Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 239 Shock Troops II

The sun was setting over the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the dense forest as five adventurers bolted through the underbrush, their lungs burning and hearts pounding in their chests. Behind them, a cacophony of crashing trees and enraged trumpeting echoed through the wilderness. The source of the chaos?

A gigantic elephant-like monster, towering over the treetops with tusks as sharp as spears, and eyes glowing with pure rage. In the adventurers' possession, clutched tightly in one of their hands, was the reason for the creature's anger: a massive, glossy egg.

"Ragnar, catch!" The archer at the front of the group, Lira, yelled as she lobbed the egg through the air toward the burly barbarian at the rear. Ragnar barely managed to grab it mid-stride, wobbling on his feet as the egg nearly slipped from his massive hands.

"Why am I always the one catching this thing?!" Ragnar roared, his voice as deep as the forest they were running through. His wild red hair and beard were matted with sweat, his thick arms barely able to hold onto the egg as they ran.

"You have the biggest hands! It's basic logic!" The mage, a slender man named Alric, shouted as he dashed ahead, robes billowing around him. He looked back and saw the beast gaining on them.

"I swear, if we die, it's because of your stupid plans, Alric!" Lira shot back as she ducked under a low-hanging branch.

"Me? I didn't tell you to steal the egg!" Alric yelped.

"It was your idea!" shouted Kaia, a heavily armored woman who was trying her best to keep up, her sword clanging against her side. "You said it would be 'easy!'"

"I said it looked easy!" Alric corrected, his voice squeaking as a tree exploded behind them, the elephant monster's tusks tearing it apart.

"Throw it!" Kaia shouted to Ragnar, who, with a groan, hurled the egg over to her. She caught it, grunting from the weight, and started running even faster, the beast gaining ground as it smashed its way through the forest, relentless in its pursuit.

"How do we always end up in these situations?" The thief of the group, Tessa, muttered as she leaped nimbly over a log, her daggers bouncing at her hips. "I could be back in town right now, sipping some wine, but nooo, let's go steal an egg from a giant angry monster."

"It'll be worth it when we sell this thing!" Alric gasped, still keeping pace but barely, his breath coming in ragged bursts.

"That's if we live long enough to sell it!" Kaia screamed back, her armor clanking as she ducked beneath another low branch.

Just as they thought they had a bit of distance, the monster trumpeted again, even louder this time. It swung its massive trunk, uprooting another tree, and then started to charge even faster.

Kaia's face went pale as the ground shook beneath her feet. "Oh no, oh no, it's right behind us!"

Tiberius smirked, his blue eyes twinkling. "Looks like you managed that pretty well." He reached down and gently took the egg from her, holding it effortlessly in one hand. "Nice throw, by the way."

Kaia blushed again and muttered something incoherent under her breath. Meanwhile, the rest of the adventurers caught up, staring at the now unconscious beast behind the stone wall.

"Whoa," Ragnar muttered, coming to a stop beside Tiberius. "You took that thing down like it was nothing."

Tiberius shrugged. "It's all in the training." He glanced back at the rest of the shock troops, who were emerging from the trees, each one wearing the same striking uniform and wielding equally impressive weapons crafted by the dwarves. The Sanctuary Shock Troops were 300 strong, and they were prepared for anything.

Today, some of them had received their first missions, and Tiberius had been leading one of the squads.

Tiberius shrugged. "It's nothing. You should get out of the forest before the dark strikes, it'll be even more dangerous here." He glanced back at the rest of the shock troops, who were emerging from the trees, each one wearing the same striking uniform and wielding equally impressive weapons crafted by the dwarves. The Sanctuary Shock Troops were 300 strong, and they were prepared for anything.

Today, some of them had received their first missions, and Tiberius had been leading one of the squads.

"That... was incredible," Lira breathed, her bow hanging loosely at her side as she stared at the fallen beast. "I thought we were dead for sure."

"Good thing we showed up when we did," Tiberius said with a grin, twirling the greatsword on his back before planting it firmly into the ground. "Wouldn't want you guys losing this precious little egg, would we?"

Alric, who had been panting heavily the entire time, finally found his voice. "Y-yeah. Precious. That's... that's exactly what we were thinking."

The adventurers shared a look, one of mutual exhaustion and relief, but also a growing sense of respect for this man that came out of nowhere to save them.

Kaia glanced at Tiberius one more time, her heart still racing. She hadn't expected to be saved like this—not by someone so... capable. She adjusted her armor awkwardly, trying to shake the odd feeling bubbling up inside her.

"So," Tiberius said, hoisting the egg up onto his shoulder, "what do you say we help you guys get this thing back to wherever it needs to go?"

The adventurers all nodded in agreement, too tired to argue and more than happy to have a little backup. As they set off toward the nearest town, Tiberius and his team leading the way, Kaia couldn't help but steal a glance at the greatsword once more, marveling at its craftsmanship.

The Sanctuary had trained its troops well. They were more than just warriors now—they were protectors, and today was just the beginning.