This time, many different Paths developed at a similar rate.
And eventually, they found the Archivist again.
For the first time, the Paths didn't restrict the Archivist, but they also didn't get rid of his existing suppressions.
This little kindness was probably the very thing that saved all of humanity.
The Archivist told them about what had happened to all the other Paths in the past, but this time, he told them very directly that they were not powerful enough to oppose the legendary beasts.
They needed to gather more power.
The Paths believed the Archivist, and instead of directly attacking the legendary beasts, they decided to just continue living normally.
Many periods of peace and war passed.
The Paths worked closely together, split apart to fight each other, made peace and worked together, and split apart again.
