Sanctuary: Safe Haven

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Canna's decision came instantly. The battlefield was becoming more dangerous by the second, and his people were at risk of being overwhelmed. His voice echoed through the telepathic link he shared with Noctis, sharp and commanding.

"Noctis! Force teleport everyone! Including Dravos and the members of his clan! Leave Flora! Now!"

Noctis, ever vigilant, immediately obeyed his master's command. His clones, stationed with every squad of the sanctuary forces, activated their teleportation abilities. Thousands of red portals began to materialize around the battlefield, one by one sucking in the fighters of the sanctuary. The portals shimmered like vortexes, pulling them back to the safety of the sanctuary.

With the enemy forces multiplying, this was the only way to ensure minimal casualties.

Even as the chaos of battle raged, the sanctuary's forces disappeared rapidly. But because they were in the heat of battle, some of the enemies—Black Thorn operatives and adventurers alike—were inadvertently drawn into the portals as well. The swirling red energy acted without discretion, yanking allies and foes alike into the sanctuary.

Back in the sanctuary, the portals opened, and the fighters returned. They were battered, bruised, and bloodied, but smiles adorned their faces, knowing they had fought with everything they had. The healers, already on standby, rushed in to tend to the wounded.

The guardians of the sanctuary, led by the towering figure of Sylvanar, sprang into action. Sylvanar's ancient vines twisted through the air, wrapping around any enemies who had followed through the portals. The intruders, be they Black Thorn or adventurer, found themselves at the mercy of the sanctuary's wrath. Sylvanar's vines latched onto them, draining their life force with merciless precision.

The scene was one of organized chaos—healers working tirelessly to stabilize the wounded, while guardians like Sylvanar and Stormbringer eliminated any threats that appeared through the portals. Every corner of the sanctuary was active, with red portals spitting out fighters, both allies and foes.

The sanctuary's warriors, now back on home turf, worked with precision, taking down any threats before they could gain a foothold.

Zephyros and Solara, the mighty disaster-ranked wolves, were next to be pulled through the portals. With them, however, came two powerful saints who had been engaging them in battle. But the wolves were not alone for long. Aurelis, the solar lion, and Lumivyre, the celestial serpent, descended upon the intruding saints like vengeful gods.

The saints, caught off guard and weakened by their earlier battles, stood no chance against the overwhelming power of the two beasts. The celestial serpent coiled around one saint, its scales shimmering in the moonlight, while Aurelis unleashed a powerful roar, sending waves of solar energy that vaporized the second saint on the spot.

The wolves, Zephyros and Solara, were quickly whisked away to the healers, their wounds being treated with care and urgency. They would be needed again soon. As they were carried off, the might of the sanctuary's healers was on full display—magic surged through the air as deep cuts were sealed, and broken bones mended within moments.

It was as if the battlefield never touched the wolves, and soon they'd be back to wreak havoc.

Next to be teleported was Vorgrim, who had been in the midst of a fierce fight against the Saint of Clan Skarn and Xyler, the Black Thorn's master of espionage. As the portal took hold of Vorgrim, it also pulled in his enemies. They materialized in the sanctuary just as quickly as they had been in the fight, and without hesitation, the battle resumed.

Vorgrim, unfazed by the sudden change in scenery, continued his assault, his fists crashing into the Saint of Clan Skarn with thunderous force.

Then came Canna, still locked in battle with Solenne, the master of poisons. As the portal took them both, they were transported into the sanctuary, where the ground was instantly soaked in toxic fumes and lightning bolts as their duel resumed. Solenne's poisoned daggers clashed with Canna's scythe, each strike producing bursts of lethal energy.

The air around them shimmered with the deadly combination of poison and lightning. Canna was forced to divide his attention between evading the treacherous poison clouds and countering Solenne's rapid strikes. For every dagger she threw, Canna countered with precise cuts of his scythe, sending arcs of lightning to dissipate the poison before it could reach him.

Finally, Dravos was pulled through the portal, followed by Seraphis herself, the leader of the Black Thorn. The moment they arrived, the sanctuary exploded into action once more. The warriors of the sanctuary, already well-versed in combat, wasted no time. Their enemies, now inside the heart of the sanctuary, became prey to the sanctuary's defenders.

Dravos, though surprised by the sudden teleportation, quickly adjusted to his new surroundings. His eyes narrowed as he spotted Seraphis, and without hesitation, he lunged at her, broadsword raised.

The Saint of Clan Skarn, along with his massive praying mantis familiar, found himself besieged by Sylvanar's vines. The mantis slashed at the vines with its sharp blades, but more vines continued to rise from the ground, seeking to entangle and crush it. The Saint, meanwhile, did his best to dodge the relentless assault, but he was quickly losing ground.

He hadn't anticipated being brought into an entirely different environment, and it was clear that the sanctuary was not in his favor.

Seraphis, too, was under siege. As soon as she arrived, Stormrend the hydra unleashed a full-scale elemental breath at her, forcing her to evade. The hydra's multiple heads each spewed a different element—fire, ice, and lightning—creating a storm of destruction that Seraphis barely avoided. She twisted and dodged, her eyes narrowed in fury as she realized the dire situation she had been pulled into.

Each breath from the hydra could have obliterated entire battalions, and it took every ounce of her strength to stay out of its range.

Dravos, momentarily disoriented by the appearance of Stormrend, scanned the battlefield, his eyes locking onto Canna, who was still locked in a deadly duel with Solenne. The air around them crackled with energy as their fight intensified, filling the sanctuary with the ominous hum of power and venomous clouds.

The realization hit Dravos: the sanctuary had become a new battlefield, and the war was far from over. With renewed determination, he joined the fray, his massive broadsword cleaving through the enemies that had followed through the portals. The warriors of Clan Varran rallied behind him, their battle cries echoing through the sanctuary.

Round two had begun.