Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna cradled the girl gently in his arms, his eyes scanning the scars and wounds that marred her delicate skin. These weren't the marks of wild beasts or battle; these were the deliberate inflictions of cruelty, each scar a silent testament to the horrors she had endured. Some of the marks looked like they came from a whip or something similar—a rope or a chain, perhaps.

Canna's heart tightened with a mixture of sorrow and rage, and he struggled to contain the storm brewing inside him.

The skies above began to darken, responding to the Harbinger's wrath. Even Grimruk, who had seen his master in countless battles, could feel the difference. This wasn't just Canna, the protector of his sanctuary—this was the Harbinger, an entity born of chaos and destruction. Grimruk swallowed hard, bracing himself for whatever was to come.

Canna opened the portal to his domain, the swirling red vortex appearing before him. Out stepped Nyx, the shadow bear, his dark eyes immediately sensing the tension in the air. Nyx approached, his gaze shifting from his master to the small, trembling figure in Canna's arms. He could sense the fury radiating from Canna, a rage so intense it seemed to vibrate through the air.

"Grimruk, take Nyx with you. Find out what happened and apprehend anyone you think might be the cause. Do not kill them. Hold them enough till I get back," Canna ordered, his voice as cold and unyielding as iron.

Grimruk nodded, and Nyx slipped into Grimruk's shadow, ready to hunt down the source of his master's anger. The two disappeared into the forest, leaving Canna standing alone with the unconscious child.

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Canna returned to his domain, his steps heavy with a mix of fury and sorrow. He made his way to the house the Verdant Wardens had constructed for him, his mind focused solely on the girl in his arms. As he passed, the Verdant Wardens and barbarians who caught sight of him felt a chill run down their spines.

They had always known Canna as a kind and just leader, but now, with his eyes blazing with wrath, they were reminded of his true nature—a Harbinger, a force of chaos. They couldn't help but pity those who had made him this way.

Reaching his room, Canna carefully laid the girl down on the bed. He summoned the Verdant Warden elders, his voice low but firm.

The elders arrived swiftly, their expressions grave as they began tending to the girl's wounds. They didn't need to be told—one look at Canna and they knew this was not a time for questions. They set to work, their hands glowing with healing magic as they mended the girl's broken body.

Canna sat in a wooden chair across from the bed, his eyes never leaving the girl. He remained there, unmoving, as the Verdant Wardens worked to heal her. The hours stretched on, and still Canna did not move. He watched over her, his mind replaying the horrors she must have endured, his heart breaking for the innocent life that had been so cruelly mistreated.

One and a half days passed, and still Canna kept his silent vigil. It was the middle of the night when the girl finally stirred, her small body shifting beneath the covers. She blinked, her eyes fluttering open, and for a moment, she was disoriented, unsure of where she was. Then, the memories came flooding back—the pain, the fear, the darkness—and she began to sob quietly.

But then she noticed something. The pain that had been her constant companion was gone. She looked down at her arms, expecting to see the familiar scars and wounds, but they were gone. Her skin was smooth, the marks of her tormenters vanished as if they had never existed. She touched her hair, finding it soft and clean, no longer tangled and matted. Your next chapter is on mvl

But the most shocking discovery of all was the absence of the cold, heavy collar that had been locked around her neck. She reached up, her fingers brushing the spot where the collar had been, and tears welled up in her eyes again—this time, tears of relief.

She looked up, and there he was—the man she had last seen before succumbing to sleep. The one who had held her so gently, who had promised her safety. His expression was soft now, the fury she had sensed before replaced with something gentler, something she hadn't seen in a long time—kindness.

"Are you feeling better?" Canna asked softly, his voice soothing.

The girl nodded, still too overwhelmed to speak.

Canna smiled, trying to put her at ease. "You're safe now. No one will hurt you here. Can you tell me your name?"

The girl hesitated, then spoke in a small, trembling voice. "My name… my name is Mira."

"Mira," Canna repeated, nodding as if committing the name to memory. "That's a beautiful name. Can you tell me what happened? How did you get those scars?"

Mira looked down, her small hands twisting in the blanket. "I… I was sold. My parents sold me to an orphanage. They… they didn't want me anymore."

Canna's heart clenched at her words, but he remained silent, letting her continue.

"The orphanage… they sold us to nobles. There were others like me… other kids. We were all taken to a kingdom, but… but they didn't treat us like children. They treated us like… like things." Her voice wavered, and she took a shaky breath before continuing. "The nobles… they hated beastkin. They would beat us, make us do horrible things… I was always so scared.

I thought… I thought I would die there."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Canna reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You're safe now, Mira. I promise you, no one will ever hurt you like that again."

Mira nodded, sniffling as she tried to hold back her tears. "The last day… they made us wear fancy clothes. They said we were going to a party. But… but it wasn't a party. They took us to the woods… and they hunted us. One by one, they hunted us like animals."

Canna's grip on her hand tightened, his own anger flaring at the thought of what this innocent child had been through.

"I ran," Mira continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I ran as fast as I could. But… but they found me. They caught me, and they… they hurt me. I thought I was going to die, but… but then you found me."

Canna could feel his heart breaking for her. He wanted nothing more than to go after those who had done this to her, to make them pay for every tear she had shed. But for now, he pushed that anger aside, focusing on the small, frightened girl before him.

"You're safe now," he repeated, his voice gentle but firm. "No one will ever hurt you again, Mira."

Mira looked up at him, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of fear and hope. "Is… is this place safe?" she asked.

Canna smiled softly. "Yes, it is. This is the sanctuary, a place where you can be free, where you can live without fear."

He stood, gently lifting her into his arms. "Let me show you."

Canna carried Mira out of the room and into the night. The domain was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, the trees towering above them like silent guardians. As they walked, the beauty of the sanctuary unfolded before Mira's eyes.

The massive trees, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly light, the glowing plants and flowers that dotted the landscape, and the peaceful atmosphere that seemed to wrap around them like a warm blanket.

Mira's eyes widened in awe as she took it all in. She had never seen anything so beautiful, so serene. It was like stepping into a dream.

"This… this is real?" she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

Canna nodded, his heart swelling with pride as he watched her reaction. "Yes, it's real. And it's yours now, too. You're part of this sanctuary, Mira."

Mira looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Thank you… thank you."

Canna smiled, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're welcome, Mira. Welcome home."