Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Rain. "Dad…, it isn't better if we know what those weapons are for before we start planning that."

"No, probably not," Rain said. "Anyway, it will take a while before those weapons become useful, so don't count on them for now."

"What is the reason behind such secrecy?" Seadrei asked.

"Everyone will count too much on the weapons if I reveal what they are for," Rain explained. "Therefore, it is better if we ignore them for now. Besides, knowing what they can do won't change a thing, you all won't be able to improve or speed up the process. So, let's focus on what you all can do.""

Feeling weary of the secrecy surrounding Rain's mysterious weapons, the group decided to shift their focus to planning their next mission instead. Recognizing the urgency of their situation and the need to stay one step ahead of their adversaries, they delved into discussions about their upcoming objectives.

With the knowledge that the machine gods were likely aware of their pursuit of the relics, the group anticipated that their enemies might attempt to relocate or manipulate the artifacts to their advantage. This realization showed the importance of operating with caution and foresight, considering every possible scenario, and strategizing accordingly.

They weighed the risks and potential challenges they might face, devising contingency measures and backup plans to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

"What are our best targets aside from the relics?" Esmeralda asked.

"Sakaki only looked for information regarding the places the relics are and have been," Rain said. "We have a good idea of the layout and several areas of the enemy's territories… among them, there was an area where they produced the skeletons of the first dragons using that metal that got harder the more mana it was infused in.

Their skeleton is made with that material, high concentrations of mana, and corrupt energy."

The revelation about the dark metal used in creating the skeletons of the first dragons shed light on a long-standing mystery for the group. Finally, understanding the material's composition brought clarity to their understanding of the creatures they were up against. However, this newfound knowledge also gave rise to another mystery.

The realization that all the first dragons possessed skeletons crafted from the same dark metal while the fact that the dragons' appearance mirrored the creatures native to the worlds they invaded and destroyed added another layer of complexity to the puzzle. It seemed difficult to understand that combination…

As the group grappled with these thoughts, a sense of unease settled over them, fueling their determination to uncover the truth behind the first dragons and the dark metal that comprised their skeletal structures.

"Speaking of which… we have a lot of those dark metals since you asked Iori for them," Esmeralda said. "What should we use them for?"

"Craft simple weapons for everyone else who doesn't have a relic," Rain said. "However, if they use the power of the sins with them, they might lose control and go bananas. So, it is better not to overuse them… using the virtue paths will probably be a good idea, even though their effects can cancel each other.

It will be fine as long as they don't use too much of the power of a single sin like gluttony and temperance at the same time."

"The dark metal is very hard; it will be difficult to polish the weapons or forge them in the exact shape that we want," Roan said. "I can do something about that with Maxime, but with so many people here, it will be impossible to do that in less than a few months."

"That material is already too powerful; we don't need weapons made out of them to be sharp," Regis said. "We should focus on arming as many people as possible and then worry about such things once everyone has their weapons. Everyone can also work on sharpening their weapons while we work on that."

"That is true," Roan said. "In any case, are we going to focus on that, and then only after we finish that part will we attack the enemy's base?"

The decision to focus on crafting simple weapons for everyone without relics was a difficult one but ultimately deemed necessary to decrease potential risks and losses. By arming as many individuals as possible, the group hoped to increase their defenses and increase their chances of success in future encounters.

Additionally, putting some time between the weapon crafting and the next mission would add a layer of confusion for the enemies, potentially throwing them off guard.

However, this approach also came with its drawbacks. The enemies would have more time to prepare and fortify their defenses, potentially increasing the danger and difficulty of the next mission. Moreover, if they possessed more pawns like the winged creature Rain had faced previously, the group could face even greater challenges and risks.

"Who was that guy anyway?" Terra asked. "Did you interrogate that creature already?"

"No, but according to Seara, they are behaving in my mental landscape," Rain said. "We can ask them a few things, but I doubt that we will get any answers. That guy received the order to die to stop me, and that didn't hesitate them even for a second. Such a level of loyalty is almost at the level of brainwashing.

My best guess is that the winged creature was someone like us, but since they had such powerful skills with light magic, they were turned into a minion instead of being killed like a dog."

This news made everyone worry… even if someone as powerful as that was easily turned into a loyal minion, what were their chances of not facing the same end? Thinking about it made them depressed…

Despite these concerns, the group recognized the importance of adequately arming themselves before embarking on their next mission. They understood that sacrificing a bit of time now to ensure they were well-equipped could ultimately lead to greater success and fewer casualties in the long run.

"I guess it is about time for us to plan the next mission," Sealyn said and then looked at