Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Tiberius, eyes wide with awe, began to explore Canna's domain, still trying to process the surreal beauty and the sheer number of creatures he had already seen. As he walked further, the shock deepened. "Do you even know how many groundhogs and horned hares you have?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Canna, standing beside him with a casual demeanor, replied nonchalantly, "Thousands."

Tiberius nearly choked on his own breath. "Thousands?" he repeated, incredulous. To him, such numbers were almost unfathomable. The meticulous organization and vast scale of the pens were something he had never encountered before.

They walked past the pens, Tiberius observing the groundhogs and horned hares as they moved about, seemingly in perfect harmony. It was clear that Canna had not only gathered these creatures but had also established a sustainable environment for them. The greenery within the pens was lush and vibrant, providing a stark contrast to the barren landscape outside.

As they moved deeper into the domain, Tiberius began to notice the cracks in the ground, the dry, lifeless soil that stretched out in all directions. The contrast between the thriving pens and the desolate surroundings was striking. "Is this why you seek the Verdant Wardens?" Tiberius asked, looking at Canna.

Canna nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. My domain needs to be revitalized. The pens thrive because I focus my efforts on them, but I need help to restore the entire domain. The Verdant Wardens have the knowledge and power to make that happen."

Tiberius could see the determination in Canna's eyes. The sheer scale of the task was daunting, but there was no doubt that Canna was committed to it. As they continued walking, Tiberius's attention was caught by a peculiar patch of greenery. It was denser and more vibrant than the rest.

"What is this?" Tiberius asked, pointing to the lush patch.

Canna smiled. "Ah, that's Forever Weed. It's a cursed magical plant that regenerates quickly and provides a sustainable food source for the animals. It's been a game-changer for maintaining the pens."

Tiberius knelt down, examining the plant closely. "I've never seen anything like it," he admitted. "It's truly remarkable."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Canna nodded. "It's one of the reasons the groundhogs and horned hares are thriving. The Forever Weed keeps them well-fed without depleting the resources."

As Tiberius stood up, he noticed something else that made his heart skip a beat. In the distance, a massive figure moved with a predatory grace. It was Nyx, the Shadow Bear. The creature's dark fur seemed to absorb the light, its eyes glowing with a mysterious intensity.

"That... that's the Shadow Bear from the village!" Tiberius exclaimed, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. "You have it under contract?"

Canna placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "That's Nyx, my Shadow Bear I recently contracted. He's a mid-calamity rank, but he's under my control."

Tiberius watched in awe as Nyx approached them. "You even gave it a name," he murmured, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the beast, which had posed such a threat, was now an ally.

Nyx approached them, his powerful form moving silently across the barren ground. Tiberius couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline. The bear's presence was overwhelming, a force that commanded respect and fear.

"Relax, Tiberius," Canna said soothingly. "Nyx won't harm you. He's here to help us."

Tiberius slowly lowered his sword, though his eyes remained fixed on Nyx. "You have quite the collection, Canna," he muttered, still trying to wrap his head around everything he had seen.

They continued their tour, and soon Tiberius spotted two figures in the distance, working diligently. As they drew closer, he recognized the immense power emanating from them. They were Seraphis and Darius, both great-transcendents. Yet, to Tiberius's astonishment, they were cutting Forever Weed and tending to the pens.

"Are those... great-transcendents?" Tiberius asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Canna nodded. "Yes, they are. Seraphis and Darius have been invaluable in maintaining the domain."

Tiberius approached the two figures cautiously. Seeing warriors of such high rank performing what seemed like mundane tasks was surreal. "Why are they...?" he began, but Canna interrupted.

"They're here because they believe in the vision I have for this domain. Their strength isn't just for battle; it's for building and nurturing as well. Also, because they attacked me and Mortem made them undead who follow anything I say blindly." Discover hidden content at m,v l'e-NovelBin.net

The domain, with its blend of raw power and delicate care, was unlike anything he had ever seen.

They continued walking, the scenery shifting back to the lush pens. Tiberius marveled at the meticulous care that had gone into creating this environment. "Canna," he said finally, "I understand now. Your domain is a place of incredible potential. The Verdant Wardens will be a crucial part of bringing it to life."

Canna nodded, his expression one of determination. "Exactly. And with your help, we will convince them to join us."

As they were walking back to the portal, Tiberius felt a sense of awe and respect for Canna. The journey ahead would be challenging, but seeing the domain firsthand had given him a deeper understanding of their mission.

Tiberius took a deep breath, his mind buzzing with everything he had witnessed. "Your domain is incredible, Canna. I can see why you're so dedicated to revitalizing it."

Canna smiled, clapping a hand on Tiberius's shoulder. "Thank you. With your help and the Verdant Wardens' guidance, some progress would be made to create the best sanctuary ever. Let's rest for now and prepare for the journey ahead."

As they were about to step out, Grimruk approached them. "Master, I have a report," he said, offering a small bow.

Canna nodded for him to continue.

"There have been more groundhogs turning green, just like the one you found. We've placed them in the same pen," Grimruk reported.

Canna's eyes lit up with interest. "Interesting. I'll check on them later. Good work, Grimruk."

Tiberius, still processing everything, looked at Canna and spoke. "You truly are building something extraordinary here."

Canna nodded. "I want to build a sanctuary, a one-of-a-kind refuge where people can find safety and peace. But I can't do that with a barren landscape. That's why this journey is so important."

Tiberius felt a deep sense of purpose. He was not just a guide; he was now a part of something much larger. "Let's make it happen," he said firmly.

The group settled down for the night, the experiences of the day fresh in their minds. Tiberius lay awake for a while, replaying the sights and conversations in his head. He had always known Canna was powerful, but today he had seen the depth of that power in a new light. This journey was going to be unlike any he had ever undertaken, and he was ready to see it through to the end.

As the first light of dawn began to break, the group gathered their supplies and prepared to continue their journey. Canna's domain had shown Tiberius a glimpse of what was possible, fueling his determination for the days ahead.