"I've never felt so alive! If I had to wrestle both of you, I'd win" Ashton cackled. The room was dimly lit by a single flickering lantern hanging from the ceiling. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles, and a large, wooden table filled with maps and scrolls stood in the center. Simple, rustic beds lined the walls, each covered with thick, woolen blankets. "Let's not get cocky. There's no way you can win with just one of us. Isn’t that right Henry?" Takumi pauses as he notices the dark-haired man looking at his bag strap. Ashton and Takumi exchanged puzzled glances. "Hey, Henry, is everything alright?" Ashton asked, concern creeping into his voice. Takumi stepped closer, touching Henry's shoulder. "You seem out of sorts. Is there something wrong?" Henry's eyes flickered with frustration and sadness before he finally spoke. "It's nothing," he muttered, shrugging off Takumi's hand. For a moment, something Henry held glowed red. The two were unaware of the violent turn, as Henry's eyes burned with an intensity that neither Takumi nor Ashton had ever seen before. Without warning, he lunged at Ashton, his movements swift and unexpected. Ashton stumbled backward, his back crashing against the wooden table, scattering maps and scrolls onto the floor. "Henry, stop!" Takumi shouted, trying to reach his friend before things escalated further. Fear and confusion etched themselves onto Ashton's face as he struggled to comprehend Henry's sudden aggression. His eyes widened, and his breath quickened, feeling both the physical impact and the emotional shock of his friend's unexpected outburst. 

Ashton glanced at Takumi, seeking reassurance amid the chaos unfolding before them. Takumi's heart pounded in his chest as he watched his friend transform from calm to furious instantly. He hesitated for just a split second, grappling with the situation's disbelief before instinct took over. Realizing the urgency, Takumi quickly moved between Henry and Ashton, his arms outstretched in a protective stance. "Henry, whatever this is, we can talk it through," he pleaded, his voice steady but filled with concern, hoping to reach the Henry he knew beneath the fury. An unsettling grin stretched across Henry's face, his eyes narrowing into cold, calculated slits as he gazed at Takumi. The look lacked warmth, sending Takumi shivers down his spine. His mouth twitched, as if barely containing madness, causing Ashton and Takumi to exchange worried glances. The room's atmosphere shifted dramatically, the once jovial energy replaced by thick, palpable tension. The flickering lantern cast eerie, moving shadows on the walls, making the ancient battle tapestries seem almost alive. A cold, unsettling silence enveloped them, broken only by the distant, haunting sound of the wind howling outside. He walked forward, stopping as if something had changed and looking at the two faces.

Placing a hand on his head. “I apologize.” The other two young men looked at each other. Henry's sudden demeanor change was startling. His previously tense shoulders relaxed, and the unsettling grin faded into a weary, almost vulnerable expression. The menacing glint in his eyes softened, replaced by deep remorse. This was as if he struggled to control himself. Henry's eyes were distant, and his usually confident demeanor evaporated. His hands trembled as he clutched his bag strap. An uncharacteristic shadow of worry lingered on his face."Just... got a lot on my mind," Henry mumbled, struggling to smile. Ashton approached the man, teasing him. "What's going on? What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" he asked before turning Henry’s gaze towards the forward wall. Henry’s sudden shift in behavior was more than just unsettling; it hinted at a deeper, possibly darker struggle within him. It wasn't just the fear or uncertainty in his eyes that alarmed Ashton and Takumi. Instead, it was the rapid oscillation between menace and vulnerability that suggested something far more serious was at play. This unpredictable transformation left the two friends grappling with foreboding, unsure of how to help Henry or what might come next. Henry's eyes narrowed slightly, irritation flickering across his face. It happened again. His posture stiffened, and his jaw clenched tightly. The veins in his temples pulsed visibly, and his breathing grew shallow and ragged. His fingers twitch uncontrollably as if fighting an internal battle that only he could see. He shrugged off Ashton's blunt concern and stepped back."I'm fine," he snapped. His voice edged with a hardness that surprised Ashton and Takumi. He looked at Ashton "Do you have to be so annoying?" Taking a step back, Ashton blinked, momentarily taken aback by Henry's sudden outburst.

He hesitated, trying to read the anger in Henry's eyes before responding. "I was just trying to lighten the mood," Ashton said softly, his tone shifting to genuine concern. Takumi's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Henry's sharp retort. The air in the room had become tense, and an uncomfortable silence settled over the trio. Takumi glanced between Henry and Ashton, sensing tension bubbling beneath the surface. The once playful environment had shifted, leaving a palpable strain that none of them knew how to break. He took a cautious step back, glancing at Ashton with confusion and concern. "Okay, Henry, maybe we should all take a breather," Takumi suggested softly, hoping to diffuse the tension. Ashton nodded slowly, his naiveté fading as he realized how serious this was. "Yeah, you're right," he conceded, his voice softening. "Let's step outside for a bit and clear our heads," he added, gesturing towards the door. “I have plans for what I want to do here. You two have fun” Henry said looking at his hand before walking out with both the other men watching in confusion. Henry's shoulders were tense, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. His pace was brisk, almost hurried, as he pushed through the door without looking back. The others exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to make of his sudden departure. Ashton and Takumi exchanged worried glances, clearly unsettled by Henry's abrupt exit. "What do you think that was about?" Ashton asked. His brow furrowed in concern. Takumi shook his head slowly. "I don't know, but something's definitely bothering him. We need to find out what's going on."

It remained silent for a bit before Fiona came in stomping her feet and looking very upset. "Henry just stormed past me without acknowledging me," she fumed, her voice tight with frustration. "And to make matters tense, he snapped at me when I tried to ask if everything was okay." Takumi looked at the two of them. “Henry acted weird with you too?" Fiona's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced from Ashton to Takumi, her anger quickly giving way to concern. "Wait, you mean he's been acting off with you guys too?" she asked. Her voice was tinged with worry. "This isn't like him at all—something must really be wrong." She looked at the two. “Can you tell me what you said to him?” She said accusing them of something. Ashton raised his hands defensively, his eyes widening with surprise. "We didn't say anything out of the ordinary, I swear," he insisted, glancing at Takumi for support. Takumi nodded in agreement, his expression earnest. "Yeah, we were just talking and he suddenly snapped. Did you see the red glint in his hand?" He said looking at Henry's bag as Fiona pursed her lips, her eyes narrowed as she considered Takumi's words, her curiosity piqued. "A red glint? What do you mean?" she asked, her voice confused and intrigued. She stepped closer to Henry's bag, her hand hovering hesitantly above it. Fiona's mind raced with apprehension and determination. She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was in Henry's bag might hold the key to understanding his strange behavior. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, her heart pounding with fear and curiosity. 

Ashton frowned, trying to recall any details about Henry's behavior. "Maybe he found something in the bag that upset him," he suggested, glancing at Takumi. Takumi nodded thoughtfully, "Or perhaps it's something he's been hiding from us, and it finally got to him." Takumi's mind raced as he replayed the earlier conversation, trying to pinpoint anything that might have triggered Henry's outburst. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more taking place beneath the surface, something Henry wasn't sharing. "Maybe we should check his bag," Takumi suggested cautiously, feeling guilty but desperate for answers. "Yeah, he never turned down a chance to knock Ashton down." Fiona hesitated, her gaze shifting between the bag and the two men. "Do you think it could be something serious, like a personal issue or a family emergency?" she asked softly, her anger melting into concern.

Ashton frowned, considering the possibility. "It could be, but we won't know unless we find out what's really bothering him." He bit his lip, clearly conflicted. "But looking through his bag feels like a serious invasion of privacy," he said, his voice waving. "What if he doesn't want us to know?" Takumi and Fiona stared at him, pondering. "We could lose his trust entirely, and that might make things even worse," he continued, anxiety clear in his tone. "If we betrayed his privacy, he might never open up to us willingly." Takumi nodded thoughtfully, understanding Ashton's reservations. Fiona, however, looked determined, her eyes narrowing as she weighed the consequences. "But what if he's in trouble and needs our help?" she asked. The tension in the room was palpable, with Ashton clearly torn between his concern for their friend and his apprehension about invading his privacy. Takumi's face reflected empathy and hesitation, as he mulled over the possible repercussions. Fiona's determination stood in stark contrast to the others, her resolve unwavering as she remained focused on the potential urgency of the situation. "We could try talking to him first," Takumi suggested, breaking the silence. "If he still seems troubled and refuses to share, maybe we can consider other options." Fiona nodded reluctantly, acknowledging the compromise while maintaining her concern. Ashton sighed in relief, appreciating Takumi's middle ground. "That seems fair," he admitted, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "We owe it to him to at least try talking before taking drastic measures." They all agreed, that their friend might need some guidance too.