Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Dot's heart raced as she stepped through the portal, her surroundings instantly changing from the chaotic battlefield of her village she was accustomed to, into something far more serene and awe-inspiring. The first thing she noticed was the sheer number of people, but what struck her most was that they were all children—her age or even younger—engaged in intense sparring matches.

Everywhere she looked, there were children wielding different kinds of weapons—swords clashing with spears, axes swinging through the air, and daggers being deftly handled with precision. Despite their age, they moved with a skill and confidence that left Dot speechless.

The sun bathed the scene in a warm glow, the gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers, and towering ancient trees stood as silent guardians over the sparring grounds.

Mira was walking beside her, talking excitedly, but Dot barely heard a word. She was too engrossed in the world unfolding around her, completely mesmerized by the sights, sounds, and scents of the Sanctuary. She didn't even notice when they entered a new field until the sight of elemental magic brought her out of her reverie.

On this field, more children were sparring, but this time with spellcasting. Flames roared into existence, water swirled in intricate patterns, gusts of wind whipped through the air, and chunks of earth were hurled like projectiles. Dot's eyes widened in amazement, taking in the sight of young mages wielding the elements with such ease and control.

She thought she had seen everything, but this… this was beyond anything she could have imagined.

As she wandered forward in a daze, she suddenly collided with something solid, like walking into a wall. Stumbling back, Dot looked up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw what she had bumped into—a towering black orc, easily the most intimidating figure she had ever seen. His muscles bulged under his dark skin, and his red eyes glowed with a fierce intensity.

Just standing in his presence made her feel small and insignificant, yet at the same time, she felt a strange sense of awe and admiration. The orc looked down at her, his expression unreadable, and Dot felt stars fill her eyes, knowing instinctively that this was a powerful warrior.

Mira, noticing Dot's reaction, grinned and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "That's Grimruk, one of Canna's subordinates. Impressive, right?" Dot could only nod, still too stunned to speak.

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They continued their tour, and Dot remained in a state of wonder, taking in every detail of the Sanctuary. The place was alive with energy and potential, a stark contrast to the world she had known. Everything here was designed for strength, growth, and unity.

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As they moved to an empty field, Mira noticed the enthusiasm in Dot's eyes. With a mischievous grin, she asked, "Want to spar with me? You look like you want to give it a try."

Dot blinked in surprise, her thoughts racing. Spar with Mira? The idea both thrilled and terrified her. She did want to spar—ever since she had stepped foot in the Sanctuary, she had been itching to test her skills, to prove herself. After all, she wanted to be stronger, to stand tall alongside these incredible people. Slowly, she nodded, a determined expression crossing her face.

Mira's grin widened. "Alright then, let's do this." The two of them walked toward an open field, drawing the attention of the other children who had been sparring nearby. As they passed, the other children stopped what they were doing, turning their gazes toward the duo. Whispers and murmurs quickly spread among the crowd.

"Oi, is she really going to spar with Mira?"

"Where's the referee? Someone call a referee!"

"Who's that girl? She's got nice hair."

Dot could feel the eyes of everyone on her, the weight of their expectations and curiosity. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. She had come this far; she wasn't about to give up now.

Mira stretched her arms and cracked her knuckles, her confidence unshaken. "Alright, what's your weapon?" she asked, glancing at Dot.

Dot hesitated for only a moment before reaching into her storage ring. She pulled out the bow she had used just hours ago, the familiar weight comforting in her hands. "How about you?" she asked, looking at Mira.

Mira chuckled, doing some light stretches. "I'm good with my bare hands. I'm much better that way," she replied, her tone casual but with a hint of challenge.

Dot's eyes widened slightly, but before she could react, Mira suddenly stopped mid-stretch, as if remembering something. "Oops, wait a second, Dot. I just need to take care of something."

Dot watched, confused, as the area around them suddenly grew colder. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw it—a massive, dark bear emerging from Mira's shadow. The creature was enormous, its fur black as midnight and its eyes glowing with an eerie blue light. It was unlike anything Dot had ever seen, a creature of pure nightmare fuel, and for a moment, sheer terror gripped her heart.

The bear's presence was overwhelming, its size and power dwarfing everything around it.

As Dot began to panic, ready to scream for help, Mira spoke in a calm, almost playful tone. "Listen, Nyx, sit this one out, okay?"

Dot stared at the bear, her heart still pounding. The creature—Nyx—gave a low growl but obediently sat down, its eyes still fixed on Dot. Relief flooded through her, though the fear lingered. Mira, with a shadow bear as her companion… just how powerful was she?

With Nyx settled, Mira turned her attention back to Dot. "Alright, now we're ready." Shadows began to swirl around Mira, dancing and writhing as if they had a life of their own. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying, and Dot couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and fear. The other children watching from the sidelines fell silent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

Dot readied her stance, gripping her bow tightly. She had faced many challenges before, but this was different. This was a test, not just of her skills, but of her resolve.

Mira's eyes gleamed with excitement, her voice steady as she said, "Let's see what you've got, Dot."

And with that, the spar began.