Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna waited patiently for Flora's report, though patience had never been his strongest virtue. In the meantime, he busied himself with various tasks around the sanctuary, sometimes even indulging in mundane chores that required little of his immense power. It was a way to keep his mind from wandering too far into the forest where Flora was, a way to stay grounded while he awaited her return.

One of the more lighthearted tasks he enjoyed was watching Vorgrim and Grimruk put the soon-to-be shock warriors of the sanctuary through their paces. It was their fourth day of training, and the warriors were already showing signs of wear and tear, but there was no room for pity in Vorgrim and Grimruk's regimen.

The training ground was a sight to behold. Warriors of all shapes and sizes were pushed to their absolute limits, their muscles straining, sweat pouring down their faces. Vorgrim, with his imposing figure and booming voice, barked orders that echoed across the field, while Grimruk, never one to waste words, used his intimidating presence to keep the trainees in line.

One of the exercises involved the warriors carrying massive logs up a steep hill, and as Canna watched, he couldn't help but chuckle when one particularly burly warrior, a hulking beastkin with muscles like boulders, slipped on a patch of mud and sent the log rolling back down the hill, taking a few of his comrades with it. Vorgrim's voice roared across the field, "What are you, toddlers?!

Get back up and carry that log like it's your baby!"

Canna laughed, but not too loudly—he didn't want to distract the trainees. There was a certain camaraderie that had developed among them, despite the grueling nature of their training. And though the days were tough, there was no shortage of humor on the field.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

One trainee, in an effort to lighten the mood, had taken to wearing a makeshift hat made of leaves and twigs, proclaiming himself the "Forest King" and insisting that the log they carried was his royal throne. Even Vorgrim couldn't completely hide the smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth, though he quickly masked it with a growl of disapproval.

After enjoying the spectacle of the training for a while, Canna decided to visit the lakes and streams that dotted the sanctuary. The waters were clear, reflecting the vibrant greenery that surrounded them. Canna had always found water to be calming, a perfect counterbalance to the intense energy of the sanctuary's inhabitants.

He walked along the banks, his thoughts drifting to the future of the sanctuary.

The Amazon area was soon nearing 100% revitalization, a milestone that would soon allow Canna to shift his focus to the west side of the sanctuary, known as "The Azure." This vast area, where Tonitrum had once trained during his younger days, was a place of great potential.

However, the land had been sorely caved in, thousands of feet deep, making it a natural basin perfect for the sea Canna envisioned.

Canna's plan was ambitious. He intended to create a vast oceanic environment within The Azure, transforming the sunken land into a thriving sea teeming with life. He envisioned it as a place where aquatic races could find a home, where the power of the sea would blend seamlessly with the sanctuary's existing harmony.

To accomplish this, Canna would open a portal to one of Sepra's vast oceans, allowing the fresh seawater to fill The Azure. It was a daunting task, but one that excited him greatly.

Sepra, after all, was a gigantic world, so immense that Mortem had once described it as large enough to fit eighteen Earths within it. This scale meant that there was no shortage of seawater for Canna to draw upon, and he was eager to see how The Azure would develop. However, the challenge remained in deciding which races would inhabit this new domain.

It wasn't just about creating a sea; it was about creating a balanced ecosystem, a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

After contemplating his plans for The Azure, Canna visited the arena for the first time in a while. He had seen it before but had never taken the time to fully appreciate it. As he approached, the warriors who had gathered for training or friendly matches were shocked to see him. His presence alone was enough to silence the arena, all eyes turning to him with a mix of awe and anticipation.

Unfortunately, Canna wasn't there to fight. He had to remain ready for Flora's call, so he quickly reassured the warriors that he would return to the arena soon, when he could truly participate. "Next time," he promised, "I'll make sure to give you all a proper challenge." The warriors, though disappointed, cheered at the thought of facing their leader in combat.

After all, Vorgrim and Grimruk were formidable, but Canna was on a different level entirely.

The thought of arena rankings made Canna smile. With Vorgrim and Grimruk busy training the shock warriors, new contenders had risen to the top. The current number one was none other than Vorak, the leader of the barbarian camp. Canna chuckled at the thought—Vorak was a fierce warrior, and he had more than earned his place at the top.

It would be interesting to see how long he could hold onto the title, especially once Vorgrim and Grimruk returned to the arena.

Finally, after being restless for three days, the report he had been waiting for arrived. Flora's voice echoed in his mind, "Master, let's meet up again. The inhabitants of this forest would like to meet with you as well."

A surge of questions flooded Canna's mind. Who were these inhabitants? What did they want? And why had Flora felt the need to venture deeper into the forest alone? But as eager as he was for answers, Canna knew that he would soon get them. He gathered his thoughts, preparing himself for whatever awaited him in the depths of the forest.

With a sense of resolve, Canna opened the red portal once more, stepping through to meet Flora and the mysterious beings that had summoned him. The air crackled with anticipation as he crossed the threshold, leaving the sanctuary behind as he ventured into the unknown.