Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Chapter 339 Speak Your Terms

Canna's goal remained unchanged from the very first day—finding races and beings strong enough to help him revitalize the rest of the sanctuary. The sanctuary had come a long way since he first began gathering allies, but there was still much to do. His next target, however, was a bit different from the others. The Earth Drake, a catastrophe-ranked beast, was his final opponent in this region, one he had already faced and failed to defeat.

In human terms, a catastrophe rank drake was equal to a demigod, a force of nature itself. Despite all his allies—Mortem, Flora, Terrofang, and Aurelis—they couldn't bring the drake down. Its power was simply too overwhelming. But Canna wasn't one to give up. His approach this time wouldn't be through violence or force; instead, he planned to recruit the Earth Drake into his ranks.

The Earth Drake had babies after all, and with its maternal instincts in play, Canna saw a different path. He would attempt to convince the drake to join him, knowing that protecting her young might be the key to reaching her.

With that goal in mind, Canna traveled back to the borders of Kharath in his lightning form, crackling across the sky like a thunderstorm. The journey took three days. He moved without pause, soaring through the skies, lightning trailing behind him like a celestial serpent. Finally, he arrived at the familiar marshlands where the Earth Drake resided.

As before, the marsh teemed with monsters, though now Canna could see them more clearly in the daylight. Hulking figures and creatures twisted by the marsh's dark magic roamed the land, but Canna ignored them. He wasn't here for them. He came for the Earth Drake.

Flying above the treetops, Canna scouted the area until he could sense the powerful aura below. The drake was there, masking her true strength as before, disguising herself as a mere disaster-ranked creature. But Canna knew better. Beneath that cloak was the raw power of a catastrophe rank—a being capable of reshaping the land with a thought.

After circling the marsh a few times, Canna descended. His lightning form crackled and popped as he materialized at the center of the marsh, standing on a patch of scorched earth. The moment his feet touched the ground, he felt the drake's presence. It was watching him. He could feel its gaze, a heavy weight bearing down on him, full of scrutiny and suspicion.

"Hey, uh, sorry for attacking you out of the blue last time," Canna called out, his voice echoing through the silent woods. "I appreciate you not killing me outright, by the way. I'm here for a conversation this time."

There was no reply. The air around him remained still, the marsh as quiet as ever. Canna waited, watching the treeline for any sign of movement. A minute passed. Then two. After five more minutes of nothing, he began to wonder if the drake simply wasn't interested. He took a step backward, considering leaving, when the ground suddenly shook beneath his feet.

Just as the drake's body tensed, preparing to strike, Canna acted. In an instant, he opened a portal, a swirling vortex of energy tearing open the air beside him. The Earth Drake paused, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. From the portal, several figures emerged, each one radiating power that rivaled her own.

First came Zephyros and Solara, the two disaster-ranked wolves, their massive forms bristling with wind and shadow. Then Dravos, the former saint of Clan Varran, stepped out, his smile wide, looking forward to the next battle. Astraeus and Sygon followed next, their presence commanding and fierce.

Finally, Mortem appeared from Canna's shadow, his skeletal frame towering above the others. Without a word, Mortem raised his hand, and from the ground, Grakthat, his undead orc disaster rank, rose to stand beside him, a hulking figure of death and decay.

In the blink of an eye, five disaster-ranked beings surrounded the marsh, their combined power shaking the very earth beneath them. The Earth Drake froze, her body tensing as she realized the danger she now faced.

"If I wanted to fight you, I could," Canna said calmly, looking up at the drake. "But I'm not here for that. You have young to protect, and I need someone like you in my ranks. So, are you willing to listen to what I have to offer, or would you prefer the other way?"

As he spoke, Canna summoned his Bloodfang Scythe, the dark red weapon gleaming ominously in the light. He twirled it lightly in his hand, its edge crackling with latent power.

The Earth Drake's eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting from Canna to the disaster-ranked creatures surrounding her. She knew, even with her strength, this would not be a simple battle. The air was thick with tension as she considered her options.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the drake let out a low, rumbling growl.

"Speak your terms."