Mystical Fantasy : The Analogi

Before all the chaos unfolded...

That night, Zeo left the barrier of mist with a simple goal: to find food. Their supplies were running low, and Ravyn, still in recovery, needed more nutrients to regain her strength and vitality.

His footsteps were light over the damp forest floor. Wrapped in a dark cloak, Zeo moved silently among towering trees and wild undergrowth. Finding regular wild animals in a region ruled by beasts was no easy task.

A group of rabbits appeared in the distance, hopping cautiously among the dried leaves. Their ears twitched, and their nimble bodies slipped through the bushes. Zeo sharpened his gaze, muscles tensed—waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

But then—

Something stabbed into the ground before him. A magic spear, glowing white-silver.

Zeo turned. Three figures emerged from behind the trees, clad in white-gold armor. On their chests shone the emblem of a sun and triangle.

One of them, a tall man with silver hair and sharp eyes, pointed at Zeo. "What manner of creature are you?! Cease your movement! In the name of the Holy Kingdom of Harasul, we shall purify you!"

Holy Kingdom of Harasul?

Zeo remained silent.

Without warning, one of them hurled a binding spell—a glowing chain.

Zeo stepped aside just a bit—the chain crashed into a tree and exploded.

"Attacking without analysis... idiots," Zeo muttered.

In an instant, he lunged.

Three seconds. That was all it took.

One knight collapsed with a blow to the jaw. The second had his arm broken. The leader was sent flying, his armor cracked.

Only their leader remained, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"What... what are you...?"

"You should've asked that before you attacked," Zeo said coldly, stepping closer. "What are you doing in this forest?"

"W-We're from the Kingdom of Harasul," the man stammered. "We were executing a Class-A criminal. We threw him into the magical mist… as a death sentence."

Zeo frowned. "Mist?"

His heart pounded. A flash of Ravyn crossed his mind.

If the mist's thickness weakened from the magical reconstruction, then maybe... damn it.

He turned instantly. Vanished in a blur, leaving behind only a gust of wind.

The knights looked at each other, still trembling.

"This forest… it's not meant for humans," one whispered.

Back to the present...

From the gaping hole in the earth, beasts emerged. Twisted creatures with jagged snouts, glowing red eyes, and bodies like mutated rhinos and bats. Two, three... six monsters crawled out, each more horrific than the last.

Zeo stood protectively in front of Ravyn, who lay weak and bleeding.

"Are you alright? Here—bind your wound with this," he said, handing her a strip of cloth.

"Try not to move. I'll handle this quickly." His hand pressed against her side, warm energy flowing to slow the bleeding.

He turned to the pit. With a long breath, he launched forward.

Two blows crushed the first beast's skull—black blood spraying. Another pounced, claws ready, but Zeo countered with a shockwave that flung it back.

One beast leapt into the air. Zeo hurled a rock infused with magic—it shattered the creature's torso mid-air.

Two more tried to sneak toward the hut. Zeo slammed the ground using his Vita—cracks spread like spiderwebs, knocking them off balance.

But one was too fast.

With a screech, it dashed toward Ravyn.

"RAAAGHHHH!!"

Zeo exploded with power. The ground trembled. Wind howled.

He was there in a flash—blocking with one hand—then slamming the beast down, tearing it in two.

Zeo's breathing was ragged. The ground was stained black. A dozen beasts lay in pieces.

But more growls echoed from the abyss.

"This isn't over..." he muttered.

Ravyn, barely conscious, looked up. Her eyes widened. Dozens of red eyes flickered in the darkness below. Zeo stood firm, dripping sweat, vision sharp.

If this keeps up, the mist barrier won't hold...

He closed his eyes. Energy swirled violently—his Vita and Entra forming a storm. A glowing symbol on his back lit up, golden power igniting.

"Oh, this energy... it's been a while."

His eyes flared.

"This place belongs to no one but me."

Zeo stomped the ground.

A magical explosion rippled outward, saturating the air with pressure like the gates of hell had opened.

Silence.

Every beast was obliterated—nothing left but gore.

"Ugh..." Zeo coughed, blood dripping from his mouth. The toll was heavy.

He rushed to Ravyn.

She was unconscious, but her bleeding had stopped. Her pulse was stable.

Zeo pressed his palm to the ground—unleashing a magical radar to confirm no more threats.

He then sealed the hole with a boulder... and noticed something.

The man was gone.

Zeo scanned again, then leapt out of the mist.

There he was—stumbling through the dark forest. The convict. Covered in wounds from the magical mist, but somehow still alive.

"This place… so dangerous... but I escaped. That man... what is he?"

"A creature filled with too much hatred," said a cold voice.

The man froze.

Zeo stepped from the bushes, face shadowed.

"And what I hate most... are predators like you."

The convict turned. "Y-You—"

He tried to run.

But—

A hand burst from his chest, gripping his heart.

Blood gushed. His body slumped. Dead.

Zeo stared at his trembling hand.

Then his thoughts drifted.

Kaira… forgive me. If only I had saved you the way I saved her...

Tears welled in his eyes.

"I'll finish this mission soon... and we'll meet again."