Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Three weeks had finally passed, and the time had come for Flora and her team to transport their village into Canna's domain. The Verdant Wardens were all hands on deck for this monumental task. Every house, every rock, and every patch of grass was prepared for the grand move. Up in the clouds, Canna, Kael, and Tiberius hovered, supported by Canna's wind magic.

It wasn't every day that they witnessed an entire village being teleported, and they made sure to watch the spectacle unfold with awe and anticipation.

As the minutes passed, Canna could see the village below starting to glow—a soft, gentle light at first that steadily grew in intensity. The glow became brighter and brighter, until it shone like a star against the darkened sky. Then, without any warning, the village vanished, leaving behind a huge patch of land where it once stood.

Thick roots immediately began to sprawl across the barren ground, weaving a new tapestry of life. The roots transformed into patches of lush grass, spreading rapidly across the landscape. It all happened so fast, yet Canna and his companions observed every detail with rapt attention.

Once the transformation was complete, Canna opened a portal leading back into his domain. The moment they stepped through, they were teleported to the center of the newly relocated village. Cheers erupted around them as the Verdant Wardens celebrated their successful transfer. What had once seemed an impossible task had been accomplished, and the atmosphere was charged with relief and joy.

The Verdant Wardens had feared that they would have to abandon their beloved village. But thanks to Canna's generosity, they were able to bring their home with them. Their worst fears—slavery, forced labor, and endless toil—had not come to pass.

Instead, they found themselves free to explore their new surroundings, and the young Verdant Wardens especially took to the domain with curiosity and excitement. Many strolled through the vast expanse, marveling at the new environment, while others followed Canna around, intrigued by their new master.

Some even adopted the green groundhogs, keeping them as pets and forming bonds with the creatures that now shared their home.

The elders of the Verdant Wardens, ever watchful, observed Canna with a mix of curiosity and surprise. They had expected a master who was demanding, perhaps even tyrannical. What they found instead was someone who, aside from his intense training sessions and diligent care of the groundhogs and horned hares, spent a significant amount of time sleeping.

Canna's behavior baffled them at first—sleeping in random places, sometimes atop Nyx as he roamed the domain randomly, or lying in the grass beneath the newly planted trees. They even witnessed him talking to the trees on occasion, his voice a low murmur as if sharing secrets with the ancient flora.

Eventually, they accepted his quirks as part of his nature. The younger Verdant Wardens, ever playful, often joined Canna in his naps, curling up beside him as he slept on the bare ground. Canna would wake up to find the children nestled around him, their soft breaths mingling with the rustling of the leaves. It became a common sight, one that brought a quiet warmth to the domain.

Canna also revealed another of his abilities to the Verdant Wardens—the power to control the weather within his domain. With a simple command, he could summon rain, and under the gentle showers, the greenery flourished even more. Grass and plants sprang to life, the landscape transforming from a barren expanse to a vibrant, thriving environment.

The Verdant Wardens marveled at how quickly their new home was taking shape, with nature blossoming under Canna's careful guidance.

As the days passed, the Verdant Wardens settled into their new lives within the domain. They adjusted to their surroundings, exploring the vast stretches of land and making small adjustments to their village to better fit the new environment. Some found new hobbies, such as tending to the green groundhogs or experimenting with the unique flora that grew in the domain.

Others focused on their duties, ensuring that the village remained in harmony with the natural world around them.

The elders and Flora even took it upon themselves to build a house for Canna, a gesture of respect and gratitude. The house was crafted with the same care and artistry that defined their village, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Canna was genuinely touched by the gesture and accepted the house with thanks.

Yet, despite having a home of his own, Canna continued to sleep outdoors most of the time, choosing to rest wherever he felt most comfortable—whether it was beneath a tree, on the soft grass, or in the open air under the stars.

The Verdant Wardens, now fully integrated into the domain, continued to work on revitalizing the land. Their magic infused the soil, coaxing life from the earth and nurturing the growing forest. The progress was slow but steady, and Canna, true to his word, placed no pressure on them to rush the task. .net

He trusted in their nature and their deep connection to the land, confident that they would restore the domain in time.

As the final preparations were made, and the last traces of the old village were integrated into the domain, Canna knew it was time to return to the barbarian village. The journey ahead was still long, but now he had allies—true allies—who shared his vision and would help him achieve his goals.

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As Canna and Tiberius journeyed back to the barbarian village, they noticed the landscape gradually shifting from the magical forest to more familiar barbarian territory. Though Kael had stayed behind in Canna's domain to focus on his own tasks, Canna and Tiberius continued their journey, their bond growing stronger as they traveled together.

The peaceful atmosphere soon turned eerie when they found the corpse of a large, powerful monster, clearly killed in a fierce battle. As they ventured further, they encountered more and more dead creatures, each one showing signs of a brutal fight. The closer they got to the village, the more frequent these corpses became.

When they finally reached the village entrance, they were shocked to see rows of monster corpses piled up like a barricade. The air was thick with the smell of blood and decay, and the ground was slick with evidence of a massive battle. It was clear that someone—or something—had slaughtered these creatures with incredible power.

Tiberius, gripping his greatsword in disbelief, whispered, "What happened here?"

Canna, surveying the carnage, realized that whoever—or whatever—had done this was still out there, more dangerous than they could have imagined. The unanswered question of who or what was responsible lingered ominously as they stood at the village entrance.