Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix
Chapter 1303 - 1303: We are enemies now

Both groups reunited and then soon moved to help Sealyn and the others. They didn't say a single word since their task was obvious. Still, much to their surprise, they found Sealyn's group returning. While they looked unscathed, they also looked troubled.

"What is wrong? Did something happen?" Rain asked.

"Well, yeah…" Sears said after she looked around and saw that everyone looked uncomfortable about saying anything. "We went to fight the arcanists, and the yellow mist clan joined the fight… However, before anything could happen, a third party joined the fight and stopped it."

"Another army of another lord?" Rain asked.

"A small group of people actually… they looked almost exactly the same as Esmeralda and her family," Seara said.

Rain and the others exchanged baffled glances, momentarily unable to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. Seara's revelation about encountering individuals resembling Esmeralda and her family raised many questions. It seemed unlikely that Esmeralda and the others would join the conflict against them.

Seara noticed the confusion on their faces and decided to provide more details, unraveling the mystery that left Rain and the group shocked. As she spoke, the pieces fell into place, and realization dawned on them. Esmeralda, Branden, Orcis, and Lorene were separated from Rain's group and experienced a different flow of time thanks to the speed at which time moved in the zones.

Rain couldn't help but be astonished at the implications of relativity. While only a couple of months had passed for them, over two decades had passed for Esmeralda and the others. The discrepancy in time experienced by the two groups explained the unexpected appearance of individuals who looked like Esmeralda's family. They had aged, after all, and they lived in that hellhole for decades.

Of course, they would look different.

The revelation served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the prison, where time and space could be distorted, leading to a confusing situation that few people could truly grasp.

"Did you try to talk to them?" Terra asked.

"We didn't have the chance, but I am certain that they recognized us," Sealyn explained. "They fired bullets of blood at the back of the enemies and immediately took control over their bodies… that is why you call them the blood kin, is that right?"

"That is right. They defeat their enemies and turn them into their minions," Arel said. "They have been quiet since you all arrived, but it seems that they decided to move for one reason or the other."

"You should have realized the similarity between our groups… why didn't you say anything?" Jori asked.

"While you all look a bit similar, they are all the same. While your group is pretty diverse," Arel said.

It made sense… their group only had humans, while Rain's group had all kinds of people. Humans, demihumans, magic people… from the perspective of an outsider, they looked like they lived in the same part of the universe but from very distinct planets.

"They recognized us, and that is why they decided to avoid a fight, but the fact that they decided to keep their distance raises some concerns," Seadrei said. "They might not be our allies anymore."

The revelation about the possible shift in Esmeralda's group allegiance didn't sit well with the group, and the atmosphere grew tense. Seadrei's words prompted disapproving glares from some members, yet he remained unfazed, acknowledging the harsh reality they faced.

Rain could understand Seadrei's perspective; spending over two decades in the unforgiving environment of that hellhole could undoubtedly change a person and their loyalty. The weight of time and the struggles they endured might have led the Blood Kin to reassess their alliances and priorities, making the group wary of potential threats and uncertainties.

"... Let's just return to the base. We will eventually find out what is going on with them," Rain said. "I will try to use Telepathy with them as well since the skills got a lot of levels, I might be able to contact the previous zone as well."

Level 1: Telepathy (190)- Initiate your psychic journey with the ability to communicate telepathically with others. Higher levels increase the number of people you can talk with at the same time and the distance between the communications.

Level 15: Remote Viewing - Extend your vision beyond physical barriers, perceiving distant locations as if you were present. Higher levels increase the distance between you and the target or location you want to see.

Level 20: Aura Reading Discern emotional and energetic auras, allowing you to understand the feelings and intentions of others.

Level 25: Mind Shield Build a protective barrier around your mind, guarding against psychic intrusions and attacks. The rate is ten points of mana lost per one point of damage; each level will make the skill one percent more efficient.

Telepathy got many levels, and the esper path leveled up as well, thanks to it. It took a while for Rain to understand it, but paths like the sins and virtues could only receive experience for the skills of those paths. That was why other paths could receive experience now.

Regardless, while those were some good news, everyone looked gloomy since they finally found their friends, but the situation wasn't that good. After tending each other's wounds, everyone looked at Rain, waiting for him to try to communicate with Esmeralda and the others. With a sigh, he decided to solve that already.

After he connected everyone with his Telepathy, he tried to contact Esmeralda or Branden, and the spell was activated.

"Hey, do you guys remember me?" Rain asked.

"Don't contact us. We are enemies now," Branden declared.

"Oh, Descartes… give me strength," Rain said while rolling his eyes. "Aren't you a bit old enough to go through your emo phase? A wise man once said, there is a time and place for everything, but now it is not the time to become so edgy. Whatever happened to you all, I am sure that it wasn't enough to make you guys stupid."