Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Kael returned to the clearing, only to find Canna casually cradling a baby Ground Hog in his arms. He sighed, exasperated by the sight.

"Why are you holding that pest like you're holding a baby?" Kael asked, his tone filled with defeat.

"For your information, Kael, it is a baby," Canna replied, a mischievous grin on his face. "And why call it a pest? It looks weird and funny. Our pigs back on Earth weren't this cute."

Kael walked closer and lifted the Ground Hog away from Canna's grasp. "For your information, Canna, it's still a monster," he said, emphasizing the word. "Ground Hogs are notorious pests. They're good for nothing but eating grass, and sure, their meat tastes decent, but they've done a lot of damage to agriculture.

One pair of these can produce hundreds of babies in no time, and they're immensely stupid to boot."

Canna made an "ohhh" sound, a light bulb moment dawning in his eyes. "I see, so they're like our dodo birds, huh? Funny-looking but an idiot." He paused, his eyes glazing over with a new idea.

If Ground Hogs reproduce so fruitfully, wouldn't they make a great source of meat for the sanctuary? There was no grass in the domain now, but that was something he could fix. He could transplant some grasses from this forest into the domain, and these Ground Hogs would become a perfect prey item. Plus, when Stormy woke up, his little dragon would likely be hungry.

This idea lit a fire in Canna's eyes.

With renewed purpose, Canna raised his hand and activated Bahamut's Bloody Ring. He also summoned Mortem and Vorgrim. Seeing this, Kael facepalmed, realizing Canna had another crazy idea in the works.

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Five minutes later, Canna had assembled his undead army, including Mortem's entire undead collection. The air was thick with the presence of countless Great Calamity-rank beings. Even for Kael, now an A Rank, the sheer pressure of so many powerful entities was overwhelming. It wasn't something he could ever get used to, especially not in such a sudden and intense display.

Canna cleared his throat and addressed his army of undead, his voice carrying an authoritative tone. "This is my order: capture all of the Ground Hogs you see in this area. Do not, under any circumstances, kill them. I want as many alive as you can find. They're considered pests anyway, so go wild. Well then, go!"

With that command, the undead dispersed in various directions, their dark forms melding into the forest. Canna let his three subordinates lead the hog hunting while he made his way back to the domain.

Entering the domain, Canna took a moment to admire the skies he had crafted. He had studied the intricacies of the domain's environment extensively. Since he could control the weather, he had pondered what else he could manipulate. Thankfully, he discovered he could also control the color of the skies.

The current setting featured a cool temperature, with constant fresh air and skies painted in hues of purple and yellow. Despite these improvements, the land remained barren—a persistent headache for him. He cast a subtle glance toward the cave where Stormy was napping, thinking how pleased his little dragon would be once he knew Canna was securing a reliable food source.

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Half a day later, the results of Canna's command were astonishing. With the might of his undead army, they had rounded up thousands of Ground Hogs. Kael had been right; these creatures reproduced at an alarming rate. There were now Ground Hogs of various sizes and ranks gathered within the domain, from tiny infants to more mature, larger specimens.

The sheer number was overwhelming, the sound of their snorting and rustling filling the air.

Canna surveyed the scene with a sense of satisfaction. The Ground Hogs varied in size and rank, with some showing potential for higher power levels. They were corralled into makeshift pens, using barriers crafted from the undead's magical energies. The sight was chaotic but controlled, with the Ground Hogs squealing and exploring their new environment.

Kael, watching from the side, shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe we actually did this. Thousands of Ground Hogs... What are you planning to do with them all?"

Canna grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "They'll serve as a food source for the sanctuary. Plus, they're easy to manage and breed quickly. It's perfect. And when Stormy wakes up, he'll have plenty to eat. We can use them to test the growth of grasses and other vegetation in the domain too.

It's a win-win."

Kael sighed, still not entirely convinced but willing to go along with Canna's unconventional plans. The domain was now teeming with life—well, at least with Ground Hogs. It was a start, albeit a peculiar one. As they watched the chaotic scene unfold, both men knew this was just the beginning of their efforts to create a thriving sanctuary.

The next steps would involve stabilizing the ecosystem and finding ways to encourage the growth of other plant and animal life. For now, the sight of thousands of Ground Hogs milling about was a strangely reassuring sign that they were making progress, however weird and unconventional it might be.

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Back at the dungeon, Tonitrum's massive form vibrated with an unfamiliar sensation. After a few moments, the great dragon let out a booming, echoing laugh that reverberated through the cavernous space. He laughed so hard that the very walls seemed to shake, and his eyes sparkled with mirth.

Tonitrum had been the one to train Canna from virtually nothing, shaping him into the formidable force he had become. He knew better than anyone the immense power Canna wielded, and the potential he held within. The undead army at Canna's command alone was enough to inspire fear in even the most stalwart foes.

And yet, the first command Canna issued to this terrifying force was to capture nothing but lowly pigs—Ground Hogs, at that.

The irony was not lost on Tonitrum. Here was a being capable of great destruction, commanding an army that could lay waste to entire armies and kingdoms, and what did he choose to do? Hunt down harmless, bumbling Ground Hogs. The contrast was so absurd that Tonitrum could not contain his amusement.

"All that power," Tonitrum mused aloud, his voice still tinged with laughter, "and the first thing he orders is to capture hogs! Truly, Canna, you are a unique specimen. I chose well in making you my entertainment."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The dragon's laughter continued, a deep, rumbling sound that filled the dungeon. Tonitrum had lived through countless ages, and seen the rise and fall of civilizations, and yet, this simple act of Canna's brought him a rare joy. It was a reminder that even the most powerful beings could find humor in the mundane and the unexpected.

As he settled down, Tonitrum thought about the future. Canna's journey was just beginning, and if this was any indication, it would be filled with surprises, both for him and for those around him.

The ancient dragon couldn't wait to see what other unexpected decisions Canna would make, how he would navigate the challenges ahead, and how he would balance his immense power with the often bizarre choices he seemed inclined to make.

Tonitrum's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He had chosen Canna not only because of his potential but also because of his unpredictability. And already, that decision was proving to be an endless source of amusement and curiosity. The dragon chuckled to himself, eager for the next chapter in this unfolding tale, confident that whatever came next, it would be nothing short of entertaining.