Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The morning sun bathed the sanctuary in a warm, golden light as Canna made sure that Mira was well-fed. Her body, though free from scars and wounds thanks to the Verdant Wardens' healing, was still frail and malnourished. Each bite she took was small and tentative, but Canna's gentle encouragement helped her to keep eating.

However, despite her improving physical state, Mira's trust was fragile. When Canna mentioned bringing someone to look after her—Liora, the wife of Vorak and the chief village of the barbarians—Mira clung to Canna with a desperation that made his heart ache.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she shook her head, her small hands gripping tightly onto his arm. "Please... don't leave me," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. Though she felt no malice from anyone else in the domain, the trauma she had endured made it impossible for her to trust them yet.

Canna knelt down, bringing himself to eye level with Mira. His voice was soft and reassuring, "Mira, I promise you, you're safe here. No one will hurt you. Liora is very kind, and she'll take good care of you while I take care of something important."

But Mira only shook her head again, her eyes wide with fear. "No... please, don't leave me alone..."

Canna sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't force her to be comfortable. "Alright, Mira," he said gently, "I'll stay with you for a little longer, okay? But I want to show you something first. There are some special animals here, and I think you'll like them."

He picked her up carefully, feeling her small body relax slightly in his arms. As they walked through the domain, the lush greenery and vibrant flowers created a serene atmosphere, Canna spoke to Mira in a soothing tone. "We have these creatures called groundhogs here, and they're really friendly. Would you like to see them?"

Mira nodded hesitantly, curiosity starting to peek through her fear. When they arrived at the area where the green groundhogs lived, Mira's eyes widened in wonder. The groundhogs were round and fluffy, with vibrant green fur that almost made them look like rolling balls of grass.

Canna set her down gently and crouched beside her. "You can choose one to keep as a pet if you'd like. There are other children here too, and they love playing with them."

Mira's gaze flickered between Canna and the groundhogs. Slowly, she extended a hand toward one of the creatures. It sniffed her fingers curiously before nuzzling against her palm. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips—a rare sight that warmed Canna's heart.

As they spent time with the groundhogs, Mira's walls began to crumble, just a little. The presence of the gentle creatures, along with Canna's patience and kindness, was slowly easing her fears. The denizens of the domain who saw Mira couldn't help but be charmed by her presence.

The child was undeniably cute—her long, silken hair cascading down her back, framing a delicate face with large, expressive eyes. Her fluffy tail swayed slightly as she cautiously interacted with the groundhogs, and the soft, twitching ears atop her head added to her innocent appearance.

Mira was small, with a tiny button nose and cheeks that still held a hint of childhood roundness, making her look even more adorable.

Finally, after spending some time with the groundhogs, Mira seemed to feel a bit more at ease. She looked up at Canna and nodded, her earlier fear now replaced by a tentative trust. Canna smiled and gestured toward Liora, who had been watching from a distance.

"Liora will take care of you, Mira. She's really nice, and she'll make sure you're safe and comfortable. I'll be back soon, I promise."

Mira hesitated but then nodded slowly, allowing Liora to take her hand. Canna gave her a reassuring smile before standing up and turning to leave. As he walked away, he couldn't help but glance back, relieved to see that Mira was beginning to relax in Liora's care.

Canna's expression hardened as he stepped outside, waiting for Grimruk and Nyx. His earlier softness was all gone, replaced by the cold resolve of a leader who had just been reminded of the horrors that existed beyond his sanctuary. It wasn't long before Grimruk appeared, leading a group of four to five men bound by thick ropes.

Their faces were bruised, and their expressions were a mixture of fear and defiance.

Nyx slithered out of Grimruk's shadow, his presence adding an extra layer of menace to the already tense atmosphere. The black orc stepped forward, his voice low and grim. "Master, we found them in the forest, hunting down the girl. There were other children too, but…" He paused, his expression darkening. "They were all dead. Horribly.

Gutted and bashed to death. We buried them, and Nyx… he took care of the rest."

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Canna's heart clenched at the thought of the other children, innocent lives snuffed out by cruelty. He looked at the men bound before him, and his eyes narrowed, the fury within him barely contained. These men, these monsters, had committed unspeakable acts, and now they were at his mercy.

The men squirmed under Canna's gaze, but none of them spoke. Canna stepped closer, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. "You've done something unforgivable," he said, each word cutting through the silence like a blade. "And now you will answer for it."

One of the men, his courage bolstered by desperation, spat at Canna's feet. "We're from the Kingdom of Arenthia," he sneered. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

Canna's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. He knew of Arenthia, a kingdom known for its military strength and power. "Arenthia…" he murmured, his tone thoughtful. "So you think your kingdom's name will protect you?"

The man's bravado faltered slightly, but he held his ground. "You kill us, and you'll have the whole kingdom after you."

Canna's lips curved into a cold smile. "Is that so? Perhaps it's time someone dealt with Arenthia's rot. But first, I'll decide what to do with you."

He turned to Grimruk. "Take them to the holding cells. I'll deal with them later. Make sure they understand that any attempt to escape will end in death."

Grimruk nodded, yanking the men roughly as he led them away. Nyx followed, his dark eyes glowing with a predatory gleam.

As Canna watched them go inside the portal, his mind raced with thoughts of what his next move should be. The Kingdom of Arenthia… he would need to think carefully about how to proceed. But one thing was certain: he would not let this atrocity go unpunished.

For now, he needed to decide what to do with the men who had hurt Mira and the other children. The weight of his decisions bore heavily on him, but Canna was no stranger to such burdens. He would handle it—just as he always had.

But first, he needed to see Mira. He needed to make sure she was alright and to let her know that she was safe, no matter what.

As Canna turned back toward the domain, his heart ached with the knowledge of the cruelty that existed in the world. But he also felt a fierce determination. He would protect those who needed it, and he would make sure that his sanctuary remained a place of safety, peace, and justice—no matter the cost.