Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna and Tiberius made their way slowly toward the village. The sight of the corpses littering the path was unsettling, but they pressed on, choosing to ignore the grim scene for the moment. As they approached the gates leading into the village, Tiberius pushed them open, half-expecting to confront some harrowing creature, a formidable opponent, or perhaps even another wave of monstrous attackers.

Instead, what greeted them was a scene of surprising normalcy. The village was alive with activity—people going about their daily routines, some tending to chores, others conversing in small groups. Children were laughing and playing, their carefree voices filling the air.

It was as if the ominous trail of dead monsters outside the gates was nothing more than a distant memory, or perhaps a dream that never really happened.

Confusion crept into Tiberius's mind as he looked around, trying to reconcile the chaos outside with the calm within the village. The dissonance was jarring, leaving him with more questions than answers. Without wasting a moment, he headed straight for the chieftain's hut, where he hoped his father and mother could shed some light on what was happening.

As Tiberius approached the hut, he saw his father, Vorak, and his mother, Liora, seated comfortably, deep in conversation. They looked up as he entered, their faces warm with the usual familial affection.

"Father? Mother? What's happening here?" Tiberius asked, unable to keep the panic from his voice. "Why are there so many corpses outside? Who did this?"

Vorak, noticing the tension in his son's posture, stood up and approached him, placing a reassuring hand on Tiberius's shoulder. "I see you've done well on your journey," Vorak said, his tone calm and collected. "There's no need for alarm. The one who started this... mess, as you put it, is one of Canna's subordinates. Speaking of Canna, where is he?"

Tiberius, still processing what his father had said, turned to look behind him, expecting to see Canna. But to his surprise, Canna was nowhere in sight. Panic flashed in his eyes as he quickly scanned the area, looking left and right, but the Harbinger had seemingly vanished without a trace.

Meanwhile, on the southern side of the village, Canna stood at the exit, facing Vorgrim. The red-skinned orc had his greatsword embedded in the ground, blood still dripping from its massive blade. The remnants of battle were evident in the tension that still hung in the air around them.

"So, you felt through our connection that I was being attacked?" Canna asked, his voice carrying a mixture of exasperation and understanding. "And feeling helpless about it, you decided to slaughter every monster that approached the village?" .net

Vorgrim nodded solemnly, his expression unyielding. He had acted on instinct, driven by an overwhelming need to protect his master, even if it meant overreacting. For Vorgrim, there was no room for half-measures when it came to safeguarding Canna.

Canna sighed, rubbing his forehead. He couldn't help but admire the loyalty, even if it did lead to a bit of overkill. "You really didn't have to go that far, Vorgrim. But I suppose what's done is done." His tone softened as he added, "You're not in trouble. I just wish we could avoid unnecessary bloodshed... at least some of the time."

Vorgrim, sensing that his master wasn't truly angry, reached into a pouch and presented Canna with a small satchel. Inside were the mana cores of the monsters he had slain—a token of his efforts and perhaps a peace offering of sorts.

Canna accepted the satchel, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I appreciate this," he said, pocketing the mana cores. "But next time, let's try a more measured approach, okay?"

Vorgrim grunted in acknowledgment, a rare but genuine smile crossing his usually stern features. With the situation now more or less resolved, Canna and Vorgrim returned to the village.

Back in the village, preparations were already underway for a formal celebration in honor of Canna and Tiberius's return. The atmosphere was one of relief and excitement, the villagers eager to hear tales of their journey.

As the evening wore on and the celebration reached its peak, Tiberius stood before the assembled villagers, his parents among them, and began recounting their experiences. He spoke of the trials they had faced in the Verdant Wardens' domain, the fierce battles, and the alliances forged. His words painted a vivid picture of their adventure, capturing the attention of everyone present.

Vorak and Liora listened intently, pride swelling in their hearts as Tiberius spoke. They could see how much their son had grown—both as a warrior and as a leader.

After Tiberius finished his tale, the crowd erupted in applause, their cheers filling the night air. But the celebration wasn't over yet. Canna stood up, the crowd quieting as he did so, sensing that he had something important to say.

"I want to introduce someone," Canna announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. With a wave of his hand, he opened a red portal beside him. The villagers watched in awe as a figure emerged from the portal—a woman with flowing green hair and a presence that seemed to command the very earth beneath her feet.

Flora Warden stepped forward, her form graceful yet powerful. She had chosen to adopt a human-like appearance for this occasion, her features still carrying the regal and ethereal beauty of her true form. The villagers gasped in astonishment, some recognizing the powerful aura she exuded.

"This is Flora Warden," Canna continued, introducing her with a sense of pride. "She is the leader of the Verdant Wardens, and she has sworn her loyalty to our cause. With her help, we will build the sanctuary I've envisioned—a place of safety and harmony for all who seek it."

Flora inclined her head in acknowledgment, her emerald eyes sweeping over the gathered villagers. "It is an honor to stand beside Canna," she said, her voice as soothing as the rustle of leaves in the wind. "Together, we will protect this land and all who dwell within it."

The villagers, initially cautious of the powerful newcomer, soon found comfort in her words and Canna's unwavering trust in her. As the celebration continued, Flora became an integral part of the gathering, her presence lending a deeper significance to the event. Canna opened a portal, allowing more Verdant Wardens to join the festivities, while Nyx emerged to partake as well.

Vorgrim reunited with Mortem and Grimruk, solidifying the bonds between them.

Under the light of the moon and the warm glow of the village fires, a new alliance was forged—one that would shape the future of Canna's domain and the sanctuary he was resolute in creating.

Canna nodded in gratitude, feeling the weight of leadership more acutely than ever. "Thank you, Kael. I appreciate it. While you and Tiberius handle the relocation, I'll take this opportunity to explore the rest of the forest. There are still parts of it I haven't seen, and I want to ensure there are no surprises waiting for us."

With the plans set in motion, Canna gave one last look to the gathered villagers, his heart swelling with a sense of pride and responsibility. They had chosen to follow him, to believe in his vision, and he would not let them down.

As he turned to leave, ready to begin his exploration, Canna couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning. The sanctuary he dreamed of was becoming a reality, and with allies like the barbarians and Verdant Wardens by his side, there was nothing they couldn't achieve.