The silence didn't last.
It never did.
---
The moment the authority array collapsed, something subtle shifted across the city.
Not physically.
Systemically.
Like a line of code had been commented out—and everyone noticed the error.
---
> [Status Effect Active:]
Free Spirit (Minor)
• Immune to low-level authority commands
• Increased hostility from organized factions
• Reduced compatibility with purification systems
"…So I'm officially noncompliant."
> [Clarification: Yes.]
"Story of my life."
---
I drifted toward the outskirts of the city.
High altitude.
Thin emotional noise.
Less eyes.
Less rules.
---
Below me—
Shrines flickered.
Talismans cracked.
Binding arrays lost cohesion.
Not everywhere.
Just enough to be noticed.
---
> [World Feedback Detected:]
Minor spiritual systems destabilized
"…That's probably bad."
> [Assessment: For them.]
---
Somewhere across the city—
A bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Not a sound.
A signal.
---
> [Orthodox Exorcist Sect – Emergency Protocol]
Category Update: Free Spirit (Unregistered, Level II)
Action: Surveillance → Containment
---
I shuddered.
They weren't angry.
They were focused.
---
> [Threat Level Escalation Confirmed.]
---
At the same time—
Something else stirred.
---
In abandoned places.
Forgotten buildings.
Dark alleys where emotions pooled.
---
Rogue spirits felt it.
A presence that didn't bow.
Didn't bind.
Didn't submit.
---
> [Rogue Spirit Activity: Rising]
"…They think I'm a flag."
> [Observation: Yes.]
"That's… uncomfortable."
---
A shadow rose from beneath a bridge.
Watching me.
Not attacking.
Assessing.
---
> [Entity Classification:]
— Rogue Spirit (Intelligent)
It tilted its head.
Curious.
Then bowed.
Not deeply.
Not respectfully.
Just… acknowledging.
---
"…Don't do that," I muttered.
> [System Note: Your status implies independence.]
"I didn't ask for followers."
> [No request required.]
---
I moved on.
Faster.
Putting distance between me and everything.
---
> [Spirit Core Integrity: 58%]
Not recovering.
Not yet.
---
A ripple passed behind me.
Mira stepped into the air beside me.
Hands in her coat pockets.
"Congratulations," she said.
"You broke a rule that's been standing for centuries."
"Do I get a prize?"
She smiled thinly.
"You get attention."
---
"From who?"
---
She gestured outward.
"Everyone."
---
She flicked something toward me.
A sigil.
Not binding.
Informational.
---
> [Data Received:]
— Exorcist Executor Unit: Dispatched
ETA: Unknown
---
"…Executor sounds serious."
"They don't miss."
---
I clenched my focus.
Core pulsing unevenly.
---
"Can I run?"
Mira shrugged.
"You always do."
---
"Can I win?"
She studied me.
Longer this time.
Then—
"Not yet."
---
She stepped back into nothingness.
Leaving me alone with the night sky.
---
Below—
The city glowed.
Above—
Something ancient turned its attention toward me.
---
> [Path of Return: Contested]
I exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
"Let's see how far freedom gets me."
---