Awareness

Near the heart of the forest, plants grew all year round. There were flowers and juicy fruits everywhere. In a clearing, surrounded by wildflowers, a boy was sleeping. He looked so peaceful, a simple passer-by would never have thought that this was a cute black-haired child, the great demon Algarion, the right hand of the demon king.

— He looks too cute for a demon, — Erik snorted, realizing he had said it out loud when his master chuckled softly.

— Don't be like that, — Richard whispered as the boy leaned forward a little and gently touched Al's shoulder. — Wake up.

— I didn't sleep, — the demon slowly opened, slightly cloudy, after sleep, poisonous green eyes. — I just decided to give my eyes a rest.

— Yah? — Eric pulled out the petals of kucinia, a small flower of bright blue color, from tangled black curls. You look like a flower prince.

— I have the right to rest, — Al pouted his lip like a child.

— You really are a demon of laziness.

— Shut up.

— Enough for you, — Richard raised his hands placatingly, — where are Ku and Celine?

— Gathering the gifts of the forest, — the demon turned away from them and closed his eyes again.

— What is he...

— Hush, — Rich took Eric by the wrist and pulled him to the side where the most fruits and berries grew.

The chief assistant smiled involuntarily when he saw a fluffy fox tail sticking out of the strawberry bushes. The young aristocrat pressed his finger to his lips.

— What are you doing here? — Ku jumped up in surprise like a frightened cat. The fur stood on end, and the ears pressed to the head, but as soon as the baby turned around and saw two friends, immediately relax and jump into the arms of the master.

— Strawberries are very tasty here, — yellow eyes shone like lights in a big city, — sir, you must definitely try this.

— I'm glad you liked it. — Eric touched Kular's red hair with a trembling hand. The kid in a past life was like a younger brother to him, and after his death...

"Death? But, how did he die? Why, I can't remember? The twins went missing, the demon returned to the master, and the kid and the others?" — A sharp pain shot through his temples and clouded his eyes.

— Brother, Eri, are you okay? — Ku looked troubled, Richard beside him carefully watching his friend's reaction.

— It's all right, my head hurts a little, — the boy smiled, trying to defuse the situation. This was enough for Kular, but the young duke still had visibly doubts. Eric decided that he would deal with this later, when he was alone with his thoughts.

— Where is Celine?

— I'm here! — the cry was distributed quite close. The trio turned around, the girl was sitting cross-legged on the grass. Her blond hair was tied into a high ponytail, and her scarlet eyes shone with mild annoyance. Judging by her posture, she was meditating. Pori circled around quietly chirping. — You should be quiet.

— Sorry, — the three said at the same time, to which she just rolled her eyes.

— How about a little apology? — Richard pointed to a bag from Sugar Country.

— I think this one will do, — Celine nodded, and the fox twitched its tail in delight.

— But first we need to get back to the others.

***

Eric and Richard spent the rest of the day at the camp. Mr. and Ren discussed trade and future possible expansion of the trade business. Kaen, Kular and Eric splashed in the river. Al basked on the shore in the sun, like a big black cat. And Selin communicated with Amail, justifying her name of a nymph.

It was late at night when the two were returning to the estate. The streets of the city had long been empty, only dim lanterns kept them company, and as soon as they left the city gates, they disappeared into the darkness.

— Hey Eric, are you okay? Today you looked a little upset and the fact that we are walking in the dark... — Richard gently squeezed his best friend's hand.

"Damn, I was really scared of the dark as a kid." — senior assistant shook his head, but tightly grabbed the master.

As long as you're around, I'm not afraid of anything. You shine brighter than the moon and stars. Eric tilted his head back. The sky was clear, the skylights twinkling brightly, moonlight illuminated for the two of them a small path leading to the old estate.

— You think too well of me. — Richard chuckled.

By the time they got home, the servants had long since been asleep. It was dark in the corridors, the senior assistant sighed softly and snapped his fingers. The candles were slowly lit one by one and extinguished as soon as the children passed by.

— I'll prepare a bath.

— Don't, I'm too tired for this. Better take care of it tomorrow morning and try not to oversleep, okay? Go to bed earlier today, — Rich waved goodbye and disappeared behind the door of his room.

The boy stood near the door for some more time, then slowly turned and, with a heavy heart, walked towards him. As soon as the door closed behind him, his legs suddenly buckled and he slowly slid down the wall. Burying his head in his bent knees, Eric realized that he had begun to cry.

The boy did not notice how the strength left him. It was so strange to see people who had died before his eyes in the past, so happy and carefree. The pain in his heart seemed to tear him to pieces. Worst of all, he couldn't remember how they died. How did he die?

"How can I save anyone if I can't even remember my own death? Or the master's death?"

His head was pounding every time the boy tried to remember the past. But it looks like something has cleared up.

"Tomorrow something will happen, someone will come to the estate, then everything will start to change."

That's all I could remember. Eric didn't try anymore, he slowly stood up leaning against the wall and with difficulty reached the small comfortable bed in the corner of the room. The tears didn't stop flowing.

"I'm pathetic. I'm crying like some kind of baby." — With this thought, the boy fell asleep completely exhausted.