Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 365 Tonitrum Vs. Archdemon

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.

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.