Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The sanctuary was truly a marvel, divided into five distinct regions, each designed to provide homes for different creatures and races. The northern part, known as the Arctic, was a land of snow and ice, designed for creatures that thrived in cold climates.

In the west, Canna had named the region Azure, a massive, boundless sea that welcomed oceanic creatures who lived entirely in the depths of the water. To the south was the Sahara, a desert expanse filled with oases, perfect for those who favored scorching heat and sun. These regions, though designed and named, were still largely barren. Canna had not yet dedicated his time to their revitalization.

Instead, his focus had been on two other regions. The Verdant Peaks, a towering, forested area with three massive mountains and colossal trees, was designated as a sanctuary for creatures that were simply too large for the general population. The Peaks boasted mountains taller than Mount Everest and valleys that ran deep and rich.

Yet, the Verdant Peaks was only about 62% revitalized—there was still much to be done to bring this area to its full potential.

But the true gem of the sanctuary, the area into which Canna had poured his blood, sweat, and tears, was the Amazon. This vast area stretched for over 35.75 million square kilometers—almost the size of Asia itself—and consisted of marshes, swamps, rivers, lakes, jungles, and dense forests.

After many arduous battles and careful planning, the Amazon had finally reached 100% revitalization and now housed millions of creatures, including 10 million gentle Blossom Shells grazing peacefully. Today, it was about to welcome a new race: the minotaurs.

As Astraeus and the minotaurs stepped through the red portal into the Amazon, they were struck speechless. Eyes widened in amazement, some of the minotaurs even dropped to their knees, their legs shaking beneath them. They had spent their lives in barren lands and deep crevices, and the sight of the lush, vibrant Amazon was overwhelming.

Towering trees stretched up into the sky, casting long shadows over vast fields of flowers and grass. The air was filled with the scent of blossoms, the sound of birds chirping, and the soft laughter of creatures and races who called this place home.

Astraeus, still wide-eyed, could barely tear his gaze away from the magnificent sight before him. His heart pounded in his chest as if the sheer beauty of this place was too much to handle. "What… what is this place?" he finally managed to ask, his voice quiet, almost reverent.

Canna smiled and glanced at Sygon. "I think it's better for Sygon to explain. As much as I'd love to stay, I'm quite the busy man. Sygon, take them to the Verdant Peaks. Let them choose where they want to settle. Make sure they're comfortable."

With that, Canna floated into the air, his white sanctuary robes billowing around him. He cast one final glance at the wide-eyed minotaurs and gave them a welcoming grin. "Welcome to my land, minotaurs! Eat, rest, recover. We'll see each other around!" Then, with a flash, he was gone, teleporting to another part of the sanctuary.

All eyes fell on Sygon, who nodded to his people, stepping forward to lead them. "This way," he said. "I'll explain as we walk."

The thousand-strong minotaur tribe began their journey, following Sygon along a well-worn path that led towards the Verdant Peaks. Along the way, Sygon told them the story of Canna and the sanctuary.

"To be honest," Sygon began, "I haven't had much time to really serve Canna myself. I was only brought here recently. But in that short time, I've learned a lot. You see, Canna isn't from this world. He comes from a place called Earth, a world that's far different from ours. Back there, his life was about taking care of the weak, protecting creatures that were on the verge of extinction. Your next chapter awaits on empire

A fine warrior, if you ask me."

The minotaurs listened intently as they walked through the lush forest. Some of the younger ones, who had never seen such greenery before, reached out to touch the trees and flowers, marveling at the life that bloomed all around them.

"Now, this sanctuary isn't just a paradise," Sygon continued. "It has its dangers too. The guardians here are incredibly powerful, some even stronger than the greatest of our warriors by a wide gap. If you ever come across them, you'll understand what I mean. But the real strength of this sanctuary comes from its people. The creatures and races here follow Canna's orders without question.

Not because they have to, but because they believe in him."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "Canna is a leader like no other. If there's a road ahead with two paths, left or right, and Canna says to go forward, the people here will build a road straight ahead, no matter what obstacles lie in the way. That's the kind of loyalty he inspires."

The minotaurs nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of Sygon's words. They had heard of leaders and kings before, but none quite like Canna. This was a man who could create a sanctuary this vast and beautiful and still command the loyalty of the strongest creatures. It was something to admire, something to aspire to.

As they approached the Verdant Peaks, the landscape shifted. The trees grew taller, the mountains loomed larger, and the air became cooler and crisper. Sygon led his people through a valley where the towering peaks stood like sentinels over the land. It was awe-inspiring, and the minotaurs, even those who had seen battle and hardship, could not help but feel a sense of peace wash over them.

When they reached the heart of the Verdant Peaks, Sygon stopped and turned to face his people. "This is where you'll settle," he said. "You're free to choose your homes, whether in the valleys or along the mountains. There's enough land here for everyone."

Astraeus, who had been walking silently behind Sygon, stepped forward. His eyes, which had been wide with awe, now narrowed with determination. "This land… it's a place we can call home. I see it now. Our tribe will thrive here. We will become stronger."

Sygon smiled, feeling a sense of pride well up in his chest. "Yes," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "We will."

As the minotaurs began to spread out and explore their new home, Sygon stayed behind for a moment, watching them with a sense of fulfillment. He had fulfilled his promise to his people. They were safe. They had a future.

And so, with the sanctuary now home to the proud and resilient minotaurs, a new chapter in their story began.