Morning arrived quietly.
The Blood Moon had vanished.
Golden sunlight spilled across the mountains, washing away the fear that had gripped the village the night before.
Birds sang.
Children laughed.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
Life continued.
Yet rumors spread faster than the morning wind.
"The child appeared beneath the Blood Moon."
"They say he had no parents."
"They say Sir Fang took him home."
"The child must be cursed."
The whispers traveled from house to house.
From market to market.
Some spoke with fear.
Others with curiosity.
But one thing was certain.
Everyone was talking about the mysterious baby.
Meanwhile, far from the center of the village, a small wooden house rested beside a river.
It was peaceful.
Simple.
Nothing about it suggested that one of the greatest Legends in history lived there.
Inside the house, Fang sat beside a wooden table.
The baby slept peacefully in a basket near the window.
For the first time in many years, Fang found himself staring at someone without saying a word.
The child's face was calm.
Too calm.
Almost as if he had never cried.
Almost as if he knew he was safe.
Fang chuckled.
"You're an odd one."
The baby continued sleeping.
Fang leaned back in his chair.
His eyes wandered toward the mountains outside.
Many years ago, kings had bowed before him.
Generals had begged for his help.
Entire armies had feared his name.
Now he lived in a wooden house and spent his mornings watching a baby sleep.
The thought made him laugh.
Life was strange.
A sudden knock interrupted the silence.
Fang opened the door.
An elderly woman stood outside holding a basket of food.
"Morning."
"Morning."
She peeked inside.
Her eyes immediately landed on the baby.
"So it's true."
Fang smiled.
"It usually is when the whole village knows."
The old woman sighed.
"You shouldn't have brought him home."
"Probably."
"People are scared."
"They usually are."
She frowned.
"You don't seem worried."
Fang looked toward the child.
For a moment, something serious appeared in his eyes.
Then it vanished.
"No."
The old woman studied him carefully.
"You see something in that child, don't you?"
Fang remained silent.
The woman waited.
Eventually he smiled.
"I see a child who needs breakfast."
The old woman rolled her eyes.
"You're impossible."
Fang laughed.
"So I've been told."
The woman left shortly after.
Before leaving, she placed the basket on the table.
"At least feed him properly."
Fang bowed dramatically.
"Yes, ma'am."
The old woman shook her head and walked away.
Some legends inspired fear.
Others inspired respect.
Fang somehow inspired headaches.
Hours passed.
The village continued its usual routine.
Inside the house, the baby finally opened his eyes.
Large blue eyes.
Quiet eyes.
Fang immediately noticed.
"About time."
The child stared at him.
Fang stared back.
Neither moved.
Several seconds passed.
Then a minute.
Then another.
Finally Fang burst out laughing.
"You're trying to intimidate me."
The baby blinked.
"You've got confidence."
Still no reaction.
Fang nodded seriously.
"I respect that."
For some reason, the child suddenly smiled.
A small smile.
But enough.
Fang froze.
Then laughed even harder.
"There it is."
The room felt warmer.
Brighter.
As if something had changed.
Perhaps it had.
For years, the house had been empty.
Quiet.
Lonely.
Now it felt alive.
Fang carefully picked up the child.
The baby reached toward his face.
Tiny fingers grabbed his beard.
Hard.
Very hard.
"Ouch."
The child refused to let go.
"Strong too?"
Fang laughed through the pain.
"That's unfair."
The baby finally released him.
Victorious.
Fang rubbed his chin.
"I think you're enjoying this."
Outside, the river flowed peacefully.
Inside, a legend and a child spent the afternoon together.
Neither knew how much they would come to mean to each other.
As the sun began to set, Fang carried the child outside.
The mountains glowed orange beneath the evening sky.
Beautiful.
Peaceful.
Fang sat on a large rock overlooking the valley.
The child rested in his arms.
For a long time, neither moved.
Then Fang spoke softly.
"You need a name."
The wind answered.
The river continued flowing.
The child stared toward the horizon.
Fang smiled.
"Leo."
The baby blinked.
"How about Leo?"
Silence.
Then the child reached toward the sky.
Fang laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
The name felt right.
Simple.
Strong.
Leo.
The sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains.
Darkness approached.
Stars appeared one by one.
Fang looked down at the sleeping child.
A strange feeling settled inside his chest.
A feeling he had not experienced in many years.
Responsibility.
Not for a kingdom.
Not for an army.
Not for a throne.
For one child.
And somehow…
It felt heavier than all of them.
The legendary warrior smiled.
"Welcome home, Leo."
The night grew quiet.
And beneath the endless stars, the next chapter of their lives quietly began.