Sanctuary: Safe Haven

A whole day had passed since Canna and his companions began their desperate search through the ruins of Avaloria. Every single person, from the mightiest of Canna's subordinates to the smallest of the Verdant Wardens, combed through the charred remnants of the once-great kingdom, hoping against hope to find some sign of life. Yet despite all their efforts, there was nothing.

Not a single living soul had survived the carnage. The silence of the dead kingdom weighed heavily on everyone.

Frustration gnawed at Canna's heart like a relentless beast. He had been so sure that they could save someone—anyone—but now it seemed that all their efforts were in vain. Desperation drove him to summon Mortem's collection of undead, their spectral forms spreading out to cover even more ground in their search.

Canna gave the order to scour every nook and cranny of Avaloria, leaving no stone unturned. This kingdom was vast, and he refused to leave until they had searched every last inch.

As the hours dragged on, the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the devastated land. But still, there was no sign of life, only the charred remains of what once was. Corpses, burned beyond recognition, littered the streets, their final moments of terror frozen in time.

Monsters, drawn by the scent of death, scavenged what little was left, their presence a grim reminder of the kingdom's fall.

Canna found himself sitting on the scorched earth, his strength and hope ebbing away with each passing moment. He looked up at the sky, the once vibrant blue now a dull, lifeless gray, as if the heavens themselves were mourning the loss of Avaloria. A sense of helplessness washed over him, the weight of his failure pressing down like a crushing burden.

This was the first kingdom he had ever been a part of. And now, it was gone—destroyed before his very eyes.

Flora approached him quietly, her voice soft and gentle, yet laced with sorrow. "Master, there really is no one alive. I've used my spells to search even the farthest villages, but it's all the same… death, destruction. Avaloria is… wiped from the map." Her words were like a final nail in the coffin, sealing the fate of the once-proud kingdom.

Canna nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on the sky. He knew she was right, but the reality of it all was too much to bear. He could barely bring himself to speak as he thanked everyone for their efforts. Summoning a portal, he ordered the warriors to return to the sanctuary. One by one, the barbarians and Verdant Wardens stepped through, their spirits as crushed as the ruins they left behind.

Kael lingered behind, sensing Canna's deep despair. He walked over and sat down beside him, the silence between them heavy with unspoken grief. "There's nothing we can do now, Canna. Nothing," Kael said quietly, his voice devoid of its usual energy. He glanced at Canna, noticing the sound of water hitting the ground.

At first, he thought it was the beginning of rain, but when he looked up, the sky was dry. It was only when he looked back at Canna that he realized the truth—Canna was crying.

Tears streamed down Canna's face, his usually strong and determined features softened by the overwhelming sadness he felt. "The reason I wanted to get stronger was to build a sanctuary," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "To save people who can't save themselves. But I failed, Kael. I failed to show up when it mattered the most."

Canna's tears fell faster, mixing with the soot and ashes that covered the ground. "Can you imagine what they went through? The pain, the sorrow, seeing their loved ones die… And I wasn't there to stop it. I wasn't there to protect them." His voice broke as he buried his face in his hands, his body wracked with sobs.

Kael didn't know what to say. What could he say? The loss was immeasurable, and the pain in Canna's heart was something no words could heal. Instead, he simply reached out and placed a comforting hand on Canna's back, offering what little solace he could.

The two sat there in silence, surrounded by the ruins of Avaloria, sharing in the grief that hung in the air like a shroud. It was a moment of vulnerability for Canna, a reminder that even the strongest of leaders could feel the weight of loss. And in that moment, Kael saw not just a harbinger or a leader, but a man burdened by the responsibility of the lives he could not save.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in shades of orange and red, Canna finally wiped his tears away. He stood slowly, his resolve hardening once more. There would be time to grieve later. But for now, he had to be strong—for those who were still alive, for those who were counting on him to lead them.

Canna returned to the sanctuary, where Mira and Stormbringer were waiting. Mira, sensing Canna's sadness, wrapped her small arms around his neck in a comforting hug, her presence a balm to his wounded heart. Stormbringer, too, seemed to sense Canna's pain, nudging him gently with his massive snout.

Canna smiled faintly at the two, their innocent concern bringing a measure of peace to his troubled soul.

He spent the rest of the evening with Mira and Stormbringer, letting their simple joys and playful energy lift his spirits. The little beastkin girl had grown attached to Canna, and seeing her smile brought warmth to his heart. Stormbringer, with his towering form and youthful curiosity, played along, his deep, rumbling laughter filling the air as he gently teased Mira with his tail.

As the night wore on, Canna felt a renewed sense of purpose begin to take root in his heart. The pain of Avaloria's loss would never fully fade, but he couldn't let it paralyze him. He had a mission—a dream of building a sanctuary where no one would have to suffer such a fate ever again.

Canna looked down at Mira, who had fallen asleep against his chest, and then up at the stars twinkling in the sky. He knew what he had to do next. The Kingdom of Arenthia, he still had something to settle ther.

With a final, deep breath, Canna made a silent vow to the stars. He would protect those who could not protect themselves. He would build his sanctuary, no matter how many obstacles stood in his way. And he would make sure that no one else ever had to experience the kind of loss and pain that Avaloria had suffered.

It was time to move forward. The next step in his journey awaited, and Canna was ready to face it head-on.

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