After a low, discordant murmur, a dense and torrential current of consciousness rushed into her chest, churning rampantly.
Aponia's consciousness was like a scrap of paper in a whirlpool, tearing, dissolving, and scattering into the murky, roiling torrent.
Countless voices resounded like rolling thunder through the substance of memory, but one echo among them was exceptionally clear. Aponia knew it came from the young boy beside her. Their hearts beat to the same rhythm, calming, and calming still...
Until, in the silent darkness, tiny ripples began to spread.
"Don't be afraid, Little Feng. I will protect you, forever."
Aponia, who had never saved anyone, had saved Feng. This was her only salvation.
In a trance-like state of ecstasy, Aponia opened her eyes, returning to a state of clarity.
"I..."
She seemed to vaguely recall certain true memories, yet the warmth in her arms continued to ripple through her heart.
It spoke of a certain kind of happiness.
A painful struggle appeared in Aponia's eyes. If she just willed it... she could "fully remember."
But why was she hesitating?
Was she... afraid?
The nun's thoughts seemed to have sunk into a quagmire.
Sluggish, and viscous.
Should she break free, or sink into this blissful oblivion?
As she wavered, a dazzling golden light shone from on high.
As brilliant as the sun, it illuminated everything below.
[Discipline VI, Thou Shalt Not Succumb]
Aponia seemed on the verge of waking, yet a shadow drifted in from the horizon.
Like a dark cloud, it blotted out the sky, obscuring the golden wheel of light.
Ye Feng was straddling Aponia's slender waist, looking down at the dazed nun.
Their faces were so close they could feel the heat of each other's breath.
Her wavering vision gradually focused, revealing Ye Feng's concerned face.
A struggle appeared in her eyes.
Seeing this "half-asleep, half-awake" state—where she could clearly awaken at any moment but chose instead to huddle in this cozy little world like someone "infatuated with the warmth of their winter blanket"—Ye Feng smiled triumphantly.
"Mother Aponia, you're sweating so much. Let me help you wipe it off."
"It's alright, I can do it myse— Mmph, Little Feng?"
Aponia's eyes went wide as she saw Ye Feng open his mouth and lean down.
Little Feng! What are you using to wipe my sweat!
Having collapsed onto the long bench, Aponia's head lolled back over the edge, her hair cascading downwards.
She held Ye Feng's head with both hands, her ten long, slender fingers digging into his black hair as she arched her long, fair neck upwards as far as it could go. Her legs trembled from time to time.
...
...
Ye Feng knew that a light hypnosis wouldn't prevent Aponia from waking up.
That was precisely the effect he was after.
He wanted Aponia to declare, with a clear mind, that she "wanted to stay here."
「Time pushed forward steadily.」
「Dusk Street was tranquil and peaceful. Here, Aponia and Feng warmly enjoyed each passing day.」
「During the day, they were like any ordinary guardian and child. But when night fell...」
「No one knew that in this solemn and holy place of prayer, the pure nun would administer forbidden treatment to Feng every single night.」
「At times, Aponia would find herself lost in confusion during her prayers.」
「Could she truly enjoy this tranquil happiness with a clear conscience?」
「She suddenly began to feel afraid—afraid that this was all a dream, afraid of waking up.」
"No... why am I having such thoughts...? Is my own mind so weak?"
"Or... am I also yearning for this...?"
Aponia looked up, staring helplessly at the majestic and solemn statue of the goddess, and fell into intense self-doubt.
She was a devout listener to God in the darkness. Half submerged in shadow, half residing in light.
In this "Dusk" realm where sin ran rampant, she struggled to hold her ground, protecting the weak creatures within, like a glimmer of light in a gray world.
She thought she could save others from their misfortune, only to be cruelly mocked by fate.
And now, the "destiny" from Feng was even more intertwined around her, forming a cage that served only to trap her within.
"The threads of fate have almost been plucked bare. I can only... quietly await the final judgment, and await my own end. That is all."
Aponia closed her eyes.
The sunlight that had been streaming in from the window, illuminating one half of the nun's body, also slowly receded with the passage of time.
In the end, although the nun knelt devoutly before the "divine statue," her body was completely immersed in the church's shadows.
「It was thought that this calm and warm life would continue forever. The storms of the outside world could not invade this small dusk town on the frontier.」
「However, [Fate] played another cruel joke on Aponia.」
「Her "salvation," her "hope," the only "child" she had ever saved, turned out to be the [Evil God Taisiyuros], the demon king who would bring terror and destruction.」
"Taisiyuros..."
Aponia whispered the name.
She seemed to have heard it somewhere before.
「Upon learning this news, Feng was overcome with agony. He declared he would go to the Convent of the Holy Maiden to kill himself.」
Aponia blocked Ye Feng's path.
The nun merely stood silently in the doorway, yet it was as if she stood on the high ground of the light, a pure and holy glow radiating from behind her, making her appear noble and sacred.
"...Little Feng, don't go."
Aponia's tone seemed to carry a hint of pleading.
But Ye Feng's face was filled with resolve. He said painfully, "I don't care if this world is destroyed, but I want to protect Mother Aponia... But I am the source of the chaos, the existence that brings all calamity."
Aponia folded her hands over her skirt, her eyes downcast. "This is not Little Feng's fault... The fault... lies with this world..."
"Even so, I don't want to hurt Mother Aponia. Before me... there is only a cliff."
"Even if you retreat, will the outcome be any better?"
"I cannot restrain my craving to devour, and can only let my rationality be gradually worn away; or lose control of myself and be completely consumed by the desires lurking within my body..."
Like a holy mother, Aponia took slow steps toward Ye Feng, the sacred golden light swaying with her movements.
The nun gathered Little Feng into her arms and whispered:
"I will not sit idly by, even if all is in vain. I will not allow Little Feng to fall, even if it is fated to be. This is my hope, my desire. Little Feng, [Please], stay here."
Ye Feng looked up. "If I stay here, will Mother Aponia stay here too?"
"Me? Of course. I will stay here and fight the evil from the void alongside Little Feng."
"You'll stay here forever?" Ye Feng pressed.
Aponia froze, hesitating.
In the end, she slowly nodded.
Hearing Aponia's declaration, Ye Feng, buried in her soft bosom, felt the corners of his mouth slowly curve upwards.
Then, Ye Feng stood on his tiptoes and slowly leaned in close to Aponia's ear.
"Mother Aponia, right now, you're actually 'awake,' aren't you."
Aponia: "!!"