Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna lay sprawled in the grass, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his eyes closed as he tried to steady himself. His body bore the marks of relentless training—cuts and bruises marred his skin, each wound a testament to the fierce regimen he was undertaking. For three months, he had been preparing himself for the battle to come, pushing his limits every day.

Mortem, his loyal subordinate, had been his sparring partner, pushing Canna beyond his physical and magical thresholds, ensuring he was ready for the upcoming clash.

There were still three months left until the fated encounter with the green orcs, and Canna knew he had to make every moment count. His subordinates were all hard at work, honing their skills and preparing their minds for the brutal war ahead. As he lay there, taking a moment to rest, Canna's thoughts drifted to the rankings of his most trusted allies and himself.

Currently, the rankings stood as follows:

Canna - Low Transcendent

Mortem - Mid Calamity

Vorgrim - Mid Calamity

Grimruk - Great Calamity

Flora - True Calamity

Elandra - True Calamity

Canna knew that by the next month, he, Mortem, Vorgrim, and Grimruk would ascend to another tier. His strategy was centered around using his unique abilities as a Harbinger and Dragonkin to control the battlefield. Mortem's vast collection of undead—currently numbering 287 Great Calamities, 1,249 Mid Calamities, and 4,229 Low Calamities—would be his primary weapon.

Though Mortem had once possessed a collection of more than 400 Great Calamities, their number had dwindled due to a disastrous event in Arenthia involving the homunculus. Still, the remaining forces were formidable.

The plan was simple but effective: utilize Mortem's undead collection minions as expendable soldiers, triggering devastating corpse explosions to whittle down the enemy forces. Canna would face the leader head-on, keeping him occupied while Grimruk and Vorgrim flanked him, using their overwhelming strength to strike from the sides.

Flora and Elandra, whose skills were more suited to support roles, would provide essential healing, buffs, and debuffs from the rear.

He knew he had to give it his all. Against an opponent of Disaster Rank, every advantage counted, and Canna intended to use every bit of his power. He checked his stats:

[Name: Canna Yakane]

Level: 137

Race: Dragonkin

Rank: Low Transcendent

Class: Beast Covenant

HP: 1200/1200

MP: 1320/1320

Strength: 550

Speed: 500

Defense: 550

Intelligence: 550

Agility: 500

Stamina: 500

Vitality: 500

Charm: 200

Attribute Points: 0 Find your next read on empire

Canna's stats were impressive for his rank, but against a Disaster Rank opponent, he knew that sheer stats alone wouldn't be enough. His plan was to maintain a defensive posture, using his agility and speed to avoid the worst of his opponent's attacks while relying on his Dragonkin resilience to withstand the inevitable blows.

His biggest concern was whether he could hold out long enough for his subordinates to turn the tide of battle.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at Mortem, who stood waiting patiently. "Let's go again," Canna said, pushing himself to his feet. Mortem nodded, and with a wave of his hand, he summoned a fresh wave of skeletons. Canna steeled himself and took a defensive stance, ready to continue his grueling training.

_____________________

One day, three massive beings appeared at the Amazon, drawing the attention of every inhabitant. The sight of these three legendary creatures, rarely seen together, caused a stir among the Sanctuary's residents.

First was Lumivyre, the Celestial Serpent. Stretching 150 feet in length, Lumivyre was a magnificent spectacle. Its scales shimmered like the night sky, a swirling tapestry of blues, purples, and silvers. Each scale seemed to hold a galaxy within it, twinkling with the light of a thousand stars.

The two heads of Lumivyre, each adorned with glowing blue eyes, moved in perfect harmony, reflecting the twin nature of its consciousness—one head representing wisdom, the other ferocity. The Celestial Serpent was a creature of both beauty and terror, embodying the mysteries of the cosmos.

Beside Lumivyre stood Terrorfang, the Primal Titan. Standing at 150 feet in height, Terrorfang was an awe-inspiring figure. The crimson fur that covered his body seemed almost ablaze under the sunlight, his muscles rippling with raw power. His eyes glowed with an intense, primal rage, and his very presence exuded an aura of ferocity.

Every step he took caused the ground beneath him to tremble, and his roars reverberated like thunder across the Sanctuary. The inhabitants watched in a mix of awe and fear as Terrorfang moved, his massive form casting long shadows on the ground.

The third was Aurelis, the Solar Lion. Slightly smaller than the others at 120 feet, Aurelis was no less impressive. His golden mane flowed like liquid sunlight, each strand radiating a warm, golden glow. His eyes burned with the intensity of a thousand suns, and his very presence seemed to light up the surroundings.

Aurelis moved with a regal grace, his every step a testament to his authority and strength. His body was covered in shimmering fur, the golden hues interspersed with radiant white, giving him an almost divine appearance.

These three legendary beings had come to see Canna, and as they made their way through the Sanctuary, the inhabitants couldn't help but stare in awe. It was rare for these three to appear together, and even rarer for them to seek an audience with their master.

Canna, sensing their presence, rose from his resting place. He knew this was a significant moment. For the three legendary beings to approach him together could only mean one thing—they had something important to discuss. He straightened himself, wiping the sweat from his brow, and went out to greet them.

As they approached, Canna could feel the weight of their presence. He had seen many powerful beings already, but the sheer majesty and authority exuded by Lumivyre, Terrorfang, and Aurelis were unparalleled. They stopped before him and bowed, their towering forms casting long shadows over the Sanctuary.

Lumivyre was the first to speak, its dual voices creating an eerie harmony. "We have come to discuss a matter of great importance."

Canna nodded, his expression serious. "I had a feeling this was not just a social visit. What is it you wish to discuss?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"We've noticed you and your subordinates pushing yourselves to the limit. It seems you're gearing up for something exciting. Count us in—we want a piece of the action!" Terrorfang excitedly spoke.

Aurelis stepped forward, his radiant eyes locked on Canna. "We've been trapped for ages since you've freed us, and even though we're free now, there are still some grudges we need to settle. Plus, we've been enjoying the peace of the sanctuary a bit too much—it's about time we stretched our muscles and got some action."

Canna listened intently, understanding the gravity of their words. He knew this battle would be unlike any he had faced before, and with the support of these legendary beings, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

"Very well," Canna said, his voice steady. "I will prepare for this battle with everything I have. And I trust you three will stand by my side."

The three beings nodded in unison, a silent agreement passing between them. The stage was set, and the battle for the Sanctuary's future was about to unfold.