Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 204 Wake Up Call

Canna didn't know how long he had been asleep when he finally stirred, but judging by the angle of the sun, he guessed it had been almost a full day. The sanctuary was still and quiet, a peaceful lull after the chaos of the recent battle. As he shifted slightly, Canna felt a small weight pressed against his side.

He glanced down and saw Mira nestled beside him, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder.

Canna's heart warmed at the sight. Mira had come a long way since the day he found her, a scared, malnourished girl who had known nothing but suffering. She had been wary of everyone, trusting no one except Canna, the one who had saved her. Now, she was blossoming—like a flower stubbornly growing in a harsh desert.

She was more confident, more assured, and had found her place among the sanctuary's inhabitants.

Canna couldn't help but smile, but the image would have been far more wholesome if it weren't for the fact that Mira, like the rest of them, was still smeared with dried blood, her white robes stained and tattered. Even her face bore the remnants of the brutal fight.

Canna carefully slid out from under her, making sure not to wake her as he stood and stretched, feeling the pleasant pull of his muscles. His other arm had fully regenerated, and he flexed it experimentally, doing a few light stretches to test its strength. It felt good, almost as if the injury had never happened.

He looked around, taking in the state of his people. The adult fighters had only taken a brief rest before heading off to clean themselves up and get some proper sleep. Meanwhile, the children lay sprawled all over the grass, exhausted from their roles in the battle. Most were still asleep, some snoring softly, others mumbling incoherent words as they dreamed.

With some playful grumbling and a few lingering yawns, the inhabitants began to move, heading toward the sanctuary's water sources. There was a sense of renewed energy among them, as if Canna's little wake-up call had breathed new life into their tired bones. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they splashed water on each other, washing away the grime of battle and reclaiming a bit of normalcy.

Canna watched them for a moment longer, feeling a swell of pride. These were his people, his family, and he would do anything to keep them safe. Once satisfied that they were all headed in the right direction, he set off on his rounds through the sanctuary, checking on every corner of his domain.

He greeted the healers, who were still tirelessly tending to the wounded, and exchanged a few words with the cooks who were preparing meals to nourish the weary.

He stopped by the training grounds, where a few of his more stubborn subordinates were already practicing their forms, unwilling to let even a day go by without honing their skills. Canna offered a few words of encouragement, making sure everyone felt seen and valued. The sanctuary was not just a place of refuge but a community, and every small interaction mattered.

As his rounds came to an end, Canna's thoughts turned to the final task he had to complete—seeing Tonitrum. The ancient dragon had fulfilled his favor, and now Canna needed to report back. He couldn't say he was looking forward to it. Tonitrum's presence was always overwhelming, and Canna preferred to keep his interactions with the dragon to a minimum.

But a promise was a promise, and Canna knew better than to leave any debts unpaid, especially when it came to beings as powerful as Tonitrum.

Canna sighed, mentally preparing himself as he made his way toward the portal to Tonitrum. The air seemed to grow heavier with every step, as if the dragon's aura reached out even before he came into view. Canna squared his shoulders, resolving to make this visit as brief as possible.

He would thank Tonitrum, fulfill his obligations, and then, hopefully, not have to deal with the dragon again for the foreseeable future. Explore stories on empire