Sanctuary: Safe Haven

After another week passed, preparations were finally complete. During most of this time, Canna had been outside the sanctuary, flying alongside Noctis, constantly scouting the nearby areas. They had faced a relentless barrage of monster attacks, but Canna's mission was simple. He wanted to see if any of the monsters would be able to hold a conversation—perhaps he could find a way to forge alliances or at least understand their motivations. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, none of the creatures spared him even a moment to talk. Each encounter resulted in a bloody fight, with the monsters' only intent being to kill. Despite the setbacks, Canna pressed on, while his troops within the sanctuary continued to prepare for the upcoming mission.

__________________

Meanwhile, back in the sanctuary, the atmosphere was electric. In a large clearing, every warrior stood with fire in their eyes, ready for the battle ahead. The guardians, shock troops, and warriors of the sanctuary had all gathered, their white robes gleaming in the daylight. Even the guardians, except for Sylvanar and Stormbringer, were present, donned in special armors and wielding weapons crafted by the masterful hands of the dwarves. Vorgrim, the hulking red Voragon and commander of the shock troops, stood atop a platform, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the assembled warriors. His eyes scanned the crowd as he prepared to address them.

Vorgrim raised his hand, calling for silence, and the entire clearing fell still. "Warriors of the Sanctuary!" he boomed, his deep voice carrying through the air. "Today marks a critical moment in the history of our sanctuary. We stand here not just as defenders of our land, but as conquerors, as builders. We are here to carve out a foothold in the unforgiving world of Sepra, a base that will stand as a testament to our power and resilience."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Our mission is simple in theory, but the challenge is monumental. Before we can build our base, we must clear the land of the monsters that infest it. Our goal is to secure a circular area, 700 meters in diameter. That means clearing out anything and everything within that range and holding the line. The dwarves and researchers are ready, the materials are ready, but they can't do their work until we've done ours."

Vorgrim's gaze swept over the army before him. "We are not facing a single enemy, nor a single army. We are facing millions of monsters from every direction, a seemingly endless horde that will test our strength, our endurance, and our unity. But you all know what's at stake. You've trained for this. Each of you has a role to play, and we cannot afford to fail."

He slammed his fist into his chest, the sound echoing like a drumbeat. "We are the spearhead of the sanctuary, and we will not falter! Hold the line, protect your comrades, and remember that the fate of our future rests on our success. No matter what comes at you, do not break formation. We will stand as one or we will fall as one!"

The roar that followed Vorgrim's speech was deafening. The warriors raised their weapons high, their resolve unshaken despite the daunting task ahead. The layout was ready, the materials for construction were prepared, and wagons full of minerals were lined up. The dwarves, under the leadership of Thrain, were eager to get started, and the researchers were on standby, ready to begin their work as soon as the area was cleared. Everything now rested on the warriors of the sanctuary.

__________________

Just as the preparations were about to commence, a ripple of energy swept through the clearing.

Canna, having returned from his reconnaissance, descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the platform next to Vorgrim. The warriors instantly kneeled to show their respect for their leader. Canna's expression was one of calm determination as he gestured for them to rise.

Stepping forward, Thrain approached Canna, holding a large, ornate box. "Canna-sama," Thrain began with a deep bow, "we know that your weapon of choice is the Bloodfang Scythe, a fearsome tool in its own right. But we have crafted something new for you, something that we believe will serve you well in the battles to come."

Thrain opened the box, revealing a pair of magnificent weapons—the Stormreaver Talons. The weapons were twin kamayari, their wickedly sharp blades glistening with arcs of static electricity.

Thrain explained, "These blades are forged from stormbound steel, an extremely rare and highly conductive metal found in the heart of lightning-infused minerals. The blades have a natural affinity for lightning, allowing them to channel electrical energy effortlessly. Every time the Kamayari are swung, small arcs of lightning are automatically released, striking anything within range. The arcs can extend up to 5 meters, making the weapon deadly not just in close combat but also for enemies at a distance. A perfect weapon for facing hordes."

Canna took the weapons into his hands, feeling an immediate connection to them. It was as if the weapons were made specifically for him, and he could feel the storm energy coursing through the blades. He swung them experimentally, and the arcs of lightning crackled out from the blades, lighting up the air around him. He smiled, satisfied.

"Thank you, Thrain. These will serve me well," Canna said, his voice filled with gratitude. He then turned to face his army.

"Everything important has probably already been said to you, but I want to say this to the newly graduated warriors of the sanctuary: consider this your baptism. When the first warriors of the sanctuary appeared in Sepra, they faced a million and a half orcs. Now, it's your turn to face millions of enemies. This will be your first true test."

He paused, allowing his words to resonate with the new recruits before continuing, "As planned, the guardians will go first, followed by the shock troops, then the warriors, and finally the cleanup crews with the direwolves. Once the area is cleared, we will form a defensive circle to protect the researchers and dwarves as they begin construction."

Canna's eyes blazed with excitement as he finished his speech. "Let's start the party." Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire

The response was immediate—a resounding cheer echoed through the sanctuary as the warriors roared in anticipation. Canna activated his Dragonkin form, his body glowing with power as scales shimmered across his skin. He swung his new Stormreaver Talons, and arcs of lightning shot out, crackling with energy. He raised his hand, summoning the Bahamuth's Bloody Ring, which glowed dark red as the undead began to materialize around him. The battlefield was about to come alive with chaos, and Canna was ready for it.

The guardians, led by Vorgrim, charged forward, followed closely by the shock troops. The warriors, clad in their white robes, were ready to descend upon the battlefield. The direwolves howled, eager to tear into the enemy forces, while the cleanup crews prepared to maintain the defensive line once the initial waves were cleared.

As the first clash was about to begin, Canna looked out over his army, knowing that this was the start of something great. The battle for the forbidden lands had begun, and the future base of the Hope Clan was about to be carved out in blood and thunder.