Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna wasn't sure how much time had passed. His vision was hazy, and his entire body felt like it had been torn apart and put back together wrong. Pain throbbed through his limbs, his head, and his chest. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open and took in his surroundings: stone, fire, and an overwhelming heat. A massive throne sat before him, and on it sat a figure, though the being's form was blurred by a dark mist, almost as if reality itself was trying to keep his appearance hidden.

"Hoooh, interesting," the figure on the throne spoke, his voice deep and reverberating. "You have quite the nerve to summon a demon of my caliber, but you've failed, mortal. I will not be summoned by someone like you."

Canna's head was pounding, and he groaned as he struggled to sit up. His body was wrecked, and the mana backlash from the failed summoning was taking its toll. He hadn't felt this weak in ages. His body refused to regenerate its injuries, his mana was fully depleted, and it was as if a wall had been erected between him and the sanctuary. He couldn't feel the connection to Mortem or Noctis—or anyone for that matter.

He finally managed to speak, though his voice was hoarse. "I... I didn't summon you... I just wanted a hellhound... and from what I read... demons can't refuse a summoning..."

The figure on the throne let out a harsh, grating laugh that sent chills down Canna's spine. "Foolish mortal. Those rules only apply to lesser demons. What you attempted was no small summoning. You've tried to bind a demon far beyond your reckoning."

Canna could barely register what was happening as the figure's laugh echoed through the chamber. "Still, you're amusing, mortal. You didn't even come from this world. How interesting... entertaining me could be your only value now. For the rest of your pitiful existence, you will serve me."

Canna's eyes narrowed, his natural defiance rising despite his weakened state. "Serve you? I think you've got it backwards. I summoned you, not the other way around. You should be kneeling before me."

The figure's laughter abruptly stopped. "Silence." He flicked his finger, and Canna's body was violently hurled across the chamber, slamming into a stone wall with bone-cracking force. Blood sputtered from his mouth as he coughed, his ribs feeling like they had shattered on impact. He tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond.

"For your insolence," the demon continued, "your first task will be to kneel and pledge yourself to me. Give me control of your domain, your sanctuary, and your soul... or I will consume you, mortal."

Canna's eyes widened, but as he tried to call upon his powers to summon a portal back to the sanctuary or reach out to Mortem, nothing happened. There was no response, no familiar tug of power, nothing but the cold emptiness of isolation. He was truly alone.

The demon laughed again, a harsh, mocking sound. "Did you really think your tricks would work here, mortal? This is my domain. I control all here. You are a fool to think otherwise." With another flick of his finger, Canna's body was jerked into the air like a ragdoll. He was smashed repeatedly into the stone floor, dragged across the room, and thrown against the walls. The pain was unbearable, his body broken in ways that even his draconic regeneration couldn't fix.

Every part of him felt like it was on fire. His bones cracked and splintered, his muscles screamed in agony, but no matter how much damage he took, he refused to cry out. He wouldn't give this demon the satisfaction. After what felt like an eternity, Canna was floated toward the throne, hovering just a few feet in front of the demon.

The figure leaned forward slightly, his glowing red eyes burning into Canna's. "You have spirit, mortal. That much is clear. But spirits like yours are the most enjoyable to break. Now, bow before me, or I will tear your soul apart."

Canna's body was slammed into the floor again, the wind knocked out of him as he hit the ground with a sickening thud. Blood spilled from his mouth, but as he lay there, feeling more mortal than ever, something within him stirred. He remembered the sanctuary he had built, the guardians he had sworn to protect, the people who trusted him.

He wouldn't end like this.

With whatever strength he had left, Canna lifted his hand and extended his middle finger toward the demon.

A long silence followed, the air heavy with tension.

The figure on the throne chuckled softly, then louder, his laughter ringing out once again. "So be it," he said, his tone now dripping with malice. "I have broken many fools like you over the millennia. And now, I will enjoy breaking you." He flicked his finger once more, and Canna's body convulsed as a horrifying pain shot through him. Something deep within was being ripped out—his soul.

Canna's vision darkened as memories of his journey flashed before him: the sanctuary, his companions, the guardians who stood by his side. He had lived a good life, but this—this was not the end he had envisioned. He only regretted dragging his people into the dangers of the forbidden lands. His consciousness began to slip away, and just when he thought it was over, a deafening roar shook the chamber.

The demon stopped mid-ritual and looked up. A massive red portal was forming in the air, its size and energy enough to rival the demon's own power. The demon scowled, trying to close the portal with his powers, but it wouldn't respond. That could only mean one thing: something of equal or greater strength was coming through.

Without warning, a concentrated bolt of lightning shot through the portal, crashing into the demon's barrier. The shield held for a moment before shattering, and the bolt slammed into the demon's chest, sending him reeling back with a howl of pain.

A dragon emerged from the portal—a massive, ancient beast, larger than any Canna had ever seen, but the aura it radiated was unmistakable. It landed with a heavy thud, its eyes glowing with crackling energy.

"Fool," the dragon rumbled. "Why meddle with these troublesome races, Canna?"

Through his dazed mind, Canna recognized the voice. "Tonitrum?" he muttered weakly, barely able to stay conscious.

The archdemon on the throne snarled in fury. "YOU! You troublesome dragon! How are you here?! How?!"

Tonitrum didn't respond with words, only a second lightning breath, this time with even more force. The demon screamed in agony as the attack tore into him.

"What a pathetic archdemon," Tonitrum mocked. "If you're so eager to die again, I'll oblige."

The demon, seething with rage, threw off his cloak, revealing his scorched, burned body. His skin sizzled from the attack, but his eyes glowed with murderous intent.

"I will destroy you both!" he roared, casting multiple dark spells as the chamber erupted into a battle of unfathomable power. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire

Canna could only watch, his mind hazy, as Tonitrum and the archdemon clashed. The last thing he remembered before the darkness overtook him was the blinding light of Tonitrum's dragon breath and the roar of the archdemon's fury.

What followed was a blur of fire, lightning, and shadows.