It was a sunny spring day in Paris, and Anna and her parents were exploring the Louvre Museum. As they wandered through the galleries, Anna's eyes widened at the vibrant paintings and intricate sculptures. The soft lighting made the colors pop, and the faint scent of paint and clay filled the air.
Anna, a curious girl with long black hair and deep violet eyes, tugged at her mother's sleeve. "Mom, look at this one! The brushstrokes are so detailed!"
Sasha, her mother, smiled warmly, adjusting her glasses. "It's a masterpiece, isn't it? The artist spent years perfecting this technique. You've got a good eye, Anna."
Kallen, her father, leaned in, his tall frame casting a shadow over the painting. "And see how the light catches the subject's face? It's like she's alive. That's the mark of a true artist."
Anna grinned. "I want to paint like that someday."
Kallen ruffled her hair. "You will, kiddo. Just don't forget to clean your brushes. Last time, you left them in such a mess, I thought we'd have to throw them out."
Sasha chuckled. "Oh, come on, Kallen. She's ten. Let her be messy. It's part of being an artist."
Kallen raised an eyebrow. "Messy? The last time she painted, I found blue streaks on the ceiling. The ceiling, Sasha!"
Anna giggled. "That was an accident!"
Sasha winked at her. "A happy accident, right?"
As they moved through the galleries, Anna overheard a guard speaking to a group of visitors. "The new statue will be unveiled today at 2:00 PM. It's unlike anything we've ever seen."
Anna's curiosity sparked. "Mom, Dad, can we see the statue? Please?"
Kallen checked his watch. "Hmm. I was planning to review some reports, but… I suppose we can make time."
Sasha nudged him playfully. "Oh, come on, Kallen. Live a little. Reports can wait."
Kallen sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But only because Anna asked so nicely."
By 2:00 PM, the main gallery was packed. Anna stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over the crowd. The curtains were drawn back, revealing a shimmering metallic statue of an archangel. Its wings stretched wide, and its serene expression seemed to glow.
Anna gasped. "It's beautiful! But… it looks like me!"
Kallen chuckled. "Does it? Well, art has a way of reflecting what we see in ourselves."
Sasha crouched beside Anna, her voice soft. "Or perhaps it's more than that. Maybe it's a sign."
Kallen raised an eyebrow. "A sign? Sasha, don't fill her head with nonsense."
Sasha smirked. "Nonsense? Says the man who spent three hours last week trying to decipher a coffee stain on his notes."
Kallen crossed his arms. "That stain looked like a map! I'm telling you, it was—"
"A coffee stain," Sasha interrupted, laughing. "Face it, Kallen. You're a genius, but sometimes you overthink things."
Anna giggled. "Dad, you're so weird."
Kallen feigned offense. "Weird? I prefer 'eccentric.' There's a difference."
Just then, an elderly man with wild white hair and a tweed jacket approached. He was carrying a stack of books and muttering to himself. "Fascinating… absolutely fascinating…"
Kallen raised an eyebrow. "David? Is that you?"
The man looked up, startled. "Oh! Yes, yes, it's me. David. Hello! I was just—well, you see, I was studying the, uh, the… oh, never mind that. Have you seen the statue? Magnificent, isn't it?"
Sasha smiled. "We were just admiring it. Anna here thinks it looks like her."
David peered at Anna through his thick glasses. "Does it now? Well, well, well… that's interesting. Very interesting. You know, they found this statue in the Mariana Trench. The Mariana Trench! Can you imagine? Deepest part of the ocean. And the material—completely unknown. Not metal, not stone, not… well, not anything we've ever seen."
Anna tilted her head. "What's it made of, then?"
David waved his hands excitedly. "Ah, that's the question, isn't it? Some say it's a gift from the gods. Others think it's alien. Me? I think it's… well, I don't know what it is. But it's old. Very old. And the legends—oh, the legends! They say the tears of these statues filled the ocean floor. Can you believe that? Tears! And this one—this one is special. It's said to have powers. Powers beyond our understanding."
Anna's eyes widened. "Powers? Like what?"
David leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Some say it can grant wishes. Others think it can control time. Me? I think it's a key. A key to something much bigger. But what? That's the mystery, isn't it?"
Kallen chuckled. "David, you're rambling again."
David straightened up, adjusting his glasses. "Am I? Well, perhaps. But isn't rambling half the fun? The world is full of mysteries, my dear. And this statue? It's one of the biggest."
Anna grinned. "I like him."
David beamed. "And I like you, young lady. You've got a spark. A spark of curiosity. That's what the world needs more of."
Later that night
That evening, Kallen and Sasha worked late at the museum. Kallen sat in his office, surrounded by papers. "This statue… it's unlike anything we've ever seen. And the resemblance to Anna… it's uncanny."
Sasha entered, holding a letter. "We've received word from our colleagues in southern Africa. They've found ruins that might be connected to the statues."
Kallen stood, his excitement palpable. "We have to go. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for."
Sasha nodded. "But what about Anna? We can't take her with us."
Kallen hesitated. "She'll stay with her grandparents. It's only for a few days."
Sasha raised an eyebrow. "A few days? Kallen, you know how these trips go. A 'few days' could turn into weeks."
Kallen waved a hand dismissively. "It's important, Sasha. This could change everything."
Sasha crossed her arms. "And Anna's important too. She's already feeling left out. Did you see how she looked at us during the unveiling?"
Kallen sighed. "I know, I know. But this is work. She'll understand."
Sasha gave him a pointed look. "Will she? Or will she just think her dad cares more about his research than her?"
Kallen frowned. "That's not fair."
Sasha softened. "I'm not saying it to be harsh. I'm saying it because I know you love her. But sometimes, you get so caught up in your work that you forget what's right in front of you."
Kallen ran a hand through his hair. "You're right. I'll talk to her."