COFFEE DAY IN SLOVARA

The sun rose at around 6. Joy waited outside Master’s tent with the other demons. The tent’s zip slowly opened. Master crawled out, moving on hands and knees, half-asleep.

The demons quickly helped him stand. Master stretched, arms wide, voice sharp despite his sleepy face.

Master: “Oh god—my recovery speed is damn good. I feel so good today!”

Rage sat nearby, scribbling something on paper.

Rage: “Yoo, Master!”

Love (frowning): “What is this behavior, Rage? Disgraceful. You cannot just keep saying ‘Yoo Master.’ That’s rude.”

Rage (shrugging): “Ok, ok, cut it. I’m sorry, Master. So… should we head to the palace?”

Master (scratching his head): “Nah, let the king wait a bit. We’re going for coffee again today.”

Strength (shouting in excitement): “Yesss! We will drink the black juice with… cufen… whatever!”

The group began walking.

From behind, a familiar voice called out.

July: “Heyyy, guys! Where are you going? Can you tell me?”

Master: “Ahmm… July, we’re heading for some coffee in the main city.”

July: “Ok then. Count me in! I’m heading to Uncle Hatoko’s shop for some magic-enhancing objects.”

Rage (carelessly): “Oh god. No one takes the teacher on coffee on a holiday.”

Master (panicked): “Wait, Rage! I know you mean something else—but it sounds weird, so please stop!”

(July blushes in the back.)

Rage (confused): “Did I say something wrong?”

Master (firm): “Absolutely wrong.”

(All demons nod with him, repeating “wrong.”)

Master (sighing): “Cut it out. Move your legs already.”

They walked through the forest path. Ahead, a group of ten men sat eating.

Joy (shouting cheerfully): “Hey, guys! Enjoying?”

The men gave a thumbs-up. One bearded man stood.

Bearded man: “Got any problem, kid?”

Joy (chuckling, walking past with Master): “No problem. Just telling you—this isn’t the place to eat food.”

They continued walking.

Soon, they spotted two small children—a boy and a girl, about 6–7 years old—crying.

July rushed to them. As she approached, the children stopped crying for a moment.

July: “Where are your parents?”

Boy (sniffling): “I don’t know. I came with my mom. She was collecting wood… then she got lost.”

July turned back, fire in her eyes.

July (determined): “We have to find their parents.”

Rage (calmly): “Stop being so dramatic, teacher. Just watch.”

He clapped his hands three times. The echo rolled through the forest.

A wolf howled back—and came running. Rage petted him, whispered something, and pointed at the kids.

The wolf sprinted toward them.

July (alarmed): “Wait! Stop!”

She tried to run, but her slipper caught on a stone—she fell.

The wolf leapt, landing near the terrified children. They cried harder, but the wolf only sniffed them, licked them gently, then bolted deeper into the forest.

July stood and consoled the children.

Rage (smirking, petting the wolf as it returned): “Here they come.”

The wolf reappeared, gently carrying a woman by her clothes so she wouldn’t be hurt. She was unconscious, bruised.

Master and July knelt, trying to heal her. At first she didn’t respond, then her eyes flickered open.

Woman (weakly): “Kids… where are you? Len… Ira…”

Her children rushed forward.

Children (together): “Mom!”

The wolf returned to Rage’s side.

July (snapping at Rage): “Hey, you and your stupid wolf scared the kids! And me!”

Rage (stroking the wolf, teasing): “Hey, you almost scared the hell out of our teacher. You shouldn’t do this.”

July (angry): “Ahhh! I wasn’t scared of your damn wolf! I was scared for the children!”

The wolf growled at her.

July (panicking): “Ahhh, stop your damn wolf!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

They walked on and reached the main city. Sitting at a table, they joked while Rage kept teasing July. Uncle Hatoko joined them, chuckling along. The table was full of laughter.

The waitress smiled.

Waitress: “Yes, indeed.”

Others echoed agreement.

Nearby, a boy sat alone at a table, staring at them. Master noticed.

Master: “Hey, kid. Come join us.”

The boy came over, and soon even the waitresses sat with them. The whole table was filled with laughter and chatter.

Scene Shift – Slovara Palace

The King sat in his throne room, sweating.

King: “Did he come today?”

Servant: “I am sorry, Your Majesty. They did not come today. But Rage told us they will come tomorrow—probably, if Master doesn’t want another coffee day.”

The King sighed, stunned.

Scene Shift – A Hill near the Coffee Shop

A man with binoculars watched the group. He made a strange noise, scribbled something on paper. A bird landed by his side.

The man tied the paper to its leg.

Spy (low voice): “To the leader of the Ten Gems… Aurora Kingdom.”

The bird flew off into the darkening sky.