Maxxob
The Overseer
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The Shrine – Yukan, Mathias, Himiko, and the Panda Priest
The tension in the shrine courtyard lingers like a physical presence. The Panda Priest stares down Yukan and Mathias with an unrelenting glare, his black-and-white fur bristling despite Mathias’ attempts at a respectful bow.Panda Priest’s Scornful Reply
When Mathias raises his hands in a stiff bow, the priest’s lips curl in a faint sneer—though his reaction is at least slightly mollified by the gesture of humility. He speaks in Common, his Beastial accent still coloring each word with a low rumble:
Panda Priest: “You claim ignorance, human. That is no sin—but speak more with actions than with steel if you wish to keep my good graces.”
He slams the butt of his staff on the stone floor, causing the talismans to clink with an ominous resonance.
Panda Priest: “I have already given my challenge—one I directed at the tanuki who would earn my aid. If you truly stand by his side, do so with honor. If not, turn and leave.”
He then shifts his piercing gaze to Himiko, his voice steeped in impatience:
Panda Priest (pointing the staff at her): “As for you, fox-woman… you are not part of this trial. If you follow them, you risk angering the spirit, or worse, my own wrath. Return to where you came from. Your presence is not required.”
Himiko flinches at the priest’s tone, her hands tightening around the hem of her sleeve. She looks to Yukan and Mathias with concern but nods in reluctant obedience. She bows slightly to Yukan:
Himiko (quietly): “May luck favor you both. I-I’ll be waiting in Taeko with the villagers… in case you need help afterward.”
Departing the Shrine
With that, the priest waves his staff, sending a gust of cold wind that nudges Himiko back a few steps—his way of emphasizing she must leave. He says nothing more and simply points toward a winding forest path to the east, waiting for Yukan and Mathias to begin their journey.The Path to the Corrupted Cave
Yukan and Mathias depart from the shrine, following an old, barely visible footpath through thick brush. Ancient stone markers, worn smooth by time and moss, guide them deeper into the eastern woods. Eventually, they reach a clearing where a massive, gnarled tree towers over them—its roots tangling across the ground like serpents. Beneath these roots yawns a jagged cave entrance.A faint, eerie glow emanates from within—wisps of blue and green luminescence flicker along the damp walls. Stalactites above and stalagmites below frame a narrow corridor that seems to pulse with unnatural light every few seconds. The air is cool, and a distant hum resonates in the darkness, neither wholly natural nor entirely malevolent—but undoubtedly unsettling.
Here, at the threshold of the cave, the next stage of the Panda Priest’s trial lies waiting. Beyond the craggy entrance, the corridor extends into a deeper chamber shrouded in that same bioluminescent glow, granting just enough visibility to navigate without a torch.
The question now: Will they press on, or devise a strategy before entering? The cave awaits.
The Training Grounds – Okami, Kota, and the Villagers
The morning sun climbs higher, beads of sweat forming on brows as Taeko’s villagers persevere through demanding drills. Okami and Kota continue to bark commands—“FRONT!” “BACK!”—the villagers stumbling and recovering in a chorus of wooden practice weapons clacking against each other.
- Badger Villager
- He trudges forward and back in response to Okami’s calls. Despite his fatigue, there’s renewed determination in his eyes.
- Badger Villager (panting, but resolute): “I can feel…my arms burning. But maybe that’s a good sign, yeah?” He glances at Kota sheepishly. “As a farmer, I’ve known pain. But this time, it feels like... progress.”
- Fox Boy
- Now testing short combos, he gets excited whenever he manages a fluid transition between strikes.
- Fox Boy (voice trembling with excitement): “Did… did you see that, Kota? I didn’t fall over this time!” He trips a moment later, but quickly scrambles upright, a grin showing even as he winces. “S-sorry! I’ll do better!”
- Older Goat Woman
- Thumps her staff into the ground repeatedly in a rhythmic pattern, trying to get a handle on her stance.
- Older Goat Woman (muttering like a mantra): “One step, brace, strike… One step, brace, strike…” She looks to Okami for confirmation: “If the cultists come back… I’ll stand my ground. My grandchildren will see me strong.”
- Young Raccoon Girl
- Practicing near the goat woman, she attempts a wide slash that nearly spins her around. Giggling, she looks from Okami to Kota for pointers.
- Young Raccoon Girl (bright-eyed): “Is it okay if my stance is low, like this? I’m really small, but maybe it’ll help me be stable?”
A Moment of Comradery
As the villagers pause for a brief water break, there’s a spontaneous, encouraging applause among them. They seem to be forging a sense of unity and pride under Okami’s and Kota’s watchful eyes.- A shy rabbit-beastkin who’s barely spoken up all morning tentatively approaches the instructors.
Rabbit Villager (quietly): “Thank you… for doing this. Even if we’re still clumsy, it feels good to fight for ourselves.”
Neco-Arc’s Sudden Disappearance
Yoshiro would smile slightly, as much as his wrinkled face allowed, nodding briefly to Tomomi.Elder Yoshiro: "I'm not sure about the young and vibrant part, but I appreciate your words." Chuckling to himself, and totally unaware of Tomomi's true intention behind her words, he continued. "It is a pleasure to meet you too, young lady." He says, still stroking his beard.
Neco-Arc’s Exit
Shortly after bounding off with Rei and Tomomi, Neco-Arc stops dead in her tracks in the middle of the village’s main street. She holds up a tiny paw.
Neco-Arc (dramatic gasp): “Wait! I forgot something at the training yard, somewhere!”
Without further explanation, she darts around a corner and vanishes behind a stack of empty crates. A few seconds later, she can be heard from behind the crates, babbling about “budget constraints,” “wardrobe changes,” and “cue the leather jacket!”
Neco-Arc’s Return
Just when Tomomi (aka “Steve Irwin”) and Rei might think Neco-Arc is lost for good, she reappears in full leather get-up reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic biker hero—complete with oversized spiky shoulder pads (clearly cobbled together from random scrap) and fingerless gloves. She stands tall (as tall as a catlike creature can) before them, arms folded.Neco-Arc (in a hilariously deep voice): “Omae wa mou… meown-deiru. That’s right, folks—my fists are now weapons of justice!” She points two stubby fingers at the sky and lets out a triumphant cackle.
A passing villager carrying groceries nearly drops their bundle in shock.
Random Villager (perplexed whisper): “What in the world…?”
Rei and Tomomi’s (and Neco-Arc’s) Departure
Rei and Tomomi gather their bearings amid the spectacle. As Elder Yoshiro advises them that Yukan and Mathias headed east to the shrine, Neco-Arc strides forward, still posing like a wandering martial artist from a pulp novel.Neco-Arc (flexing imaginary muscles): “Nya-hahaha! To the eastern hills, then. Let us ride—er, walk—into the setting sun! The boss man and that human shan’t escape my righteous fists… or your, uh, ‘urgent’ business.”
Any confusion or double-takes are steamrolled by Neco-Arc’s sheer force of absurdity. Whether Tomomi and Rei roll their eyes or play along, the tiny catlike enigma seems determined to accompany them.
Despite the wild theatrics, they manage to follow a modest forest path leading away from Taeko, presumably aiming to find Yukan and Mathias at the shrine.
Strange Hustling
Not long into their journey, rustling noises start emanating from the thicket just off the path. Leaves shiver, and a low grunt or hiss can be heard, though it’s not immediately clear what lurks beyond the foliage.Neco-Arc (dramatic whisper, dropping the strange act for a moment): “Nya… that definitely wasn’t me! Something’s out there.”
Vincent and the Cat-Woman at the Watch Tower
High atop Taeko’s watch tower, the newly hung bell glints in the sun as Vincent gives it a test ring. The DING DING resonates across the village.The Cat-Woman’s Admission
The cat-woman flattens her ears at the sound, partly in surprise at how loud it is. When Vincent inquires about lumber and materials, she perks up a little, eager to be helpful:Cat-Woman (pointing eastward): “We… well, we’ve got a small lumber yard on the edge of the village, near the riverbend. A few of our older logs might be too warped for building, but the fresher stacks should be good. The local woodworkers said they’d start hauling them this afternoon, I think.”
She straightens her posture, as if ready to redeem herself after the earlier awkwardness.
Cat-Woman: “If you need me to gather a few strong arms, I-I can do that. Maybe even call on my… uh, friend, if he’s not too busy. I doubt we’ll have another private moment with the watch tower’s construction anyway.”
A faint blush colors her cheeks at the memory, but she pushes through it.
Opening Up
Encouraged by Vincent’s laid-back demeanor, she hesitates, then blurts out:Cat-Woman (wincing slightly): “It’s not just that we were slacking off. We’ve been trying to figure out if we should… well, if we should leave Taeko for a while. My friend got a scouting offer with a bigger settlement, somewhere safer. But after what you and the others have done, maybe we can protect Taeko ourselves.”
She clutches her hands together, eyes reflecting a mixture of anxiety and hope:
Cat-Woman: “I-I’m torn, honestly. I love my home, but I’m scared. If more cultists or bandits come… we could lose everything. The fence, the watch tower… it helps, but do you really think we can hold this place if another big threat shows up?”