Last Destiny Volume 1 Chapter 10

The group is traveling in the sky when they encounter a creature called a sphinx. The sphinx challenges them with a riddle, but Kajira answers correctly and the sphinx is defeated. They then arrive in Kajira and meet a young lady named Star who is possessed by the sorceress Goldith. A battle ensues and they are trapped, but a spirit helps them escape. They decide to continue their mission to stop Goldith and gather their strength. Chapter 10, Kajira. Before they reach Kajira, they course through the sky. Everything appears to be calm. Cayenne is focused, commanding the cruiser. He stares straight ahead while everyone else seems to be tending amongst themselves. Mayuri is resting below. All of this calm is ended when Cayenne notices something coming into their path. Cayenne calls out to Kajira. Kajira says, well I'll be, looking toward an incoming creature. He readily pulls his sword. Edgar says, I'm in peace. Kajira says, Edgar, do us a favor and go back to sleep. Edgar replies, but I wasn't sleeping, which Kajira and Cayenne look to each other and smirk. Cayenne says, I've never seen such a creature before. The beast has a face reminiscent of a dinosaur, bat-like wings, a bull-like body with two tails, one which is on fire, another a venomous snake. It snarls as it crawls into the ship. Both of the group brace themselves for its impact, but Vanity actually runs to the resting area. Saru says, I guess he's new to this. He says this while shaking his head. Edgar says, it's a suffocator, no, a sphinx. Oh my goodness. The sphinx, instead of colliding into the cruiser as it appeared to be on course to do, swoops up and lands gracefully, while Saru and Kajira walk towards the creature. Edgar steps back. The sphinx says, curiously, curiously, I've seen devices which can lift up off the ground, but deep in the skies, which are mine? Never. You, Rijakajin, should know the sky is ours. As it paces back and forth, Cayenne says, a sphinx, I never believed you were real. The sphinx says, answer my riddle or die. Looking directly at Cayenne, Cayenne swallows deeply and says, does it matter who the sphinx is? No, the faith of all your lives hangs in the balance either way. Saru, looking toward, says, wait, Kajira, we may be able to resolve this another way. He says this because he can tell Kajira's ready to attack the creature. Kajira says, all right, say it. The sphinx, looking directly at Kajira, says, well, who are you the keeper of? Kajira thinks clearly without getting nervous, and he rises his eyes and looks at the sphinx. In his eyes, Kajira says, I am our friend's keeper, and they are mine. The sphinx grows quiet for a moment, then angrily says, impossible, no one ever seems to get that one. As the others look at each other smiling, Kajira still stares at the beast. The sphinx stands up on two of its feet and roars viciously. Fire steams forth from it, Kajira draws his sword. Below, Mayuriya awakens his divinity, hiding on the floor. Back up top, the sphinx's fiery tail wraps around one of its legs. The snake one rushes up and bites deep into its neck. The sphinx appears caught off guard by what is transpiring, hollering agony as it falls over and explodes. Kayan says, unbelievable. While they make their way for their next destination, Kayan shows Kajira how to operate the cruiser. With this done, Kayan gets some much needed rest. They then arrive in Kajira. Kajira allows the group to rest. Soon they head for the village and knock on doors for information, but no one answers, and no one is roaming out and about. They find it strange, though they are sure people are in the village. They head for the shrine. The group reaches the shrine, only to find its opening is more direct than the prior shrine. They go straight in. It is built like the others, but more wide and narrow. A feminine voice says, why are you all down here? Kajira pulls his sword abruptly and says, there, show yourself immediately. An unarmed young lady steps forward out of the shadow. She appears frightened. She says, star, at your service. Kajira points his sword toward her. The others look at him with a very unsure look. Kajira says, are you a follower of Kika? A young lady who had appeared frightened suddenly appears very serious and says, and if I am? Mayoria steps in front of Kajira and says, I wouldn't fight him if I were you. We are travelers. We only seek information about this place. Star laughs. Her appearance has grown sinister. She says, and if I don't tell you? To which Mayoria looks confused. Star harshly says, all of the commotion was this narrow bunch, shame. She has a look of disgust staring at each of them. Mayoria says, who are you? Star says, take a wild guess, anyone? The last demon is ours and Goldith is ours. We were just interested in actually seeing who or what was foolish enough to be after us. Vanity and Hagar both say, Goldith? Kajira pushes Mayoria out of his way and hollers, the sorceress. Star sneakily says, in her flesh, but don't worry. You all will never get the chance to catch up to us because if one doesn't get you, the other one will. Star with that said begins to burn and scream uncontrollably. Hagar says, she was possessed. Kajira says, but what does she mean? Star begins to crackle with energy, shake on the ground as though she were coming out of a trance. The group with the starter bottle of this steps back. Their shock is countered by imps, which can now be heard laughing in the background. Everyone draws their weapon. The magical energies crackle, are rolling in intensity, tearing the place around them down. And the group realizes this was all a trap. Kajira says, it appears the sorceress plan to doom us. They all try to make their way out, but just as everything is falling to imps, Maul, Kajira, Mayoria freezes one with an ice spell while Kayan cuts through it. Saru begins summoning a spirit as he understands that may be their only way out. Star explodes. The group already on the move continues trying to escape as the chambers start falling on them and the last imp slashes away at them. Kajira and Hagar hold off the imp, slashing parts of it down. Kayan carries Saru. Then a figure formulates, an unusually tall man dressed almost completely in armor with long flowing brown hair. Kajira and Hagar, who are in the back of everyone, already know this is a spirit. It carries them in its arms as it flies them out. Gathering the others as it passes them, its energy seems to gather them by his hands and everything which touches him shatters. Once they reach outside, the being departs. Saru says, Kajira, I'm getting better at this, pointing to the fact he is still conscious. The group decides to hurry along before the villagers who wouldn't answer their doors notice them. They are now gathered. They reach the cruiser and leave quickly. Most of the group has to be healed. Kajira apologizes to Mayoria for pushing her out of the way earlier. Vanity in shock says, we must return to my homeland at once, Raid Dangerous is ahead. Hagar says, you two were right, it seems so obvious now, looking at Kajira and Kayan. Kayan says, they have everything they want, everything. Mayoria says, it's as though we never had a chance. It was just too far ahead, staying on the side of her husband as he stares in the command chair. Kajira says, there's no time to give up, standing in front of Kayan. Saru says, but Kajira, it's like fighting fire with fire. Our secret weapon is the crystal energy, but they are going to take the entire crystal. Standing over across from Kajira, Kajira replies, has it all took place yet? Can you see the future, Saru? This is not over until it is over. We can stop them, even with Ryu, is what I believe. The others look toward him in disbelief. Kajira says, I'll go it alone if I have to. Kayan reluctantly says, Kajira, what other choice do we have? If they are not stopped, we won't have a world to live in. An unsure Mayoria says, yes, we'll find a way. Vanity falls to his knees with his head down in prayer to Rattaleshu, begging for everything and going to be all right.