An illustrated scene of a distressed younger man standing behind a somber older man seated in a chair, with warm window light.

The scene unfolds on a bright, clear day, sunlight pouring through the large window of the modest, slightly worn living room. The air is warm but carries a gentle breeze that rustles the thin curtains, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the room. Outside, the sky is a crisp, vivid blue with a few fluffy white clouds lazily drifting by. In front of the mirror, Ryker stands, his reflection startlingly altered—his hair, once dark and unruly, now appears a tangled mixture of deep brown with streaks of ash-blonde highlighting the tips, as if the stress and chaos have begun to strip away his youthful vibrancy. His face, still bearing the sharp features of a boy, shows signs of rapid aging: faint lines creasing his forehead, shadows under his eyes that hint at exhaustion. His jawline is more defined, and the stubble of a beard darkens his chin, giving him a rugged, almost prematurely mature appearance. His eyes, once bright with innocence, now carry a haunted, tired look—dull dark brown with a hint of weariness that seems to seep into their depths. The skin around his eyes is slightly darker, shadowed by sleepless nights and inner turmoil. The stress lines along his face deepen, making him look older, more like a young man on the brink of a breaking point. Quinn, seated nearby, has a weathered appearance—his hair is short, gray streaks blending with the dark, and he sports a scruffy beard with streaks of gray. His face is lined with age and hardship, but his eyes See more