Sanctuary: Safe Haven

As Canna and his companions settled back into the dungeon, still basking in the aftermath of their recent victory, an unseen threat began to stir. Unknown to Canna, the two true-transcendent beings who had escaped during the battle were part of a larger, secretive organization—an ancient faction known as "The Veiled Order," which sought to control the balance of power in Sepra.

The Veiled Order had been targeting the kingdom of Avaloria for some time, drawn by its unique strategic location. The kingdom's isolation made it an ideal target, as reinforcements from neighboring regions would be delayed, making it vulnerable to a decisive strike.

The faction's plan to weaken Avaloria through continuous monster attacks had been progressing smoothly, and they were on the cusp of their final phase: the complete annihilation of the kingdom and its inhabitants. However, Canna's unexpected intervention had upended their carefully laid plans.

In a hidden sanctuary, cloaked in darkness and protected by powerful wards, the leaders of The Veiled Order convened to discuss how to address this new threat. The sanctuary was a place of shadows, where the air itself seemed thick with secrecy and dark intent. At the head of the assembly sat the elders, their faces obscured by hoods, their eyes glinting with malice and intelligence.

Among the members were Seraphis, a cunning and ruthless leader known for her mastery of illusion and manipulation, and Darius, a warrior with a fearsome reputation and unmatched combat skills. These two had narrowly escaped the battle, using powerful artifacts to teleport away. Now, they stood before the elders, recounting the events and emphasizing the need for swift action.

"HOW DARE HE?! HOW DARE HE! WE SPENT A MOUNTAIN OF RESOURCES FOR THAT ARMY, YEARS!!! YEARS AND YEARS WE HAVE PREPARED, ALL SPENT AND WASTED IN JUST ONE MISSION?!" an elder bellowed, his voice reverberating through the chamber. His eyes, burning with fury, were fixed on Seraphis and Darius.

Darius spoke, his tone apologetic. "I apologize, Elder. We didn't know who it was. We feared it might be a demigod, and we didn't want to risk capture or interrogation. I made the call to teleport away."

The elder's eyes narrowed, his expression filled with disdain. "YOU?! Are you not a warrior? Are you not ashamed of running? You incompetent imbecile, where will we find the resources to rebuild such an army? Do you have any idea of what we have lost?!"

Seraphis and Darius could only lower their heads in shame as the elder's reprimands echoed in their ears. They had made a strategic decision to flee, fearing that confronting the unknown power could lead to their capture or worse. Seraphis had sensed a powerful presence approaching even before Canna arrived—a presence so overwhelming that she assumed it was a demigod.

When Canna appeared, accompanied by the red portal leaking immense mana, her fears seemed confirmed.

It wasn't just Canna's arrival that had unnerved her; it was the sheer amount of mana emanating from the portal itself. Seraphis, a true-transcendent and master of illusions, had hidden herself and Darius well, but she knew that only a being of equal or greater power could have detected them.

Unbeknownst to her, Canna's keen dragonkin senses had allowed him to perceive their presence, prompting their hasty retreat.

"Now, now, Galvis," another elder interjected, his voice calm but authoritative. "What's done is done. There's no point in dwelling on the past. We must move forward. Summon the entire faction; we need every available resource to gather information about this man. The possibility of a demigod wandering this region is troubling, and we must be prepared to deal with it.

Until we have more information, all major operations are on hold."

Seraphis and Darius nodded, quickly moving to summon their subordinates. They were determined to reclaim their lost honor and prove their worth to the Order.

As Seraphis and Darius left, the remaining elders continued their discussion. "Elder Galvis," one began, "based on the reports, the figure wielded a crimson scythe with tremendous power. There's only one weapon that matches that description in our records: the Bloodfang Scythe. Could it be...?"

Galvis, now calmer, leaned back in his chair, pondering the implications. "The Bloodfang Scythe... it was reported missing after its last wielder disappeared into a dungeon. Could someone have obtained it? The scythe is said to be a weapon of immense power, capable of slaying even gods if wielded by the right master. How could it have resurfaced here, in such a remote region?"

The elders fell silent, their minds racing with possibilities and concerns. They didn't know who or what Canna was, but one thing was certain: he had dared to interfere with their plans, and for that, he would pay. The Veiled Order would do whatever it took to repay this affront tenfold, to protect their interests and maintain their power in Sepra.

__________________

Meanwhile, Canna, the so-called intruder sought by The Veiled Order, stood at the bottom of the dungeon, eyes wide with astonishment. His mouth hung open as he took in the vast, desolate landscape before him.

"W-what is this?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend what he saw. Stretching out in every direction was a barren wasteland, dry and lifeless. The ground beneath his feet was parched and cracked, devoid of any sign of life. As he floated higher into the sky, the vastness of the desolation became even more apparent. No matter where he looked, there was nothing but endless, arid land.

Canna's dragonkin eyesight allowed him to see far and wide, yet all he saw was this empty expanse. The sheer scale of the wasteland left him feeling small and overwhelmed. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant and chaotic battlefield he had just left.

"This is my domain," a familiar voice echoed in his mind, breaking the silence. It was Tonitrum, speaking to him telepathically. "I never had much use for it, which is why it looks like this. But now, it will be my third gift to you. All of it is yours."

Canna's astonishment grew. An entire realm, a domain of his own—this was beyond anything he had ever imagined. The possibilities of what he could do with such a place began to swirl in his mind. It was a blank canvas, waiting for him to shape and mold it into something new.

"Yours to transform, to build, to command," Tonitrum continued. "Consider it a test of your vision and power. Whatever you wish to create here, you have my blessing. Make it a sanctuary, a fortress, or a kingdom—the choice is yours."

Canna felt a surge of excitement and a deep sense of responsibility wash over him. This was more than just a gift; it was a unique opportunity to realize his dream of creating a sanctuary. The barren wasteland, now his to command, represented a blank canvas where he could build something lasting and meaningful.

It could become a refuge for the lost, a stronghold of peace and protection amidst the turmoil of Sepra. As the enormity of the gift sank in, Canna's mind raced with possibilities. This land was the foundation for a new chapter in his journey—a chapter brimming with potential and the promise of transforming chaos into a haven of order and safety.

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