Across Ultra: Half Dream

Shi Wan looked around bewilderedly, feeling a strange yet familiar warmth. This warmth made her feel safe and comfortable, as if she were back in her mother's arms. She couldn't help but wonder where this warmth came from.

Then, she raised her head, her gaze piercing the endless darkness until it finally rested on a sphere radiating a golden-red glow. The sphere shone as brightly as the sun, emitting a powerful energy surge. And she seemed to be at the very center of it.

At that moment, a gentle, divine voice suddenly rang out in her ears: "Child, you've finally woken up." The voice was as beautiful as the sounds of nature, yet it carried an indescribable majesty and holiness. Its presence startled Shi Wan, but it also piqued her curiosity.

"Who? Who are you? Where is this? Why am I here? Did you bring me here?" Shi Wan shouted loudly in confusion and excitement, fearing that the only living being who could see her would leave soon and leave her alone again.

Upon hearing this voice, Shi Wan couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise and curiosity. She had originally thought she was dead, but she hadn't expected a consciousness to still exist. This consciousness, claiming to be from the M3714 galaxy, informed her that she was currently within its core, being nurtured. This astonished Shi Wan, and at the same time, sparked a strong interest in this mysterious galaxy consciousness.

She tried to comprehend all this, and asked, "So, how did I get here? Did you save me?" Shi Wan's tone held a glimmer of hope, hoping for a positive answer from the galactic consciousness. After all, if she hadn't been saved, how could she be here communicating with it? However, the galactic consciousness's answer left her somewhat disappointed.

The galactic consciousness explained, "Child, when Bruton brought you here, your light was almost gone. Therefore, I brought you into my core to nurture you and protect your life. But this does not mean that you are completely out of danger. Your body is still severely damaged and needs time to recover."

Shi Wan listened to Xingyun's compassionate tone, and her heart tightened, as if being gripped by an invisible hand. Her once bright light gradually dimmed, revealing a sense of helplessness and confusion.

Nebula's consciousness looked at the small ball of light trembling slightly, as if it wanted to say something, but didn't.

"Child, you've been asleep for 12 cosmic years. I'm also your mother. If you don't mind, please stay." Nebula's consciousness said with compassion.

After listening to this, Shi Wan lowered his head silently, his eyes fixed on the sun in front of him, and he pondered quietly.

Time seemed to stretch so long at this moment, and the air around her seemed to freeze. She felt a heavy pressure pressing down on her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

Finally, Shi Wan took a deep breath, slowly raised her head, and met Xingyun's gaze. Her voice was a little hoarse, "I understand..." However, the words stopped at her lips.

She bit her lower lip lightly, trying to calm herself down, and continued, "Thank you, Nebula Consciousness...Mother..." After that, she fell into silence, her thoughts in a mess.

Xingyun sighed imperceptibly. "Do you know your own name? Or should I give you one?"

"Mother...Mother, please pick one for me."

"Chloe, just call her Chloe." The Nebula Consciousness lovingly stroked Chloe with its invisible hand.

"Thank you, mother, wuwuwu..." Shi Wan, no, Chloe's body was trembling, and her tone was full of excitement of being alive again, as well as confusion and helplessness in the face of the unknown world.

"Next, my dear Chloe, you will recuperate here." After saying this, the surroundings became quiet.

"Mother, where are you going? Don't leave me..." Chloe said anxiously, and began to turn around, as if trying to find the mother who gave her new life.

"Chloe, you're weak and fragile. You need to sleep and recuperate, otherwise it will leave hidden dangers." Seeing the anxious Chloe, Xingyun suddenly felt distressed. She didn't know what had happened to Chloe.

"I'll be obedient, mother, please don't leave... You are all I have... I'll go to sleep right away!" Chloe was like a wounded little animal, sobbing and saying heartbreaking words.

"I won't leave. I'm always here. Go to sleep. When you wake up, you can find me as soon as you open your eyes." Nebula rubbed Chloe gently.

"Really? Mother, please don't go..."

Seeing this, Nebula's consciousness sighed, and used its consciousness to transform into the appearance of a woman. It slowly floated in front of Chloe, stretched out its hand and held the light-like Chloe in its arms.

"Sleep, my child, sleep quickly, mother's little Chloe."

Chloe listened to her mother's words, and slowly closed her consciousness in exhaustion and fell asleep, and the light on her body also dimmed a lot.

Seeing Chloe in such a panic, the Nebula Consciousness felt very distressed. It gently stroked Chloe's light ball with its hand, and used its consciousness to put a shield for Chloe, and placed it in the core of the M3714 nebula, repairing the chaotic energy inside Chloe's light ball.

……

The time came to two hundred cosmic years later.

For the past two hundred years, the planetary consciousness had always returned here from time to time to check on Chloe's condition. When she learned that Chloe would wake up today, she could not wait to rush back from other planets because she really did not want to see Chloe fall into the same situation as two hundred years ago.

Finally, Chloe opened her eyes and looked around blankly. Then, she gradually recalled everything she had experienced. She was silent for a moment, and suddenly remembered her mother. She called out anxiously, "Mom, Mom, are you there?"

"My dear Chloe, you're finally awake. I'm right here, always here." Nebula's consciousness slowly transformed into the form of a woman, floating gently to Chloe's side and hugging her tenderly.

Chloe felt the warmth in her mother's embrace and could not help but rub against her mother's arms, murmuring: "Mom... I miss you so much..."

The Nebula Consciousness chuckled softly, looking tenderly at the adorable little life before it. "I miss you too, my Chloe... Now that you're awake, from now on, you must learn from me how to protect our M3714 Nebula."

As she spoke, she gently reached out and stroked Chloe's head softly.

Chloe felt the Nebula Consciousness's tenderness and kindness, her heart filled with joy and dependence. She raised her head, gazed at the Nebula Consciousness with bright, pure eyes, and cheerfully replied, "Our...? Yes~ Mother! (?ˉ??ˉ??)" Then, she nuzzled the Nebula Consciousness affectionately, a hint of coquettishness in her tone that instantly softened the Nebula Consciousness's heart.

Chloe then began a two-thousand-year study with the Nebula Consciousness. During this long period, she gradually gained a deeper understanding of the mysteries and knowledge systems of the universe.

During this time, Chloe witnessed many marvels that she had previously only seen on television or in her imagination. She witnessed the birth and death of stars, felt the powerful gravitational pull of black holes, and admired the magnificent rotation of galaxies. These visual feasts filled her with awe of the universe.

At the same time, Chloe also learned countless valuable insights from the Nebula Consciousness. She learned how to harness cosmic energy, mastered various advanced technologies, and understood the differences and connections between different civilizations. This knowledge not only broadened her horizons but also enhanced her thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Yet, as time passed, Chloe felt a deep, inexplicable unease grow stronger. This unease didn't stem from any external influence, but rather from a deep-seated fear within herself. Due to experiences in her past life, she couldn't shake the fear of loss. Despite her efforts to control it, this fear continued to gnaw at her soul.

Chloe tried to fill the emptiness within through study, but no matter how hard she tried, the nagging unease persisted. She realized that even swimming in a vast ocean of knowledge couldn't heal the wounds within her. The presence of this mental illness weighed heavily on her heart.

Nebula's consciousness seemed to realize something and said to Chloe, "Chloe, there's something wrong with your mentality. No matter how long you stay here, it won't be resolved. You should go out and travel."

"Mother, don't you want me anymore... Did I do something wrong? Don't abandon me..." After hearing the words of the planetary consciousness, he suddenly became panicked and at a loss.

"Of course not, Chloe," Nebula's consciousness quickly explained, "You haven't done anything wrong. Traveling is good for you. It's part of growing up."

Chloe hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. She knew that Nebula Consciousness's decision was for her own good.

"Then I'm relieved!" Chloe laughed happily. "I will definitely enjoy this trip! Mother, please wait for me to come back!"

"Okay, my dear Chloe. Mother wants to remind you that you must pay attention to safety when traveling outside." Xingyun Consciousness said while caressing Chloe, "When traveling, you must pay more attention to the training of your mind."

"Okay, mother, I remember. You must wait for me to come back. You must miss me and your Chloe!" Chloe said coquettishly.

"Go, my child, take this with you." After saying this, a ball of golden-red light merged into Chloe's body.

"Thank you, mother. Goodbye, mother. I'm leaving now!"

So, Chloe said goodbye to the Nebula Consciousness and embarked on her journey.

……

A new journey begins, and Chloe's story begins. Is it the cycle of fate, or...