"Big brother," I said as I opened my eyes. For some reason, I had gotten the chance to see his trial and his training with our cousin. I glanced at the other me. "Were you the one who showed that to me?"

He nodded. "Yes. I wanted you to see what he and his allies are going through."

I lowered my eyes to the swirling floor of purple mist. "He wants to save me." I grimaced. "However, like I said, I can't betray Aster and grandfather's kindness. Thus, I'm not a prisoner. I'm aiding them out of my own free will."

The other me laughed. "You are as loyal as your brother. While skimming through his memories, I saw that Aster proposed he join you. Yet, he refused. He can't turn his back on Zionia, just like how you can't turn your back on Abyssia. Until one of you does, or the war ends, then you will be separated."

"You can do that? How?"

"To search through memories is the special ability of the rabbit pillar."

"Special ability?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Yes. It appears that every pillar has one. Reginald's revived you. While Takeshi's ability seems to be energy absorption, one he preferred not to use."

"I can't believe uncle is alive," I said, scratching my head.

While I was in slumber within this space, nearly all of my memories had returned. From my earliest one as a toddler, up to me meeting Serrano in Kaguya. However, everything after that was blank. Though, maybe it was for the best. There were some memories there which I wished I hadn't recalled.

"Say, is my mom alright?" I asked.

"Huh? You care for her even after everything she did?"

"Well, she did have a hard life. She believed her brother had died for many years, then she lost her mom around the time I was born, and then there was the split with my dad."

The other me sighed. "You are a good kid, Conrad. If I were in your shoes, I probably wouldn't care for what happened to her." He turned away. "Actually, I would resent her for what she did."

I lowered my head. "I would be lying if I said that I didn't resent her a little, but I also have fond memories of her. She wasn't always a bad mom either." I smiled. "Sometimes, she would play with my brother and me."

The other me shook his head. "That still doesn't excuse her actions. Anyway, I think it's about time that you've awakened."

"Wait, before I wake up, could you show me more of my reunion with my brother and father in Kaguya? I barely knew the latter... Mom always said bad stuff about him, but based on what I saw, he seems like a good guy. I want to know what happened to him, too. Even if he is the one who hurt Mommy."

The other me turned around and held his hand out toward me. "Well, there's no harm in showing you this."

I winced as my head ached. I dropped to the swirling mass of darkness and passed out once again.

***

[Years Ago]

I opened my eyes and found myself in a bed with blue coverings and sheets. Their hue reminded me of my brother's hair.

"Brother!" I yelled. I thought I saw him while Pa held onto to me. Or was that a dream?

I turned toward my left at the sound of light breathing. Sleeping with his head against the bed was my big brother.

I snickered. Surprised he didn't wake up with my screaming just now. He must be exhausted. Perhaps, I should let him sleep.

Turning toward the right, I jump off of the bed. That was when I noticed that I had been changed into a set of purple pajamas. They were the softest clothes I had ever worn.

Wonder if Pa is here too. I didn't get a chance to speak to him.

I tipped toed away from the bed and walked over toward the door. I slowly turned the doorknob and walked out of the room.

"Ahh, you must be Conrad!" a voice called out. I jumped and turned around to see a girl around my brother's age smiling at me. She wore a plain white t-shirt and ripped jeans.

Is she a worker here? Or maybe she's one of big bro's fellow knights.

It was odd to be called by my real name. "Y-yeah. Who are ya?" I asked, my accent reverting back to that of a country boy.

She snickered. "Me? I'm Setsuko! You may call me Setty, though."

"Setty? That's a nice name!" I gasped as her name clicked. "Wait, aren't ya ma big bro's wife?"

Her face reddened. "Wife?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned away. "No! We aren't married yet." She closed her eyes and grumbled. "And I hope that we don't."

I tilted my head. "Ya don't like ma big bro?"

She sighed. "I feel bad for saying this to you, but I don't."

I blinked. "Why not? Big bro is awesome!"

She looked back at me. "Awesome? How so?"

"He plays with me and teaches me how to sword-fight! Though, I've never actually used a real sword, just a stick."

She put a hand on her hip. "Oh. Well, his sword skill is probably the most interesting aspect of his."

"Nah uh! He has way more! He's a really quicker runner! Plus, he's smart."

"I guess those are true too, but the guy is pretty boring. He's always nagging me about how I have to behave like a princess."

I laughed. "Yeah, big bro can be naggy at times. Think he got it from Ma."

"Who are you calling a nag?" a voice rang out from behind me.

I turned around and saw my big bro grinning at me. He held out his hand and ruffled my hair.

"Wah! I'm sorry!" I cried out.

He laughed as he ruffled my hair one more time before letting me go. "Alright, apology accepted."

"How peculiar," Setty said, staring at my brother.

"What's peculiar? Wait, do I have drool on my face?" he asked, wiping his face.

She turned around and snickered. "It's not that. Don't mind me. I'm going to see what my sister is up to. I'm sure she would enjoy playing with your brother. Maybe that girl will join too." With those words, she walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway with my big brother.

Girl? What girl?

"So, how about we return ya home, huh?" Serrano asked, smiling at me.

"Home?" I asked, jumping back.

"Yeah, Ma must be worried about you. I tried contacting her, but I couldn't. I had aunty Anis relay a message to her instead. Hopefully, she's fine."

I lowered my head. I hope she isn't blaming herself.

"I was hoping to stay here with big bro!" He lowered his head. "At least, for a little bit."

I also had to use this time to find that girl I shared my bread with. I had to help her.

"Hey, Serrano!" a familiar voice called out.

I turned around and saw the blond boy from my dream. The one that had chased the girl.

"It's you!" I yelled.

"Huh? You know me, cutie?" he asked, grinning.

"D-don't call me cute, you creeper!"

He gasped and stepped back. "Creeper? I was just calling you 'cute'!"

"You know him?" Big bro asked.

The blond, red-eyed boy crossed his arms. "Well, I certainly don't know him."

"But I do! Ya chased after ma friend!"

"Is that true, Eiichi? Wait, what friend?" he asked, looking back and forth between us.

Eiichi stared at me with wide-eyes. He scoffed. "It seems that your brother has quite the imagination."

"No, I don't! I mean it! This guy tried to do something to my friend."

He smirked at me and poked me on the forehead. "How would you even know that? Plus, it sounds like you don't even have any friends."

I puffed my cheeks. "I do too!"

Serrano patted my head. "Yeah, he has me."

Eiichi scoffed. "You're his brother, of course you would say that."

"Eh? What do you mean? You and Eita aren't friends, despite being brothers."

Eiichi crossed his arms and pouted. "Well, that's different! I wouldn't want that twerp as a friend, even if he begged."

Big bro smirked. "Oh, I don't think he's the issue."

He grumbled.

"Anyway, why were you looking for me?"

He chuckled. "Wow, didn't imagine that you would forget. We have to finish our school project."

"Oh, yeah!" He scratched his head. "I had forgotten."

"Because of me?" I asked, looking up at my big bro.

Big bro smiled. "It's not your fault. I have my forgetful moments here and there."

Eiichi turned around. "Very rarely," the blond said as he started to walk away. He gasped and turned around. "Oh, right. Did you hear that there was a kid who created a big hole near the entrance to the city?"

Serrano nodded. "Yeah, but don't worry, Kohri handled the situation."

The blond turned his blood-red eyes toward me and smiled. "Come to think of it, you fit the description of the boy."

I gulped. "What?"

He leaned in and smiled. "Are you a terrorist?"

"No!" I said.

He laughed as he turned back around. "I was just kidding. No need to get scared. I doubt a scrawny kid like you even has that much power."

I puffed my cheeks. "I am strong!" I yelled.

I spun around as the room began to shake. My head felt heavy while my body felt light.

"Conrad!" Serrano said, grabbing hold of me as I started to fall back. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Big bro... carrots," I mumbled.

He laughed as his frowned turned into a smile. "You're hungry? I guess I should've had something made for you. Come, let's go whip something up for you."

"Eh? What about the project? It's due tomorrow!" Eiichi said.

"Relax. Besides, you usually don't do much anyway," he said, leering at him.

The blond nodded. "Well, duh. That's why I want you to start on it."

Serrano shook his head and sighed. "You're unbelievable, Eii."

He laughed. "I get told that a lot!"

"I didn't mean it positively."

I smiled. It felt good to be around my big bro again. If only we've seen each other everyday like this. I hated that he had to come to the capital to study, but perhaps it was for the better. It gave him a chance to get away from our family issues. This would also be a nice break for me. Hopefully, for Ma too. I truly hoped that she was okay.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter :). I would love to know your thoughts on it ^_^**