Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Before the clash between Canna and Varya could escalate, a low, thunderous roar erupted from the shadows beneath Canna's feet. The ground itself seemed to vibrate as the sound filled the air, followed by the materialization of a massive, looming figure. Nyx, Canna's great-calamity shadow bear, emerged from the darkness, his eyes glowing ominously as he growled at Varya.

His dark, shadowy form rippled like an entity of pure night, and it was clear he didn't appreciate his master being attacked so suddenly.

Varya's eyes widened slightly in recognition, though her expression quickly shifted to one of intrigue. "Oh," she mouthed softly, a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. "Is this where your confidence comes from? A great-calamity shadow bear, an apex predator of the night." Her voice carried a tone of both admiration and amusement.

Without hesitation, she reached for the longsword at her waist, unsheathing it with a swift motion. The sharp ring of steel filled the clearing.

Canna, sensing the tension rising further, prepared to return the longsword she had thrown at him. But Varya simply nodded toward him. "You may keep it," she said calmly, her attention still partly focused on Nyx. Despite her outward confidence, Canna could sense that Varya was carefully analyzing the situation.

Decades of being a warrior had made her a master of assessing her enemies, and Canna knew she had already noticed something off.

This shadow bear wasn't normal, and neither was the man who commanded it.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Varya's sharp gaze flickered back to Canna. "I assume you're here to join Clan Skarn? They specialize in handling beasts. With a creature like this at your side, you might have a decent chance of impressing them."

Canna met her gaze evenly, his expression unbothered. "I'm only curious about them," he said, his voice calm but direct. "I just want to see what kind of beasts they've tamed and how they handle them. I have no intention of joining any clan."

That response caught Varya off-guard, if only for a second. She blinked, the faintest hint of surprise flashing across her features before she masked it again. Most people who came to Kharath had ambitions—grand ones. Wealth, glory, honor—those were the things that drove men and women to the kingdom's gates. Yet here was this man with seemingly no such goals. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

He wasn't driven by fame or fortune, just curiosity. It was strange… but then again, so was Canna.

"You don't seek fame or glory, then," Varya said, her voice thoughtful as she studied him. "Interesting." She sheathed her longsword and gave him a slight nod. "Carry that sword when you enter the kingdom, Canna Yakane. You'll need it."

Without another word, Varya turned on her heel and began walking in the same direction Sera had gone, her stride purposeful. She disappeared into the trees without a backward glance, leaving Canna and Nyx alone in the clearing.

Canna watched her go, feeling the tension ease slightly. He glanced down at Nyx, who was still visibly on edge, the great bear's glowing eyes locked on the spot where Varya had vanished. Nyx didn't like being caught off guard like that, and Canna could feel the frustration radiating off the bear's form. Varya had moved too fast, and Nyx wasn't used to someone else matching his speed.

"It's alright, Nyx. Calm down," Canna said gently, placing a hand on Nyx's shadowy flank. "We've got a long adventure ahead of us. Save your strength for when we need it."

Nyx grunted softly, his form slowly melting back into the shadows. Despite returning to Canna's shadow, he remained much more vigilant than before, ready to respond at a moment's notice.

Canna glanced at the longsword still in his hand, taking a moment to admire the craftsmanship. It was light yet sturdy, a well-balanced blade that felt natural in his grip. With a small nod, he slid the sword into his belt and started walking in the direction of the kingdom's gates.

_______

By the time Canna reached the gates of Kharath, the sun had climbed high in the sky. The roads leading up to the entrance were bustling with activity—caravans, wagons, and merchants all lined up, waiting for their turn to pass through. The smell of dust, sweat, and distant cooking fires filled the air, mixing with the murmurs of travelers and the occasional shout of a merchant hawking their goods.

Canna joined the line, watching the scene unfold in front of him. He noticed several groups of adventurers, easily distinguishable by their weapons and armor, circling the wagons and speaking with the merchants.

At that moment, Canna heard Noctis' voice again, echoing in his mind. "Master, the wagons are for the merchants' merchandise, while the caravans hold the actual merchants themselves. The adventurers you see are performing escort missions assigned by the Adventurer's Guild. Their job is to safeguard the goods of the merchants and ensure safe passage through the kingdom."

Canna's interest piqued slightly. "Escort missions, huh? Maybe I should take one, just to see what it's like." His tone was thoughtful as he scanned the adventurers nearby.

"An excellent idea," Noctis responded smoothly. "There's always an opportunity to gather more information that way. As for me, my real body is currently stationed at the information center near Alexa. We're gathering intel that one of our diplomat dwarves has made contact with a new group of dwarves. So far, no serious developments, but I'll keep you updated."

Canna nodded absently, his eyes still scanning the bustling crowd ahead. "Good job, Noctis. Keep me informed if anything comes up."

After a short wait, it was Canna's turn to approach the guards at the gates. He handed over his Adventurer's Guild card, watching as one of the guards examined it carefully. The man's eyes flicked over the information on the card before he gave a subtle nod to his companion. Without a word, the guard gestured toward the entrance, prompting Canna to proceed.

Canna stepped through the gates and into the heart of Kharath, his gaze immediately drawn to the sprawling city before him. The streets were teeming with life—merchants, adventurers, townsfolk—all moving with purpose. And somewhere in the midst of it all lay his next destination.

The Adventurer's Guild.

With a smile tugging at his lips, Canna set off down the street, eager to see what the day would bring.