Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The cracks continued to spread across the surface of the egg, a network of fine lines crisscrossing the shell. The tension in the room was palpable, with everyone holding their breath, especially Canna. Minutes ticked by without any movement, and worry began to creep into Canna's thoughts. Just as he was about to step closer, a sudden, thunderous explosion rocked the dungeon.

In the center of the explosion's aftermath stood a newly hatched dragon, its scales shimmering in a mix of deep crimson and ebony hues. The baby dragon was already imposing, roughly the size of two horses side by side. Its scales, though smaller and less developed than they would be in adulthood, were thick and armored, hinting at the formidable creature it would become.

Spikes ran along its spine and tail, each tipped with a darker shade of black, adding to its fierce appearance.

The dragon's head was broad and heavily armored, with large, glowing eyes that blazed with a fiery orange light. Small, budding red horns began to curl from the sides of its head, and its jaws, though still growing, were lined with sharp, gleaming teeth. Its wings, though not yet fully formed, were large and covered in a leathery membrane, hinting at the impressive wingspan it would develop.

The tail, long and flexible, ended in a budding cluster of spikes, giving the dragon a balanced and powerful look even in its infancy.

The newly hatched dragon looked around the dungeon wildly, clearly agitated and on edge. It growled fiercely when its eyes met Tonitrum's, sensing the ancient dragon's overwhelming presence as a potential threat. Tonitrum, however, remained unperturbed, merely watching the young dragon with a dispassionate gaze.

The baby dragon's agitation grew, thrashing about as it tried to assert itself in the presence of such a powerful being.

Suddenly, a hand gently touched the dragon's head. "Calm down, I'm here," Canna's voice came, soft and reassuring. The dragon's eyes flicked towards him, a flicker of recognition passing through its gaze.

"You look amazing. I've been waiting for your arrival ever since," Canna continued, his tone soothing and nurturing, akin to a parent speaking to their child. The baby dragon, still on edge, seemed to relax slightly at the familiarity of Canna's voice.

"I know you're confused and probably scared, but you don't have to be now." As Canna spoke, the dragon gradually stopped thrashing, its focus solely on him. A bond seemed to form between them, and soon after, both Canna and the baby dragon began to glow brightly.

A notification appeared before Canna: "You have successfully contracted the Apex Draconian."

The baby dragon finally calmed, its fierce demeanor softening as it looked at Canna with a newfound trust. "You have an interesting race name, Apex Draconian. Can you understand me?" Canna asked gently.

The dragon nodded, brushing its cheeks against Canna affectionately. Canna smiled, finding the gesture endearing. "You're funny. From here on out, your name will be Stormbringer. It's an interesting name, isn't it? Your nickname will be Stormy."

The baby dragon made a soft, approving noise, as if agreeing with the name. Canna took a closer look at Stormbringer, marveling at the intricate details of the young dragon's appearance. The scales were not only beautifully colored but also had a slight iridescent quality, reflecting light in a mesmerizing display. The eyes, large and expressive, seemed to hold a depth of intelligence and curiosity.

The wings, though not yet capable of flight, were strong and well-formed, promising great things in the future.

Stormbringer's overall size was impressive for a baby dragon, already comparable to two horses standing together. The creature's build was muscular yet agile, with a sleek form that hinted at both strength and speed. As Stormbringer settled, the dragon's demeanor became more relaxed, its earlier aggression giving way to a calm, almost playful curiosity.

Canna felt a deep connection to Stormbringer, a bond forged not just through the contract but through a shared sense of purpose and destiny.

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A few hours had passed, and Canna spent that time bonding with Stormbringer. It was his first experience fully seeing and interacting with a dragon, as he had only seen Tonitrum's massive head before, with the rest of the ancient dragon's body sealed away. The full extent of Tonitrum's size remained a mystery to him.

Canna moved Stormbringer into the barren domain, allowing the young dragon to move freely. The dungeon floor wasn't an ideal environment for a creature of Storm's size. Watching Stormbringer, Canna marveled at the dragon's potential strength and speed, even as a newborn. However, like all newborns, Stormbringer needed plenty of sleep.

Canna quickly fashioned a temporary shelter, a small cave just large enough for the young dragon, who soon drifted off to sleep.

Returning to the dungeon, Canna found Tonitrum waiting for him. The ancient dragon's eyes glinted with a mixture of recollection and seriousness.

"I remember now where I got that egg," Tonitrum began. "It's from that race of dragons known as the Apex Draconians. As the name suggests, they were the apex of the dragonic race—strongest, fastest, and smartest. But there was one aspect that truly set them apart: their size.

Apex Draconians were the largest of all dragons, the biggest one I saw was their leader back then, standing thousands of feet tall. They're extinct now. Do you know why?"

Canna, genuinely intrigued by Tonitrum's story, shook his head. The dragon continued, "The gods hunted them down, one by one. The gods were threatened by them because the Apex Draconians didn't take orders from anyone or anything outside their race, and the gods didn't like that.

There was even a god foolish enough to try capturing and taming one, but that ended with the god being charred to death, along with all of its followers. Despite their strength, the relentless hunting took its toll over the centuries, and their numbers dwindled. I took that egg from a couple who went out to fight in the Apex Draconian versus gods war.

Heed my advice: do not, under any circumstances, let that dragon outside the domain. Once its existence is known, not even I could protect you."

Canna listened intently, absorbing the weight of Tonitrum's warning. The story of the Apex Draconians filled him with both awe and caution. The young dragon he had bonded with was not just any creature; Stormbringer was a remnant of a proud and powerful lineage. Canna understood the gravity of his responsibility and the potential danger they faced. Unveil more tales at m_vl-em|p-yr