Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

However, as much as he longed to venture out, Rain understood the importance of patience and gathering vital information. He knew that hastily rushing into the unknown could jeopardize not only his own safety but also hinder the search for his father.

The thought of missing out on crucial intelligence was frustrating, to say the least. The waiting game tested his resolve, as each passing day felt like an eternity. The urge to take matters into his own hands, to defy the constraints of time, tugged at him relentlessly.

In the end, Rain was forced to wait since his mother seemed like she was losing life force with every passing moment. She was the one who was the most worried, and she was pregnant too… Rain couldn't make her worry even move by setting out without any clues.

"It can't be helped… I just have to endure this," Rain thought while trying to convince himself of the choice he made.

The weeks began to pass by really slowly while they waited for the news. Rain had to work harder in order not to become a burden and to make him an important part of the village. That way, the chances of them doing things that will put him, his mother, his sisters, and his grandparents are risk would decrease exponentially.

"Still… to think that the magic people would have enslaved dragons under their control," Rain thought. "They must have some tribes that are pretty good at that… dragons should be the strongest life forms around here."

Despite the weight of worry that rested upon Rain's shoulders, the situation only fueled his curiosity further. The absence of his father and the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts intensified his thirst for knowledge and understanding. Determined to uncover any clues that might lead him closer to his father, Rain made a decision to delve into the world of magic people.

"How are you holding up?" Meiro asked while he and Rain were plowing some fields.

"... I am fine. I am more worried about Mom and the girls," Rain replied after a short pause. "Dad is a tough nut to crack; he can survive a dragon or two."

Rain really meant that, but he was worried about some troublesome possibilities about his father's whereabouts. Hugo and Lorence were pretty famous, but Roan was kind of the black sheep of the family. Without the backing of his brothers, he might have ended up being executed by the kingdom.

Aside from that, perhaps his father had been captured by the enemy forces and taken as a prisoner of war. The thought of his father enduring captivity, fighting against impossible odds, sent a surge of determination through Rain's veins.

Another possibility lingered in his mind: his father could have chosen to go deep into enemy territory on a daring mission that required stealth and sacrifice. It was a dangerous gamble, but Rain knew his father's unwavering dedication to protecting their land and their family.

Yet, there was a darker possibility that haunted Rain's thoughts. The reality that his father might have fallen in battle, sacrificing his life for the greater good, weighed heavily upon his heart. The grief threatened to engulf him, but Rain forced himself to stay strong, clinging to the hope that his father might still be alive.

"The first and the third option… they seemed more likely," Rain thought while biting his lips in exasperation. "The second option doesn't make much sense… treating the execution like a possibility isn't something that I will accept; even if the whole capital has to fall, I will prevent that."

As time passed by, the worry over Roan's disappearance grew heavier on Rain's shoulders. Weeks turned into months, and still, there was no news about his father. The uncertainty weighed on him, and he couldn't help but wonder what might have happened to Roan.

Rain noticed a change in his younger sisters, Dana and Kei, during this time. They became less inclined to ask about their father, sensing the sadness it brought to their mother, Leiah. They were trying to protect her from further heartache, and Rain understood their intentions.

Yet, the absence of information frustrated him. He yearned for answers, desperate to know his father's fate. But as days turned into nights and months ticked by, the mystery deepened, leaving Rain grasping at straws for any sign or clue.

Before long, Leiah's stomach became big enough that it was only a matter of days before the birth of Rain's new sibling, and he feared for the worst since Leiah didn't seem full of life like usual, and that had been the norm in the last few months.

"What am I going to do?" Rain wondered. "I brought some potions to use in case of emergency, but will they be enough?"

They weren't alone, Rain's grandparents were there, but after the birth, it will be hard to keep their presence hidden in the village. The realm was still busy with the war and the aftermath, and there were no signs of anyone looking for them, but all caution was necessary.

"Don't worry, Rain," Meiro said. "The midwife of the village has healing magic that will help your mom and her new child. Everything will be all right."

Rain wrestled with conflicting emotions as he grappled with the prolonged absence of his father. While he tried to maintain faith and hope, he couldn't shake the nagging concern that a birth in a time of deep sorrow and uncertainty might not bode well. Countless viewings of Star Wars had ingrained in his mind the notion that a mother's emotional state could impact the well-being of a child and hers.

Rain reakiSx that he has to do something about that, it was obvious, but the real best thing that he could do he didn't know if it was possible yet, so he just had to endure it alongside her and hope that he will have the chance to do the best thing.

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