Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 312 Astraeus

After taking sufficient rest, Canna and Sygon set out once again from the sanctuary, continuing their journey across the harsh terrain.

They ran for three more days before finally reaching a valley-like area. The environment had shifted dramatically, transitioning to a borderline desert. The land was dry and barren, but here and there, patches of grass and flowers stubbornly clung to life, a stark contrast to the vibrant and lush sanctuary they had just left behind.

Sygon led the way, guiding Canna toward the place where his settlement had fallen. As they moved through the barren landscape, Noctis spoke, his voice filled with caution. "Master, my clones haven't spotted anything directly, but I can sense powerful presences nearby. I don't think we should linger here for too long."

Canna, calm as ever, responded without breaking stride. "It's fine, Noctis. We won't be staying for long. Once we find the minotaurs, we'll bring them back to the sanctuary. That's it. Just send your clones out to scout, but don't extend beyond a kilometer.

I'll handle anything else."

The tiny Noctis clone perched on Canna's shoulder nodded before flying off to continue its reconnaissance. After fifteen minutes of walking, they arrived at a wide crevice, a massive fissure in the earth. Sygon stopped and pointed downward. "It's here, Canna-sama. The settlement is down below. Can you see it?"

Canna peered into the dark abyss, using his enhanced dragonkin eyesight. He could make out faint orange glows—likely torches—but the depth was astounding, far beyond his normal range of vision, even with his enhanced senses. "That's one deep fall, Sygon," Canna muttered, impressed.

Before Sygon could respond, Canna leaped into the crevice without hesitation. "Canna-sama!" Sygon shouted, panicking as he watched his master disappear into the abyss. With no other choice, Sygon huffed and jumped in after him, his large frame falling rapidly toward the darkness below.

Canna plummeted through the air, falling for what seemed like an eternity. The distant torchlights grew closer, flickering dimly as the wind rushed past him. A minute into the fall, he activated his wind magic, slowing his descent to a graceful halt just above the ground. He landed softly, his feet touching the earth without a sound.

This was Astraeus, the champion of the minotaurs.

His armor clinked as he walked forward, each step reverberating through the ground like the approach of an ancient beast. His axe, far larger than any other weapon in the settlement, was adorned with glowing red runes that pulsed like embers from a forge.

The air around him seemed to ripple with an oppressive energy, and every minotaur in the vicinity dropped their heads in reverence and submission, including Sygon.

"Astraeus..." Sygon whispered, his voice barely audible. There was no mistaking the fear and awe in his tone. Astraeus was the strongest among them, the undisputed leader of the fallen minotaur tribe.

As Astraeus approached, he stopped a few feet away from Canna, his glowing red eyes locking onto the smaller figure before him. The two stood in silence for a moment, sizing each other up. There was no mistaking the difference in size, but Canna's confident stance made it clear that he was not intimidated by the towering minotaur.

"Sygon," Astraeus rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "You have returned... and you bring with you a stranger. Is this the savior you speak of?"

Sygon, still bowing his head, responded with a shaky voice. "Yes, Astraeus. This is Canna-sama. He has come to help us, to save our people."

Astraeus snorted, his breath visible in the cool air. His gaze shifted back to Canna, narrowing slightly as he studied the man standing before him. For a moment, it seemed as though Astraeus was contemplating whether or not to attack, but then, without warning, he lowered his massive axe to the ground, the blade sinking slightly into the earth.

The tension in the air remained thick, but the gesture was a clear sign of acknowledgment. Astraeus had accepted Canna's presence, at least for now.

The champion of the minotaurs had arrived, and the fate of the tribe now hung in the balance.