Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Mortem moved through the shadows like liquid night, his form merging seamlessly with the darkness as he made his way to the deck. He found Kaelor, who was patrolling the ship with his usual alertness, golden harpoon in hand. In one swift motion, Mortem gripped Kaelor's nape, holding him still for a moment.

"I am a subordinate of Canna-sama," he said, his voice low and deadly. "My master requests that you and your people brace yourselves—an incoming Catastrophe-class creature is on its way."

With that, Mortem released Kaelor and vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Kaelor standing alone, stunned. Kaelor spun around, his golden harpoon raised and ready, but Mortem was already gone, melted back into the shadows. Realizing the urgency of the message, Kaelor's instincts kicked in, and he began issuing orders immediately.

"Drennard!" he shouted, his voice ringing across the deck. "Brace the ship! We've got an incoming Catastrophe-class monster!"

Drennard, who had been idly watching the waves, looked up in shock. "What?!"

Without a second thought, he dropped his tools, grabbing his weapon and slipping into his armor with a speed that belied his age. Kaelor turned to the rest of the crew, his voice calm but commanding.

"Linna, prepare the cannons—we'll need them for the big fish. Finnick, I need your eyes on this. Send a report to the federation with our coordinates—let them know we've got a Catastrophe-class threat inbound!"

The crew snapped into action, their movements fluid and efficient. They had faced countless dangers on the open sea, and each of them knew what was required in a situation like this. Normally, a Catastrophe-class creature would pass by without paying much attention to a small vessel like theirs. But something about this situation felt different, and Kaelor's instincts told him they couldn't rely on the usual rules.

Kaelor and Drennard, both True-transcendent fighters, could feel the approaching presence long before they saw it. A dense, heavy aura filled the air, pressing down on them with a weight that sent an unspoken message: something powerful was coming. And it was coming fast.

A massive splash erupted from the water just off the side of the ship, sending waves crashing over the deck. Kaelor and Drennard held their weapons at the ready, their eyes scanning the source of the disturbance. From the depths, a colossal shape rose, its form obscured by the spray until it launched itself into the air, breaching like a leviathan. But rather than attack, the creature continued to soar, climbing higher and higher, until it was little more than a dark silhouette against the sky.

Kaelor squinted, tracking its movement as it ascended. Through the gathering clouds, he could just make out two more figures hovering in the distance, their shapes barely discernible against the stormy backdrop. The massive creature twisted in midair, its body rippling and shifting, transforming into a more humanoid form as it halted between the two distant figures.

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In front of Canna, a towering figure floated ominously, its muscular body radiating a primal strength. Its head was that of a hammerhead shark, its violet eyes glowing faintly from either side of its broad skull. Its body was covered in dark, slate-colored skin, adorned with rough, barnacle-like protrusions and traces of seaweed as though it had just emerged from the ocean depths. It wore a tattered robe adorned with shells and sea charms, giving it an appearance both regal and fearsome.

The creature's deep, rumbling voice echoed across the open sea. "I am the protector of these waters. What brings you here, demon and dragonkin harbringer?"

Canna raised an eyebrow, surprised by the creature's intelligence and its command over language.

"We're here on a mission," Canna replied, meeting the creature's gaze. Beside him, Abaddon stood, his expression cold and watchful. "I'm heading to Giant's Island, and I'm also seeking individuals of strength. Demigods or Catastrophe-class beings such as yourself."

The figure tilted its hammerhead-shaped head, curiosity flickering in its unusual violet eyes. "Why?"

Canna held its gaze, speaking clearly and with purpose. "I'm building a sanctuary—a place for the weary and a fortress for the strong. I seek powerful beings who wish to join and prote-."

The Catastrophe rank scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain as he interrupted Canna. "Far."

Canna frowned, a question in his eyes. "Far? What do you mean by 'far'?"

The Catastrophe's eyes glinted with irritation, and he released a powerful wave of his aura, the force pressing down on the air and causing the sea around them to churn. "Go far away from here. You are not welcome in these waters."

Canna's patience began to wane, but he kept his tone calm, though there was an edge to his words. "Listen, we're only passing through. We have no intention of disturbing—"

"GO!" the Catastrophe rank bellowed, his voice echoing like a thunderclap. He clearly had no interest in reasoning, his posture and tone filled with arrogance and hostility.

Abaddon moved without hesitation, a dark blur crossing the distance between him and the Catastrophe monster in an instant. His hand clamped around the creature's neck, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

"Twice. You interrupted my master twice," Abaddon said, his voice filled with a quiet menace. He tightened his grip, then flung the Demigod downward with a violent force, sending him hurtling back into the ocean. The impact sent a shockwave across the water, the waves rolling and crashing against the ship as Abaddon followed him into the depths.

As Canna watched, figures began emerging from the water, climbing onto the ship. Each was part of an army of seafolk, warriors loyal to the Catastrophe being who had just been hurled back into the ocean. They moved with purpose, their tridents gleaming under the moonlight as they surrounded the ship.

A dark smile spread across Canna's face as he allowed his true power to rise. He closed his eyes, feeling the surge of energy ripple through him as his body transformed. Muscles expanded, skin darkened, and scales as black as midnight covered his form. His eyes glowed with a fiery intensity, and razor-sharp fangs glistened as he assumed his Demon Dragonkin form.

Canna's wings unfurled, casting a shadow over the deck as he turned to Mortem, who had materialized from the shadows, his face impassive but his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Mortem," Canna said with a dark grin. "Adding some seafolk to your collection could be… interesting." Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

Mortem nodded, his voice calm yet eager. "Indeed, master. This promises to be quite enjoyable."

With a crackle of dark energy, Canna shifted into a bolt of black lightning, landing on the deck with his wings outstretched. He summoned his Stormreaver Talons, the twin kamayari with wickedly sharp blades that crackled with arcs of static electricity. The weapon hummed in his grip, ready to unleash devastation upon the intruders.

On the deck, Linna had her cannons primed and ready, her eyes alight with fierce determination as she aimed at the advancing seafolk. Kaelor and Finnick stood at her side, weapons drawn, each prepared to defend the ship and their crew. Drennard, with a grin that held a spark of madness, lifted his cutlass, giving his crew a firm nod.

No words were necessary. The air was thick with anticipation, each warrior's resolve steeled as the seafolk charged forward, tridents raised. Below the waves, the ongoing clash between Abaddon and the Demigod sent tremors through the water, rippling up to the surface.

With a fierce battle cry, Canna lunged forward, his Stormreaver Talons flashing as he tore through the first line of seafolk. Each strike unleashed arcs of black lightning, illuminating the night in bursts of crackling energy. Mortem moved beside him, a deadly shadow cutting down foes with graceful precision, each defeated warrior joining his collection in the darkness.

Linna fired the cannons, each blast shaking the deck as cannonballs tore through the seafolk ranks, scattering their formations. Kaelor wielded his golden harpoon with unmatched skill, skewering enemies with deadly accuracy as he defended the starboard side. Finnick, perched in the crow's nest, provided a constant stream of intelligence, shouting warnings as more enemies emerged from the depths.

The seafolk, relentless in their assault, climbed over each other, their war cries mingling with the roar of the ocean as they stormed the ship. But the crew held firm, each one a seasoned fighter, each one willing to protect their vessel to the last.

As the battle raged on, Canna moved with a savage grace, his form a blur of scales, claws, and dark lightning. He carved through the ranks of seafolk, his movements precise, each swing of his Stormreaver Talons leaving arcs of destruction in its wake. For him, this was more than a fight—it was a test, a demonstration of capabilities in his new form.

Amidst the chaos, Mortem's calm voice echoed in the darkness, as if unaffected by the carnage around him. "Master, once we've finished here, I believe a thorough investigation of the nearby waters would be prudent. I suspect there may be more lurking below."

Canna grinned, the thrill of battle lighting up his eyes. "Agreed."

The night was filled with the clash of steel, the crackle of lightning, and the roar of battle as Canna, Mortem, and the crew fought with everything they had, defending their ship against the relentless tide of seafolk warriors. And beneath the waves, the true clash continued—a duel between Abaddon and the Catastrophe, a battle of wills and strength.