Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Five days had passed since Canna and Kael decided to stay in the domain. During this time, Canna dedicated himself to spending time with Stormy and improving the groundhog pens. He noticed that the female groundhogs were almost always in heat, and their supply of grass, which should have lasted a week more, was already dwindling.

The groundhogs' appetites were something Canna hadn't anticipated; he thought he had stored plenty, but he was quickly proven wrong.

Summoning his undead army daily, Canna turned their presence into an exercise routine for himself and Stormy. They engaged in mock battles, annihilating the undead. Although there were no experience points to gain, the sessions were immensely fun.

Sometimes, Kael joined in to stave off his boredom. Grimruk, showcasing the incredible regenerative abilities of orcs, had already healed by the second day.

Canna's bond with Stormy deepened over these days. The young dragon, though fierce and powerful, showed a surprisingly affectionate side towards Canna. It became clear to Canna that raising a dragon would require more than just feeding and training; it required patience, understanding, and a deep emotional connection.

Now, Canna was saying his goodbyes to Stormy, who was already getting sleepy. Since Stormy was about to nap, Canna wouldn't have to stay in the domain. With everything in order, Canna prepared to leave. He looked up at the yellowish-purple skies, appreciating the unique beauty of his domain, and opened the portal to where it was last used.

Upon returning to Fernwood, Canna was immediately struck by a familiar, nostalgic scent. His nose twitched, and a surprised expression appeared on his face.

"Kael! Do you smell that? It's petrichor!" Canna exclaimed enthusiastically.

"What's a petrichor?" Kael asked, confused. Unfortunately, Kael didn't get his answer because Canna started running toward the door of the Adventurer's Guild.

Canna kicked the door open, and with a loud thud, it flew off its hinges. Kael saw that it was raining outside. Canna had mentioned before how much he loved the smell of rain hitting the ground. After a few seconds, Canna spoke again.

"Kael! Let's go out of town, somewhere with a big tree. I think I saw one while we were making our way to this village," Canna shouted. "Let's race!"

With that, Canna sprinted away. Kael could only shake his head. There was no way he could catch up with Canna normally, so he started casting spells to coat his body with mana and ran after him.

Meanwhile, the forces lying in wait outside the Adventurer's Guild were growing increasingly restless. They had been on high alert for days, and their patience was wearing thin. The king's elite soldiers, trained for precision and endurance, were about to consider retreat when suddenly the door of the Adventurer's Guild was kicked open.

The loud thud drew everyone's attention, and they saw a man with white hair, clearly Canna, standing in the doorway, his expression one of pure excitement. He uttered some words, and then, without warning, sprinted off into the rain.

The soldiers and the Veiled Order's operatives immediately thought they had been found out. Throwing caution to the wind, they sprang into action, chasing after Canna with determination. They couldn't afford to let their target slip away now that he had seemingly discovered their presence.

The pursuit began, with Canna sprinting ahead, oblivious to the forces trailing him. The rain-soaked streets of Fernwood became a chaotic scene as the elite soldiers and operatives navigated the slippery ground in their desperate chase. Kael, using his mana-enhanced speed, kept up with Canna, glancing back occasionally to see their pursuers gaining ground.

As they reached the outskirts of town, Canna spotted the large tree he had mentioned earlier. He picked up speed, determined to reach it first. Kael, close behind, prepared for whatever might come next, knowing that their impromptu race had become far more serious than either of them had anticipated.

The forces behind them, now fully committed to the chase, closed in, ready to confront Canna and Kael once they reached their destination. The tension was palpable, and the outcome of this unexpected encounter would have significant implications for all involved.

Underneath the large tree, the ground was slightly muddy but provided enough shelter from the rain. Canna skidded to a halt, turning around to face Kael, who arrived just a few seconds later, breathing heavily but grinning.

"You've got to be kidding me," Kael panted, shaking his head with a smile. "You really love the rain that much?"

Canna laughed, the sound full of genuine joy. "It's more than just the rain, Kael. It's the feeling it brings, the memories of simpler times. It's a reminder that, despite everything, there are still small joys to be found."

Their moment of respite was cut short by the approaching sounds of footsteps and shouts. The forces pursuing them were close, and Canna's expression shifted from one of joy to alertness.

"We've got company," Canna said, his voice low and serious.

Kael nodded, his playful demeanor replaced by readiness. "Looks like we don't have much choice but to face them."

The first to appear were the king's elite soldiers, their armor gleaming even in the dim, rain-filtered light. They formed a semi-circle around Canna and Kael, weapons drawn but not yet attacking.

From the other side, the Veiled Order's operatives emerged, their dark cloaks blending with the shadows cast by the rain. They moved with a quiet, lethal grace, clearly prepared for a confrontation.

General Alaric stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of Canna and Kael. "You must be Canna," he said, his voice carrying authority and curiosity. "I've been looking for you."

Canna raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the general's presence. "And you are?"

"General Alaric of the Kingdom of Arenthia," he replied. "I've heard many things about you, Canna. Impressive things."

Canna glanced at Kael, who gave a slight nod, indicating that Alaric's reputation was well-known. "Well, General, I'm not sure what you've heard, but I'm just a traveler passing through."

Alaric's eyes flicked to Kael and then back to Canna. "A traveler who defeats great calamities single-handedly is not a simple traveler."

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At this, Canna's eyes narrowed. "You know a lot, General. What are you going to do then?"

Before Alaric could respond, a figure from the Veiled Order stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain. "Enough of this. Hand over the Bloodfang Scythe, and we may let you live."

Canna's head turned, looking at the origin of the voice. "And who are you to make such demands?"

"We are the Veiled Order," the figure replied, his eyes cold and calculating. "And we do not tolerate threats to our plans."

The tension in the air was thick, the rain doing little to dampen the rising hostility. Canna stood his ground and without any warning did something that confused everyone present, even Kael. He sat down and slowly laid on his back, then yawned and said, "I wouldn't want to miss the rain. If you would like violence, then have it your way."