"Two beers here!" called a young man sitting at the counter, snapping his fingers to get the bartender's attention.
"Coming right up," replied the bartender, filling the glasses.
The young man, Bryan, turned to his friend sitting next to him. Eldrin was staring at his phone, reading the last messages from his girlfriend.
Bryan raised an eyebrow, trying to get his attention. "So... it's over with Sophia?"
Eldrin sighed, putting his phone away. "Yeah... To her, since I don't want to buy a house right away, I'm not making any effort for our relationship."
Bryan shook his head, giving a sympathetic smile. "She was really asking for that?"
"I suggested we start with an apartment, but no... She dumped me."
The bar was noisy, alive with conversations and laughter under colorful lights that shifted hues. An old rock song was playing, contrasting with Eldrin's somber mood.
Bryan patted his shoulder and smiled. "Come on, man, it's not the end of the world. You know the saying: when one door closes, another opens."
Eldrin gave a slight smile. "Another TikTok meme, right?"
Bryan lifted a hand dramatically. "How dare you suggest I'm uncultured!"
Eldrin rolled his eyes. "Am I wrong?"
Bryan shrugged. "Fine, I admit it, my sister keeps sending me that kind of stuff. Teenagers, you know how they are."
The bartender returned with their beers. Bryan pulled out his card to pay before Eldrin could protest.
"You didn't have to, you know," Eldrin said, surprised.
Bryan shook his head, taking a sip of his beer. "If I can't cheer up my best friend, then what good am I, huh?"
They drank in silence, letting the warm bar atmosphere surround them. Laughter echoed around them, and a group of young people played pool near an old jukebox that played rock music. Bryan dragged Eldrin over to join the group, then got him to sing karaoke. Bit by bit, Eldrin got into it, singing off-key, laughing, and sharing light moments with everyone.
The night wore on, and Eldrin, against all odds, began to forget his sadness. As the beers and laughter flowed, a pretty brunette from the group even slipped him her number, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving.
Outside, in the freezing night air, Bryan lit a cigarette, giving his friend a playful look.
"So, you got the pretty girl's number, huh?" he asked with a grin.
Eldrin slipped the paper into his pocket. "Maybe I'll call her. It might help me move on."
Bryan, suddenly more serious, stubbed out his cigarette and put a hand on Eldrin's shoulder. "If you need anything, call me, okay? You know my family's ready to go kick Sophia's ass if it'll put a smile on your face."
A little embarrassed, Eldrin rubbed his head. "Thank them for me."
Bryan shook his head with a small smile. "No need, man. You're like family."
Bryan's taxi arrived, and he waved goodbye as he got in. "Still not coming for Christmas?"
Eldrin shook his head. "No… That's the day they passed. I'd rather be alone to honor their memory."
Bryan nodded before closing the taxi door. Eldrin watched him leave, then set off on his own, rubbing his hands against the winter chill. He took out his phone to play a calming playlist called Hyrule Café.
As he was about to put on his headphones, a sudden chill ran down his spine. The street seemed to freeze around him, the silence becoming almost oppressive. He felt an odd warmth spread across his face, and as he passed a window, he caught a glimpse of a golden reflection in his eyes. They glowed briefly, as if illuminated from within, before the light faded.
A soft yet firm voice echoed.
"Forgive me... but my world needs hope."
Eldrin stopped dead, his heart racing. Around him, everything seemed to be frozen, as if time itself had stopped. Then, before him, a glowing figure slowly emerged, her face obscured by a golden light. Long blonde hair floated around the mysterious figure.
Eldrin instinctively took a step back, an overwhelming urge to run coursing through him, but he was unable to move.
The figure came closer, her soft but commanding voice seeming to slip into his mind. "Even if you don't understand yet, even if my desires seem selfish... I beg you to save my world."
Eldrin struggled to break free, to move, but his body remained frozen, as if bound by invisible chains. Thoughts raced through his mind, of his family, Bryan, his ordinary life, and even Sophia...
The figure extended a hand toward him, her touch wrapped in a gentle yet overpowering energy. Panicked, Eldrin tried to resist with all his might, but it was like struggling in a dream. As her glowing hand touched his face, the world around him vanished, plunging him into total darkness.