NFBE Chapter 475 [Empire] Loss of Control
Chapter 475 [Empire] Loss of Control
In that half-asleep, half-awake state, everything seemed blurry. The sound of the wind outside the window grew distant, and the room seemed almost silent. From time to time, fragments of memory, those unspoken emotions, slipped through my mind like flowing water, only to vanish in an instant.
Sometimes, I would vaguely sense Qianmo's presence. He didn't seem to disturb me, but just stayed quietly. His occasional movements seemed to penetrate this illusory fog, gently reminding me that he was there.
I frowned slightly, a thought suddenly flashing through my mind, but was pulled back by another wave of sleepiness, forcing me to immerse myself in that state between half dreaming and half waking. Time seemed to become irrelevant at this moment.
Those faces alternated in a hazy dream, each like a crucial fragment of memory, yet somehow unable to be pieced together. Nightingale's face was always blurry, carrying that elusive mystery, Wenya's gentleness irresistible. Miyou's candle bear always flickered faintly beside her, as if carrying a profound emotion. Their images intertwined, sometimes clear, sometimes blurred, like ripples on the surface of water, almost within reach, yet so distant as a dreamlike illusion.
I wanted to reach out and grab it, but I couldn't, and could only feel that indescribable melancholy. Everything was so far away, like my past self, like the choices I had made, and like the life I could never go back to.
"Nightingale..." I murmured softly, as if seeking comfort, or as if saying goodbye to something.
The branches and leaves of a young green seedling swayed gently at the edge of a dream, as if slowly reaching out through layers of dream mist. Its veins resembled some mysterious symbol, intricate yet perfectly ordered. Each leaf glowed faintly in the dim light, like some power hidden in the darkness, quietly accumulating.
Its presence never leaves me, not even in this illusory dream. Its devouring desire, its rapid growth, makes me involuntarily nervous. Its strength makes me dependent, but also a burden. Every time I close my eyes, I seem to feel its presence, gently absorbing every inch of my strength.
Suddenly, the veins of the emerald seedling shone with an intense light, as if something within it had shifted. The change was subtle, almost impossible to grasp, yet impossible to ignore. I instinctively reached out to touch it, hoping to sense its transformation, but unexpectedly, its branches and leaves wrapped tightly around my wrist, as if to pull me into its world.
"You..." I whispered, but there was no response.
But its branches and leaves continued to stretch, and the increasingly intense light swallowed up everything.
I'm probably not strong enough to find better nourishment, so I can only feed myself. I think.
The feeling of powerlessness nearly suffocated me. The veins of the green seedlings seemed to grow within me, gradually spreading into an uncontrollable force. It wasn't just in the plant world; I could feel it seeping into every inch of my skin, invading my blood, and invading my mind, like an invisible yoke, slowly binding me tightly.
I had thought it depended on me, but perhaps it was more accurate to say it was devouring me. I could feel its need, its hunger, like an endless abyss, always craving more energy, and I—I seemed to be its only source.
"Am I... not strong enough?" I asked myself in a low voice, and my voice seemed to disappear in the air and no one could hear it.
Every time it absorbed my strength, my body seemed to be compressed into a smaller space, as if I was losing myself bit by bit. Meanwhile, it was slowly growing bigger and stronger.
I don't know what to do, as if I'm stuck in an endless cycle that I can't break. Although I know that I can only truly be free if I'm strong enough to deal with its demands, I'm not sure if I can bear it all.
My wrists were wrapped tighter in its branches, my thoughts became blurry, lost in its light. I could only feel the growing pull, the increasingly irresistible bond.
Suddenly a chill took over my heart, and seemed to freeze my blood.
The cold, like frost, spread rapidly from my chest, as if the entire world had frozen in an instant. My blood froze in the chilly air, my body unable to move, and my heart seemed to have stopped at that moment.
At that moment, I clearly felt an indescribable fear, as if some danger was quietly approaching. This chill wasn't just the temperature outside, but a sense of oppression welling up from deep within my heart. Was it brought by the green seedlings, or... something else?
The icy cold I felt gradually became bone-chilling, and my thoughts began to blur. The heavy pressure was like an invisible hand, tightly grasping my neck, making it impossible to breathe.
Enveloped in this cold, even my body's senses became dull. The sounds around me seemed to have disappeared, leaving only the chilling air.
I tried to struggle, but my body seemed frozen. I could no longer feel any warmth, and the world before me grew blurry. Only the chill continued to erode my consciousness, threatening to consume me.
"What... is going on?" I spoke with difficulty, my voice so weak that it was almost inaudible.
I know this isn't just the "needs" of the green seedlings. This chill is far beyond what it could possibly bring. Perhaps it's some other force, or—
I suddenly thought of a certain place, a certain strange memory.
I suddenly opened my eyes and saw that frost almost covered my bed. I knew what it was, the ability of the transparent young vine. It seemed to lose control for a moment, or rather, it woke me up.
At that moment, the frost blanketed me with a deep chill, as if even the air had frozen. The transparent young vine's chill seemed beyond my control, even corroding everything on the bed. Its power was so strong it froze everything around it, as if the world had come to a standstill.
I panted nervously, feeling the oppressive chill of the air. The transparent young vine, once one of my treasures in my backpack, seemed to have lost its balance, releasing its cold energy excessively. I'd never encountered such a situation before, and it was even a little frightened.
But regardless, it awakened me. I gradually realized that this wasn't just the seedling's "growth," but rather a certain power within it that was beginning to transcend my control. Perhaps it sensed my fatigue, or perhaps it was something within itself, but it was beyond my control.
I tried to steady my breathing, trying to calm myself, but the frost continued to spread, as if reminding me that it wasn't a being that completely obeyed my commands. I reached out to touch the frozen bed, and the icy feeling instantly penetrated my skin, sending a shudder through my body.
"Stop..." I murmured softly, unconsciously with a hint of urgency.
But there seemed to be no response. The cool air from the transparent young vine continued to spread, filling the entire room with a chill. I knew I had to find a way to get it under control and not let it get out of control any further.
My heartbeat quickened as I gently ran my hand over the frost covering the bed, trying to focus. Although I didn't fully understand why it had spiraled out of control, I knew that if I didn't curb this power soon, it could have irreversible consequences.
“Come back…” I whispered again, my tone more determined than before.
The coldness of the transparent young vine seemed to have subsided, and the spread of frost began to slow down, but it still lingered in the cold silence, as if waiting for me to react again.
I understand that this loss of control may just be a warning, reminding me that while I have great power, I cannot neglect my control and understanding of it.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself and regulate my breathing. I knew that emotional instability at this moment would only exacerbate its anxiety. I reached out and gently stroked the branches of the transparent young vine, feeling its cool touch.
"Don't be afraid, stop." I whispered softly, my tone gentle but firm.
Every time I communicate with it, I feel a subtle connection, as if it's responding to my emotions. The branches of the transparent young vine tremble slightly, and the spread of the cold air seems to be restrained, but it still releases that biting chill. I gently close my eyes, trying to focus my consciousness more deeply, as if I have reached a tacit understanding with it.
"Can you hear me?" I said softly again.
As I spoke, the chill of the transparent young vine gradually softened, and the spread of frost slowly stopped. I felt a hint of warmth coming from its roots, though it was faint, it was enough to make me breathe a sigh of relief.
"You did a great job." I praised softly.
The transparent young vine seemed to understand my words and slowly stopped its out-of-control behavior. The cold aura gradually subsided, replaced by a more peaceful atmosphere. Although it had not fully recovered to its previous state, at least it was no longer out of control.
I clenched my fists and silently vowed in my heart that no matter what challenge I faced, I would not give up easily, especially in front of this green seedling and transparent young vine. They were the "treasures" in my backpack, and I would continue to protect them until we could achieve perfect symbiosis.
"Thank you." I whispered, my eyes gentle.
The chill in the room gradually dissipated, and the air became fresher. Although this loss of control frightened me a little, I knew it was part of their growth, and I was also on the road to growth.
As Qianmo opened the door, a cold breeze hit him, almost suffocating him. He froze for a moment, his eyes scanning the room. He saw me sitting by the bed, staring silently at the young, transparent vine. His brow furrowed, and he quickly walked over to me.
"Are you okay?" His voice was a little anxious, as if he was frightened by the sudden cold.
I looked at him and smiled faintly. "It's okay, just a little problem." I paused, feeling the faint chill in my body, and then added in a low voice: "It's a little uneasy and just lost control."
Qianmo's eyes widened as he stared at the shimmering branches of the transparent young vine. "This thing..." He hesitated for a moment, his tone somewhat complicated. "How do you keep it calm?"
"I'm communicating with it," I replied simply, my eyes never leaving the plant. It seemed to gradually calm down, the chill subsiding, and the temperature in the room slowly returning to normal.
Qianmo's eyes never left the transparent young vine. He walked closer and asked, "Is it really out of control? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, don't worry." I turned around and looked at him, waving my hand gently, "It just takes a little time to get used to it."
Qianmo still stared at me and the young transparent vine with some concern, but he didn't say anything more, just nodded. "If you need any help, let me know."
I nodded, feeling a warm feeling well up inside. Although he was usually low-key and cautious, his concern at this moment was so direct and sincere.
"Thank you," I said, my voice soft.
Qianmo seemed a little stunned by what I said. He pursed his lips and sighed softly: "You're welcome. After all... we are teammates."
My heart stirred slightly, and I understood the meaning of his words, but at this moment I didn't want to delve into it. I looked at the transparent young vine, gently stroking its branches and leaves, and my thoughts became quiet in this moment.
"Let's face it together." I murmured.
Qianmo placed the steaming bowl of porridge on the table, gently set the bowl down, and glanced at me gently. He moved gently, as if not wanting to disturb the tranquil atmosphere in the room. The aroma of the porridge filled the air, and the warm scent made me feel a little relaxed.
"Have something to eat. Are you feeling better?" His voice was still calm, but with a hint of concern.
I looked at the soup on the table, a gentle steam rising from the spoon. The warm hue was comforting. I nodded, reached for the bowl, and carefully tasted it. The broth had a subtle aroma of chicken and some delicate greens, and the smooth texture was comforting.
"Well, it tastes good." I said softly, looking up at him with a smile on my face.
Qianmo sat across from me, his eyes casually sweeping across my face, a complex emotion in his eyes. Then, he lowered his head, as if trying to hide something, and gently lifted the bowl of soup in front of him.
"That's good. You need to rest well." He was silent for a moment, then looked up at me. "You always... can't hold on. Don't try too hard. Your health is the most important thing."
I paused, spooning. Qianmo's concern touched a part of me. Whether it was out of a sense of responsibility as a teammate or some other reason, at least at this moment, he did give me some warmth.
"Thank you," I whispered again, my voice soft and sincere.
He didn't say anything else, just nodded slightly, his eyes falling on the table, as if thinking about something.
I continued to drink my soup, and suddenly, everything became quiet and peaceful, as if all the tension and troubles had temporarily disappeared.