Sanctuary: Safe Haven

As Canna followed Varya through the sky, he couldn't help but marvel at the impressive buildings spread out below him. The architecture of Clan Varran's domain was both imposing and awe-inspiring. Towers with sharp, jagged edges reached for the clouds, each one adorned with the crimson and gold banners of the clan, fluttering in the wind.

Fortresses stood with solid stone walls, reinforced with shimmering magic barriers, and training grounds sprawled across large open courtyards, filled with warriors practicing their techniques.

The main keep was an enormous structure, a central hub for the clan, its walls adorned with intricate carvings depicting battles of old, each telling the story of the clan's victories and defeats. The color scheme was rich and bold—deep reds, dark greys, and splashes of gold highlighted by glowing magical inscriptions that lined the outer walls.

The size and strength of the buildings were a testament to Clan Varran's power, showing a deep respect for combat and defense.

For Canna, this was a stark contrast to the relatively simpler sanctuary he had come from. The sanctuary had only a few key structures—the temporary houses, the treasury, the forge, and the arena, the latter being the largest building. Most of the sanctuary's inhabitants focused more on their training or the beauty of the natural landscape rather than building elaborate homes.

There were people who had built small homes to sleep in or bathe, but many preferred to lounge in the open and hone their skills.

Canna's eyes roamed over the buildings below, making mental notes of anything interesting that might serve as inspiration for future expansions in the sanctuary. There were a few defensive structures that piqued his curiosity, and perhaps the training arenas could be replicated to some extent.

As they flew onward, they finally approached their destination—a circular dome-like structure, massive and ancient, resembling the Colosseum of old Rome. Its towering stone walls bearing the scars of countless battles fought within. Canna's eyes gleamed as he took in the sheer scale of the place.

Rows upon rows of seating encircled the arena floor, enough to hold thousands of spectators, and the entire structure hummed with the weight of history and the power it had witnessed over the years.

Varya landed gracefully in the center of the arena, her robes flowing in the wind. Canna touched down a few feet away, still absorbing the grandeur of the place as the wind picked up slightly around him.

"So, what would you like to bet?" Varya asked, her tone almost casual as if she had already won the fight. "You opened this up, so I expect you have something in mind."

Canna smirked, rubbing his chin as he thought. "Well, at first, I was thinking about that couch in the guildmaster's room at the Adventurer's Guild. It looked pretty comfortable. I could use your clan to get that trade going."

Varya's eyes widened slightly, clearly taken aback by the absurdity of the suggestion. All of this... for a couch?

But Canna wasn't done. "But then I changed my mind. I think I prefer something more... educational. A tour of all your clan's buildings. And not just any tour—I want it led personally by your clan leader, your vice leader, and you." Canna's grin widened. Explore new worlds at empire

He had his reasons for making the request. There was no better way to learn about Clan Varran than through its most influential leaders.

Varya's amused smile returned, though her eyes gleamed with a sharper edge. "A bold request, traveler. That's something we only offer to new recruits... but is that really all you want? A tour?"

Canna nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on her. "That's all. If I win, I get my tour. And if you win...?"

Varya's grin widened, her voice dripping with confidence. "If I win, you'll become my direct subordinate. Is that clear?"

"Deal," Canna said with a chuckle. "You'd better get your leader ready for that tour."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

By now, the arena seats had begun to fill. Clan Varran members crowded the stands, their uniforms uniform in color but varied in style. Among the crowd, Sera had rushed to the front, having just returned from her patrol. Her eyes were wide as she spotted the man who had interrupted her training—now standing in the center of the arena, about to face off against her grandmother.

Maggi stood nearby, wearing his distinct white sanctuary robes, standing out among the darker, more formal clothing of the clan members.

Varya summoned her sword, a gleaming weapon that radiated power. It was different from the one she had used when sparring with Sera—this sword was sharper, more ornate, and carried an unmistakable aura of strength.

"How will the winner be determined?" Varya asked, already prepared for the clash.

Canna's eyes gleamed as he summoned a longsword from his storage ring. "Either by being unable to fight or getting knocked out of the arena."

Varya nodded, releasing her true-transcendent aura, the pressure of her power bearing down on the arena. Canna, however, stood unfazed, a gentle wind swirling around him as he prepared himself. He summoned ten water arrows, which floated behind him, ready to be launched at any moment.

His stance shifted into something familiar to him but foreign to Varya—a unique stance that even her experienced eyes couldn't quite place.

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, the tension palpable as the two warriors faced off.

Without warning, the clash began.

Varya dashed forward with blinding speed, her sword cutting through the air in a powerful arc. Canna met her strike with a fluid parry, the clash of their blades reverberating through the arena. Sparks flew as steel met steel, their movements a blur of precision and power.

Canna shifted his weight, his body moving like water as he dodged and countered each of Varya's attacks with practiced ease. His wind magic kicked in, allowing him to maneuver around her strikes, while his water arrows shot toward her, forcing her to deflect them with quick slashes.

From the stands, the crowd could barely follow the action. Their swords moved so fast that they appeared as little more than flashes of light. Maggi watched closely, his eyes narrowing as he observed the exchange. "They're just testing each other for now," he muttered to himself, though the intensity of the battle was enough to leave most of the audience in awe.

The two fighters continued their dance of blades, Varya's strikes growing more aggressive with each passing moment. But Canna remained calm, his movements deliberate and precise, never overcommitting, always reacting with grace.

The crowd's cheers grew louder as the two combatants clashed again, their swords ringing out with each impact. The sheer speed and skill on display left even the most seasoned warriors in the crowd speechless.

But then, the atmosphere shifted.

Varya's smile faded, replaced by a menacing grin. She stepped back slightly, her sword glowing with a faint light. Without warning, her aura surged, her speed and strength increasing dramatically as she activated one of her transcendent techniques.

The real fight was about to begin.