Last Destiny Volume 1 Chapter 3

A group of travelers arrives in Amoeba seeking the shrine of Hakashi. They meet a man named Adam who mistakes them for cult followers. After clearing up the misunderstanding, Adam provides them with a map and they continue their journey. They encounter a potion seller named Adana and buy potions from her. They then meet a young boy named Ford who warns them about the dangerous forest ahead. They follow Ford's guidance and successfully navigate the forest, defeating centaurs along the way. They reach the village of Amoeba and prepare to visit the shrine. Chapter 3 They reach Amoeba on Bayou Strait and knock on the first person's house there asking for food and water. The man who answers is Adam Stacey. He says, Why, hey, come in. I do have a room in the back, not enough bed for everyone, though. I'll bring you food. Tell me what brings you here when I get the food ready. Saru says, He's too nice. As they reach the back room, Kahira says, You all want to talk? And am I a follower? Saru says, I'm not. Then don't talk like that. Adam thinks they seem as though they are the followers. Soon it's time to eat. They all come to his dining room area. As they eat, Adam says, What brings you here? Oh, a non-laughter bunch. Kahira says, We came to Amoeba seeking the shrine of Hakashi. Adam says, Oh, really? Why did you say that? says Kahira. Adam says, Well, uh, I mean, you cult followers came to Bayou Straight seeking the shrine of Hakashi. Truly, you cult followers are fascinating. Kahira and Moroka both say, Cult followers? Adam smiles, saying, Yes, you didn't think I knew, hey? I mean, you can't hide something like that. Tonight must be prophet night or something, and you were told by some druid that the real birthplace of Hakashi was here, not Amoeba. So his shrine has to be here as well. Well, he could have been born here, but I... At that moment, Kahira pulls his sword and goes toward Adam. Adam in shock says, Oh, did I disgrace you? Moroka flies in between them and says, Easy now, Kahira. And no, they really believe we were in Amoeba based on an assumption similar to your statement. We are not cult followers, just travelers, some with a temper. As she looks toward Kahira shamefully, as they move from Adam, he says, Sorry, people about that, but I am a map maker. I can give you an accurate map in the morning, but do stay. Kahira says, We can't, but Moroka throws her hand towards his mouth and says, We'll stay. As they head to the back, she tells Kahira, You can't almost attack this man and then just up and leave, especially when his hospitality toward us was only good. They head to sleep. The next morning, they make up their living space. They take baths and eat breakfast prepared by Adam. As they head off, Adam gives them the map. The crew takes what would appear to be the long way at the behest of Moroka. Kahira spots a rather large estate and walks to knock on the door. As the others wait on the steps, a beautiful lady opens the door. One of Kahira's eyes opens wider to watch the lady smile. Saru has turned and smiles heartily while Moroka frowns at all of this. The lady says, I am Adana, the best potion seller in the area. How may I help you? Kahira says, Oh, a potion seller. What do you sell? Adana says, I sell potions of elixirs, antidotes, and ethers, all used for different levels of healing, including up to the point of death concerning the elixir, ten pounds each. Kahira says, Give me one of each. Saru says, You all possess a lot of pounds. Kayin says, Yes and no. Kahira used to own his own store. Kahira pays the lady after receiving his potions, then they head off. The day passes by slowly into the night, which flows just as slowly. Saru and the others roaming through the eastern Cha region come across a home. The home is by itself with no neighbors surrounded by a lush forest of strange plants. Kahira says, Maybe I should go see if anyone lives here and would mind us spending the night. Moroka says, Yes. You go ahead. We'll wait. Wait over here. Okay? Go. Playfully, she gestures him away. Kahira walks over alone and knocks as suddenly a beautiful lady again opens the door. Saru thinks this fellow would appear to have a streak of luck. The lady says, My name is Olga. Are you here for potions? Kahira says, Sorry, but we recently bought our fill of potions. We were wondering if you would let us rest at your place for the night. We're travelers on a quest. The night creeped on us before we could reach our destination. Olga says, Gladly. As Kahira returns to tell the others only to find Saru already standing almost right beside him. Kahira shakes his head as the others walk up. Moroka says, That pretty face only proves she's a witch. Kayan smirks looking at his wife at this statement. The next day as they head off, Olga tells them to buy something next time. She goes to pick from the forest behind our home. Eventually, they arrive and go to Kintar. Moroka says, Are we? After we get through here, we'll be in Amoeba. Then, though we have to pass a forest of centaurs, Saru says, Centaurs? We'll perish for sure. Kahira says, We'll just have to take our chances. Mayuri and Kayan embrace hands tightly at this moment. Right before them, a school lets out. The students either head home or do whatever they do after school. One young lad doesn't. He walks looking toward Kahira and company. Standing by a wall, he listens and watches them as they converse. Mayuri says, Yes, Kahira has a point. We don't want to get involved with anyone from this village. They drink from the water well and head into the unknown forest. As they step into the forest, the young lad from the school stops them. He says, Stop, you fools. I am Ford. You are making a grave mistake stepping into this forest. They turn and look at him. Ford says, I am from the school you just passed by. Mayuri says, You followed us here? Ford says, Yes. Modest looking. Kahira says, Why? You do know you could get hurt. I could hurt you. Saru looks toward Kahira. Ford fearfully says, Because you guys look interesting. And that being so, if you all walk straight in danger, we'll encompass you all in the form of herds of centaurs. I know a way in which if followed, instead of herds, an individual will only face a few. Moroka says, OK, we'll follow. Kahira says, We will? He could be a traitor of the village who assists the centaurs for ransom. Moroka says, Kahira, really, he's a child who just got out of school. Kahira says, So? Moroka says, Oh, come on. Kahira lowly replies, Oh, all right. They head with the lads to an edge of the forest. And Ford says, silently head through here. Don't say a word. If something sounds as though it is moving, freeze until it passes by. It's very likely no fighting will take place until the very end. Kahira says, So we'll fight no matter what. Ford says, I'm afraid so. To this, Kahira smirks. They begin silently walking through. But after three freezes, they stop, tired and a bit exhausted. They sit on a column of rocks. Moroka thinks, thirsty. I should have drunk water earlier with the others. They are spotted by a centaur who charges straight toward them. Mayuriya silently says, nobody move. They look toward her as the centaur moves in closely. Mayuriya secretly pulls a dagger. She quickly throws it directly at the centaur. When it hits, it strikes so hard into the side of the centaur, his body is flung to the ground. The centaur gives off a loud roar. The crew notices at this point the entire forest goes quiet. They begin moving in silent, yet as fast of a pace as they can through the forest. They reach an opening. But they can tell something isn't right about it, as they see this isn't the end. The end can be seen, though. The opening allows the sun in. There are no trees in the surrounding, only plants, small animals, and some rocks, which lead to a pond. All the quietness ceases as two armed male centaurs leap forward. Another female slowly rises out of the pond. They are all stone faced. The armed female centaur says, murderer. A worked up Mayuriya, startled by her words, quickly throws and strikes her with the dagger. The female centaur in agony collapses in the pond. Saru goes for one of the males upon connecting their sword, and lance clashed. Noticing Saru and his background coming, Saru moves backward. Kahira leaps through the gap and strikes the sword of the centaur with his sword. The force knocks the sword loose of the centaur, and Kahira dispatches him with a slice to the ribs. This causes the centaur to fold. Kayan and his centaur clash back and forth with their swords. Moroka, from above, launches downwards, striking him in the face with their mystical gauntlet she wears. The effect is greater than anyone would have imagined, breaking the centaur's jaw and causing him to release his sword. Kayan then proceeds to gut him. The centaur falls under the womb. The sound of raging horse steps is heard like a wave rushing in. The group runs as fast as they can. Moroka flies until they reach outside of the forest. They run until they reach the nearby village, breathing hard, profusely. They understand the centaurs in the distance will come no further. They know villages are off-limits. They stop to see the village of Amoeba before them, which is a weird view in that the ancient face of Hagashi is cemented in the background. It is carved into the mountain portion, similar to how previous Manami's face was in Nari. Kahira, Kayan, and Mayuriya look off in disgust. Then Kahira, catching his breath, says, we head straight for Hagashi's shrine after we drink this potion. Moroka says, thank goodness, because I am so thirsty. Kahira drinks the first of the potion and smiles. He hands it over to Moroka. She drinks the next of it and says, what a refreshing taste. Kayan drinks the next of it. He says, it tastes like wine. Mayuriya drinks after and says, sweeter than the sweetest wine I've ever drank. Saru is the last to drink. He says, I've never had wine, but it was delicious nonetheless. Kahira, then looking towards Saru, says, you received the last thing, leftover spit. Saru looks toward him with a smirk. The group is renewed to a state of well-being and mind and fully recovered in strength. They head for the shrine, walking straight through the village. They eventually notice a range of hills between the actual end of the village and the shrine, so they decide to rest. This, too, in no small part to having just faced a slew of centaurs that locate an end and stop the rest.