Sanctuary: Safe Haven

After two long weeks of constant travel, relying solely on mana potions and his natural recovery, Canna finally spotted the distant horizon of the Forbidden Lands. His body was drained—his mana reserves were completely depleted, and his energy was low.

Mentally, he felt the weight of exhaustion, accumulated from weeks of pushing forward without a break. Though as a great transcendent, Canna could endure months or even years without sleep, the constant travel had worn on him. Now, the sight of the Forbidden Lands brought a sense of relief, but he knew that he wasn't in a rush. Noctis had already begun mapping out the best location for their clan base, and the plans were underway.

Canna stood for a long moment, surveying the vast landscape before him. The distant mountains, valleys, and strange formations stretched out like a new frontier waiting to be conquered. But his body was screaming for rest. Opening a portal to the sanctuary, Canna stepped through, his mind already focused on one thing for some reason: Stormbringer.

He teleported directly above the mountain where Stormbringer resided, then again to the dragon's dwelling. As always, the gigantic dragon was fast asleep, its massive form curled in a peaceful slumber. Canna, too tired to care, walked over to the dragon's head and laid down on it as if it were the world's largest and most comfortable pillow. Within minutes, his breathing slowed, and the stress of the journey melted away as sleep overtook him.

Stormbringer's enormous eyes cracked open just moments later. The dragon's protective instincts alerted him to a presence nearby. But as soon as he sensed it was his master, Stormbringer relaxed. However, even for the ancient dragon, it was curious to see Canna literally sleeping on his head. The dragon snorted softly, releasing a plume of hot smoke from his nostrils, but Canna didn't even stir. Stormbringer knew his master must have been truly exhausted, so he let the man sleep, returning to his own slumber with the comfort of knowing that Canna was close.

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While Canna rested, the sanctuary was bustling with activity. Noctis had already spread the word among the leaders that they had reached the Forbidden Zone. Mortem, as always, was the first to be informed, and he quickly relayed the news to all the key figures: the heads of the research department, the dwarves, the potion makers, and, of course, Vorgrim.

Noctis himself had already been hard at work, scouting the region. As expected, the Forbidden Zone was no ordinary land. It was infested with monsters of all shapes and sizes, many of which posed a considerable threat. The area was vast and teeming with life—ferocious, dangerous life—but Noctis' goal wasn't just to map out the dangers. He was searching for the perfect location to establish their clan's base.

After days of searching, Noctis finally found it: a flat, open terrain with no natural obstacles such as forests or hills that could impede construction. The area was vast and seemed like the perfect location to build a stronghold. Using his abilities, Noctis relayed a real-time projection of the land back to the sanctuary, allowing the researchers and the dwarves to begin planning and assessing the area.

The dwarves and researchers were working in tandem, with Thrain leading the design and engineering teams. They discussed the feasibility of building a fortress in the harsh environment while Noctis continuously updated them with real-time visuals of the terrain. Any time an issue arose, Noctis would quickly scan the area for potential solutions.

But there was one major issue: monsters. This region wasn't just populated with a few stragglers or beasts—it was teeming with hordes of monsters, numbering in the millions. Noctis scouted a five-kilometer radius around the proposed base site, and what he found was alarming. The entire area was practically crawling with creatures, and it didn't take long for Noctis to identify the cause: five large dungeons scattered throughout the region, all unchecked. The monsters were pouring out from these dungeons, spreading like a plague across the land.

The sheer number of creatures would make clearing the area a monumental task. It wasn't just a matter of establishing the base; the sanctuary's warriors would need to fight their way through millions of monsters just to claim the land. And while the sanctuary's forces were strong, this battle would test them like never before.

As Noctis continued his reconnaissance, he sent a message back to Mortem with the full report. If Canna wanted this land, they would have to throw everything the sanctuary had at it. The resources were vast, the location ideal, but the challenge was immense. The region was forbidden for a reason, and the true scale of the battle ahead was becoming clearer by the minute.

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When Canna finally woke, he felt rejuvenated. Resting on Stormbringer's head had done wonders for his body and mind. The dragon was still fast asleep, its massive chest rising and falling slowly. Canna smiled to himself, giving the dragon a soft pat before teleporting back to the sanctuary meeting room.

The moment he arrived, Mortem appeared from the shadows, ready to deliver Noctis' report. "Master," Mortem began, his voice steady as always, "Noctis has completed his scouting. He's found a suitable location for the base, but the area is overrun by monsters. We estimate their numbers in the millions, and there are five dungeons nearby that are the source of the infestations."

Canna's eyes narrowed slightly. "Millions, you say? How strong are they?"

"Varied," Mortem replied. "Some are weak, others are powerful. But the sheer numbers will be the true challenge."

Canna nodded. He had expected the Forbidden Zone to be difficult, but this was a challenge unlike anything they had faced before. "Noctis is sure about the location?"

"Yes," Mortem confirmed. "It's the best option. Flat terrain, no natural obstacles. But clearing it will take everything we've got."

Canna crossed his arms, deep in thought. "We'll need to mobilize the entire sanctuary. The shock troops, the warriors, the guardians. Everyone."

Mortem nodded in agreement. "It will be a full-scale operation."

A smile slowly crept across Canna's face. This was the kind of challenge that would push the sanctuary to new heights. The monsters of the Forbidden Zone would be their proving ground, a test of their strength, their unity, and their resolve. And when it was over, they would have a base in one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

"Summon everyone," Canna said, his voice filled with determination. "It's time to show the world what the Hope Clan is capable of."

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Back in the Forbidden Zone, Noctis continued to monitor the area, keeping a close eye on the monsters roaming the region. He knew that the battle ahead would be fierce, but he also knew that Canna and the sanctuary's forces were more than capable of handling it.

The next phase of their journey was about to begin, and soon, a battle with unimaginable proportions would begin.

As Canna prepared to rally his forces, the sanctuary was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. The warriors sharpened their weapons, the shock troops trained relentlessly, and the guardians stood ready to defend their home. The upcoming battle would be their greatest challenge yet, but with Canna leading them, there was no doubt in their minds that they would emerge victorious. The Forbidden Zone would be theirs, and with it, the sanctuary would continue to grow, stronger and more powerful than ever before.