The Gate to a Forgotten World

The Ring's Acknowledgment

Roy's fingers trembled slightly as he extended his hand toward the World Ring—an ancient artifact pulsing with an eerie, molten glow. The air around it shimmered with heat, and despite the cavern's natural fire-infused atmosphere, the ring seemed to radiate a power far beyond anything Roy had ever encountered.

"Go on," Ignis Fang urged, his voice carrying a knowing weight. "Drip your blood onto the ring. Only then will it acknowledge you."

Roy hesitated, sensing that this was more than just a simple blood contract—he wasn't just claiming an artifact; he was stepping into something much greater.

His thoughts flickered to the countless struggles he had endured just to reach this point—the monsters, the lava, the trial that had nearly cost him his life. And now, this was his reward? A path that would only grow more perilous?

With a deep breath, Roy clenched his fist, and a single drop of blood fell onto the ring's surface.

The moment it touched—

BOOM!

A surge of searing heat erupted from the ring, a burst of fiery energy that spread through the cavern like a shockwave. The magma pool around them churned violently, its surface bubbling as if in response to the artifact's awakening.

Roy felt a searing pain rush up his arm, a deep fire sinking into his veins. But it wasn't agony—it was recognition.

The ring was acknowledging him.

But only partially.

The glow dimmed slightly, and Ignis Fang watched with sharp, measuring eyes.

"Hmph," the old sword spirit muttered. "As expected, the ring won't accept you as its true master yet."

Roy clenched his teeth, steadying his breath. "Then what did it just do?"

Ignis Fang chuckled. "It has allowed you entry." He gestured toward the ring, which now pulsed faintly, as if responding to Roy's presence.

"Understand this, boy. The world inside this ring exists in a different dimension entirely. You've merely been granted the ability to enter. Control? Power? That will come later—if you survive long enough to claim it."

Roy's eyes darkened with determination. This was just the beginning.

Then—

A deep rumbling sound filled the cavern.

The ground shuddered.

And from the depths of the magma pool, the sword—Ignis Fang himself—began to rise.

A Weapon Reborn

The ancient blade, half-buried in molten rock for what seemed like eternities, suddenly pulled itself free. The very magma pool twisted and surged upward, coiling around the sword like liquid fire, as if being devoured.

Roy took a step back, watching in awe.

Ignis Fang was… eating the lava?

The sword hummed, its obsidian-black surface absorbing every last drop of the infernal energy. The magma that had once filled the pool vanished, sucked into the sword's core like a starving beast finally feasting after a long slumber.

Then—

A human form emerged.

Where the blade once stood, an old man now hovered above the molten rock's remains. His robes were tattered, the fabric appearing burnt yet untouched by time. His face was sharp, his golden eyes gleaming with an unfathomable depth. His long white hair flowed like embers caught in the wind, and marks of passage through centuries lined his features—yet no amount of time had been able to truly erode him.

He landed softly on the cavern floor, dusting off his sleeves. Then, with a slight smirk, he spoke:

"Ah… It's good to stretch after all these years."

Roy's jaw nearly dropped.

"You—you have a human form?!"

The old man—Ignis Fang—rolled his shoulders, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Not quite. This is a spiritual projection, but let's just say absorbing all that molten energy let me take a more familiar form. Convenient, isn't it?"

Mimi, who had been silent in shock, screeched. "Pi Pi?! You've been a grumpy old man this whole time?!"

Ignis Fang's smirk widened. "Now, now, girl. I prefer 'experienced warrior.'"

Roy's lips twitched, but before he could speak, a brilliant flame erupted from the ring in his hand.

A tear in space had formed.

The entrance was open.

The World Beyond the Portal

Roy barely had time to react before the dimensional tear expanded, engulfing him and Mimi in its fiery embrace.

The next thing he knew—

They were falling.

—CRASH!

Roy landed hard against a scorching-hot surface, coughing as heat blasted against his face. The air burned, the ground pulsed like molten steel beneath his feet. The very atmosphere was alive with fire.

Mimi tumbled beside him, flapping wildly. "Pi Pi! This place is HOT! HOT HOT HOT!"

Roy barely managed to push himself up, eyes widening as he took in the world around them.

It was… endless.

A massive sky of roaring flames stretched above them, swirling in constant motion, like a living inferno painting the heavens. The land was made of dark volcanic rock, pulsating with heat, and in the distance—

Mountains burned like torches, rivers of lava flowed freely, and the ground itself seemed to shift and breathe.

Roy swallowed hard.

"This is the world inside the ring…"

"One of 100 continents," Ignis Fang's voice came from behind them. He stepped forward, looking completely unbothered by the overwhelming heat.

"And each continent houses a different species born of fire."

Roy turned to him, heart pounding. "What kind of species?"

Ignis Fang smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."

As if on cue—

A thunderous roar split the air.

Roy's breath caught as a beast emerged from the horizon—a massive tiger-like creature, its body composed of shifting flames, its eyes glowing like molten gold.

It wasn't alone.

Behind it, dozens of similar beasts prowled forward, their flaming bodies casting terrifying shadows against the burning sky.

Ignis Fang simply lifted his arm—a single wave of his hand sent a pressure crashing down upon the beasts.

The creatures shuddered, their flames flickering wildly before they bowed low, submitting under the force of his presence.

Roy watched in awe.

"You are in the safe zone," Ignis Fang stated calmly. "These creatures will not harm you. In fact…" He turned toward the largest of the fire beasts. "We'll use them for travel."

The massive beast lowered itself, allowing Roy to climb onto its back.

Mimi, still flapping anxiously, clung onto Roy's shoulder. "Pi Pi! We're really doing this?!"

Ignis Fang smirked. "Time to move."

With that, the creatures surged forward, carrying them across the fiery landscape toward the mansion.