Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Five months had passed since the domain merge with Arborath, and to Canna, it felt as though only a single day had gone by. The sheer scale of tasks he had to manage in the sanctuary had made time fly by faster than he expected. There were two main reasons for his delay in continuing his travels, and both were significant.

First, Arborath, the massive catastrophe-ranked turtle, had expended a vast amount of energy during the merge. Though his small turtle form remained awake, he had warned Canna that his real body would need to slumber for five months to regain its lost power.

Luckily, Arborath had a unique skill that allowed his main body to recharge its energy faster than usual as long as he remained in a deep sleep. Despite the turtle's reassurance that he could manage things on his own, Canna decided to stay nearby. He wanted to ensure that Arborath, who had just entrusted so much to him, was safe and had the energy he needed before he departs.

Second, the sanctuary itself had become a behemoth of responsibility. Even with his ever-watchful eye and capable subordinates, there was just so much to do. Arborath had been right about his kin, the millions of blossom shells now scattered across the sanctuary. Though Canna had been concerned at first, Arborath was right—despite their overwhelming numbers, they were barely noticeable.

They mostly kept to themselves, grazing lazily on the grass, sleeping under logs, and hiding beneath trees.

Some even had a habit of dozing off in the most inconvenient places. On more than one occasion, residents had tripped over the baby blossom shells that had fallen asleep in open areas. There had even been a humorous incident when an enormous blossom shell had somehow ended up napping inside the arena, unnoticed by the others until it was time for training.

It was becoming a common sight to find one or two lounging in odd spots, much to the amusement—and sometimes frustration—of the inhabitants.

But it wasn't just the blossom shells that kept Canna occupied. Arborath's previous domain had brought in several new creatures. These creatures were initially skittish and hesitant, unsure of their new surroundings. It had taken nearly two months for them to start warming up to Canna and the rest of the sanctuary's inhabitants.

They were in a completely new environment, so Canna had let them adjust at their own pace, not wanting to push them too quickly. Surprisingly, when they finally did open up, they did so wholeheartedly.

The research and maintenance teams in the sanctuary had been busier than ever. The new races of plants, trees, and flowers from Arborath's domain had to be carefully cataloged. The researchers spent weeks meticulously documenting every new species they encountered, many of which had never been seen before.

It was a mammoth task, and despite their best efforts, they had only just finished the catalog for the Amazon area. Verdant Peaks, the mountainous region where Arborath's influence was strongest, still held countless unknown species that needed to be explored and documented.

The dwarves, always eager for a challenge, had taken to the second mountain in the Verdant Peaks like moths to a flame. Even though Canna wasn't well-versed in minerals and precious stones, he could tell that the mountain was a treasure trove. Whenever he passed by the dwarves working there, they were practically glowing with excitement.

It wasn't uncommon to see dwarves shouting with joy at new mineral discoveries. Some of the more passionate among them had even decided to sleep inside the mountain, refusing to leave their newfound playground.

Of course, there was also the matter of Solara's pack. Canna had promised to help her locate her kin, and he hadn't forgotten. However, with Noctis currently busy mapping out the sanctuary's expansions, the search had been delayed. The southern river where Arborath had last seen the pack still needed to be visited, but Canna decided it could wait just a little longer until Noctis finished his work.

The Amazon area had been fully revitalized, but Verdant Peaks was still only 60% complete. The vast majority of the blossom shells had migrated there, aiding in the restoration process.

And then, there was the most exciting event of the day—today was the day Canna would finally see the fruits of Vorgrim and Grimruk's rigorous training. For the past six months, the sanctuary's shock troops had been put through hell. Vorgrim's drills were legendary, pushing the warriors of the sanctuary to their limits both physically and mentally.

Grimruk, ever the no-nonsense brute, had them mastering battle formations, advanced combat techniques, and situational awareness on the battlefield. The warriors had undergone a grueling regimen, designed to break them down and rebuild them as a hardened force.

Canna had been eager to see their progress. Vorgrim and Grimruk were strict taskmasters, and Canna knew that only those who had the strength and tenacity would make it through. He had caught glimpses of their training now and then, and each time, he could see the steady improvement in the troops. Their movements were sharper, their teamwork seamless, and their resolve stronger than ever.

Finally, the day had come. Canna stood at the edge of the training grounds, looking out over the assembled shock troops. They were a diverse group, consisting of all kinds of races and backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common—every single one of them had survived Vorgrim and Grimruk's training.

The arena was buzzing with energy. Even though the day had barely started, the warriors were already hyped up, some stretching and preparing themselves for the final test. Canna spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd. There was Tiberius, the barbarian who had been one of Canna's earliest friends after leaving the dungeon.

His hulking figure was unmistakable, and the barbarian's broad grin showed he was ready for anything.

Nearby, Canna saw Thalion, the elven swordsman who had become renowned in the sanctuary for his elegant yet deadly swordsmanship. Canna remembered how Thalion had been a blur of deadly precision during the war with the orcs, cutting through enemies like they were nothing more than paper.

Maggie, a human with a fierce mohawk and a fire affinity, stood not far from Thalion. Maggie was a brutal fighter, his fire magic as unpredictable as it was destructive. His fiery temper often matched the flames he controlled, and he had become somewhat of a legend in the sanctuary's sparring matches.

And then there was Kaida, a beastkin with control over poison. Her calm demeanor and deadly abilities had earned her a reputation as someone you didn't want to cross. Canna had no doubt she would be a vital part of the shock troops.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Canna took a deep breath, letting his gaze sweep over the group. These warriors were no longer the same people they had been six months ago. They had endured some of the toughest training the sanctuary had ever seen, and now, they were ready.

Stepping onto the stage, Canna raised his voice. "Warriors of the sanctuary, today marks the end of your training—but it also marks the beginning of something far greater. You are now shock troops, the vanguard of the sanctuary. Your mission is not an easy one. When you leave this place, you will carry the weight of the sanctuary on your shoulders.

You won't just be representing yourselves—you'll be representing all of us."

The warriors stood straighter at his words, their eyes locked on him. Canna continued. "The outside world is harsh, unforgiving, and filled with dangers. But you are not the same as you were when you started. You are stronger now, tougher, and more skilled. Vorgrim and Grimruk have pushed you to your limits, and you've come out the other side, better for it."

Canna paused, letting the words sink in. "For the next phase of your journey, you'll be given missions—missions that will test you in ways you haven't imagined. But remember this: you're not alone. You have your comrades, your leaders, and the sanctuary behind you. Together, we'll face whatever challenges come our way. Now, show me what you've become."

The arena erupted into cheers as the warriors raised their weapons in salute. Canna smiled, stepping back as Vorgrim and Grimruk took the stage to begin the final test.

Canna watched from a distance, filled with a sense of pride and anticipation. These warriors were the future of the sanctuary, and they would carry its name far and wide. As he observed them sparring, displaying their new skills, he couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something truly great.