⚔️Serberia

Lilian settles in comfortably and tells Ilva to stand where it will be convenient for her to draw. “Okay, let’s think… What is struggle? Its primary manifestation can be called the instinct for self-preservation, when a person tries to save themselves from some danger. Perhaps it’s a struggle for the heart of a loved one, when you try in every way to please them or compete with a rival. Perhaps it’s a zealous struggle for beliefs, or for power… An internal struggle with existential horror, for example, but we already partially discussed that last time. In short, life itself is a struggle. In general, depict something that you personally associate with this concept the most.”

Ilva obediently took the indicated place. “After your explanation, it sounds more complicated than the previous assignment… But I will try not to disappoint you.” The girl allowed herself a moment of thought. The struggle for life, perhaps, is most clearly manifested in a moment of real danger, and without this important factor, it somehow fades and loses its natural effect, so she rejected this option for now. Internal horror would indeed be similar to previous images, and the mood was no longer so conducive to such dark emotions. A struggle for the heart of a loved one… Or maybe not just for the heart, but for life itself? Ilva imagined Renold, or rather, his pale reflection, gradually dissolving on the horizon. He was surrounded by various, vague shadows: whether they were dendroids, musketeers, or unknown women, the essence remained the same: he was rapidly fading, like spring snow, leaving behind only an endless void. First of all, the image of the girl should show some kind of stupor, even confusion: here, the primary disbelief and rejection of what is happening are mixed with the inherent human indecisiveness and uncertainty. As if to say, what can I do? Is there any point? Why fight? But that is only an external mask, giving a slight absurdity to the overall appearance – a thin line that separates those with a weak spirit from those who are ready to fight to the end for the integrity of their own heart. The struggle is also in the gaze from under slightly raised eyebrows: it is mixed with the primordial fear of loss and passionate confidence – an all-consuming determination to achieve what is desired, regardless of one’s own life and the entire surrounding world. Shoulders, arms, hands, down to clenched fists, at first glance, seem slightly constrained, but in reality, they radiate extreme tension due to the fear of making a mistake and forever losing a loved one; but nevertheless, there is also an aura of jealous obsession in them – not to miss the “prey” – not to lose, not to give up. The lips are tightly compressed, and disheveled hair covers part of the face with thin strands. Fear and confidence, despair and hope: such opposite emotions should now merge into a single picture of a fragile image, as if permeated by a thin web woven from such contradictory threads. So weak and unstable, ready at any moment, depending on the outcome, to break forever, destroying the fragile balance achieved by the feeling of struggle. And what will remain after: a dark pile of pain and hatred, or a bright embodiment of joy and success – that remains a mystery.