Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna stood in the center of the area, breathing heavily but still standing tall. Around him, the last of the shock troops had fallen, knocked out of the barrier by his relentless strikes. Wounded, bruised, and with cuts lining his body, he surveyed the scene.

All 300 shock troops had been defeated, and the ones who had been taken out earlier—Tiberius and Thalion included—were sitting at the sidelines, watching with awe and disbelief.

They had fought valiantly, displaying well-practiced formations and support tactics. But Canna, in his dragonkin form, was simply on another level. His resilience and speed, bolstered by his affinity with lightning, made him nearly untouchable.

His hardened scales and swift counterattacks were a nightmare for even the best of the troops, and his instincts allowed him to dodge blows and retaliate with brutal precision.

The shock troops had known their leader was strong, but after crossing weapons with him, their respect had surged to an entirely new height. They hadn't faced Canna the harbringer or Canna the leader this time—this was Canna the warrior, the relentless fighter who had trained alongside the best, honed his abilities in countless battles, and forged his power in the flames of adversity.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The realization that their carefree, sometimes jovial leader held such monstrous strength humbled and inspired them.

They could still feel the rush of the battle, remembering how easily he had blinded them with a flash of lightning and knocked five of their comrades out of the barrier in seconds. The trick was as old as time, yet in Canna's hands, it had been executed with such mastery that it caught them all off guard. In that moment, they realized how far they still had to go.

Canna's powers were something they couldn't yet match, but the battle had shown them a glimpse of their potential. With more time, more training, they knew they could reach greater heights.

As the final shock troop crashed out of the barrier, the crowd surrounding the battlefield exploded in wild cheers. The atmosphere of the sanctuary was electric with excitement, filled with admiration for both Canna and his warriors.

The barrier dissolved, and Flora quickly made her way to Canna's side, already weaving her healing vines around his battered body.

Canna, still catching his breath, raised his hand to silence the cheers. The crowd, as if sensing that he had something important to say, quieted down in anticipation.

"You all fought valiantly," Canna said, his voice loud but warm, carrying across the field. His eyes moved over the shock troops, now gathered in a mix of bruised pride and quiet satisfaction. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of warriors to train alongside. Today, you've shown me your strength, your discipline, and your heart. But this is only the beginning.

There's so much more you can achieve."

The shock troops stood tall, battered but unbroken, as Canna's words resonated within them.

"You've endured months of hellish training, and today, you went toe to toe with me, your leader. You pushed yourselves beyond your limits, and you should be proud. But don't let this be the end. Keep fighting, keep striving, and one day… you'll surpass even me."

Canna smiled and gave a smile to the troops, something that caused a ripple of astonishment and pride through the crowd. "Now, let's return to what we came here for—to celebrate. Tonight is not just about victory in battle, but about unity, about family. So let's enjoy this grand celebration!"

The crowd roared in approval once again, their spirits lifted. Canna, with a nod of satisfaction, left the stage, allowing the festivities to continue. The warriors cheered louder, honored by their leader's words, and the sounds of joy and celebration filled the air as music and laughter took over. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

But Canna had slipped away, unnoticed by most, walking across the sanctuary's grasslands. The sounds of the party faded into the distance, and the quiet hum of nature enveloped him. He walked slowly, his mind replaying the battle in vivid detail. The thrill of it still buzzed in his veins, but he knew he had pushed his body hard.

He felt the toll it had taken, the bruises and cuts that Flora hadn't fully healed yet.

Without looking, he heard familiar footsteps behind him. He knew who it was before they even spoke.

"My liege, you didn't have to go that far, you know," Vorgrim's deep voice rumbled softly.

Canna chuckled, shaking his head. "It's alright, Vorgrim. I had to show them that they can do more, that they can be more." He released his dragonkin form, and instantly the pain in his body flared up. Without his draconic resilience, the bruises, lacerations, and fatigue came crashing down on him.

He let out a long sigh and lay down in the soft grass, looking up at the star-filled sky. Mortem silently manifested from his shadow, ever watchful, while Noctis perched comfortably atop his head, as usual.

"Thank you," Canna said, his voice quieter now, "for always being by my side." His eyes fluttered with exhaustion. "I'm feeling a bit sleepy now."

As if sensing their master's need for rest, the guardians began to gather around him. Grimruk, ever the silent sentinel, sat nearby, his presence comforting and strong. Stormrend, crackling with latent energy, slithered over, its three heads watching protectively. Stormtusk's massive form gently settled in the grass, thunder rolling faintly through his fur as he lay down.

Even the great Stormbringer cast a shadow over the grasslands, looming protectively.

Canna closed his eyes, feeling the weight of fatigue wash over him. His body was sore, but it was a good kind of soreness—the kind that came from a hard-won victory, a true test of strength and will.

The guardians around him settled into their places, forming a protective ring around their master. They, too, felt the peace that came with Canna's quiet strength.

In the distance, the sounds of the grand celebration still echoed faintly, but here, in the quiet of the grasslands, it was serene. Canna smiled to himself, the bonds he had forged with his companions and his warriors filling him with a deep sense of fulfillment.

And with that, surrounded by his most loyal allies, Canna drifted off into a peaceful sleep, knowing that no matter what challenges awaited them next, they would face it together—stronger, united, and ready.

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End of Volume 3! Thank you! Let's go straight to Chapter Volume 4!