Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna teleported out of the meeting room and landed atop Stormbringer, the massive dragon beneath him causing the ground to tremble with each of its colossal breaths. A wide grin spread across Canna's face as he gazed down at his youngest and most formidable companion.

"Stormy! You're awake now! You look bigger than before! How was your nap?" Canna called out, his voice filled with excitement.

Indeed, Stormbringer had grown significantly during his slumber. The mighty dragon now towered over the landscape at an imposing 190 feet tall. His scales, a mesmerizing blend of deep crimson and shadowy black, glistened in the sunlight like molten metal. Each scale was sharp and angular, fitting together in a pattern that resembled living armor. Find adventures at мѵʟ

The spikes running down his spine and along his tail were jagged and menacing, each one tipped with a darker shade of black that seemed to absorb the light around them. His wings, vast and powerful, stretched wide, casting an enormous shadow over the land.

All around the sanctuary, the Verdant Wardens, barbarians, and every other creature felt a primal fear gripping their hearts. Their instincts screamed at them to flee, to escape the presence of this apex predator, this embodiment of draconic power. Even the mightiest warriors among the barbarians, who had faced countless dangers, found themselves trembling uncontrollably.

The air was thick with the scent of fear, and the silence that followed Stormbringer's awakening was deafening.

Before panic could fully set in, Canna raised his hand, and a soothing aura spread out from him, calming the nerves of all those present. The sanctuary, though filled with beings of strength and power, recognized the supreme dominance of the creature now standing among them.

Stormy let out a mighty roar, one that shook the very earth and caused the trees to sway as if caught in a violent storm. The sound was so powerful that it made the air vibrate, and those within earshot instinctively clapped their hands over their ears to shield themselves from the overwhelming noise.

Canna, however, simply floated up to Stormbringer's eye level, his expression one of understanding and affection.

"Listen, Stormy, your casual roar is actually pretty loud with your size," Canna chuckled, patting the massive dragon on the side of his head. "You're hungry, right? I've got the perfect appetizer for you."

Stormbringer hummed in response, the deep rumble reverberating through the ground like an earthquake. The land vibrated with his simple hum, as though the very earth itself was responding to the dragon's immense power. Canna, still seated atop Stormy's gigantic head, turned his gaze back to the sanctuary.

"Grimruk! Bring me Stormy's appetizer," Canna commanded, his voice carrying authority that brooked no delay.

The prisoners bound by Grimruk's rope, already terrified out of their wits, broke down completely at Canna's words. Some of them even lost control of their bladders, the realization of their impending fate pushing them to the brink of madness. Their eyes, wide with fear, darted from Canna to the massive dragon looming over them, their minds unable to fully comprehend the terror that awaited them.

Meanwhile, Flora, the rest of the Verdant Wardens, and all the barbarians stood in stunned silence. They had never before witnessed such a display of raw, overwhelming power. Though they were beings of considerable strength themselves, the presence of Stormbringer was something entirely different.

This was a dragon—a creature of legend and nightmare, and an apex predator whose very existence exuded domination. Even the most seasoned warriors among the barbarians felt their hands trembling on their weapons, their instincts urging them to flee from this ancient beast.

Stormbringer's physical features were beyond anything they had imagined. His eyes, glowing with a fierce red light, seemed to pierce through the soul of anyone who met his gaze. His teeth, sharp and glistening, were as long as a man's arm, each one capable of ripping through flesh and bone with great ease.

His claws, dark and menacing, dug into the ground with a force that left deep gouges in the earth, and his wings, when spread wide, cast a shadow so large it seemed to cover the entire sanctuary.

Kael, noticing the fear gripping those around him, stepped forward, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry, that's Canna's first tamed creature. He's not a threat to us. Believe it or not, that dragon is still young—very young. And he only listens to Canna. If I were you, I'd start readying those big groundhogs.

I believe Stormbringer is quite hungry."

The Verdant Wardens and barbarians exchanged uneasy glances, but Kael's words had a calming effect. Slowly, they began to move, preparing the groundhogs as instructed. Yet, even as they busied themselves, their eyes kept darting back to Stormbringer, the instinctual fear still lingering despite Kael's reassurances.

Stormbringer's appetite was legendary. As an apex dragon, he required vast amounts of sustenance to fuel his enormous body and boundless energy. The groundhogs, plump and plentiful, were perfect for satisfying his hunger, and preparations were made to ensure that the dragon would have his fill.

But before the feast could begin, Grimruk appeared, dragging the terrified prisoners behind him. Their pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as they were thrown to the ground before Stormbringer. Canna remained silent, his expression hard and unyielding.

The dragon's massive eyes fixed on the pitiful humans, and he let out another low growl, one that made the ground shake and the air around them thrum with energy.

Stormbringer lowered his head slightly, his nostrils flaring as he took in the scent of the prisoners. The sheer terror emanating from them was almost palpable, and the dragon's eyes narrowed with a predatory gleam.

Canna, still seated atop Stormy, looked down at the prisoners with a cold, detached expression. "You were given a chance," he said, his voice devoid of sympathy. "But now, you will serve as nourishment for my companion. Consider it a mercy that your end comes quickly."

The prisoners' screams filled the air as Stormbringer opened his jaws wide, revealing rows of gleaming, razor-sharp teeth. With a swift motion, he snapped up the first of the prisoners, silencing their cries in an instant. The rest of the captives could do nothing but watch in horror as they were fed to the dragon, their fates sealed.

As the last of the prisoners met their end, the Verdant Wardens and barbarians looked on in a mixture of awe and fear. The spectacle they had just witnessed was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a reminder of the true power that Canna wielded.

Yet, there was also a strange sense of relief among them—relief that the threat had been dealt with, and that Canna's control over Stormbringer remained absolute.

Canna patted Stormbringer's head as the dragon finished his meal. "Good boy, Stormy. I hope that satisfied you for now. We'll get you something more substantial soon."

Stormbringer let out a contented rumble, his massive tail swaying slightly as he settled back down. The groundhogs were brought forth, and as they were released, the dragon eagerly began to consume them, his hunger temporarily sated.

The sanctuary, though still under the shadow of fear from witnessing Stormbringer's power, slowly returned to its usual rhythm. The presence of the dragon was a reminder of the strength that protected them, and as Canna watched over his domain, he knew that with Stormbringer by his side, no threat could stand against them.