The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 2

Days passed, and there was a noticeable change in Matsu's demeanor. He had become more reserved and withdrawn, a stark contrast to his usual cheerful and open self. His friends had noticed the shift but were unsure about how to approach him, especially when it came to discussing the Soul Eclipse.

One evening, as they all gathered at Matsu's place for their usual get-together, there was an unspoken tension in the air. They sat around the living room, engaging in casual conversation, but there was an elephant in the room – the events of the Soul Eclipse that no one wanted to address.

Calie and Marie, who had shared the experience with Matsu, exchanged concerned glances. They had spoken with Matsu about their own feelings in the days following the event, but they also respected his need for space. Now, they couldn't help but worry about how he was holding up.

As the evening wore on, Matsu excused himself from the group, mentioning that he had some work to attend to. The room fell into a heavy silence in his absence. It was clear that everyone was wrestling with their own thoughts, unsure of how to bring up the subject without upsetting their friend further.

Marina, always the perceptive one, finally broke the silence. "Guys, I know none of us want to talk about it, but we can't just ignore what happened during the Soul Eclipse. We all saw our loved ones, and for some of us, it was really emotional."

Terry nodded in agreement. "It's true. We should be there for Matsu. He's been so closed off lately, and he's always been the one to support us."

Opal chimed in, "Maybe we should just let him know that we're here for him and that he can talk to us whenever he's ready."

Blaze, who had experienced a particularly emotional reunion with her grandmother, added, "It's hard on all of us. Maybe Matsu needs to know he's not alone in this."

Angelo, who had shared the experience of the Soul Eclipse with his friends, spoke up. "Yeah, you're right. We've been avoiding the topic, but maybe we should acknowledge it and let Matsu know we care."

Marie agreed, "And we should also check on Yumiko, Iyomei, and Khamenei. They saw their parents during the Soul Eclipse, too, and it must have been just as emotional for them."

The group reached a consensus, understanding the importance of acknowledging their shared experience and supporting Matsu during this difficult time. They decided to wait for Matsu to return and then broach the subject gently, assuring him that they were there to listen and share in his pain, just as he had always been there for them.

Then the group froze as a loud crash echoed from the basement, their worried expressions turning into alarmed ones. They exchanged glances, and without hesitation, they rushed toward the basement door.

"Did Matsu drop something?" Angelo mumbled as they descended the stairs, the worry etched across his face.

When they reached the basement, they found Matsu standing in the middle of his training area, surrounded by various gadgets, equipment, and shattered glass. His usually neatly organized space was in disarray.

"Matsu, what happened here?" Opal asked, concern lacing her voice.

Matsu's face, usually filled with warmth and humor, now bore an expression of frustration mixed with a hint of desperation. "I'm sorry, guys. I just... I lost control. I couldn't concentrate, and everything fell apart."

Marina stepped closer, eyeing the broken equipment. "Matsu, it's okay. We're here for you. You've been through a lot recently. You don't have to keep everything together by yourself."

Terry added, "Yeah, man, we're here to help you. You don't have to face everything alone."

Matsu looked at his friends, his eyes filling with gratitude and vulnerability. "Thank you, guys. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I feel like I'm falling apart."