Chapter 2: Lion's Roar

It was a very special birthday for to celebrate with her family. Everyone simply spoiled Greta that day because they all had a present for her: from Yuri, a baseball bat; from Wolfram, an apprentice's sword; from Gwendal, a wolf plushy – though with closer examination turned out to be a horse; from Conrad, a red leather saddle for her pony and many more. When Greta hugged Conrad for the saddle, Gwendal blinked wondering if he was seeing things. Since when did Greta begin to look more like Conrad?

He shook his head free from the thoughts and focussed on the happy day, it was not every day one saw his first niece turn eleven.

Gwendal was not the only person who was concerned about Conrad. Everyone noticed how he seemed less than himself, his tanned skin seemed paler than usual. When asked if he was all right, the brunette just smiled and assured them that he was fine. To add to the pleasure of the princess, the Duke of Zuratia came to visit especially for her birthday.

"Mao-ojii!" she squealed, giving him a hug.

"Happy Birthday, hime-sama," Maoritsu said, smiling. "Let me look at you..."

"There is another reason for my visit..." Maoritsu was said, "My colleagues and I have discovered something recently... something concerning both..." No one realised Conrad had left.

Conrad was leaning against the stone wall away from the others. Again, the lapse of darkness entered his mind, causing him not only pain in his head but also in his chest. This time he saw a white image within the darkness. Ulrike, kind as she was, had not been much help. Those brown eyes came again, along with a voice: quiet and low. Shoulder length brown hair came into view...

'Who are you?' he wondered, 'Where are you?'

Maybe I should see Gisela, he thought and headed straight to her office.

Gisela did not like the symptoms either. "How long have you been having these blackouts?"

"Only since this morning," Conrad answered, "what's happening to me?"

"I wish I could fully answer," the Healer told him, "but it seems to me you're having bouts of flashbacks."

"At a bad time too," Conrad added.

Gisela smiled sympathetically. "If you think you handle until the after party, you should take these," she handed him some pills, for headaches and muscle pains, "don't push yourself."

"I'll try not to," he promised, "I'll go get Greta, and meet you at the party."

Gisela nodded.

Conrad stood at the door, hesitating for a moment. Greta had been given her own only just a week ago. The pills Gisela gave him had helped a bit but he still felt under the weather.

"Sweetie," Conrad called, "Are you ready?"

"Almost, Uncle Conrad," Greta called from the room, "I just have a problem with these hair ties."

"Need help?"

"Yes please."

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked as he opened the door.

A fire camp came into view...

"..., aren't you going to stay?"

"Only for one more night..."

"Is it okay, Uncle Conrad?" asked Greta. Conrad looked and smiled.

"..." said Conrad, "You think I can do it? I'm not my father you know, nor am I my mother."

"Kawaii ne Greta," he said. Though inwardly, he wondered why her brown eyes were so familiar.

"You'll do fine Conrart," the figure said.

"I'm scared," Greta told him.

"I'm scared..."

"Sweetie," he said, patting her head, "there's nothing to be afraid of."

"Kiddo," the man said, "Everyone is scared with this sort of thing, but you are your own person."

"You sure?"

"You sure?"

"I'm certain, you're going to have a good time in this party..." he told her, "I promise."

"Anything is possible when you set your mind to it..."

She hugged him. "I love you, Uncle Conrad."

"I'm going to miss you, ...-nii-sama."

The party went well. Greta was having a very good time with the children as the adults talked. Conrad stood aside with Gwendal, watching them all. Somewhere outside, he knew Yosak was watching them from the rooftops of the castle.

A dizzy spell hit him, he had to lean against the wall behind him and hold his head. It went as quickly as it came. He did not realise someone was watching him until he heard Gwendal's voice, "Conrart?"

"I'm fine," he murmured, standing straight again.

"Get to bed as soon as the party's over," Gwendal ordered. Conrad nodded, shivering slightly; whenever his older brother used that voice on him or Wolfram, he meant it had to be done or else.

The pain came back again. It was growing worse, he had to get out of there! "Gwendal," he murmured, "if I may..."

Gwendal nodded before he could finish.

"What are you doing out here on your own, Fawn?"

"Just thinking about the first time I met everyone," said Greta, "It's a rather funny memory than a sad one if you think about it – though with sad reasons." Conrad chuckled. It was actually. Merry, yet depressing.

His vision began to blur, his world spun. It was strange, he was not even drunk. But then being drunk was nothing in comparison to this horrible feeling. He had to get away from the balcony or...

"Uncle Conrad?" he heard from a distance.

"Conrart..." said a husky voice.

Brown eyes...

Maize field...

Laughter...

Sun and wind...

A white ghostly image... clearer... resembling... a lion?

A cold wind went through his chest accompanied by a lion's roar. The only thing he heard before he fell into the deep darkness was Greta's voice calling for him.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update... it was a harder storyline than I anticipated I hope you all liked this chapter