Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna stepped out of his domain and back into the ruins of Avaloria. The once-thriving kingdom now lay in ashes, its buildings reduced to rubble and its streets littered with the remnants of lives lost. As he surveyed the desolation, a deep sorrow welled up within him.

He knew he had to leave soon, to continue his journey and fulfill the promises he had made, but there was one last thing he needed to do before he could move on.

He summoned all available people from his sanctuary—barbarians, Verdant Wardens, and his trusted subordinates. Mortem, Vorgrim, Flora, and Grimruk were there, ready to lend their strength. Even Stormtusk, with his towering presence, and Nyx, the shadow bear, had stepped out of the sanctuary. They knew the weight of the task ahead and understood the importance of what Canna was about to do.

Canna's voice, though calm, carried the weight of his grief and determination. "Collect all the corpses," he commanded. "Make a big enough hole. We're going to bury them."

There was no hesitation in his orders, and none among his followers questioned him. They understood the need for this final act of respect, this last attempt to give peace to the souls who had suffered such a cruel fate.

Half a day was spent in solemn labor. The air was thick with the scent of death, drawing monsters from the nearby forests and mountains. But Stormtusk, Nyx, and the undead army stood vigilant, guarding the borders and fending off any threats that dared to approach.

The massive thunder mammoth, Stormtusk, let out low, rumbling trumpets that echoed through the ruins, serving as both a warning to the beasts and a reassurance to those working that they were protected.

Canna himself was not idle. He moved through the ruins with a heavy heart, gathering the remains of those who had fallen. Each body he found—whether burned, broken, or buried under debris—he handled with care, as if he were laying down a comrade for the last time. His hands were steady, but his heart ached with each life lost.

He was a Harbinger, a figure often associated with destruction, but today he was the bringer of peace, offering what little solace he could to the dead.

Flora and the Verdant Wardens used their magic to clear the debris and find the bodies hidden beneath the rubble. Their connection to nature allowed them to sense the presence of life—or in this case, the absence of it—guiding them to where the remains lay. With gentle hands and mournful expressions, they lifted the bodies and laid them to rest in the growing pit.

Grimruk, with his immense strength, carried the heaviest burdens—those whose bodies had been crushed under the weight of collapsing buildings. His normally fierce expression was tempered with a rare gentleness as he placed each body down with reverence. Vorgrim, worked tirelessly alongside him, his usual battle-hardened demeanor softened by the solemnity of the task.

Mortem, ever the necromancer, used his powers in a different way today. He guided the spirits that lingered, those too lost or too traumatized to move on, helping them find their way to the afterlife. His normally eerie presence was instead a source of comfort, his whispered words easing the spirits' passage.

Kael coordinated the efforts, his sharp mind ensuring that every part of Avaloria was searched and that no body was left behind. His heart was heavy with the loss of the kingdom he once served, but he channeled that grief into action, ensuring that Canna's final act of respect was carried out perfectly.

As the sun began to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows over the ruins, the final body was laid in the massive pit. The silence that followed was profound, broken only by the distant calls of monsters kept at bay by Stormtusk and Nyx.

Canna stood at the edge of the pit, looking down at the countless bodies that filled it. His heart was heavy, but there was a sense of closure in this act. He nodded his head and the barbarians all stood at the ends of the pit and raised their hands, with a slow, deliberate motion, began to close the pit.

The earth responded to their will, shifting and moving to cover the bodies, sealing them in their final resting place.

When the pit was finally closed, Canna remained standing there for a long moment, his head bowed in silent prayer or contemplation. He felt the weight of every life lost, the burden of the promises he had made to protect those who could not protect themselves. But in this moment, he also felt a quiet resolve, a determination to ensure that such a tragedy would never happen again.

The others gathered around him, their expressions solemn. There were no words exchanged; none were needed. They had all felt the loss, and they all shared in the resolve to honor the dead by continuing the fight for the living.

Canna finally lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the assembled group. "Thank you," he said simply, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you all for helping to give them the peace they deserve."

There was a collective nod from his followers, each one acknowledging the importance of what they had done. Even Stormtusk and Nyx seemed to understand, their usually fierce eyes softened with understanding.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, casting the ruins of Avaloria in twilight, Canna turned away from the burial site. The time for mourning was over. Now, it was time to act, to take the next step in his journey and ensure that the tragedy of Avaloria would not be repeated.

With one last look at the ruins, Canna and his companions returned to the sanctuary, ready to continue their mission. The dead were at peace, but the living still needed protection, and Canna was more determined than ever to provide it.

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While Canna and his companions were tending to the dead in Avaloria, Mira remained in the sanctuary, her young mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. She had sensed the heaviness in Canna's heart when he left, and it weighed on her as well. To distract herself, Mira spent her time playing with the horned hares and the green groundhogs.

The little beasts, now more accustomed to her presence, nuzzled against her, their soft fur a comforting distraction. But even as she laughed and played, a part of her longed for Canna's return, hoping that when he did, the sadness she had seen in his eyes would be gone.

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