Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna and Sygon had been running for half a day. By the time they decided to stop, the sun was dipping below the horizon, and the first stars of the evening began to twinkle in the sky. In truth, they could have kept going, but Sygon had advised Canna to halt.

"We're already out of Kharath's borders," Sygon rumbled, his deep voice breaking the silence. "This marsh ahead... it's where I fought a strong foe before. See that gloomy forest beyond it?" He pointed to a shadowy thicket that seemed to stretch endlessly. "It connects to a smaller forest, and in there are four dungeons—middle-sized but deadly.

Many have ventured there, thinking they'd strike it rich, but none ever come back. The monsters overwhelmed them, tore them apart. It's not a jackpot; it's a deathtrap." He paused, his gaze hardening as he stared into the ominous marshland. "People from Kharath still head there to harvest mana cores, but it's infested—overrun with creatures fighting among themselves for territory.

They're endless, it seems."

Sygon turned to Canna. "I advise we detour. It's not impossible to cross, but it'll take time. The monsters will slow us down, and the terrain is treacherous."

But Canna was smiling, and it threw Sygon off guard. "Canna-sama... why are you smiling?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Canna replied with a glint in his eye. "Noctis, do your thing."

A small clone of Noctis appeared from Canna's shadow and swiftly flew into the air, darting over the marsh to scout ahead.

"We're a growing sanctuary, Sygon," Canna explained. "If this place is crawling with monsters, then it's also crawling with mana cores, right?"

Sygon nodded slowly, realizing what Canna was thinking.

"Then it's time for a hunt," Canna said, his grin widening. He spoke to Mortem, who had been silently observing through the shadows. "Mortem, send word to the sanctuary. It's time to hunt."

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Back at the sanctuary, the night was serene. The moon bathed the landscape in a soft glow, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, cool but not cold. The refugees were resting peacefully, but soon, they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps—first distant, then growing louder.

Confusion spread among the newcomers as they watched sanctuary warriors running through the fields, weapons in hand, forming up into organized ranks.

Panic started to rise among the refugees until Flora's soothing voice echoed through the air. "Worry not, people. There's nothing to fear. It's just that Canna-sama has found a good spot for the hunt! Just ignore them and rest."

The refugees sighed in relief, though curiosity lingered. Warriors and beasts alike were assembling, their faces alight with excitement. Even the recently rescued warriors and sentient beasts were watching in confusion.

"Are they... going to battle?" one of the newly arrived warriors, a scarred man with battle-hardened features, muttered.

"No," another replied, pointing at the two massive wolves—Zephyros and Solara—who had appeared alongside Terrorfang the giant crimson gorilla. "Nothing simple... but they're definitely preparing for something serious."

"Shouldn't we help?" another warrior asked, clearly intrigued. "We swore our loyalty, after all."

The griffin and the stone-skinned behemoth exchanged glances, their keen eyes fixed on the bustling warriors. The multi-limbed insect-like creature, towering over the group, clacked its mandibles in anticipation. Even they could sense the excitement in the air.

Just then, a teenage boy holding a blazing mace bounded toward them, his face alight with enthusiasm. "Aren't you going?" he called out, barely containing his energy.

"Go where?" the scarred warrior asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

The boy grinned. "Oh, right! You guys are new, so you don't know about 'The Hunt.' It's simple—Canna-sama travels all over, and whenever he finds a place swarming with monsters, he sends us in to clear it out. The goal is to kill as many monsters as possible and collect mana cores. We get points for kills, but only if they're of the same rank. Collecting mana cores will give you some extra points too."

"And what happens if we win?" one of the beastkin warriors asked, intrigued by the boy's energy.

"If you win, you get to ask for whatever you want!" the boy beamed. "You can request a custom weapon or armor from the dwarves, or even ask to join Canna-sama on one of his journeys. The top hunter gets the best reward."

Without another word, the boy ran off, quickly joining the others who were filing into formation.

The newly arrived warriors looked at each other, determination flashing in their eyes. The chance to prove themselves had come. Without hesitation, they joined the ranks, ready for whatever this 'Hunt' had in store.

Behind them, the beasts—griffin, stone-skinned behemoth, and insect-like creature—followed. They had pledged their loyalty to Canna, and this was their chance to demonstrate it. The griffin's powerful wings stretched wide, the behemoth's massive frame rumbled as it moved, and the insect creature's multiple limbs flexed, prepared for the chaos that lay ahead.

As they marched behind the sanctuary's guardians, they felt the weight of their promise. They had been given freedom, and now, they would fight to ensure that same freedom remained. Whatever Canna's cause, they had felt the warmth of the sanctuary—the peace, the protection—and they would do whatever it took to preserve it. This was their new home, and they would defend it with their lives.

The Hunt had begun.

Back at the marsh, Canna stood with Sygon, both of them watching Noctis' clone flit back and forth, delivering real-time information about the terrain and the monsters ahead. Sygon was still amazed at how efficiently the sanctuary operated. Canna's forces were already assembling, ready to sweep through the monster-infested marsh.

"They're eager," Canna said, glancing at Sygon. "The sanctuary thrives on these hunts. It strengthens our warriors, brings in resources, and reminds us why we fight—to protect what we have."

Sygon nodded, impressed. The sanctuary was more than just a safe haven; it was an ever-growing force, prepared to face anything. And now, he would watch those people in action.

"Are you ready?" Canna asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Sygon gripped his axe tightly, his eyes focused on the marsh ahead. "Always, Canna-sama. Let's show them what we can do."
Your journey continues on empire

And with that, they prepared, ready to attack the marsh once Noctis has mapped it out.