But the strangest part was…
As I walked through this breathtaking land, memories began to stir inside me.
Not memories of my life on Earth…
But memories of this place.
Like I had been here before.
Like I belonged to the painting.
And deep in the distance, beyond the fading mountains…
A voice echoed softly, almost like a whisper from the canvas itself:
"Find me… before the world becomes blank."
I stood frozen, my fingers trembling.
The strangers around me slowly rose from their kneeling positions, their faces filled with something I couldn't understand.
Hope.
Fear.
Relief.
One of them stepped forward.
He looked about my age, with ink-black hair and eyes the color of deep ocean paint.
"You…" he murmured, studying me like I was a miracle.
I swallowed hard.
"Where am I?" My voice shook. "What is this place?"
The girl beside him, dressed in flowing lavender robes, answered softly.
"This is Artellia… the world inside the canvas."