World Modulation Mode in Honkai

After a low rumble of "discontent," a thick and fierce awareness surged into Aponia's chest, tumbling and raging. Her consciousness was like a piece of paper caught in a whirlpool, breaking apart and dissolving, scattering amidst the torrent.

Countless voices resonated through the echoes of memories like rolling thunder, among which one stood out particularly clearly. Aponia recognized it came from the boy beside her; their hearts beat in synchrony, calm and then calmer...

Until ripples began to emerge from the silent darkness.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Feng, I'll protect you, forever."

Aponia, who had saved no one, had saved Feng; this was her only redemption. In a state of hazy bliss, she opened her eyes, regaining some clarity.

"I..."

She seemed to vaguely recall certain real memories, yet the warmth in her embrace continued to ripple within her heart, expressing a kind of happiness.

Painful struggles flickered in Aponia's eyes; she realized she could "fully remember" as long as she wanted.

But why was she hesitating?

Was she afraid?

The nun's thoughts felt like they had sunk into a quagmire—stagnant and sticky.

Should she break free, or succumb to this happiness?

While she lingered in this uncertainty, dazzling golden light shone from above, radiating down like the sun.

"The Sixth Commandment: Do not sink."

Aponia seemed to be waking up, yet a shadow drifted in from the horizon.

Like dark clouds, it obscured the sky, covering the golden wheel of light.

Feng was astride Apolonia's slender waist, looking down at the dazed nun.

Their faces were very close; they could feel the heat of each other's breaths.

The swaying vision gradually stabilized, revealing Feng's concerned face.

She exhibited a struggle in her eyes.

Seeing Apolonia in a "half-asleep, half-awake" state, she could clearly awaken at any moment, yet she seemed to be "infatuated with the warmth of the winter bedding," nestled in her cozy little world.

Ye Feng chuckled proudly,

"Aponia, you're sweating a lot; let me help you wipe it off."

"It's okay, I can do it myself... Huh, Xiao Feng?"

Apolonia's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ye Feng open his mouth and lean down.

Xiao Feng! What are you using to wipe off the sweat!

Softly collapsed on the long bench, Aponia poked her head out over the backrest, her hair cascading down.

She wrapped her arms around Feng's head, her long, slender fingers tangling in his dark hair, striving to raise her graceful, fair neck, her legs occasionally trembling.

...

Ye Feng knew that light hypnosis wouldn't prevent Aponia from waking up.

What he wanted was exactly this effect.

Ye Feng wished for Aponia to awaken and say, "I want to stay here."

[Time steadily moves forward.]

[The evening street is peaceful and serene, where Aponia and Ye Feng warmly enjoy each ordinary moment.]

[By day, they appear as a typical guardian and child, but at night...]

[No one knows that in this solemn and sacred place of prayer, the pure nun performs forbidden treatments on Ye Feng every night.]

[Aponia sometimes becomes lost in prayer.]

[Can she truly enjoy this tranquil happiness without guilt?]

[Suddenly, she begins to feel fear, fear that this is all a dream, fear of waking up.]

"Why... do I have such thoughts...? Is my mind so unstable?"

"Or am I also yearning...?"

Aponia looked up, helplessly gazing at the majestic and solemn statue of the goddess, falling into intense self-doubt.

She was a devoted listener to the divine in darkness, half engulfed in shadow and half in light.

Amidst the rampant evil of the "Dusk" realm, she struggled to maintain the weak beings trapped within it, like a glimmer of light in a gray world.

What she thought would save others from misfortune only brought fate's ruthless ridicule.

And now, the "fate" from Ye Feng was intertwined and coiled like a cage, ensnaring her within.

"As the strands of fate draw thin, I can only... quietly wait for the final judgment, and for my own end. That is all."

Aponia closed her eyes.

The sunlight that originally shone through the window onto half of the nun's body gradually faded with the passing of time.

In the end, although the nun sincerely knelt beneath the "statue," her body was entirely immersed in the shadows of the church.

"Originally, it was thought that this tranquil and warm life would last forever. The storms outside could not intrude upon this twilight town situated on the frontier."

"However, fate played a cruel joke on Apolonia."

"Her 'redemption,' her 'hope,' her only 'child' that she saved, turned out to be the [Evil God, Taiziyuluos], the demon lord that brings terror and destruction."

"Taiziyuluos..."

Aponia whispered softly.

Had she heard this name somewhere before?

"Ye Feng learned this news and was filled with pain, saying he would go to the Saintess Monastery to commit suicide."

Aponia blocked Ye Feng's path.

The nun simply stood silently at the door, yet she appeared to stand at a lofty height of light, the pure holy light shining from behind her, making her seem so noble and sacred.

"Xiao Feng, please don't go."

Aponia's tone seemed to carry a hint of pleading.

Yet, Ye Feng's face was resolute, anguished as he said, "It doesn't matter if this world is destroyed, but I want to protect Aponia... yet I am the source of chaos, the one who brings all disasters."

Aponia clasped her hands at her waist, her gaze lowered as she said, "This is not Xiao Feng's fault... the fault lies with this world..."

"Even so, I don't want to hurt Aponia. Before me... there is only a cliff."

"If I retreat, will the outcome be better?"

"I cannot restrain my desire to consume, I can only let reason gradually wear away; or lose control of myself, being utterly consumed by the desires that dwell within my body..."

Aponia, like a saint, slowly walked towards Ye Feng, the sacred golden light flickering alongside her movement.

The nun embraced Little Feng, softly saying,

"I will not sit idly by, even if all is in vain. I won't let Xiao Feng fall, even if fate has already been determined. This is my hope, my desire. Xiao Feng, please stay here."

Ye Feng looked up, "If I stay here, will Aponia stay here too?"

"Me? Of course, I will stay here, fighting alongside Xiao Feng against the evil from the void."

"Will you stay here forever?" Ye Feng pressed further.

Aponia hesitated, stunned.

Eventually, she slowly nodded.

Hearing Aponia's declaration, Ye Feng's lips curled upward as he nestled in her soft embrace.

Then, Ye Feng stood on his tiptoes and slowly leaned close to Aponia's ear.

"Aponia, you're actually 'awake' right now, aren't you?"

Apolonia: "!!"

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