Mystical Fantasy : The Analogi

Zeo stepped into the Forbidden Cave. With a powerful stomp, he sealed the entrance behind him with rubble.

He glanced around and activated his Dimensional Eyes to navigate the pitch-black cave. The symbol on his back grew hotter—beginning to burn. Despite not knowing what lay ahead, Zeo pressed forward.

His footsteps echoed throughout the cave. Ancient carvings lined the walls in languages long forgotten. The deeper he went, the brighter it became—the cave walls began to glow a deep red, veins of light running through the rock as if the earth itself was groaning. It wasn't just light—it was heat. Scorching heat that seared to the bone, each breath heavier than the last.

Yet the symbol on his back pulsed with gentle warmth. It throbbed with heat, urging him forward. Despite the intensity, the symbol somehow calmed him. He shouldn't have been able to survive here—yet his steps never faltered.

At the cave's final depth—a perfectly rounded natural chamber, surrounded by a magma moat and centered around a black altar—Zeo saw it.

His Dimensional Eyes faltered, pain stabbing through his skull as he tried to look upon the altar. Whatever was there, it was too much to perceive clearly.

A massive creature lay atop the altar, surrounded by ancient runes. A fiery bird-like being slumbered, its body wrapped in dimly glowing seals—magical chains bound its neck, wings, chest, and legs. Beyond the fire, its feathers glowed like the flames of hell itself.

"You are one of the chosen humans," a voice echoed in Zeo's mind. The creature hadn't moved, but Zeo knew it had spoken.

"Who… are you?"

"I am not something you need to know. You should not have come here. My destiny was never aligned with yours. This is not my time."

"What do you mean?" Zeo asked.

The bird-like being suddenly stirred, though the magical seals restricted its movement. Waves of energy—lightning and black fire—surged through its body. It trembled, clearly in pain, yet it fought through the agony, trying to stand before Zeo.

"Peace be upon you, Chosen One," it said, bowing its head in what seemed like a sign of respect.

Zeo, unsure of what was happening, clutched his head with one hand—trying to bear the burning pain and migraine caused by trying to see the creature clearly.

After the gesture of respect, the creature collapsed, seemingly unable to endure the pain any longer. Though unsure whether it was dangerous, Zeo felt a deep sympathy. More than that, the symbol on his back urged him to approach.

Zeo stepped forward. Each step blistered his skin. Upon reaching the creature, he reached out and touched the magical barrier. The divine symbol on his back flared brightly. Light surged from the mark into his hand, and as he touched the barrier—

CRASH!!!

It shattered.

Not only the barrier—one by one, the magical chains that bound the creature unraveled. Like illusions burned away by true light.

Zeo collapsed, barely conscious from the heat. But he smiled—knowing deep down that he had done something right.

The creature opened its eyes and rose.

Zeo gasped, anxiety rushing in. His body was too weak—if this thing attacked, he had no chance of surviving.

The creature flapped its wings once. Fire engulfed the chamber—but it was not a fire that burned. It was cool. Calming.

Zeo no longer felt the heat. In fact… he felt peace. Every burn mark on his body healed instantly.

"You… you broke the seal. How is that possible?" the creature asked, clearly curious. "You are different from the other Chosen Ones."

"Other Chosen Ones?" Zeo asked.

"You'll meet them in time," the creature replied. "Thank you for freeing me."

"I don't understand what's going on. I didn't even know I was freeing you. Why were you sealed here?"

"It's a long story—and not one you need to know. What matters now is this: you must leave immediately. My seal is tied to this cave. Breaking it will bring its collapse."

The ground trembled. The magma moat rippled, ready to erupt at any moment.

"To repay you, I should help you in your missions… but this is not my time. My fate was never meant to align with the Chosen Ones"

Zeo said nothing.

"But I will show you the ally you need. Someone more suited to walk beside you."

The creature released a small pulse of energy that struck Zeo's forehead. In that instant, critical information embedded itself in Zeo's mind.

"You possess pure energy. No trace of Helos. And while Divine energy flows in you, your power does not match mine." It paused. "Another is more fit to aid you. Seek it—and your journey will become clearer."

Zeo nodded.

He rose, feeling satisfied—ready to leave the cave. But the creature had more to say.

"Not long ago… another Chosen One came here. I believe his name was Aram," the creature said. "He seemed stronger than you—completely unaffected by the heat."

"?"

"He gave an artifact to the Ifrit who guard this land. It lies there." The creature gestured toward a small hole across the magma river. "That artifact was not meant for Aram. In there, you'll find a black stone… go, and you'll see if it chooses you."

Zeo leapt to the small opening. The symbol on his back flared again.

Inside, he found a gleaming black stone—square-shaped, sealed. Zeo reached out to touch it. As before, the golden light from the symbol shattered the seal.

Using his Dimensional Eyes, Zeo tried to analyze the stone's essence. But all he learned was its name:

Ajrakhatm. The Cornerstone.

Strangely, the stone felt right in his hands—though it emitted no energy. No power surged forth. It was… just a black stone.

However…

Suddenly, a vision flashed in his mind—a man in battle armor fighting a massive red-black winged creature amid a chaotic war. The image was brief, offering no real information.

Zeo clutched the stone, unsure of what he now held. But in his heart, he knew—this journey was far from over.

The creature flapped its wings. "Now we must go. I'll help you escape before I vanish… to await the age that is mine."

A violent tremor shook the mountain. Zeo was thrown backward—but he never let go of the stone.

The creature surged forward, carrying Zeo with it—blasting through the collapsing rubble that began to bury the cave.

At the entrance, it released a massive burst of power—obliterating the boulders and launching both itself and Zeo out of the cave's mouth.

---