Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

In the end, nothing happened to the group over the next three days, even though they walked around plenty of times. Rain also didn't feel any bloodlust anymore, but he could tell that they were being watched by a lot of people who could hide relatively well. Too bad for them, but Rain could feel anyone around, thanks to his earth magic.

"Rain, how fast do you think you can return home?" Branden asked.

"With enough mana and without stopping to rest, perhaps a day and a half," Rain replied. "I will leave traces behind, though. Anyone with decent eyes will be able to see me moving, and plenty of people know that I can do that, so leaving you guys isn't an option."

"Well, it will take years to rebuild the smallest amount of trust to sign a truce if we fail here," Branden said. "Besides, even if they are in a bad spot, I don't want to let another war start with the magic people."

Rain harbored a deep reluctance towards the prospect of another war. He knew that wars were protracted affairs, consuming vast amounts of time and resources. Moreover, there was the ominous possibility of encountering dragons in the midst of territorial and resource disputes.

The thought of such a clash was unsettling, as it could escalate into a long and devastating conflict, claiming numerous lives and resources over time.

Such an outcome, Rain realized, would be nothing short of disastrous. A war of that magnitude could easily stretch on for decades, breeding a new generation of heroes on both sides. While some individuals might rise to greatness during the conflict, the toll it would take on the masses was unthinkable.

Too many would be forced to bear the burdens of such a prolonged struggle, and the cost in terms of human lives, resources, and societal well-being would be immeasurable.

Rain couldn't help but feel that the magic people had a hidden agenda for keeping them waiting. It seemed like they were stalling, waiting for some unknown event or circumstance to work in their favor. However, the exact nature of this mysterious event remained a puzzle to Rain and the group.

This uncertainty was unsettling, as it hinted at a concealed motive or a carefully thought-out strategy that could disrupt the delicate balance between humans and magic people.

"How much time do we have before people back home start to make a fuss?" Rain asked. "I also don't want to worry my family too much since I said that we would be away for at least two months."

"Well, we were supposed to start the negotiations, so it was supposed that we would stay here for a few weeks if nothing happened," Branden replied.

"We walked around the city a lot of times. Did you notice that a lot of the biggest houses were completely empty?" Esmeralda asked.

"It must be because their owners were protecting their Western border," Branden said. "I thought that too, but the garden of those places looks like they had been abandoned for close to a year. Even if the people that died in the war lived in those places, the timing is off."

Branden looked at Rain, but he just shrugged. He wasn't good at thinking about that kind of stuff. One thing that he found weird was the fact that not many things left the capital, like supplies for the war… plenty of things came, though.

While the group was thinking about that, someone knocked on the door, and when Rain raised his guard. Geio presented himself on the other side of the door. He sounded pretty excited, so it looked like the wait was over.

"Good day, I have brought some good news," Geio said while smiling. "The council is finally ready to meet you."

"I see. When are the meetings supposed to start?" Branden asked.

"Today, two hours after lunch," Geio replied.

Everyone nodded since it was better late than never. Branden assumed that the talks were supposed to last two weeks, and Rain would have to think of ways to kill time while they talked about the boring stuff.

"I guess using my magic will be too much, but I can start a new training regimen, I guess," Rain thought.

After lunch, the group began to prepare to leave for the meeting. Branden and Esmeralda put on some fancy clothes while Rain kept wearing the same clothes: the cloak, his forearm guards, and shin guards. He wondered if they would ask him to take out those. While they weren't weapons per se, they were magic relics.

When the appointed time came, Geio arrived with ten guards to escort them, and then the group began to climb the city and eventually reached the highest section of the city. Rain thought that the city had five sections, but it actually had six. The final one only had the council building.

The council building of the magic people was a magnificent blend of nature and architecture. It stood tall and imposing, immediately catching the eye from a distance. Its design was a testament to the fusion of magic and the environment around it.

On the outside, the building was covered in a tapestry of living plants. Ivy gracefully climbed its walls, breathing life into the structure. Flowers, both ordinary and magical, adorned the facade, painting a dynamic picture that shifted with the changing seasons.

Approaching the entrance, a grand staircase led to towering wooden doors intricately carved with scenes from the history of the magic people. Periods where the tribes waged war against each other and cooperated.

Inside, the council chamber was equally awe-inspiring. The ceiling, a masterpiece of enchantment, displayed magical constellations that mimicked the night sky. The heart of the chamber was an ancient tree that had grown from the ground up, its branches forming a canopy over the meeting area. This tree symbolizes unity among the diverse magic people tribes.

Seating encircled the room, with each tribe leader occupying a chair made from the sacred wood of different trees. This arrangement emphasized equality and cooperation among the tribes. Natural light streamed into the chamber, filtering through the leaves of the central tree.

The air carried the pleasant fragrances of flowers and plants, creating a soothing ambiance conducive to open and peaceful discussions.

The leaders of the tribes were wearing blue robes, and their faces were being covered by yellow veils. Only their eyes could be seen slightly through the veils. Rain could sense a lot of them glaring at him.