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.

The familiar rumble of the earth, the same one he had felt during their first encounter, returned. The marsh began to tremble, trees swayed as something massive moved beneath the ground. A long shadow stretched across the earth as the colossal form of the Earth Drake ascended once more, its titanic body emerging from the depths.

The beast’s scaled head loomed above Canna, its eyes glowing like molten gold as it regarded him. After a few tense moments, an old, rumbling voice echoed through the air, each word heavy with age and power.

"You’re the fool who dared to attack me," the Earth Drake growled. "I did not kill you because I was curious. But now, tell me—why should I listen to you? Why should I not kill you where you stand?"

The drake’s presence was overwhelming, but Canna remained calm. He knew the drake could crush him if it wanted to, but that wasn’t what he had come for.

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"Because you have young to take care of," Canna replied evenly, his gaze steady on the enormous creature before him.

At the mention of her young, the drake’s eyes widened ever so slightly. The shift was subtle, but Canna could see the tension in the beast’s massive frame. She hadn’t expected him to know about her offspring, and that hesitation told him all he needed to know.

The Earth Drake, however, was far from convinced. Her tail lashed behind her, sending trees crashing to the ground as her massive claws dug into the earth.

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"You speak of my young as if you know their worth," the drake hissed. "But why should I trust you? I have seen your kind’s treachery. What stops me from tearing you apart now, before you become a threat to them?"

Canna sighed inwardly. It was going to take more than just words to convince her. The drake was too guarded, too protective, and wouldn’t trust him based on promises alone.

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."