# Special Operations — Land of Secret Flames: The Full Truth of the Illusion Paintings

> Rafayel's Special Operations branch. The full truth is revealed: the red coral stones in his 'Illusion' paintings were soaked in the blood of slain Lemurians. Exposure causes hallucinations; in a predisposed person it can compel suicide. Raymond was its proof of concept, being killed slowly by his own collection. Rafayel has not forgiven what humans did to Lemuria.

- Branch: Special Operations
- In-universe: 2048 (present day)
- Released: Launch era (Special Operations)
- Characters: Rafayel, MC
- Locations: Linkon City, N109 Zone
- Page: https://ladsarchive.com/events/rafayel-special-ops-land-of-secret-flames/

## Description

The Special Operations branch 'Land of Secret Flames' is Rafayel's main-story branch in the game's Special Operations mode. The major reveal: the red coral stones in the 'Illusion' paintings were soaked in the blood of slain Lemurians — the act of grinding them into pigment encoded their deaths into the paint. Exposure causes hallucinations. In a person with a specific predisposition, the hallucinations can compel suicide. Raymond the art collector was the proof of concept — he was being killed slowly by his own collection, without realising it. This is not framed as a twist but as a revelation of what Rafayel has been doing in plain sight: his art is simultaneously an act of mourning and a quiet act of revenge. He has not forgiven what humans did to his people. His Fire Evol — the only Lemurian to wield fire, even underwater — is the weapon beneath the art.

## Related events

- [Main Story Under Deepspace 2 — Raymond's Skeleton; Hallucinogenic Paint; Bodyguard 'Hired'](https://ladsarchive.com/events/rafayel-main-ch2-raymond/)
- [Bond 2 — Ebb and Flow: Golden Seashell Festival; Ebb Day Reveal; 'I Will Never Hurt You'](https://ladsarchive.com/events/rafayel-bond-ebb-and-flow/)