Here we are with some more story-related pieces, which I envisioned as a direct sequel to This Post! We have moved onwards from a sci-fi research station onto a submerged ruin of some kind. Faen has correlated the same energy type from the relics to these ruins, as well as decoded the information in the relics themselves to give him an idea of how to access the deeper parts of the ruins. Again, this kind of Precursor tech is very specific to psionically adept individuals, so he is currently making a breakthrough in the meaning of these relics and ruins both.

However! Faen is also a combination of self-serving and arrogant. He both a) wants to be the first to discover whatever secret may be behind this mystery of unexplored civilization, and b) believes that he is the best equipped individual to do so. More than any other comrade or associate in the expeditionary force that has sent him here in the first place. So he goes to investigate by himself, with no one but his snake companion! Historically a good idea. Yep.

Anyways, what we observe here is him finishing the 'unlock' sequence to one of the last barriers in the ruins. With his horns matching the teal light running across the Precursor's tech instead of their usual blue glow, he turns to glance at the vault doors irising open- and can sense some form of power emanating from beyond. It's certainly enough to get Celis' attention, the smaller snake companion.
This is a pivotal turning point in the lore I've devised for the character! It's right at the end of the fundamental 'backstory', if you will.

This was one of Theme's speedpainting commissions! Theme's style is just, such a visual delight - so many details to really immerse oneself in, the swaying motion of the water and the many schools of fish or overgrown algae teeming across the surfaces. And the colors used, how the scene widens away from just focusing on Faen and gets a lens on the background as well, the sense of depth! This piece is exceptionally special to me in how much it is able to accomplish in a single scene, thank ye very much to this day mate C:

---

Artwork by  themefinland
Original Submission