Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

A deafening crash of metal being smashed echoed through the area, sending shockwaves of terror through the human army. In the next moment, a violent blast of wind erupted with tremendous force, catching the soldiers off guard. The sudden blast ripped through their ranks, lifting several hapless humans off their feet and sending them hurtling backward to land in the middle of their fellow soldiers.

The unfortunate soldiers who found themselves airborne crashed into their comrades, creating a chaotic and painful pile-up. The impact was brutal, and many of them landed with bone-crushing force, their bodies wracked with pain as bones were fractured and limbs were injured. The unexpected assault left them disoriented and struggling to regain their footing amid the tumultuous battlefield.

The same thing happened several times in a quick succession of attacks… the humans didn't know what was going on, so they took several steps backward to move away from the steam curtain… the impacts injured hundreds of soldiers, but it didn't kill any of them.

When the steam screen dissipated, the humans looked confused since the magic people's army still didn't move an inch from their spot and they couldn't understand why, nor could they see any signs of their magic in action.

"It is working well, just as you predicted… but why everyone here looks so pissed?" Terra asked while looking around.

"They are pissed exactly because of that, because my plan is working," Rain said. "Besides, they are too bloodthirsty to think logically, they just want to kill all humans, I am their main targets since I killed their former leader."

Rain was surrounded by martial artits with the crazy healing skills, they were from the tribe of the second general, so it was no surprised that they felt like that. They also had to follow his orders until his plans stopped working… so, they felt like they were being eaten from inside out.

Rain and Terra also had the mercury warriors nearby, but they didn't have any weapons with them for now… their plan was to buy time while other preparations were being made and since they also needed to save their strength in order not to get on the pace of the human army.

— —

While things were getting confused on the battlefield, things were getting tense in the king's tent as well. He was constantly receiving reports of what was happening, and in the end, the worst news had been delivered by his most trusted right-handed man.

"Your Majesty, it seems that the rebel known as Rainendall joined the magic people to face us," Joanis said with a straight face.

"... didn't you send one of your best groups of soldiers to deal with him?" The King asked while not hiding his annoyance.
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"Yes, your Majesty," Joanis said and then bowed his head deeply. "It looks like he also joined ranks with the sea folk and managed to defeat that army… the princess still is under his control."

"It seems… it looks… is that all you can say?" The King asked.

"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty," Joanis said and then bowed once more. "I have no excuses."

The King was running out of patience… he thought that a single fourteen years old boy wouldn't cause that much trouble… while he heard things about Rain, he assumed that people were just thinking too much or that Branden had spread rumors to create a figurehead hero to boost the influence of his organization.

He never truly believed that a twelve-year-old boy would have killed two generals of the magic people.

Still, right now… Rain was confirming that he was a far more troublesome adversary than the king had assumed that he was… the sea folk didn't contact the humans for hundreds of years and now they were working with him.

There was also the ridiculous rumor that Rain split the country in two with his magic by creating a two thousand kilometers long waterway, from one ocean to the other… that rumor was starting to sound a lot less ridiculous.

"Do you have any plan to deal with him, or should I take matters into my own hands?" The King asked.

"I believe it would be wiser for Your Majesty only to make your move in the worst-case scenario," Joanis explained after he raised his head. "In case this war becomes more complicated… according to my informants, the magic people are still trying to hold their ground on the other side and the dragons are bound to join this battle.

Once that happens, we will have the chance to use our best cards and take down both sides."

"Just be sure to crush this boy as soon as possible," The king said. "Our side will keep losing face if we keep a kid getting in our way and the soldiers will lose faith in our cause."

"Of course, your Majesty," Joanis said and then bowed again. "I will do my very best to crush him as fast as possible."

After that, Joanis left the tent and received the latest reports of the battle… aside from the trick with the steam cloud, now Rain and the some melee fighters of the magic people were able to knock down several soldiers with attacks that no one could see yet. That didn't make any sense…

"His level is higher than I predicted, and he keeps getting stronger…" Joanis rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If those five were defeated and he still looks fine, his a lot tougher and he also has some high healing abilities, almost on par with those martial artists. No… if he was caught by the explosions, his magic could have been so effective… someone has better healing skills than him."

Joanis recalled that a member of Rain's group came with him… that was unusual. Most of the time, he would come alone or with a six-man party… Jaonis could only assume that Rain was being cautious and that his friend was the one who would keep him alive if something were to happen…