The door of the cafe opened with a soft chime as Arin and Peter stepped inside.
Warm air greeted them immediately, carrying the rich smell of grilled meat, fresh bread, and roasted spices. The place was lively but not noisy. Some tables were already filled with students and workers finishing their evening meals, while a few empty tables waited quietly for new customers.
Soft yellow lights hung from the ceiling, giving the room a calm glow.
Waiters moved between tables carrying trays full of burgers, soups, noodles, and cups of steaming coffee.
For a moment, Arin simply stood there.
It felt strange.
Normal.
Almost peaceful.
Peter looked around and pointed toward the corner of the café.
Let's sit there he said.
Arin nodded.
They walked toward a small wooden table placed near the window.
It was a quiet spot away from most of the noise. Outside, the streetlights had begun to glow faintly as evening slowly settled over the city.
Both of them sat down.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Arin leaned back slightly and observed the café. Students laughed at one table while a group of workers quietly discussed something serious at another.
The sound of plates touching tables and soft music in the background created a strangely comforting rhythm.
Peter tapped the table lightly.
"This place makes the best burgers in the district," he said casually.
Arin gave a small smile.
But before their conversation could continue
The door opened again.
This time the atmosphere changed instantly.
A group of young men entered the café.
Their presence pulled attention like gravity itself.
One boy walked in front while three others followed slightly behind him.
His posture was calm but confident, the kind of confidence that comes from knowing the world bends a little when you walk through it.
The entire cafe grew quiet.
Conversations slowed.
Several people turned their heads.
Even the waiters paused.
Within seconds, two staff members hurried toward the newcomer.
Welcome, sir," one of them said politely.
"What would you like to have today?
Another waiter pulled a chair for him as if he were an honored guest.
Arin watched the scene carefully.
His eyebrows slowly narrowed.
Why are they treating him like that?
The boy hadn't done anything special.
He had simply walked into the café.
Yet everyone seemed to react as if a king had arrived.
Arin leaned slightly toward Peter.
"Who is he?" he asked quietly.
Peter followed Arin's gaze.
When he saw the boy, his expression changed slightly.
"I don't know him personally," Peter said.
"But I know about him."
Arin waited.
Peter lowered his voice slightly.
"He's the son of Zaaku."
The name hung in the air like a heavy stone.
Arin frowned.
"Zaaku"
Peter nodded slowly.
"You haven't heard of him?"
Arin shook his head.
Peter leaned back in his chair.
"Zaaku is one of the most powerful men in our country."
"Kamboja"
Peter nodded again.
"Yes."
He continued speaking quietly, careful not to draw attention.
"Zaaku is one of the regional commanders. Some people say he can bend gravity itself."
Arin's eyes widened slightly.
Peter continued.
"And the strange thing is he can also control air.
Arin blinked.
"Two elements?"
Peter nodded.
"Very few people can master two powers completely.
Arin looked again toward the boy across the café.
The boy sat calmly while the staff served him water and menus with unusual respect.
"His name is Kael Zaaku," Peter said quietly.
Arin observed him carefully.
Kael looked about their age, maybe a year older. His posture was relaxed, but there was something cold in his eyes—like someone who had never been told "no" in his life.
Arin rested his elbow on the table and watched the scene silently.
Inside his mind, a thought formed slowly.
Some people are born with the world bowing before them.
Others spend their lives learning how to stand in it.
He looked down at the table for a moment.
Then another thought appeared.
Power changes the way people look at you.
Sometimes before you even speak.
Arin sighed quietly.
After a few seconds, he turned back to Peter.
"Can I ask you something?"
Peter nodded.
"Sure."
Arin hesitated for a moment.
Then he asked the question.
"What powers do you have?"
Peter smiled faintly.
"Some simple ones."
Arin raised an eyebrow.
"Simple?"
Peter shrugged.
"Water."
He paused.
Arin blinked.
Peter laughed softly.
"Not like him."
He nodded toward Kael's table.
"I'm still learning. My control over water.
Arin listened carefully.
Peter leaned forward slightly.
My brother Ajax used to say something interesting about power.
Arin looked curious.
"What?
Peter smiled faintly.
He used to say…
"Elements are powerful."
"But the person using them decides whether they build a home… or destroy a city."
Arin looked toward Kael again.
The powerful boy laughed loudly with his companions while the café staff continued serving him attentively.
For a moment, Arin felt the familiar weight inside his chest.
The weight of being powerless.
But then another thought quietly replaced it.
Maybe power isn't the only thing that defines a person.
He leaned back in his chair and looked at Peter.
"Water and rock," Arin said.
Peter nodded.
"Yeah."
Arin smiled slightly.
"That's already more than enough to shake the world."
Peter laughed.
But neither of them noticed that across the café
Kael Zaaku had briefly glanced toward their corner.
And for a moment, his eyes had rested on Arin Vale.
Arin vale ??