Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna and Kael then journeyed to the place where Stormtusk had pointed. Mortem and Vorgrim remained in Canna's shadows, ready to spring forth at a moment's notice, while Grimruk stayed back at the domain, always prepared to be summoned.

Days passed in the blink of an eye. Canna and Kael spent their nights inside the domain, where Canna could effortlessly control the weather. He ensured the nights were cool, providing them with restful sleep. They made makeshift beds with grass, finding comfort in the simplicity. The Forever Weed was proving to be incredibly effective.

They no longer needed to cut grass outside the domain, and the groundhog food supply remained stable. Canna frequently checked on the groundhogs, ensuring they were thriving. Without natural predators, except for Stormy, the groundhogs flourished, and their numbers quickly ballooned. Canna knew he would need to create another pen soon to accommodate the growing population.

While outside the domain, Canna took note of the plants and trees he would eventually transplant to his domain once he managed to revive its greenery. During their exploration, Canna and Kael encountered an interesting new monster: the Horned Hares. These creatures were essentially rabbits with horns, and their dominant color was brown. Canna saw potential in them as another prey item for his domain.

With that, Mortem's ever-growing undead army was called upon to capture all the Horned Hares in the area.

While his subordinates were on the hunt, Canna and Kael constructed makeshift pens for the hares. Fortunately, the Horned Hares fed on grass, so keeping them would not be a problem. After a full day of hunting, thousands of Horned Hares were captured. Some were notably larger and stronger, with the strongest being a low-calamity rank. Much like rabbits on Earth, their population was prolific.

Canna divided them into ten pens, each the size of ten football fields.

Creating the best environment for the Horned Hares was a meticulous task. Canna made sure each pen had numerous hides and thick logs. He harvested a variety of dead logs and leaves from the forest, bringing them into the domain to better enrich the dens of the Horned Hares.

The pens were designed to mimic the natural habitat of the hares, providing them with plenty of hiding spots and areas to forage.

Segregation was crucial for maintaining order among the hares. Canna and Kael worked diligently to separate the fighting males, the pregnant females, those with young offspring, and the juveniles. The fighting males were placed in separate pens to prevent them from harming each other. Continue your journey on m|v-l'e -NovelBin.net

The pregnant females were given spacious and secure pens where they could give birth and care for their young in peace. The mothers with their young were kept in another set of pens, ensuring the safety and growth of the next generation. Finally, the juveniles were placed in pens where they could grow and develop without the threat of aggression from the adults.

Canna meticulously designed each pen to cater to the needs of its inhabitants. The pens for the pregnant females and mothers with young were filled with soft, grassy bedding and sheltered areas to provide comfort and protection. The pens for the fighting males had reinforced barriers to prevent escape and to minimize injuries during their bouts.

The juvenile pens were designed with plenty of space and enrichment items to encourage healthy development and socialization.

As Canna oversaw the segregation and organization of the Horned Hares, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The pens were thriving ecosystems, reflecting the careful planning and effort put into creating a balanced environment. The hares adapted quickly to their new surroundings, their natural behaviors flourishing in the carefully constructed pens.

Kael watched Canna work, impressed by his dedication and attention to detail. "You really have a knack for this, Canna. The domain is becoming a true sanctuary."

Canna smiled, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. Seeing these creatures thrive gives me hope for what we can achieve."

Mortem approached, his hollow eyes reflecting approval. "Master, the hares are settling in well. Their population will be a valuable addition to our ecosystem."

Canna nodded. "Good. The more balanced our domain becomes, the better it will be for all its inhabitants."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

With the Horned Hares now integrated into the domain, Canna turned his attention back to the journey ahead. Stormtusk had directed them to this place for a reason, and he was determined to uncover the secrets that lay further in the forest.

"Kael, Mortem, let's move out," Canna said, his voice filled with determination. "There's more to discover, and I have a feeling we're just scratching the surface."

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Canna couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

_________

Deep in the forest, a fierce battle was unfolding. A lone man, resembling the very image of a barbarian from ancient tales, stood his ground against two enormous tiger-like beasts. His muscular frame was covered in tribal tattoos that seemed to pulse with an inner power, and his wild, unkempt hair added to his fearsome appearance.

In his hands, he wielded a greatsword with ease, its massive blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy.

The tiger-like beasts, each the size of a small horse, prowled around him with predatory grace. Their fur was striped in shades of deep orange and black, and their eyes glowed with a malevolent hunger. They circled the man, muscles rippling beneath their sleek coats as they prepared to strike.

The barbarian moved with a fluid grace that belied his size. With a roar, one of the beasts lunged at him, claws extended and fangs bared. The man sidestepped effortlessly, bringing his greatsword down in a sweeping arc. The blade sliced through the beast's flank, sending a spray of blood into the air.

The second beast charged from the opposite direction, but the man was ready. He slammed his free hand into the ground, and with a guttural chant, the earth responded to his call. A wall of stone erupted from the ground, intercepting the beast's attack and sending it sprawling.

The man's affinity for earth magic was evident in the way he manipulated the terrain, turning the forest itself into a weapon.

With a grunt of effort, he leapt over the stone wall and brought his greatsword crashing down onto the second beast. The blade bit deep into its flesh, and with a final, ferocious twist, he ended its life. The first beast, wounded but not defeated, tried to rise to its feet, but the man was relentless.

He raised his hand again, and the ground beneath the beast's paws turned to quicksand, trapping it in place.

The barbarian approached the struggling beast, his eyes cold and merciless. With a swift, powerful thrust, he drove his greatsword through its heart, ending the fight as quickly as it had begun. He stood over the fallen creatures, surveying his work with a satisfied nod.

Despite the ferocity of the battle, the man was not even winded. His chest heaved with the remnants of adrenaline, but there was no trace of fatigue in his eyes. He sheathed his greatsword, the blade sliding smoothly into its scabbard, and took a moment to catch his breath.

His affinity for earth magic had served him well in this fight, as it had in many others before. The tattoos on his skin seemed to glow faintly as he drew power from the earth, grounding himself in the natural energy that surrounded him.