Sanctuary: Safe Haven

After taking sufficient rest, Canna and Sygon set out once again from the sanctuary, continuing their journey across the harsh terrain.

They ran for three more days before finally reaching a valley-like area. The environment had shifted dramatically, transitioning to a borderline desert. The land was dry and barren, but here and there, patches of grass and flowers stubbornly clung to life, a stark contrast to the vibrant and lush sanctuary they had just left behind.

Sygon led the way, guiding Canna toward the place where his settlement had fallen. As they moved through the barren landscape, Noctis spoke, his voice filled with caution. "Master, my clones haven't spotted anything directly, but I can sense powerful presences nearby. I don't think we should linger here for too long."

Canna, calm as ever, responded without breaking stride. "It's fine, Noctis. We won't be staying for long. Once we find the minotaurs, we'll bring them back to the sanctuary. That's it. Just send your clones out to scout, but don't extend beyond a kilometer.

I'll handle anything else."

The tiny Noctis clone perched on Canna's shoulder nodded before flying off to continue its reconnaissance. After fifteen minutes of walking, they arrived at a wide crevice, a massive fissure in the earth. Sygon stopped and pointed downward. "It's here, Canna-sama. The settlement is down below. Can you see it?"

Canna peered into the dark abyss, using his enhanced dragonkin eyesight. He could make out faint orange glows—likely torches—but the depth was astounding, far beyond his normal range of vision, even with his enhanced senses. "That's one deep fall, Sygon," Canna muttered, impressed.

Before Sygon could respond, Canna leaped into the crevice without hesitation. "Canna-sama!" Sygon shouted, panicking as he watched his master disappear into the abyss. With no other choice, Sygon huffed and jumped in after him, his large frame falling rapidly toward the darkness below.

Canna plummeted through the air, falling for what seemed like an eternity. The distant torchlights grew closer, flickering dimly as the wind rushed past him. A minute into the fall, he activated his wind magic, slowing his descent to a graceful halt just above the ground. He landed softly, his feet touching the earth without a sound.

Above him, Sygon's large frame was still hurtling toward the ground. "Oh, right. I forgot about you," Canna mused with a smirk. He attempted to use his wind magic to slow Sygon's fall, but the minotaur's sheer size and weight made it difficult. The best Canna could do was reduce the impact, but even then, Sygon crashed into the ground with a thunderous thud, sending dust and debris flying.

As the dust settled, Canna turned his attention to the surroundings. They were no longer alone. Standing in the shadows of the crevice were dozens of minotaurs, each towering over Canna at 4-5 meters in height. Some were even larger, close to 6 or 7 meters, their hulking frames casting long, menacing shadows across the rocky ground. However, despite their size, it was clear that something was wrong.

The minotaurs were thin, emaciated—shadows of their former selves. Their ribs were visible through their skin, and their once-mighty muscles had withered from malnutrition.

Several of the minotaurs carried large axes and halberds, their weapons gleaming dimly in the torchlight. They moved cautiously toward Canna and Sygon, their eyes filled with suspicion and fear. The largest of the group pointed his halberd toward them, ready to attack.

Before the tension could escalate further, Sygon rose from the ground and called out to his people, his voice echoing through the crevice. "My people! I have returned! And I've brought us our savior!"

A murmur spread through the crowd, followed by a few tentative cheers. Relief and hope washed over the gathered minotaurs as they recognized Sygon, their lost clan member. Canna, still standing at the center of the crowd, glanced around, observing them more closely. These were warriors, proud and strong, but their starvation had taken a toll.

Their once-majestic horns were chipped, and their fur, though thick, was matted and dirty from the harsh conditions they had endured.

Suddenly, a loud, resounding sound came from deep within the settlement, a guttural bellow that sent a shiver down everyone's spine. The minotaurs froze, fear creeping into their expressions. Even Sygon, who had stood tall moments ago, instinctively lowered his head in submission.

Out of the shadows, a massive figure emerged. Standing at least 7 meters tall, the creature dwarfed the other minotaurs. His horns were adorned with chains and sharp metal ornaments, his muscular body covered in thick, intricately designed armor. His fur was a deep, dark shade, almost black, with streaks of silver running down his powerful arms and legs.

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous intelligence, and his presence radiated raw power. This was no ordinary minotaur.

This was Astraeus, the champion of the minotaurs.

His armor clinked as he walked forward, each step reverberating through the ground like the approach of an ancient beast. His axe, far larger than any other weapon in the settlement, was adorned with glowing red runes that pulsed like embers from a forge.

The air around him seemed to ripple with an oppressive energy, and every minotaur in the vicinity dropped their heads in reverence and submission, including Sygon.

"Astraeus..." Sygon whispered, his voice barely audible. There was no mistaking the fear and awe in his tone. Astraeus was the strongest among them, the undisputed leader of the fallen minotaur tribe.

As Astraeus approached, he stopped a few feet away from Canna, his glowing red eyes locking onto the smaller figure before him. The two stood in silence for a moment, sizing each other up. There was no mistaking the difference in size, but Canna's confident stance made it clear that he was not intimidated by the towering minotaur.

"Sygon," Astraeus rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "You have returned... and you bring with you a stranger. Is this the savior you speak of?"

Sygon, still bowing his head, responded with a shaky voice. "Yes, Astraeus. This is Canna-sama. He has come to help us, to save our people."

Astraeus snorted, his breath visible in the cool air. His gaze shifted back to Canna, narrowing slightly as he studied the man standing before him. For a moment, it seemed as though Astraeus was contemplating whether or not to attack, but then, without warning, he lowered his massive axe to the ground, the blade sinking slightly into the earth.

The tension in the air remained thick, but the gesture was a clear sign of acknowledgment. Astraeus had accepted Canna's presence, at least for now.

The champion of the minotaurs had arrived, and the fate of the tribe now hung in the balance.