"Help!!! Anyone!" A woman's desperate shout carried down the road.
The cries came from a nearby orphanage, urgency echoing through the air.
Leo rushed toward the sound and found an unfamiliar building.
A house? I don't remember this place.. What's happening ?
"Give me everything you got, ma'am!" The bandit leader shoved the woman.
"I'm telling you... I don't have any gold!" The orphanage owner's arms were clutched tight, her voice shaking.
"So you want the hard way? DO IT, GUYS!!"
The bandits started destroying everything inside the orphanage.
The orphans were terrified .. some sobbed uncontrollably
Upstairs, a small blonde girl watched silently from the stairs. Her hands gripped the wooden railing, a faint smile touching her lips as she observed the chaos below.. certain someone would save them all.
"Enough!" Leo shouted.
'Finally, he came!! ' the blonde girl whispered a hint of excitement in her voice
A bandit stepped toward Leo.
"Enough?" He sneered. "What d'you mean enough ? boy"
"What can a little kid like you even do?" His smirk belittled Leo.
"A little boy ?" Leo locked eyes with him, then grabbed his sword, shattering a table in half.**
"Sorry," he murmured to the matron.
"W-what?!?!" The man stumbled back, eyes wide. How could someone so young
"I said enough," Leo whispered.
"GET HIM!!!!"
Bandits swarmed Leo. He dropped them effortlessly , tapping shoulders with his blade's flat side.
"What a talent..." one bandit breathed, sweat dripping down his temple.
The oldest poked him. "Not talent, idiot. Look at his wrist, those scars. Years of training paying off."
The leader hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes.
"Impossible... How's he this strong?!"
The leader's shame vanished into desperation. His eyes darted until they locked onto something brighter than the rest the little blonde girl on the stairs.
He lunged upstairs, yanking her against him.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!" Her scream trembled with terror.
Leo moved in a blur.
A single strike to the man's head
The leader collapsed
The rest of the bandits fled, too shaken to look back.
"Thank you for saving me! You're my hero!!" The little girl's eyes sparkled.
Everyone stood stunned , they'd thought all was lost.
"Thank you, young one," the matron said softly, gratitude warming her voice. "I never thought I'd be saved by a young boy." She laughed, a gentle, amazed sound.
"No need to thank me," Leo mumbled, rubbing his neck with a bashful smile. "Wasn't a big deal."
"What about dinner in your honor?"
"Thank you, but... I'm in a hurry. Need to find someone."
The blonde girl grabbed his hand. "Please, Hero!" Her eyes pleaded.
"...Alright." He sighed, a small smile softening his surrender.
During dinner, Leo entertained the children with simple stories. Leo entertained the children with simple stories like fighting a bear in the forest at night over a blueberry bowl. or how the butterflies assist him everyday to find the breakfast
"You're unbelievable!" The bold girl laughed, far more energetic than the other orphans
Everyone loved him, but the little blonde girl watched with special intensity, her eyes shining with admiration.
The following morning, Leo awoke before the children , he couldn't sleep. He'd made up his mind to keep moving.
As he opened the door, a voice stopped him:
"Before you go... take this." The matron whispered, handing Leo a gold coin while glancing at the sleeping children.
"A... gold .... coin?" Leo stared, lost for words.
"You said you had no gold yesterday..." He scratched his head, baffled.
"Just take it. You've earned it." She mirrored his gesture, scratching her own head with a sheepish smile.
Leo chuckled softly and accepted it. "I appreciate it. Thank you."
They nodded, waving silently as he left.
Unnoticed, the little girl followed.
Light footed and distant, she trailed him eyes fixed ahead with quiet determination