kneel down and extended a hand towards Taro. "Shake" he said, though Taro stared at his hand for a few moments before looking back up at Rota. "We'll work on that one." Though he didn't shake as instructed, Toshi did notice that this Gang Wolf was a lot more docile than he remembered. And with no one else seeming to be bothered by his presence, Toshi walked out from behind Rika.

"Well at least you're okay. And hey...." Toshi placed a hand on Rota's shoulder, an understanding tone in his voice as he spoke. "I know you promised, but, it's okay."

Rota tilted his head.

"Okay?"

"Not finding him," he clarified, a small sting in his heart, spreading with each word. "I mean. After ten years.....I'm pretty sure....."

"Oh, no i found him." Toshi stopped, staring blankly at Rota, wondering if he'd heard that right."

"Eh?" was all he could really manage at that moment. Rota turned over for a moment and pointed to a nearby bush in the field.

"He's over there."

"EH?!" he said louder as he stared over to the bush, though it was heavily covered in snow, Toshi could make out something behind it. He took a cautious step closer to the bush, until something burst out from behind it while brandishing a knife in each hand.

"Are their any naughty boys and girls around!?" Namahage yelled as he darted his head left and right. Once again Toshi found himself falling back in total shock.

"N-N-Namahage!? You can't be real..."



As he tried to shuffle away Toshi found himself backing into something. Looking up he saw Rika, still smiling and waving at him. In that moment something seemed to click, two Yokai appearing before him on the same day. He got on his knees, staring up into the sky begging to the forces who may be listening.

"They actually came like Dad used to say... But I've done everything..."



As Toshi was having his freak out, Namahage seemed to be looking around, eyes stopping at the crops managing through the snow thanks to Toshi. As he did Toshi dared another glance at it, and noticed a straw hat on his head. This sole object seemed to be enough to snap him out of his fear for one reason or another. "Hey...that straw cape..."

"Hmm.... Namahage finds...No children here." There was something, something he hadn't noticed before due to the shock from seeing it. But the Namahage's voice, it seemed oddly familiar.

"You..." Toshi raised from his knees, staring over to the Namahage and noticing something changing.

[Yokai]
[While born from the souls regrets, it is rare for a yokai to identify strongly with the person they once were...]

[However...]

Cracks started to form on Namahage's face, as though it had become a mask.

[Those yokai that do, those who live their new life in the service of those regrets... When they properly repent for what was done, or when they accomplish what they wished, if the source of their regret is no more...]

Pieces of the face become to ship off until it shattered completely in a glow of light, leaving behind a a ethereal older man, with features similar to Toshi.

[It is then that these wandering souls allow themselves to pass on.]

"Dad?"

The ethereal form of Koshi smiled back at his son. His body flickered, a flame like aura burning around him and slowly starting to dwindle. It had been years since he'd seen him, but Toshi easily recognized the sight of his father.



In shock Toshi spoke,"Y-You actually came back..." His eyes began to water. "What'd you have to do to get here? You've become nothing more then a spirit!!"

"... I guess... Namahage always finds you after all, heh..." Koshi laughed, for the first time since years before his death, "And this time he's led me back to you. But now theirs nothing for either of us to be afraid of..."

The spirit solemnly looked around at the home he'd grown up him, and he'd raised his own son in. At the small farmland that'd passed on to his son...

"So let's both move on from this place..."

Toshi nodded slowly, facing away form Rika and Taro who couldn't see his expression.

"I see... Yeah, we both should..."

"...So rest in peace... Dad!!"

The old man's spirit smiled back at his son, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Even if the fading spirit didn't seem to carry any weight, Toshi swore he could feel the hand."My my... You really have grown..."

Then the weight was gone, as the glowing form dissipated completely, leaving the group in silence. Rota eventually walked up to place a hand on the man's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, this isn't exactly what I had in mind..." he spoke honestly.

Toshi wiped his tears with his sleeves, dirty from work. He turned back. "No... Without you he'd probably have stayed Namahage forever, right?"

He gave Rota surprising embrace, a tight hug. "Thank you so much for setting him free!"

After a few moments Rota gave him a pat on the back, and the grip was released.

"So what will you do now?"

"Well... It seems like I should finally move on from this place." Toshi stepped back, "Find somewhere farming is a bit more... Sensible. It'll be hard to start over...but worth it."

He rubbed the back of his head, adding; "As a plus I won't have to watch people go after the fortune anymore...ah, I take it you never found the estate? Heh. I'm starting to think it never really existed to begin with..."

"Oh." Rota replied nonchalantly, "I found it."

"I lived there." Rika added with a raised hand.

"I...Uh..." Toshi stumbled, "Excuse me?"

"Well you see..."

--------------------------------------------------
Rota filled Toshi in on what had happened during his time in the Silverpine, encountering the gang wolves and Taro's joining, and on finding the Hiyashi Estate where numerous men were frozen. He told Toshi how he found Rika and they had tea, before a great monster apparently attacked under the full moon, destroying the estate and freeing the men, who went on to attack them. It was only after that the two had gone to find Namahage, and realized his true identity...
--------------------------------------------------

"..." Toshi wasn't sure what to say...


"To think everyone after the fortune was that deplorable... And to be able to to fight them off...It's like neither of you are human."

Toshi caught Rika's eyes, quickly apologizing for the phrasing. He happened to still not see the tail wrapped around Rota's waist as well.

"But its really odd I'd never heard about that huge monster that attacked in all this time... All the more reason to get the heck out of here I suppose...with something like that still out in the Silverpine..."

"Yeah, wouldn't want to run into that in a snow storm, would ya?" Rota gripped his chin in thought. Rika and Taro exchanged a glance. "Well, I guess everything here is in order. I might feel bad about the the other villagers, but, they made their choice." Rota continued.

"I guess we should be on our way, then?"

"Ah, right..." Toshi's index fingers poked together, "I was wondering, since you were looking for a home, and I was looking for a home...maybe you'd want to just find a home with me?"

Being blind, Rota waved has hand, "Uhhh..well, I'm good."

"I didn't mean you...!!" Toshi clarified. Rika hadn't seemed to realize what he meant either, pointing back at herself now...



"Me?"

Toshi flailed his arms wildly, starting to flush up in embarrassment.

"That wasn't a proposal or anything!! It just came to mind..."

Rika didn't think much on it before coldly responding; "I don't think so..."

"You're one of the nicest men I've ever watched from a distance...but I'm not looking to settle down in a home just yet."


"I'm going to travel and see as much as I can with this body, and then try for even more..."

Toshi covered his mouth in embarrassment, turning away 90 degrees.

"Right, why'd I have to go and say something like that...How rude of me...!!"

He turned back towards her, to find Rika standing right in front of him. She gently took his arm and lowered it. She smiled at him, eyes closed.

"No...you don't have to feel bad. I'm flattered."

But when she opened her eyes, Toshi was completely coated in ice.



Rota didn't think much of it, practically starting to smile, while Taro panicked somewhat...


"Did he have any big pots?" Rika asked, pointing casually at Toshi's home...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately Toshi's home was generally pot free, however placement near the fire place and several warm blankets were enough to get the job done after some time. Now that he was thawed out and mobile once more, the others felt it was best to finally be on their way. Rota and Rika both waving goodbye as Toshi waved back from his home.

"Good luck out there, wherever you both end up!" Rota stopped for a moment and turned back, waving goodbye one more to his new friend.

"Likewise, maybe we'll meet again someday." Rika joined Rota and waved as well, calling out to Toshi.

"Me too. Let's invite the other over for tea once one of us has found their home." They continued on their way, Toshi watching them as they slowly disappeared into the forest.

"Sounds good to me." he'd say soon after they were out of sight. As a breeze blew he could feel the chill once more, and decided to go back inside and dry up. But as he took a step closer he stopped, and looked back. A thought passing through his mind. "Those you....I wonder."

--------------------------

As the group continued their walk through the snowy road, Rota noticed someone had been lagging behind. He stopped and turned around slightly, Taro, the former Wolf Alpha, had stopped just short of the forest exit. He was still, looking towards Rika and Rota, then back to the forest he'd called home all these years. Rota walked up to him, kneeling down at the wolf.

"Got cold feet?" After a short moment of silence Rota offered Taro a smile, though with a hint of sadness in it. He raised a hand and gently placed it on the wolf head "I get it..." He stood up, and nodded at Taro.

"You don't need to come with me...I'm not really your boss. You should do whatever it is you want to." He raised his head and seemed to take stock of the forest before him for the first time. "From what I've seen, you're actually tough enough to make an even bigger pack! Aim as high as you can, Taro." He gave Taro one final wave before turning around, making his way back towards Rika.

With his back turned, Rota could hear one final howl from Taro, a howl of farewell, but, that howl was not directed at him. But to the forest itself as Taro said goodbye to the life he had in favor to the life he would have now. Rota couldn't help but smile wider as Taro rejoined their side.

"We still have one thing to resolve, though." Rika looked over to Rota with an arched brow.

"Oh?" Rota nodded his head and pointed forward, towards the sun.

"Yeah, eventually we'll reach warmer climates, so we need a way to keep you from melting." Rika stopped, silent, causing both Rota and Taro to stop as well.

"We?" Rota turned around and rubbed the back of his head.

"That is, unless you don't want travel together." Rota's words seemed to hit hard as she stared with wide white eyes.

"Travel....together?"



Rika turned her face away, her face returning to normal as she held her hands against her chest. "W-With this body, I'd only be a bother...you don't want that..."Rota crossed his arms.

"Helping a friend is never a bother to me."



----------------------
Rika thought back, to the very moment when they met.

“My father would say that the best time to share a cup, was with a friend.”

"Hmm... Maybe that's why I've never been able to..."

"I've never been friends with anyone."
----------------------

Rika started to shake slightly as this realization started to sink in.



"So we're....friends." She took a step forward, her face turned aside only slightly. "How can you tell?" Rota blinked, as though the answer seemed obvious.

"Well, we did just finish an adventure together, doesn't that count?" Rika stopped shaking, finally turning to stare towards Rota.

"So that's it." She looked down for a moment, a smile slowly creeping up on her face once more. ""Adventures make friendships..." This realization brought her more joy than she thought she could have. Her smile exploding without her realizing it.

"I'm learning so much already!"



While still taking in the moment Rika hadn't noticed she had reached over to Taro and had begun scratching at his ear. Though normally he would flinch from being touched by her, in that moment it had felt so good he couldn't resist. But after a few second something hit the both of them, or rather, nothing happened at all. They stared at each other, and Rika's eyes sparkled for a moment.

"Your doggy didn't freeze!" Having been the first time she ever touched anything without it resulting in it being covered in ice, Rika was quick to take full advantage. Scratching about Taro's body, the wolf simply fell limp on its back as he was overcome with the bliss that was known as belly scratches.

With that, the two went off into the much warmer world, hoping to find a way to make sure Rika could enjoy it safely. The tale of the silver wolf traveling through the Silverpine and finding a silver maiden is complete...

Their travels would soon lead to them making a left turn towards the direction of the Papaiya Shima...
--------------
REWARDS!!
Rota
+450 XP

Rika
+380 XP