[Novel] Waking Up in a Dream, Episode 53: Fugue

Fugue

I stared at the crumbling mansion from within the forest.

The only ones here are me and the male infant sleeping soundly in the bushes beside me.
The baby is in a large basket, wrapped in layers of cloth. His hair is a beautiful golden color.

Amelia, who had been controlling this body until just a moment ago, said she was exhausted and is now resting inside me.
While I was unconscious, she seems to have been quite busy, calling for the demons in the mansion to evacuate and gathering cloth to wrap the baby and my body.

I leaned my back against a tree and slid down to the ground.
The wings that had appeared on my back wrapped around me from the sides. Perhaps because of the wings, it felt a little warm.

Amelia said that when she woke up, the wings were already growing on my back.
In this land where demons live, she said I would be attacked if it were known that I am a Celestial, so she covered me with cloth to hide them for the time being. Now that there is no one around, it probably won't be a problem if they are seen a little.
Above all, moving my body is a chore. It must be the effect of having most of my magical power drained by Camusyana.
The fire from the bonfire I lit earlier to ward off monsters dimly illuminates the surroundings.

After defeating Endaan, Camusyana, driven by that impulse, began to destroy the mansion.
According to Amelia, who woke up a while later, he didn't even notice my presence, and with his red and blue eyes shining brightly, he looked very happy as he collapsed walls, burned furniture, and pushed over doors.

Amelia controlled my body and escaped the mansion with Endaan, who had somehow turned into a baby.
Amelia and I agreed that Camusyana must have drained Endaan's magical power and the like, resulting in him becoming a baby.
I heard there were others working in the mansion, but I hope they escaped before it completely collapsed.

Is Camusyana safe? I think he is, but I wonder if he will return to the original Camusyana?
Unable to resist the drowsiness attacking me, I closed my eyelids.

Feeling someone's presence nearby, I opened my eyes.
The sun had already set, and the surroundings were dark.
The sound of destruction that had been coming from the mansion could no longer be heard.
The baby was still sleeping, breathing softly.
I turned my eyes toward where I sensed the presence and strained them.
There was a sound like grass being trampled.

Platinum blonde hair illuminated by the bonfire.
His clothes were torn to shreds, and about half of his upper body was exposed. That bare skin was also dirty, covered in something like sand.
Over all of that, he wore a large piece of cloth like a cloak on his back.
He was looking at me with his red eyes from beneath long eyelashes.

Camusyana!
I'm back now.
Camusyana responded to my call with a raspy voice.
You've regained your sanity, haven't you?
I used my magical power to destroy the mansion. As my magical power decreased, the destructive impulse disappeared.

Um... what is that on your back...?
I pointed at Camusyana's back.
What I could see from under the large cloth draped over his back was... the same as what was on my back. White wings.
I'm not sure, but when my magical power got low, they suddenly appeared on my back.
He said, looking bewildered.

I've never lost this much magical power before. Perhaps it's something that can usually be hidden with magical power.
Does that mean you also have the blood of a Celestial, Camusyana?
I don't know my birth parents, so I can't say for sure, but what kind of fate is it to have the blood of both a demon and a Celestial? But that doesn't matter right now.

He wrapped his arms around my body as I ran to his feet.
Terra.
Yes.
His arms tightened, and he held me so close it was almost painful.
I'm so glad you're safe.
A gentle, relieved voice whispered in my ear.
Camus.
Tears spilled from my eyes.

I'm always making you cry.
These are tears of joy. I am so happy that you are by my side, Camus.
Is that so?
A smile mixed into Camusyana's voice.
Please stay by my side forever.
...

No matter what my birth is, you are the only one for me, Camus.
I have the blood of a demon. I kept you at a distance because I thought that if I stayed by your side, I would hurt you someday.
I listened to Camusyana's words in silence.
This must be the reason Fornes mentioned before—why he didn't get engaged to me.

But, after being away from you, I realized. I cannot live in a world without you.
Moving a little distance away from me, Camusyana placed his left hand on my cheek.
His beautiful red eyes shimmered with emotion.
I have a request for you, too. Stay by my side forever, Terastine.