Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna settled into his cabin, still unfazed by the chaotic events that had just unfolded. Just as he was beginning to relax, there was a knock on the door, and Drennard, the captain, entered.

"Once we reach a safer part of the sea, Finnick will begin minor repairs on the ship due to the… excitement of the last fight," Drennard informed him, casting a wary glance over his shoulder. The ship bore the marks of the recent skirmish, but the crew had handled it all admirably.

Canna nodded. "No need to rush. Let the men rest first," he replied, dismissing Drennard with a wave.

The captain nodded gratefully and exited. No sooner had he left than Abaddon's voice emerged from the shadows. "Master, we have three trailing us. Your orders?"

Canna leaned back on his bed, utterly unbothered. "Leave them be."

Just then, a small portal appeared beside him, big enough for a hand—or, as it turned out, for a creature to fly through. With a joyful leap, Milo, Canna's loyal beast demon, popped through, his large, fluffy form brimming with excitement. The creature eagerly licked Canna's face, clearly delighted to be reunited.

Canna laughed, scratching Milo behind his horns. "You've been missed, Milo."

Milo's affection lifted Canna's spirits, his joyful energy a stark contrast to the tension of the open sea. Ever since Canna's brief stay at the home of Alma, the kind grandmother, he had received updates that Brasis, one of his researchers, needed assistance with research materials. Brasis, eager to study demon physiology, had requested one of Canna's strongest subordinates. However, Brasis dared not approach Abaddon or Ameena, so he had turned to Milo, who, as a Duke-rank demon beast, was more approachable.

Canna had instructed Milo to be cooperative with Brasis—"No messes, and help as much as you can." Milo had complied, enduring Brasis's research without complaint, proving to be an ideal subject in the scholar's studies on demon physiology.

As Canna relaxed with Milo playfully circling him, Noctis's voice echoed in his mind. "Master, are you available? I have some reports that require your attention."

Canna's eyes narrowed. "Give me a moment," he replied, then looked to Mortem. "Stay here, Mortem. I need to return to the sanctuary; it sounds urgent."

Mortem materialized from the shadows, bowing slightly. "Understood, master."

With a thought, Canna opened a portal and stepped through, arriving in the sanctuary within moments.

_____________

Upon arrival, a tiny clone of Noctis perched on Canna's head while Milo flew around him in joyful circles. Noctis cleared his throat before beginning his report.

"First report, Master. Remember the three newly joined Catastrophe ranks?"

Canna nodded, recalling them. "Yes—Vorthar, Natori, and Swiftwing. What's the issue?"

"Well… they're settled in, and…" Noctis hesitated, clearly uncertain how to phrase his next words.

"Spit it out, Noctis," Canna prompted, sensing the clone's unease.

Noctis exhaled. "They woke up and… left to fight. To put it simply, ever since their arrival, Stormbringer has been sparring with them nonstop. Sometimes, it's a full-on 2v2 match, with Sylvanar joining Stormbringer for a bit of a tussle."

Canna couldn't help but smile at the thought. "That's… outrageous." He knew well the immense power each of these beings held. "Status report?"

Noctis continued. "They've been sparring in the Verdant Peaks, and they've managed to level a few valleys and mountains already. Our resident earth drake, Catastrophe-class Valra, has been repairing the terrain as fast as possible. At one point, the sparring drew such attention that Terrorfang joined in too. There's significant damage, Master. If this keeps up, parts of the verdant peaks will become barren again."

Canna sighed, nodding as he considered Noctis's words. "We may need to create a dedicated battlefield for them. The sanctuary is vast, but having Catastrophe-class creatures sparring recklessly will eventually take a toll." He straightened, his resolve clear. "Where are they now?"

"Back in the Verdant Peaks," Noctis replied. "A lot of people have gathered to watch—minotaurs, elves, humans, dwarves, everyone on the sidelines."

Canna teleported to the location, eager to see the battle firsthand.

_____________

The scene that greeted him was both magnificent and chaotic. Towering over the peaks was Stormbringer, the massive 210-foot dragon, his form radiating raw, tempestuous energy. His scales were a dark, stormy hue, shimmering with arcs of electricity. Across from him stood Vorthar, another colossal figure, his fur thick and luxurious, a blend of golden-brown, white, and black that gave him an almost regal appearance. Vorthar's massive horns twisted like dark spires above his head, and his intelligent, golden-amber eyes gleamed with fierce concentration as he faced off against the dragon.

In the midst of their duel, Stormbringer released a blinding bolt of lightning, his powerful breath attack tearing through the air toward Vorthar. In response, Vorthar unleashed his own energy, a concentrated beam that collided with Stormbringer's attack. The clash of the two beams created a thunderous explosion, shaking the ground and sending shockwaves across the landscape. The spectators flinched, shielding themselves as rocks tumbled down the mountainside.

Canna observed quietly, his eyes shifting to the other spectacle nearby: Terrorfang, the towering red gorilla. Standing at an immense 190 feet, Terrorfang's muscular form radiated raw physical power. His fur was a deep crimson, and his fists were large enough to crush boulders with ease. His amber eyes reflected raw power and deadly intent as he grappled with Natori, a 170-foot behemoth who could fly and have talons that tore into the earth, countering Terrorfang's overwhelming strength with graceful, calculated moves.

The ground beneath them quaked as they fought, each impact sending tremors through the earth. Terrorfang's powerful fists collided with Natori's talons , and the sound of their clash was like a drumbeat, resonating across the Verdant Peaks. Nearby trees bent under the sheer force of their blows, and the air was thick with energy and tension.

The onlookers were spellbound, some cheering, others gaping in awe as the titanic beings sparred. Elves, minotaurs, and creatures of all kinds watched from a safe distance, marveling at the spectacle of raw power. Even the sky seemed to darken as clouds gathered, responding to the ferocity of Stormbringer's lightning attacks.

Canna remained composed, studying each combatant carefully, assessing their skills and potential. He felt a surge of pride watching these powerful creatures pushing each other to their limits, testing their strength in a battle that resonated throughout the sanctuary.

But he couldn't let them continue unchecked. With a slight narrowing of his eyes, Canna raised his hand, summoning a crackling bolt of black lightning. Channeling 60% of his mana into the attack, he unleashed the bolt into the air.

The lightning crackled and roared as it shot skyward, illuminating the entire area with a blinding flash. The sheer force of the energy shook the ground, sending a powerful shockwave across the battlefield. The combatants froze mid-motion, feeling the overwhelming force emanating from Canna's attack. The spectators gasped, some stumbling back, their eyes wide as they looked toward Canna.

The lightning dissipated, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. All eyes turned to Canna, his form emanating authority and power. He stepped forward, his gaze steady as he addressed the titanic creatures. Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

"Enough," he commanded, his voice calm but laced with authority. "I understand your need to test each other's strength, but if you continue like this, the sanctuary will be nothing but rubble."

Stormbringer and Vorthar exchanged glances, each respecting the authority in Canna's words. Terrorfang straightened, his gaze shifting between Canna and Natori, as if acknowledging the reminder. The ground seemed to exhale a sigh of relief as the destructive energy of the sparring giants receded.

"We will find a designated place for your battles," Canna continued, his tone unwavering.

The massive beings bowed their heads in deference, their immense forms respectful in Canna's presence. Even Stormbringer, known for his pride, lowered his gaze, understanding the importance of Canna's words.

With a final nod, Canna turned and left, satisfied that he had restored order—at least, for now. The giants remained silent, each contemplating their next encounter and the designated battleground that awaited them. As Canna departed, the spectators began to disperse, murmuring in awe at the power they had witnessed.

For now, the sanctuary was safe. But the presence of such powerful beings was a constant reminder of the strength—and the potential destruction—that lay within its borders.