"Shit!" Footsteps thundered down the corridor as the albino flung doors open. Each room held bodies of the massacred people of the castle, but none of which the panicked man was searching for.
"Luddy!" He shouted, flinging another door open. This room held dead bodies of soldiers, friend and foe alike, but still no sign of the child so precious to the albino. Said man was panicking more now, having spotted signs of a struggle in the hallway with bloody footprints, so small they gave the man a flicker of hope for the child's survival.
"Ludwig!" He yelled, louder yet as he followed the trail. The footprints were wavering unsteadily as if the one who made them was quickly losing blood. "Dammit..." The albino muttered, worried, as he sped on. This was bad... Very bad. The trail wavered more, leading to a spot where the footprints' creator had clearly collapsed, judging by the blood puddle on the floor. They had gotten up, though, and continued fleeing. At last, the trail led to a room in one of the high towers. Long gashes, clearly made by some kind of sword, marked up the door. Fear flooded the pale man again as he tore open the door.
"BRUDER!" He screeched, dropping to his knees beside the small crumpling body. THe child was paler than the albino and a mere step away from death. The man gripped the boy's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Come on, Luddy, wake up..."
"G-G-i-il..." Croaked the young voice, overcome with exhaustion. The albino picked him up and held him closely, gently.
"Ssh..." he whispered. "Don't talk, Bruder... Save your energy..."
"Gil..." The child croaked again, weakly gripping his brother's uniform. "T-tell her... I... l-love..." the grip faltered and the boy's hand dropped. Tears leaked from Gilbert's eyes.
"N-no... no, no, no! Wake up, Ludwig! Wake up! D-don't leave... You're so young... H-hang in there..." The albino's pleading proved useless. His baby brother's breathing had died to a faint, occasional rasp and the child's heartbeat was fainter yet.
"B-bruder...!" The albino sobbed for the first time in the open and cradled the near-lifeless body as if it were the only thing keeping him tethered to his own life. How could he possibly live a life knowing he couldn't save his beloved brother? "P-pull through... I... I know you can..." he murmured, a few drops dribbling onto the child's face as he kissed his forehead. "P-pull through..."
It wasn't until several months later the albino's pleading prayers were answered. Ludwig was finally waking up from his coma, Gilbert having not given up hope for a recovery. The pale man, in poorer health from ignoring his own needs, was asleep with his head at the boy's bedside. The young boy tilted his head and grabbed his brother's hand. Gilbert opened his eyes and instantly brightened. "Ludwig! I knew you'd make it!" The child appeared confused and Gilbert's joy faltered. Ludwig watched him.
"Who are you?" The question shot an icy claw of sorrow through the albino.
"You don't... remember me...?" he murmured. The boy shook his head.
"You said Ludwig. Is that my name?" With a sad smile, Gilbert hugged him.
"Yes... It is... And I'm Gilbert. I'm your older brother." Ludwig blankly stared at the pale man.
"You're my brother?"
"Yes, Ludwig..." The albino's eyes threatened to spill over once again. "Yes I am."