Thinking back hours had passed, and this moved Ashton to action. "Stay with Takumi!” Fiona walked forward as Ashton left. "Ashton! What's gotten into you?" she asked as she lost sight of him in the crowd. As Ashton pushed through the sea of faces, his mind was a whirlwind of confusion and betrayal. Every step he took felt heavier, weighed down by the gnawing suspicion that someone close had turned against them. The thought of a friend betraying Takumi gnawed at his conscience, making his heart ache with anger and sorrow. Takumi looked back at the woman and she seemed to tilt her head. He saw that vision while holding his head. The woman with flaming hair and the cloaked figure. Takumi's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the chaos around him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something crucial was slipping through his grasp. The images of the fiery-haired woman and the cloaked figure haunted him, filling him with a sense of urgency and confusion. All of these thoughts were connecting in his head, but he couldn't sort them out. But this woman in black, who was she? Then, Takumi's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a deafening explosion.

Fear-stricken inhabitants scrambled through smoke-filled streets, their screams mingling with the distant roars of an elemental demon. Flames licked at the sky, casting an eerie glow upon the wreckage -- walls crumbled and roofs collapsed beneath the weight of terror. Amidst the disorder, two figures darted through the debris: Takumi and Fiona. They ran from the tent, their hands clutching the remnants of a tranquil day, now shattered by a malevolent vengeful force. The elderly woman yelled out after them. But they couldn't hear the chaos."Ashton was heading that way!" Fiona let out a scream. Takumi ran beside her, “And Henry is still out there too!” The scene outside the tent was one of utter chaos. Flames licked at the wooden structures, casting eerie shadows in the flickering light, while the air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burning. People ran in all directions, their faces masks of fear and desperation, their cries blending into a cacophony of terror. Debris from collapsing buildings rained down, threatening to crush anyone caught beneath. The ground was littered with burning timber and smoldering embers, making every step treacherous. Amidst the chaos, the danger of being trampled by the panicked crowd loomed large, requiring them to stay vigilant and agile.

Takumi and Fiona made their way through the wreckage of what was once a lively village, now caught in the maw of turmoil. Their mission felt painfully urgent: to help as many villagers as they could, all while searching for the elusive Ashton, whose absence had sparked fear deeper than the growing shadows cast by fires still ablaze. The air clung thick with the scent of death, the metallic tang of blood mingling with the acrid stench of smoke swirling through the streets. As they ventured closer to the center of the storm, the devastation intensified. Each footstep echoed against the hollow ruins, and the cries of the injured pierced through the haze, igniting a fire of determination within them. Amidst the chaos, they spotted a young boy trapped under a splintered beam, his small frame barely visible under the heavy wood. Time froze as Takumi exchanged a glance with Fiona, a silent agreement binding their spirits together in that heart-wrenching moment. Without a breath of hesitation, Takumi grasped the edge of the heavy timber with both hands, straining against its weight. Fiona knelt beside the boy, her heart racing as she gently squeezed his shoulder, whispering words of reassurance that steadied his trembling form. "We’re here to help you, hold on tight!" she urged. With a furious grunt, Takumi lifted the beam, a powerful surge of adrenaline coursing through him as scratches and splinters bit into his palms. It felt as if the world had narrowed down to just this boy, the weight of untold lives resting on their collective responsibility. The beam groaned and shifted, and Fiona wasted no time, pulling the boy free of his flaming prison. His eyes were wide, pools of fear and confusion that reflected the chaos around them. But as he scrambled away toward safety, Takumi and Fiona shared a moment of solace amidst the storm. Too quickly, the boy disappeared into the throng of frantic villagers and thick smoke, leaving them with an ache of uncertainty.

They stood shoulder to shoulder, surveying the tragedy that unfolded in the village center. Buildings that once stood proud now lay in ruins, their charred remains a constant reminder of their helplessness. The once bustling square—all laughter and joy—was now reduced to a charred wasteland, littered with debris that whispered stories of shattered lives. The flames danced around the edges of their vision, flickering shadows that warped the faces of those they desperately wanted to save. Panic surged in their veins; it was overwhelming, but the cries for help resounded louder than the dread in their hearts. Old crones and young mothers wept, and children clutched their parents in fear. "We can't just stand here, Fiona!" Takumi's voice broke through the cacophony, a call to arms that stirred her resolve. "You're right! Let’s see what we can do!" she replied. They set their sights on the nearest blaze, rushing toward it with renewed purpose. As flames licked higher, they extinguished a fire threatening to engulf a collapsed hut, and with every life they pulled from the wreckage, Takumi and Fiona forged a bond stronger than fear—unity. They wielded their trust in each other like armor, protecting not just the villagers who needed them, but also their own flickering spirits amidst the storm. The village was crumbling around them, yet they carried a flame of hope, one that thrived against despair. In the face of daunting odds, Takumi and Fiona stood together, preparing to push through the chaos, looking for their friends and refusing to falter in their resolve to protect those who remained. With every life saved, they learned that their greatest weapon was the unwavering trust and strength they found in each other.

"Where could they be?" Fiona yelled over the roar of flames, her golden locks whipping around her face like fire itself, her eyes scanning the smoky horizon for their friends, Aston and Henry. "We have to find them!" Takumi urged, the weight of worry pressing upon his heart like heavy smoke that clung to the air. He could feel the heat creeping closer, and the fire was not the only thing threatening them in the village. As the two pressed onward, the demon's shadow loomed over them, its massive form writhing and twisting in grotesque ways that sent shivers down Takumi’s spine. At last, through a narrow alley choked with ash and debris, Takumi spotted a familiar silhouette amidst the turmoil. Henry! His heart leapt, and he called out, relief flooding his voice. "Henry!" Henry turned, his face lit up with a grin that almost seemed out of place given the circumstances. "Takumi! Fiona!" He rushed to them, throwing his arms around both of them in an embrace that felt like a shield against the chaos swirling around them. "I’m so glad you’re safe! We have to find Aston. He trailed behind me as we were going to get you guys." They dashed through the devastated lanes of Lupine Hollow, Henry leading the charge, buoyed by adrenaline and hope. But as they rounded a charred corner, the air grew thick with dread, and, against the backdrop of rubble, they found him. Aston lay motionless on the ground, his body unnaturally still, and horror swept over Takumi and Fiona as they edged closer. There, amidst the wreckage, lay Aston -- but something was tragically wrong. He had no head. "No! Aston!" Fiona cried. Her shock transformed into desperation as she knelt by the severed body. She pressed her trembling hand against his lifeless form, tears welling in her eyes. "This can’t happen!"

"Fiona, we need to get out of here! The demon could return!" Takumi interjected, his heart pounding and the throbbing pain in his chest an echo of their lost friend. But as they stood transfixed in despair, a sinister presence crept into the atmosphere. Before Takumi could grasp the unfolding treachery, Henry took a step back, revealing a knife glinting wickedly in the flickering firelight. In a swift motion, he plunged the blade into Fiona’s back. Fiona gasped, a look of betrayal suffusing her features as she leaned forward, as her form crumpled onto Ashton’s body, blood staining the earth. Takumi stood frozen, the horror of the scene etching itself into his mind. "Henry? What are you doing? We’re all friends!" Takumi felt the walls of his mind closing in, haunted by the vision of Henry’s terrible smile—a specter from his past. Henry, a name that dripped with betrayal, filled him with a cold dread that scrambled his resolve. Turning his gaze away, he fought against the temptation of fear, as it seemed the shadows were closing in on them, filled with anguish.

Henry’s grin widened, morphing into a nefarious smile, his features twisted beyond recognition. "I am not like you or Aston, Takumi. Betrayal thrives only in the shadows, and I intend to be its master. Takumi felt his gut churn in horror at the thought. He had known all along that Henry was strong, but he had never expected this. He had to find a way to stop Henry before it was too late. Without a word, Henry lunged at Takumi. Takumi barely had time to react before Henry’s fist collided with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain radiated through his body, yet anger surged within him. Takumi quickly got to his feet and faced Henry. His fists were clenched and his eyes were full of anger. He was determined to teach Henry a lesson. Takumi struggled to his feet, resolving hardening along with his fists, determination igniting like the flames around them. As Henry came at him again, Takumi dodged, firing back with a blow of his own. They exchanged strikes. Takumi struggled under the weight of despair and betrayal, but he felt the ghost of his fallen friends empowering him. The air crackled with tension as Henry and Takumi circled each other, their movements sharp and calculated. Henry swung wildly, his attacks fueled by a volatile mix of arrogance and malice, while Takumi, though battered, moved with agility and focus. Each punch landed with a resounding thud, the clash of their wills echoing in the dimly lit room, and Takumi knew he had to draw on every ounce of strength to overcome Henry's ferocity.

After several exhausting exchanges, however, Takumi tasted victory for but a fleeting moment. He sidestepped another attack, spinning around to deliver a kick to Henry’s midsection, pushing him back. Yet, the ominous shadow of defeat loomed large; Henry lunged once more, fury glinting in his eyes, and with a sickening force, he pinned Takumi down. Henry's eyes gleamed with a manic intensity as he raised his fist, his features contorted in a grotesque mask of rage. He rained down blows upon Takumi, each punch more relentless than the last, as if driven by an unquenchable fury. Takumi could barely protect himself from the onslaught, his vision blurring with each impact as Henry's wild, uncontrolled aggression threatened to consume them both.The village around them was ablaze, the flames casting eerie shadows that danced across the charred remains of buildings. Smoke billowed into the night sky, mingling with the acrid scent of destruction. The crackling of fire and the distant cries of those fleeing the chaos added a haunting backdrop to their fierce confrontation, making the stakes of their battle all the more dire. Takumi’s mind raced; he could not let this end here. He could almost hear Aston’s laughter mingling with Fiona’s encouragement from happier times. Takumi knew he had to outthink Henry's brute force. As Henry's blows rained down, Takumi focused on timing, waiting for the briefest pause between attacks. Seizing the moment, he twisted his body to the side, using Henry's momentum against him, and aimed a precise strike at a vulnerable point to destabilize his opponent. Summoning the strength that resided deep within him, he leapt to his feet. Henry, now looming above him with that eerie grin, seemed emboldened by cruelty, yet Takumi-- unbowed, met his gaze with a determined stare. He slowly began to raise his fists, ready to keep their fight going.

As the veil of darkness faded, “Finally!” Henry exclaimed, a manic glee lighting up his face. “Are you going to give me a real fight now? You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment! The look on your face as I take everything away from you… it will be worth every second spent in the shadows!” Takumi backed away, his heart pounding in his chest, every instinct screaming for him to run. The figure before him loomed like a dark shadow, eyes gleaming with malevolence, as Henry's hand glowed red forming a sword, slowly raising the weapon, glinting ominously in the moonlight. The words festered like poison in Takumi's heart. A feral rage burgeoned within, igniting an inferno of rebellion. “No! You will never take my spirit!” Takumi roared, “But why, Henry? They were your friends too. Fiona even admired you!” The words tumbled from Takumi’s lips, desperation lacing his voice. Yet, instead of regret, disgust twisted the features of the man he once knew. The air grew thick with an eerie tension, smiled—a chilling grin that sent shivers down Takumi's spine. “My name isn't Henry... and it never was. You shall call me Alastor” The tone was almost mocking. He gestured to the fallen form of Fiona, the light fading from her eyes. “People like them are only tools—pawns—for the strong to gain even more power. They were never my friends, but mere puppets that I played with great joy.” His weapon was now aimed squarely at Takumi's heart. “Nevertheless, you are the only true friend I have! Soon, I will kill you, and in doing so, I shall prove myself unworthy of the heavens. I’ll become a demon!” Henry, now known as Alastor laughed, the sound as cold and joyless as the grave. Takumi felt the weight of despair crash down on him as the macabre coldness of his once dearest friend twisted the memories of shared laughter and dreams into something grotesque. The moon hung high above them, casting an ill-fated glow over the ruins of the once-vibrant village—a desolation mirrored in Takumi’s heart.