Mystical Fantasy : The Analogi

"Starting today," Zeo declared firmly, "they are all part of our party."

The air among the dry forest thickets fell into silence. Behind Zeo, Velzhara stood calmly while the remaining Ifrit elders and warriors lined up in order.

Ravyn, still not fully recovered from the shock and tears of their reunion, turned quickly toward Zeo.

"Eh? They… all of them…?"

Velzhara stepped forward. She bowed deeply toward Ravyn, followed by the elders and the rest of the warriors.

"Please forgive our previous behavior… We truly apologize if our actions left a bad impression on you."

"Oh, and are you and the Master…?" Velzhara continued, though she couldn't finish her question.

Ravyn took a half-step back, confused.

"W-what do you mean…?"

One of the elders chimed in,

"Are you the Master's wife?"

Ravyn froze in shock, her eyes wide and mouth agape.

"E-Excuse me?" she squeaked.

"Our respects to the Master's wife…" added another elder, bowing respectfully.

Ravyn's face instantly turned bright red, like molten lava.

"N-not at all! I'm not the Master's wife! We're not… I mean—!"

Zeo simply gave a sly smile. He didn't confirm it, but he also didn't deny it. He turned around and walked away, leaving Ravyn stammering while the Ifrit warriors stared at her with reverence.

But Velzhara seemed uneasy.

Something was bothering her.

The elders noticed, but said nothing for now. They simply followed Zeo toward the magical fog region.

---

They passed through dense forest until they arrived at the edge of a thick, gray-black mist that churned like a living cloud.

The Magic Fog—a region feared even by the strongest races of the Forbidden Forest.

Velzhara narrowed her eyes.

"This is… the forbidden fog zone. Why are you taking us here, Master?"

"This place… It's deadly even to djinn-kind. What are you planning, Master?" added Zelalehm quietly.

All of the Ifrit stared at Zeo suspiciously, readying themselves to fight. Even Velzhara.

They thought maybe Zeo had brought them here to annihilate them with the magical fog.

"What is this?" said one of the elders. "Do you plan to throw us into that deadly mist?"

"Technically, yes," Zeo replied flatly. "But not in the way you're thinking."

Velzhara flinched. "Then what is it…?"

Zeo stepped forward.

His hand touched the ground. A circular pattern appeared.

As if it recognized his presence, the fog slowly parted—not too wide, but enough for three people to pass side by side.

"The path is open," Zeo said casually. "Let's go in."

The Ifrit looked at each other in doubt, still holding combat-ready stances.

Zeo tried to reassure them.

"It hasn't even been a full day since you asked to serve under me, and already you're showing defiance. Huff."

Then Zeo stepped through the fog, followed by Ravyn.

"Come on. It's safe inside," Ravyn added.

Seeing Zeo and Ravyn enter, the Ifrit began to move.

A few warriors went in first to scout. Not long after, they returned—smiling—and assured the others the area was safe.

Velzhara and the rest of the Ifrit finally followed.

As they stepped through—another world greeted them.

Vast land. Tranquil terrain.

Small stones encircled an area bordered by the deadly mist.

It felt like they had entered a space that guaranteed their safety.

Though the land held few natural resources, it was more than enough to become a new village for the Ifrit.

One elder exclaimed,

"This place… protects itself from the outside. But it's so peaceful within.

No one would ever suspect to look here."

Velzhara closed her eyes, sensing the energy beneath their feet.

"I… feel something. There's energy underground… It feels like Azzaleth. But this… is purer."

"Pure energy," whispered another elder.

"That means… this might replace the fire our bodies need…"

Zeo turned to them.

"You'll stay here. But follow the rules. Don't wander outside carelessly. The mist can kill anyone who doesn't know the path.

I'll teach you how it works later."

They nodded.

Though they had doubted Zeo before, now no one dared to defy the bearer of the stone.

---

Zeo walked downhill, toward a large pit. Ravyn followed behind, watching as the Ifrit began to construct small buildings using stone and wood.

Zeo brought Velzhara into the pit.

Several beasts with glowing red eyes were waiting there.

Velzhara quickly stepped in front of Zeo to protect him.

"Master, there are quite a number of beasts down here."

"Velzhara, I believe you can wipe them out."

"Master, I can do it," Ravyn protested.

"You need to focus on healing. Your wounds are still serious," Zeo replied.

"Hmph. Fine, Master," Ravyn muttered.

"I'll destroy them," Velzhara said, before releasing a massive wave of magma.

The beasts were instantly incinerated—nothing left behind, not even a strand of fur.

Velzhara made a mental note—this was the first personal command from her Master.

They finally arrived at their destination—a hidden underground garden, Zeo's secret sanctuary.

He lifted the protective barrier and entered the cave hallway, adorned with glowing stones and the gentle sound of an underground waterfall.

But then—

"Alice?" he called.

No answer.

"ALICE!!"

Zeo panicked. Ravyn did too.

"What's wrong, Master?" Velzhara asked.

Zeo didn't reply. He just ran across the area.

No Alice in the garden.

Not by the waterfall.

The barrier showed no signs of any intrusion besides his own.

He activated a sensor from his palm—an energy pulse spread into the ground, tracing through valleys and narrow cracks.

One life signature detected.

Beyond a narrow crevice at the edge of a rocky chamber—an untouched space that hadn't been visited in ages.

Zeo panicked.

He feared Alice had been dragged there by a beast.

Without a second thought, he jumped in.

"Alice!!"

But when he landed, ready to protect the girl from danger—he found Alice calmly sitting in front of a wall filled with ancient carvings.

Her eyes focused.

Her left hand holding her head.

Her right hand touching a strange symbol on the stone surface.

She turned calmly.

"Oh, Mr. Zeo," Alice said softly. "You're back. I'm sorry. I… felt better. So I left that area to take a little walk.

Sorry for not following the rules of this place."

Zeo fell silent.

His shoulders, once tensed, slowly relaxed.

He looked at Alice and breathed a deep sigh of relief—like a massive weight had finally lifted from his chest.

"Don't ever do anything beyond my directions again. This place is dangerous," he muttered quietly.

Alice simply smiled gently.

"I'm sorry… Mr. Zeo."

"And… what is this?" he asked, referring to the ancient carvings on the wall.

Zeo gazed at the inscriptions—runes that held deep secrets of the world.

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