The Phoenix and the Serpent (2025)

A mythology on the balance behind stories. Ever since I can remember, I was mesmerised by the movies in the local video store—studying the artwork, reading every synopsis. I even knew films inside out before I had seen them. Franchises in particular always fascinated me. In sci-fi and horror, stories never truly ended. Even when the villain was defeated, it was only a temporary strike—a moment to regroup in purgatory before returning stronger. That idea—the belief that all stories are governed by a cosmic balance—has been forming in my mind for years. But it wasn’t until the Saturday Monster Challenge by Alexander Esau sparked a new train of thought that everything clicked into place. From there, 'The Phoenix and the Serpent' took shape as a mythology built around the Charm monster theme.