Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna stood in the middle of the sanctuary, surrounded by the most important figures in his domain. He had summoned Flora, the Verdant Warden elders, Tiberius, Vorak, and Liora. They were the ones who had yet to meet Stormbringer up close, and Canna had decided that it was time for an impromptu meeting.

Mira, as always, was with Canna, perched comfortably on his shoulders, while Nyx, ever the protector, hid quietly in Mira's shadows.

"Okay, everyone," Canna began, his voice carrying a mix of pride and excitement. "It's time for you to personally meet my first tamed creature, the first line of defense in our Sanctuary—Stormbringer."

On cue, Stormbringer let out a deafening roar that echoed across the sanctuary, shaking the very ground beneath them. He then aimed a focused thunder breath into the sky, a powerful blast of energy that caused the clouds to part as if the heavens themselves were making way for the mighty dragon.

Stormbringer unfurled his massive wings, stretching them wide until they nearly covered the entire sanctuary. As he did so, he released just a fraction of his aura, a subtle but undeniable display of power that left everyone in awe.

The gathered leaders couldn't help but stare in amazement. The sheer size and strength of Stormbringer were enough to make even the bravest warriors feel a hint of intimidation. His scales, a mix of crimson and shadowy black, shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting his immense power.

The dragon's eyes, glowing with a fierce red light, scanned the group with an intelligence that made it clear he understood much more than just commands. Read exclusive chapters at мѵʟ

Canna chuckled at their reactions. "His nickname is Stormy, and he's actually quite the sleepyhead. He needs a lot of rest to grow into his full form. He's still just a tiny dragon, after all."

The irony of Canna's words wasn't lost on anyone as they looked at the colossal dragon that could likely level entire kingdoms if he so desired.

Canna then turned to Kael, who was standing nearby. "Kael, what's our current running population for the groundhogs and prey animals now?"

Kael, ever the diligent overseer, stepped forward with his report. "After Stormy ate half of the population, we still have 12,324 groundhogs left. The birds that recently entered the sanctuary have been quite the greedy bunch, but thanks to their appetite, the horned hares population is back under 20,000. We're still doing well on the forever weed, so we're in pretty good shape overall."

Canna nodded in approval. "Good to hear. And what's our current progress with the sanctuary as a whole?"

Kael hesitated, scratching his head awkwardly. "Uhmm... You really want to hear it?"

Canna sighed, recognizing Kael's reluctance. "Well, if you're hesitating, it must be pretty bad. But I need to hear it anyway. Go on."

Kael took a deep breath before delivering the news. "The sanctuary's progress to date is... well, let's just say it's slow. The revitalization efforts are still a work in progress:

"In the north, codename Arctic, where we plan to have the snowy regions, the lands are still 100% barren and empty. In the west, codename Azure, where the ocean should be, the lands there are also still 100% barren. In the east, codename Verdant Peaks, where the mountains will eventually rise, the lands remain 100% barren.

In the south, codename Sahara, where we envision the desert, it's also 100% barren. Lastly, the center of the sanctuary where we all reside, codename Amazon, is 89% barren. The Verdant Wardens are working tirelessly, but the lands are just too vast, and we're still lacking in manpower."

The news was sobering. Canna sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he absorbed the reality of the situation. Although he had known the revitalization process would be slow, he hadn't expected progress to be this limited. Yet, despite the overwhelming task ahead, he remained undeterred.

He looked around at the gathered leaders and could see the concern in their eyes. But beneath that concern, he also saw determination—a willingness to continue pushing forward despite the odds.

"Don't worry," Canna said, his voice steady and reassuring. "These things take time. We're dealing with an enormous task here, and there's no shortcut to success. But the good news is, we have something that most others don't—time. The sanctuary isn't going anywhere, and neither are we. So we'll keep working at it, little by little, until this place is the paradise we've all envisioned."

The words seemed to lift the spirits of those present. They knew Canna was right; they had time on their side, and they had already come so far together. This was just another challenge to overcome.

Vorak, the barbarian chief, nodded in agreement. "We've faced worse odds before, and we'll face them again. But we're strong, and we're united. With your leadership, Canna, and the strength of our combined forces, we'll see this sanctuary thrive."

Flora, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "The Verdant Wardens are committed to this cause, Canna. We will continue our work, and we'll find a way to bring life to every corner of this domain. You've given us a home, and we'll repay that gift by helping you realize your dream."

Canna smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Flora. Thank you all. Your dedication means everything to me. And I promise you, we'll see this through to the end."

The meeting continued for a short while longer, with discussions about the various needs of the sanctuary and plans for how to tackle the remaining barren lands. Canna listened to each suggestion and concern, weighing them carefully and offering his own insights.

But even as they spoke, Canna couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen. He had been sensing Stormtusk's presence for days now, and the feeling had only grown stronger. Stormtusk, the great Thunder Mammoth, was close—closer than ever before. It was only a matter of time before the mighty beast and his herd entered the sanctuary.

Finally, as the meeting drew to a close, Canna stood and addressed the group one last time. "Everyone, I want to thank you for your continued efforts. I know the road ahead is long, but together, we'll make this sanctuary everything we've dreamed of. And speaking of dreams, I believe it's time for one of our most important inhabitants to finally enter the sanctuary."

He paused, letting the anticipation build. "I can feel Stormtusk is near. It's time for him to join us in this new home."

With that, the meeting was officially concluded. The leaders dispersed, each with their own tasks and responsibilities. But as they left, there was a sense of excitement in the air—a feeling that something monumental was about to happen.

Canna remained for a moment, staring out over the sanctuary. It was still far from complete, but it was his. And with each passing day, it was becoming more and more the sanctuary he had always envisioned.

As he turned to leave, he couldn't help but smile. Stormtusk was coming, and with him, the sanctuary would take another step closer to becoming the safe haven it was meant to be.