THE FALLEN HERO
Chapter 4: A New Life, A New Form

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The first few years of life are often a haze, but for me, every second of my rebirth was vivid. It was as if my awareness had sharpened beyond what it had ever been. With that clarity, however, came the echoes of a past I could never entirely escape. Fragmented memories of a world bathed in harsh lights, a life filled with weariness, and a single act of sacrifice lingered in the back of my mind.

But I chose not to dwell on them.

Now, I had a family—a world waiting to be discovered.

The days following my rebirth as Argus Xandrius were... strange.

Being a baby again was, without a doubt, the most bizarre experience of my existence. Everything felt vibrant and new—sounds, textures, even the way light filtered through the curtains seemed sharper and more alive. Yet, I was completely helpless. I couldn't walk, talk, or do anything without assistance. Every action, every need had to be met by the people around me.

And honestly? I didn't hate it.

For starters, my new parents were incredible. My mother, Elysia, was the embodiment of kindness and grace. Her voice was a soft melody, soothing even the restlessness in my soul. She always smelled of lavender and sunshine, and her touch was like the coziest blanket on a winter night. Every time she held me close and hummed her lullabies, the world felt safe—even if I didn't entirely understand it yet.

Then there was my father, Kaelen. What could I even say about him? The man was an unstoppable ball of energy and affection. He couldn't go an hour without poking my cheeks, making absurd faces, or declaring grand prophecies about my future greatness. While his antics occasionally bordered on embarrassing, I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel loved.

One particular afternoon, my mother was rocking me gently in her arms when Kaelen decided to make his presence known. He leaned in far too close, his face mere inches from mine. His brown eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and mischief.

"Who's my little warrior? Who's my brave little Argus?" he cooed, his deep voice taking on an absurdly high-pitched tone.

I sighed internally. Here we go again.

Before I could prepare myself for his next act, he tickled my belly gently, grinning like he'd just won a duel. "Argus, my boy, I can already tell you're destined for greatness. You'll grow up to be the strongest warrior this family has ever seen—"

And that's when it happened.

I didn't mean to interrupt him, truly. But a sneeze erupted from me, completely unprompted. With it came an unfortunate spray of baby drool that splattered directly onto his face.

Kaelen froze mid-sentence, blinking in disbelief as the liquid dripped from his nose. "...What just happened?"

Across the room, my mother burst into laughter. She tried to cover her mouth, but it was no use. Her shoulders shook as tears of amusement filled her eyes. "Oh, Kaelen! It seems Argus has already blessed you with his mark of greatness!"

Kaelen wiped his face with exaggerated dignity, his proud expression replaced with mock betrayal. "Argus, my boy, is this how you repay your father? A sneak attack?!"

Despite myself, a giggle bubbled up from my tiny body. My hand flailed toward him, though whether it was an apology or a challenge was up for debate.

Kaelen sighed dramatically, but the smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. "Alright, I'll let you off the hook this time. But mark my words, Argus. One day, we'll have a proper father-son duel, and I won't go easy on you."

Elysia laughed even harder, clutching me protectively to her chest. "Oh, Kaelen, admit it. He's already got you wrapped around his little finger. You're no match for him."

Kaelen leaned back in his chair, feigning defeat. "Fine, fine. Argus wins this round. But next time, I'll be ready."

I cooed softly, my gaze locking onto his. The glint of mischief in his eyes mirrored my own. Deep down, I knew this was only the beginning of our little games. Someday, when I could walk, talk, and challenge him properly, we'd see who truly held the upper hand.

But for now, I was content. Wrapped in the warmth and love of a family I never thought I'd have, I felt something I hadn't experienced in years.

Happiness.

And hope.

My new life was just beginning. And for the first time, I was excited to see where it would take me.