The Art of Life

The next day at the company – The Art of Life

Ealina, Aren, and Lyra arrive at the company building. Jace and Liora are already waiting to receive them.

Liora smiles and says, "Come on, I'll show you to your work area."

Jace turns to Ealina. "The boss asked to see you first."

Ealina nods and heads to Ryan's cabin. As she enters, she notices him sitting on his chair, facing the wall with his back to her.

"Ryan?" she calls softly.

He stands and walks toward her, leaning in slightly. A few seconds pass in silence before she instinctively pushes him away.

He smirks. "Welcome to the company, Ms. Ealina."

She scoffs. "So that's why you called me here?"

"Alright, enough. Let's talk business," he snaps, turning serious. "You and your team will receive full details from Liora."

He continues, "Your task is to locate the artist who created the Burning Forest painting."

Ealina frowns. "That iconic Burning Forest painting?"

Ryan nods. "Yes."

"But he's a masked artist. No one knows who he really is," she argues.

"Exactly," Ryan replies. "If we can find him, it will benefit our company greatly. So get started."

Ealina nods reluctantly and leaves the cabin, slightly surprised that Ryan didn't cause trouble and actually stuck to business. That's... different, she thinks. I thought he called me in just to bother me.

Jace shows her the way to her new workspace. She thanks him and reunites with Aren and Lyra.

Aren raises an eyebrow. "Did he start his usual drama again?"

Ealina shakes her head. "No. He just gave us our work."

The trio share a confused glance as Liora arrives, handing over documents and details about the project.

Ealina informs them, "We've been tasked with finding the masked artist behind the Burning Forest painting."

---

Meanwhile, in Ryan's cabin—

Liora updates Ryan about the task she relayed to Ealina.

"Sir, why did you give her this project? We've never needed the artist before. We've always worked with the paintings themselves. Why find the creator now?"

Ryan's expression darkens. "He's not just an artist. He might be someone we need to find."

Liora tilts her head. "Why do you say that?"

Jace speaks up. "Because that Burning Forest painting looks exactly like our land... the place where it all started."

Ryan nods. "The image captures the very moment our land and forest were consumed by flames. It's as if someone witnessed it and then painted it perfectly."

Ryan adds with conviction, "Ealina and her friends… they're not ordinary. I can sense that not only Ealina, but Aren and Lyra too, possess power—especially Aren. They'll be able to find the masked artist."

Liora murmurs, "I feel like there's still so much I don't know…"

Jace agrees. "When the time is right, we'll tell you everything. But for now, be careful. The demons have become more active. They know about you too—especially after you saved the boss last time."

"They're attacking more frequently now," Liora says. "But they never stay long. I reviewed the CCTV footage. It's like… time stops when they appear—and then suddenly, they vanish."

Ryan narrows his eyes. "They're moving freely now? Are they harming civilians?"

"No," Liora replies. "I checked the footage again. Just when the demons appear, time seems to pause. Then they disappear entirely—like someone froze time and skipped it."

Ryan stiffens. "That's impossible… unless…"

"There's more," Liora says. "I saw them—Ealina, Aren, and Lyra—right there."

Jace leans forward. "What do you mean?"

Liora recalls, "Ealina suddenly covered her ears, closed her eyes, and bowed her head as if in pain. Lyra tried to comfort her. Then, I saw Ealina dash into the street and save a child from getting hit by a truck. That's when the demons appeared—and then vanished as time froze."

Ryan mutters, "It was Aren… he's the one who stopped time."

Jace looks stunned. "How can you be sure?"

"Show me the footage again," Ryan says.

Liora replays the footage and Ryan slows it down, rewinding to a different angle. There, as they watch carefully, they see Aren subtly snap his fingers.

"That snap… that's how he did it," Ryan says quietly.

Jace looks at him, confused. "Sir, how do you know for sure?"

Ryan turns serious. "Do you remember that day?"

Jace's eyes widen. "Wait… Are you saying he's…?"

Ryan cuts him off. "Not him exactly, but maybe…"

Ryan then orders, "Deploy the sensors around the world. Monitor everything. No human life should be in danger. No demon should harm anyone."

---

At the cafeteria—

The trio are enjoying their lunch, laughing and chatting.

"This company's food is amazing," Lyra says. "And the boss isn't as bad as you made him sound."

Ealina laughs lightly. "I don't know what's gotten into him. He wasn't like this when we first met—that's why I didn't want to see him again."

Aren warns, "Don't be fooled. He's not as harmless as he seems now."

Lyra raises an eyebrow. "You always talk so mysteriously about him. If you know something, spill it."

Ealina interrupts, "Forget it. Let's enjoy our food. We have work to do."

Lyra changes the subject. "Did you guys ever see the painting?"

Ealina replies, "No, but I've heard about it. People say it's mesmerizing… majestic even."

Lyra beams. "Let's go see it first then!"

---

At The Art of Life Museum—

The trio enters the grand museum, admiring the array of world-renowned paintings. Finally, they reach the centerpiece—The Burning Forest.

Placed prominently on the middle wall, the painting radiates a haunting beauty.

"It's… breathtaking," Lyra whispers.

Just as Ealina stares into the painting, a sharp pain strikes her head. Her eyes widen in shock, her vision blurs, and she begins to collapse—until strong arms catch her.

It's Ryan.

He lays her gently on a nearby sofa.

Unbeknownst to her, Ryan was already at the museum, speaking with the manager, but had been keeping his eyes on Ealina the entire time.

Lyra quickly sprinkles water on Ealina's face while Aren watches in concern.

Ealina opens her eyes slowly.

"Are you okay?" Aren asks, worry etched on his face. "What happened?"

Ealina whispers, "When I saw the painting… it felt like a lightning bolt hit my head. The pain was unbearable. But the moment Ryan held me—it was gone."

Ryan's expression is unreadable. "Did you see anything?"

Aren scowls. "What are you trying to ask? What could she possibly see in a painting?"

Ealina shakes her head. "No… nothing. Just the pain."

Ryan sighs. "Go see a doctor. And rest."

---

Later, in Ryan's office—

Jace rushes in. "Sir, demons attacked civilians again."

Ryan immediately stands, eyes sharp. "Let's go."

"Ryan rushed into the chaos without hesitation, positioning himself between the danger and the crowd. Without looking back, he said firmly to Jace, 'Inform Aren… but do it anonymously. He must not know it's from me.'"