Flaming heart (Danko)

The piece is based on the legend of Danko from M. Gorky’s story “Old Woman Izergil”.
"In the old times and the distant lands, a small tribe, driven out of their homeland by the enemy, enter the dark and dangerous forest. Surrounded by darkness and paralyzed with fear, they still have to go forward, into the unknown. The moment comes when things become so intolerable that they start talking about turning round and surrendering. But the young man named Danko arises and encourages them to move on.
They follow him enthusiastically, but when fear and despair overtook them again, they turn against Danko. Overcome by the desire to help out this ungrateful crowd, he tears his chest up, and rises his flaming heart up, as a lantern. Their way suddenly lightened, the people rush forward and finally find the way out of the forest. Everybody forgets about Danko who, left behind and bleeding, falls down and dies. Just one last man, approaches him and tramples down the embers of his heart, sending blue sparks around and away."
Digital painting, made in procreate, 33 hours of work
PNG, 5600x4000 px, 300 dpi