As soon as I stepped in, the warm aroma of coffee and toasted bread welcomed me. I spotted Elara, Alistair, and Aric already seated in the far corner. Their faces looked more serious than usual.
"Sorry I'm a bit late," I said with a smile, taking the empty seat between them.
Elara, always graceful with her golden hair cascading down her shoulders, glanced at me. There was a certain worry in her eyes."It's okay, Aria. Actually... I wanted to talk to you about something," she said softly—but I could sense the weight behind her words.
I looked at her intently. "What is it, Elara?"
She let out a long sigh. "As an elf, sometimes I feel... out of place in Eldoria. Even though we've lived here for years, the discrimination toward our kind still lingers. I'm worried about our future in this city."Her voice was tinged with sadness, and her eyes—normally bright—seemed dimmer than usual.
I felt a wave of sympathy. I understood how it felt to live under the shadow of prejudice."How are things in Aeloria now? Has anything changed?" I asked gently, trying to understand more.
Elara shook her head faintly. "We're trying to rebuild relations with the other races, but it feels like we're swimming against a strong current. The injustice is still real... and I'm afraid it's only getting worse."
I met her eyes, trying to offer some comfort."I get it, Elara. Change is slow—but that doesn't mean we give up. Eldoria is our home too, and we have to keep fighting for a place where everyone's treated fairly."
Alistair, who had been silently listening until now, set down his coffee cup and turned to her."I understand how you feel," he said in a calm but deep voice. "As someone with mixed Dragonborn blood, I've been through the same thing. Even in Eldoria, half-bloods like me are often looked down on—by both humans and full-blooded Dragonborn. But I believe we need to support each other. If we don't stand together, we'll never truly be accepted."
Aria looked at Alistair with quiet admiration—the same admiration she'd always felt. Despite his cold and often aloof demeanor, Alistair had a way of speaking that cut straight to the heart. It was one of the things that made him so special in Aria's eyes.
Aric, who had been listening the entire time, finally spoke up."You're both right," he said, his usually cheerful voice now laced with seriousness. "We dwarves have our own struggles too. People often think we're just stubborn and obsessed with mining. But that doesn't mean we don't care about the other races. If we don't start building stronger connections, this peace we have won't last."
The usual warmth of the café, normally filled with chatter and laughter, now felt heavier.
Aria listened quietly, her thoughts swirling as she stared at her cooling cup of coffee. The words of her friends echoed in her heart.
"I agree, Aric," Elara said softly. "Every race in Eldoria has its own struggles. We've all tried so hard... but sometimes it feels like our efforts go unnoticed."
Aria exhaled slowly, then looked at each of them in turn."We all face different challenges—and none of them are easy. But there's a reason Eldoria was founded—to be a place where all races could live together, learn from each other, and work as one. Harmony doesn't just happen—it takes effort. We need to truly try to understand one another, to value each race's strengths and roles."
Elara nodded, her eyes beginning to brighten."So Eldoria really was meant to be a symbol of unity?"
Aria smiled, proud to be able to share her city's story with them."Yes. Eldoria was built to be a place where every race could stand side by side, complementing one another. Each race has its own unique gifts and strengths. And here in Eldoria, all those differences are meant to come together—to create something greater, something beautiful."
Alistair added with a serious tone,"But unity won't happen on its own. We each have a role to play in keeping this balance."
They all exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the weight of the responsibility they shared. Their struggles were different, but one thing was certain—they all wanted a better future for Eldoria.
Aric nodded in agreement."If we want to protect Eldoria, we have to keep building bridges between races, break down injustice, and support one another."
The mood of the conversation began to lift, as if a ray of hope had pierced through the tension in the air. But just as they were beginning to feel that renewed sense of purpose, their discussion was suddenly cut short—by a darker topic that had begun to spread through the city:
The rumors.
"Speaking of which," Aria said, gently running her finger along the rim of her coffee cup, "I've heard rumors about the Demon King. They say he's returning—and that he'll bring devastation to this city. Do any of you know more about it?"
Elara's eyes widened. "The Demon King? I've heard those rumors too. They say he's a terrifying entity from another dimension who once tried to destroy Eldoria."
Alistair furrowed his brow. "I've heard the stories as well. It's said he wields immense power—able to command darkness itself. Many fear his return would mean the end of everything we've built."
Even Aric, who was usually the lighthearted one, looked grave. "We can't afford to dismiss these rumors. If the Demon King truly returns, we need to be prepared. Eldoria has faced many challenges—but a threat like this could change everything."
Aria nodded. "We have to learn more about the Demon King—and figure out what we can do to protect this city. We need to prepare ourselves, and make sure Eldoria remains a place where all races can live together in peace."
Her friends nodded in agreement, and they began discussing how to ready themselves for whatever danger might be coming. The café, though still filled with warm sunlight, now carried a quiet tension. The weight of responsibility pressed on their shoulders. More than ever, Eldoria needed to stand united—and they all knew the city's future depended on their ability to face the threat together.
As Elara, Alistair, and Aric spoke of strategies and possible defenses, the café door suddenly creaked open with a sharp, heavy sound.
All eyes turned toward the entrance—including Aria's, wide with disbelief.
A tall figure stood at the doorway, his long black coat rippling slightly behind him. He looked like a hero pulled straight from legend. His dark brown hair fell perfectly into place, and his bright blue eyes radiated both warmth and confidence. Aria could hardly believe what she was seeing.
"Aiden?" Her voice slipped from her lips, barely audible but thick with emotion.
Aiden—an old friend, a renowned hero long absent from her life—walked toward their table with calm certainty. A wide smile spread across his face, as if reuniting with long-lost companions."I didn't expect to find you all here, Aria. But when I heard what was happening… I knew I had to come."
"Aiden! I can't believe it's really you!" Aria stood up quickly, eyes shining with gratitude. "You couldn't have come at a better time."
Elara, always composed yet clearly shaken, looked at Aiden with her icy blue eyes. "Your presence means more than you know. We were just discussing the threat of the Demon King—and how we need to unite if we're to face him."
Aiden took the empty seat between Elara and Alistair, his charismatic presence immediately filling the room."I've heard the rumors too. And I believe them. Things are escalating. I came to help—and to make sure we're ready for what's coming."
Alistair, ever-watchful with his sharp green eyes, nodded. "We've all agreed—this fight isn't something we can face alone. With you here, Aiden, maybe we can find a better way forward."
Aric, the usually cheerful dwarf who now bore a more serious tone, added, "My people face their own challenges, but if we can't build bridges between the races, there's no way we can keep the peace."
Aiden nodded with understanding. "Every race has its strengths and gifts. If we can bring them together, we'll stand a chance. But first, we need to learn more about our enemy."
A surge of energy filled Aria's chest. With Aiden here, hope felt within reach again."So... what do you know about the Demon King?"
Aiden's gaze grew serious as he looked around the table."The Demon King is an entity from a realm beyond this one—known for his immense power. The rumors all point to one thing: he doesn't just want to conquer Eldoria… he wants to destroy the balance we've fought so hard to maintain."
Elara's expression tightened. "What can we do to stop a threat that powerful?"
"First, we must understand his powers—his weaknesses, if he has any," Aiden replied. "And most importantly, we need unity. Every race in Eldoria must stand together. That's the only way we'll have the strength to face him."
Aria felt her heart beating faster. The conversation was tense—but somehow comforting. With Aiden by their side, she felt stronger. The plans began to form, ideas exchanged, strategies discussed. And with each word, their resolve grew.
In the middle of that intense but hopeful conversation, Aria felt a renewed sense of purpose. The threat of the Demon King loomed large—but so did their will to fight back. With friends like these, and the return of a legendary hero, Eldoria still had a chance.
With new plans forming and a united spirit strengthening their bond, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.