Mystical Fantasy : The Analogi

Lava flowed calmly beneath her feet, forming a gleaming path that connected the village to the battlefield. The majestic figure stood tall, her fiery red hair floating as if it had a life of its own. Her heat spread outward, enough to ignite small fires in patches of grass far from where she stood.

Everyone fell silent as the Ifrit Queen stepped forward. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.

Velzhara.

A name that echoed in the hearts of all Ifrits in the human realm, the one and only wielder of advanced elemental energy of the Magma type. Her gaze was sharp as molten blades, full of power and dominance. A figure who only appeared in times of great crisis.

In front of her, Jakovi stood tall, his tusks jutting out, hot breath puffing from his pig-like snout.

"So you've shown yourself, Velzhara," Jakovi said, his voice heavy.

"But it's too late. What you've been hiding in that cave will be mine. Hahahaha."

Velzhara didn't answer right away. She simply walked slowly down the magma path. Each step turned the surrounding rocks red-hot.

"So you think that by destroying its barrier, burning half our village, and allying with those filthy frogs, you'll get what you want?" she said coldly, her voice like fire.

Jakovi sneered.

"I think the Ifrits aren't worthy of possessing something they don't understand."

Velzhara narrowed her eyes.

"If you're wise enough to understand, then you should be wise enough to be afraid."

The magma aura around Velzhara intensified. Hot winds circled her like a hellish vortex. But before the tension reached its peak, Velzhara turned. Her eyes glared at the Ifrit Elder, who stood slightly bowed.

"Zelalehm…" she said softly, yet the weight of her words struck everyone. "Not only did you fail to repel this pig-faced beast and those frogs attacking our land, you also let two little rats... who should have been eliminated earlier."

The surrounding soldiers glanced around, confused. Zelalehm bowed even deeper, unable to meet her eyes.

"Rats?" Jakovi muttered, glancing toward the western trees.

Velzhara raised her hand high.

"You think I wouldn't detect you with such pitiful hiding?"

BOOM!!!

A magma explosion blasted the grove where Zeo and Ravyn were hiding. The ground erupted, trees were incinerated within a wide radius. Thick smoke billowed, veiling everything.

Everyone waited.

As the smoke thinned… two figures stood.

Zeo, his body covered in dust and heat, yet not seriously harmed. The barrier around him had protected him well, a passive defense in full effect. Beside him, Ravyn stood panting, parts of her clothes burned, her tail fur slightly singed.

"I told you, Master, we shouldn't have come here," Ravyn muttered sulkily. "Just escaped the hellish heat, and now we're the fire queen's main target..."

Zeo didn't reply. His eyes remained locked on Velzhara.

"You two… foreign beings," Velzhara said, her voice like molten drops hitting stone. "I don't care about your race, your purpose, or even your target. But one thing is certain—you crossed the line."

Ravyn stepped forward slightly.

"We haven't done anything to this village," she replied flatly. "We were only observing. If that's considered trespassing... then we have no choice but to defend ourselves."

Velzhara chuckled softly. Not a pleasant laugh—one full of pressure, like a rumble from deep within the mountain.

"You think words are enough to defend yourselves from the Ifrit?"

Ravyn swallowed. "Master... I think we won't avoid this fight..."

Zeo glanced at her. "Not necessarily. Look at what's happening over there..."

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from deeper within the mountain. Subtle tremors followed, along with hot winds and the sound of crumbling rock.

Every eye—even Velzhara's—turned to the source of the sound.

Jakovi grinned. "Looks like... the thing is reacting."

Velzhara clenched the air, forming a magma spear in her hand.

"You've done something that should never have been done…"

Her eyes turned back to Jakovi.

Jakovi stood ready for battle.

"Everyone, attack!!" Jakovi shouted, commanding his forces.

Velzhara narrowed her eyes, then waved her hand through the air.

"Soldiers! Capture the intruders. Do not let them move an inch. The rest—destroy the frogs and pigs."

Then the great battle erupted between the two sides.

Meanwhile, on Zeo's side, several Ifrit soldiers advanced. They surrounded Zeo and Ravyn in a semi-circle formation. Their fiery weapons ready, poised to strike at any moment.

Zeo remained silent, his eyes scanning every movement. Ravyn rolled her eyes.

"Oh great… this heat again, aaarrgghhh."

Velzhara had now fully engaged in battle with the orc and frog djinn army.

Jakovi—the boar-headed orc—had advanced with heavy steps. His breath hissed, large tusks grinned, and his massive hammer, covered in dark steel, was tightly gripped in both hands. A dull red aura seeped from his entire body.

"Come, Fire Queen," Jakovi taunted, "you're not the only one with great power."

Velzhara stomped her foot. Lava erupted from beneath, forming geyser-like magma spears flying toward Jakovi.

BOOOM!!!

The spears exploded against Jakovi's energy shield. Some hit his body directly, scorching parts of his tough skin, yet—strangely—Jakovi didn't flinch.

He showed no pain at all.

"Pain Killer," Ravyn muttered behind Zeo. "Orc skill… temporarily nullifies all pain. Insane... they can keep fighting even half-dead."

On the field, the battle shook the earth.

Velzhara moved like molten flow. Her attacks exploded with every movement, each swing generating fire waves that shattered the ground.

But Jakovi didn't back down. He stepped forward, responding to every blow with brutal power. His body was wounded in many places, but his expression didn't change—cold, blank, relentless.

Behind him, several frog beastkin began moving.

SSSHHHHHHH—

Their water blasts shot fast, striking Velzhara's left side.

Thick steam burst as water hit her lava-like skin.

She staggered briefly. Jakovi seized the moment to strike the ground, cracking it open and sending stone shards flying toward her.

Velzhara leaped, but while in midair, two more water blasts struck from either side.

ZRAAAAAATTT!!

She was pushed to the side. Jakovi jumped high, raising his hammer—BRUUAAAK!!!

The massive hammer slammed into Velzhara's shoulder, breaking part of her magma armor and sending her crashing to the ground.

GROAAAKH!

Velzhara coughed. But no time for weakness.

She pushed herself up, fiery blood dripping from her lips. Her eyes still sharp, blazing like molten lava.

"Bastard...!" she hissed, wiping the hot blood from her cheek.

In the distance, the orc army advanced up the mountain slope, crossing rugged rocky terrain.

Velzhara saw them—her red eyes narrowed. Her attention, once fully on Jakovi, now split.

They were entering... the forbidden cave.

For a moment, both anger and worry flashed across Velzhara's face. The next opportunity opened.

Jakovi rushed forward and struck Velzhara's side.

DUGHH!!

She was thrown, smashing into a massive rock, shattering it.

But before Jakovi could strike again, Velzhara raised a hand and summoned a huge magma wave, forcing him back.

This time, she didn't rise immediately. Her body hunched, her breath ragged.

Velzhara spat. Her magma blood still glowed on the ground.

"Damn…"

She didn't scream. Didn't curse aloud. Just one quiet word... full of venom... spoken as she stood again, staggering.