Chapter 98: Lalisa, love me, Lalisa, love me. 1503 - 1519 CE

Leonardo was now in his sixties. These days, he just keeps to himself, still drawing designs, and paint. Right now, he was painting someone, a wife of a textile merchant.

She was quite young, and had a rather strange facial expression. Her face was so interesting to Leonardo, and he decided that it would take a lot of time to finish it, not to mention that he had to finish the Eternals' painting.

You see, Leonardo had a habit of not finishing things… he knew it himself, but now, he was determined to finish both of them, as one of his last works as a painter.

He was getting older and older, and he didn't like it at all, he wanted to make a name for himself once more, before death claimed him. He kept working by himself, trying to finish the two paintings.

—

[1506 CE]

Leonardo was leaving Florence. He was now walking towards the Eternals' residence, and knocked on the door.

Ajak greeted him, and saw that he was sad.

"What's gotten into you, Leo?" asked Ajak.

"Ajak, I'm leaving." said Leo, which made Ajak smile faintly. "The governor of Milan asked me to come… and I will probably not return again."

"Well, good luck Leo, it's been an honour knowing you." said Ajak, patting the old man's shoulder.

"But the painting?"

"It's okay," said Ajak. "Bring it with you, as a reminder of us."

"Then how am I supposed to repay you for all this time?" asked Leo, voice cracking.

"Just live a good life." answered Ajak. "it will be more than enough for us… Maybe we'll visit your grave if you have died."

Leo smiled at her. "Thank you Ajak, for all this time."

"Don't mention it."

—

[1516 CE]

Leonardo was now at the Vatican city, pope Leo X had hired him to work on some things for him, but Leo was Ill, he had had a stroke this couple of months, he had tried to finish the Mona Lisa and the Kind Eternals, but his health did not allow it.

He tried though, his hands were now shaking, he could barely paint anymore, but he pushed himself.

He then heard the news about King Francis I taking over Milain, so he followed Pope Leo X to Milan, where he met the king.

The king said that he admired Leo's work, which flattered Leo. the king asked if he could make him a painting, and stayed in France.

Leo reluctantly agreed, and followed the king to France.

—

[1518 CE]

Leo cannot paint anymore, he could only teach people how to paint… Leo tried to finish Mona Lisa and the Kind Eternals, but he couldn't. He could only lament and regret not finishing it.

Leo is dying, he can't even move his right hand anymore. He could only stare at his creations, sighing in regret.

—

[1519 CE]

Leonardo da Vinci had died, leaving his works to his heir. Leonardo died in the king's arms, stating his last will.

Leonardo, in his last will, gave the painting of Mona Lisa and the Kind Eternals to the king. And so, the king put the painting in the royal collection. A simple painting of a young woman, the king knew of Mona Lisa, as he often saw Leonardo tried to finish it, but the other painting? He knew none of it.

He opened the cloth that covered the painting. The king thought that it was the most peculiar painting he had ever seen.

It was a painting depicting 11 people. 6 men, 4 women, and one little… girl? Boy? The king can't tell.

They wore different colour clothing. They sat around a long table, as they stared directly at the painter, or in this case, the king. They had different skin colours, different expressions, different personalities… but the king somehow could tell that there was something special between all of them, a majestic aura… a wise aura.

Leonardo, unlike many of his paintings, had signed this painting.

'LV, Eterni.'

"Eterni…" murmured the king. He examined the painting once more… and thought… this might be the best work of Leonardo da Vinci.