Sanctuary: Safe Haven

As Canna stepped into the bustling streets of Kharath, he couldn't help but take in the sights and sounds around him. Everywhere he looked, there was movement—people going about their daily lives, merchants shouting about their wares, children running through the streets, and the steady hum of conversation filling the air.

It was a lively place, full of energy and vibrancy that reminded him, in some ways, of the sanctuary. But this kingdom was different. It wasn't just alive—it was thriving. Find more to read at empire

The hustle and bustle of city life had a rhythm of its own. There were people from all walks of life, dressed in a variety of garb. Some wore humble, everyday clothing, while others were donned in well-crafted armor, their weapons strapped to their backs or sheathed at their sides. Warriors with greatswords, spears, bows, and maces walked alongside merchants and traders, all sharing the same streets.

Canna felt the pulse of the kingdom's heartbeat with every step he took, and it stirred something within him.

"This is amazing, Noctis," Canna whispered under his breath as he walked, a faint smile on his face.

From his shadow, Noctis' voice responded with a casual but slightly prideful tone. "It's impressive in a way, Master, but I don't see the hype. The people in the sanctuary are far superior to these outsiders—both in terms of their weaponry and their attire."

Canna chuckled softly at Noctis' remark. "Noctis, I admire your loyalty, but it's important not to develop prejudice. In the end, they're all people, just like us."

Noctis grumbled something inaudible, but Canna's attention was quickly drawn elsewhere as he approached the towering Adventurer's Guild building. It was far larger than he had imagined, its stone structure stretching up several stories, with banners fluttering proudly in the wind. But what truly caught his attention was the sheer number of people gathered around it.

Adventurers, clad in armor of all kinds, milled about the entrance. Some were clearly seasoned veterans, their weapons showing signs of wear from countless battles. Others were newer, younger, their eyes bright with ambition and hope. Canna could sense the strength of some of these warriors, their auras pulsing faintly, a testament to their power.

It was a sight unlike anything he had seen before. So many people, all from different backgrounds, gathering in one place. Canna marveled at the diversity—he spotted adventurers with gleaming greatswords strapped to their backs, archers with intricately crafted bows, and heavily armored warriors carrying massive shields that looked nearly indestructible.

Every weapon imaginable was on display, a testament to the variety of fighting styles that converged here.

"This place… it's incredible," Canna said, more to himself than anyone else.

Just as Canna was about to enter the guild, a loud, gruff voice boomed from his side, cutting through the chatter of the crowd.

"Oi, look at this pipsqueak!"

Canna turned, his gaze settling on a burly man standing a few feet away. The man was enormous—at least a foot taller than Canna, with broad shoulders and muscles that bulged beneath his rough leather armor. His face was rugged and weathered, his jaw covered in a scruffy beard. An axe hung at his side, its blade nicked and scarred from use.

His stance was casual, but there was a cocky air about him, as if he were used to people giving him a wide berth.

The man sneered down at Canna, his eyes flicking over him with disdain. "What's a kid like you doing here?" He let out a mocking laugh, his hand resting lazily on the hilt of his axe. "You come from the slums or something? You don't even have shoes on. Look at you, walking around barefoot!"

He reached into his pouch, pulling out a few bronze coins, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed them at Canna. The coins hit Canna's forehead before clattering to the ground at his feet.

"Here," the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Buy yourself some clothes, kid."

The man's laughter rang out through the air, and a few nearby adventurers glanced over, some chuckling at the spectacle. But no one expected what happened next.

Before anyone could react, Nyx materialized from Canna's shadow, moving with terrifying speed.

The great-calamity shadow bear roared fiercely as his massive paw slammed the man's head to the ground with a force that left the onlookers stunned. The burly man's face was pressed into the dirt, his body frozen in shock and fear. Nyx growled lowly, his glowing eyes fixed on the man as if daring him to move.

At the same time, Canna moved quickly, placing his hands on Nyx's jaw, holding him back with gentle but firm pressure. His hands crackled with faint lightning, the energy dancing across his skin as he controlled the situation.

"Haha, you're funny, Nyx," Canna said with a lighthearted chuckle, his tone playful despite the intense scene unfolding. "Calm down, boy. No need to kill him."

Nyx grumbled but slowly lifted his paw off the man's head, allowing the man to crawl backward, his face pale and his eyes wide with terror. The adventurers who had been watching all stood in stunned silence.

None of them had expected a great-calamity shadow bear to suddenly appear, and the realization that the creature had been hiding in Canna's shadow the whole time sent a ripple of unease through the crowd.

Nyx, still on high alert, let out a deafening roar that reverberated through the guild's entrance, sending chills down the spines of those nearby. It was a warning, a challenge to anyone who might think about underestimating his master.

The commotion had drawn the attention of several guild officers, who hurried out of their posts to try to de-escalate the situation. Their expressions were a mix of shock and concern as they approached, clearly unsure of how to handle a great-calamity-ranked beast standing in the middle of the guild's entrance.

Just as the tension seemed ready to explode into chaos, the large wooden doors at the top of the guild's grand staircase burst open with a heavy thud, the sound reverberating through the room. In an instant, the noise and chatter died down. An eerie silence followed, as if the very air had been sucked out of the space.

From the open doors, a figure emerged—a man who immediately commanded attention. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his presence exuding an aura of raw power that made the room feel smaller. His scarred face told the story of countless battles, and his piercing green eyes scanned the room with an intensity that made even the most seasoned adventurers uneasy.

He wore a heavy leather coat lined with wolf fur, and an enormous sword rested on his back, the hilt worn from use.

The silence deepened as the man's gaze settled on Canna, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the situation. His very presence radiated danger, a looming threat that seemed to weigh heavily on everyone in the room.

Canna felt the weight of the man's eyes on him, and for the first time since entering the kingdom, he felt something close to danger. Whoever this man was, he wasn't to be taken lightly.