Elena sat across from Damien, her fingers tracing the untouched coffee cup. The dim restaurant lighting made the outside world seem distant, but his words kept her firmly grounded in the moment.

“The Gu Group wants to control you, Elena. Your art is more than just a canvas—it's a tool they’ve been waiting for.”

She frowned, her fingers tightening around the cup. “I don’t understand. I paint what I feel. How can they use that?”

Damien leaned forward, his voice low. “It’s not just about what you paint. They use artists to channel messages through subtle symbols and patterns. After decades of perfecting this manipulation, you’re at the center of their latest scheme.”

The weight of his words left Elena reeling. She had always seen her art as a personal expression, so the thought of it being used for something so manipulative felt like a deep betrayal.

She shifted in her seat, with a mix of desperation and hope. “You mentioned there’s a way to stop them”

Damien nodded. “There is. The original Echo painting—it’s the source of everything. If we can find it, we can expose the Gu Group. It contains the key to understanding their methods and unraveling their influence.”

Elena stared at him, her mind racing. “So where is it?”

“That’s what we’re here to find out,” Damien replied, pulling out a small piece of folded paper and handing it to her. “There’s a woman in Paris—an heiress named Madame Duroc. She’s linked to the painting and has information we need.”

Elena unfolded the paper, revealing a map with a location circled in the outskirts of Paris. “How do we know she’ll help us?”

“We don’t,” Damien admitted, leaning back. “But it’s the best lead we’ve got. The Gu Group has been circling her for years, but they haven’t been able to get what they need from her. If we act quickly, we might have a chance.”

Elena felt a shiver run down her spine. She was being drawn deeper into a world of secrets she barely understood, but she couldn’t turn back now. The Echo painting had haunted her thoughts since Damien first mentioned it, and now, the pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together.

“What time is our flight?” she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Damien glanced at his watch. “Early tomorrow morning. I’ve made all the arrangements.”

Elena nodded, standing up from the table. “I’ll pack my things.”

As she walked out of the restaurant, the cool night air wrapped around her like a cloak, grounding her in the reality of the moment. Her life had taken a sharp turn into the unknown, but for the first time, she felt a sense of purpose. She would find the Echo painting. She would uncover the truth.

The flight to Paris was mostly silent, broken by tense exchanges. Elena stared out the window, preoccupied with thoughts of the painting and its implications. Damien, though comforting, remained a question mark.

Upon landing, Paris greeted them with overcast skies and a muted buzz. The city’s historic charm seemed fitting for their quest. Damien’s map guided them to a quiet neighborhood with cobblestone streets and ancient buildings.
Madame Duroc’s mansion was hidden behind wrought-iron gates, ivy climbing the stone walls as if it had been there for centuries. Elena felt a sense of unease as they approached the massive wooden door, which opened before Damien had even knocked.

A tall, gaunt man greeted them, his sharp eyes scanning them with suspicion before silently leading them inside. The mansion was dimly lit, its walls lined with old portraits and tapestries. The air was heavy with the scent of aging wood and forgotten secrets.

Madame Duroc was waiting for them in a sitting room at the end of a long corridor. She was older than Elena expected, her hair a stark white, but her posture was straight and commanding. Her sharp eyes glinted with intelligence as she gestured for them to sit.

“You’ve come a long way,” she said in a low, raspy voice, her gaze fixed on Elena.

“We’re here about the Echo painting,” Damien said, cutting straight to the point. “We need your help.”

A small smile played on Madame Duroc’s lips. “The Echo painting,” she repeated, as if savoring the words. “It always brings people to me, sooner or later.”

Elena leaned forward, her heart pounding. “Do you know where it is?”

The old woman’s gaze shifted to her, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re the artist, aren’t you? The one the Gu Group has been chasing.”

Elena’s breath caught in her throat. “How do you know that?”

Madame Duroc’s smile widened, though it held no warmth. “I know more than you think, my dear. The painting is the key, yes, but not in the way you imagine. It’s not just a message hidden in brushstrokes—it’s something much more dangerous.”

“What do you mean?” Damien asked, his tone cautious.
The old woman moved slowly to the bookshelf, retrieving a small, leather-bound book and handing it to Elena. “The Echo painting is a doorway to another realm. The Gu Group uses it to manipulate reality and minds. Now, they want you to reopen it.”

Elena’s hands trembled as she held the book, her mind struggling to process the implications of Madame Duroc’s words. “What happens if they succeed?”

“The world will change,” Madame Duroc said simply. “Not for the better.”

Damien stood, his jaw set. “We need to stop them.”

The old woman nodded slowly. “You’ll need the painting. It’s hidden, but I can help you find it.”

Elena exchanged a glance with Damien, determination settling in her chest. She didn’t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: she had to find the painting before the Gu Group did.

“Where do we start?” Elena asked, her voice steady.

Madame Duroc’s eyes gleamed. “The trail begins here. But be warned, once you step through that door, there’s no going back.”

Elena nodded. She was ready.