I didn't wake up.
I stabilized.
Slowly.
Painfully.
---
My awareness reassembled piece by piece.
Emotion first.
Fear—low.
Anger—dull.
Confusion—manageable.
---
> [Spirit Core Integrity: 47%]
Stability: Critical but Holding
"…Still here."
> [Confirmation: Barely.]
---
I hovered inside an abandoned subway tunnel.
No trains.
No people.
Just stale air and old emotions clinging to the walls.
---
"That wasn't my choice, was it?"
> [Regarding Rogue Spirit Intervention: Correct.]
"Thought so."
---
Something shifted.
The darkness thickened.
---
A presence unfolded.
Not fully.
Just enough.
---
The Rogue Spirit Lord's fragment seeped into the tunnel like smoke.
Laughing softly.
---
"Little free one," it purred.
"You move like prey but survive like vermin."
"…Thanks?"
---
It circled me.
Not threatening.
Evaluating.
---
"I saved you," it continued.
"From law."
"You also painted a target on me," I shot back.
The laughter deepened.
"Already painted."
---
> [Warning: High-Grade Entity Proximity]
---
"What do you want?" I asked.
Straight to the point.
---
The fragment tilted its shape.
"Balance."
---
"That's vague."
"Everything is vague to the newly dead."
---
It leaned closer.
Pressure rolled off it.
Not authority.
Weight of existence.
---
"You are free," it said.
"And that irritates both sides."
"Good."
---
"You will tip things."
"…Unintentionally."
---
I crossed my arms out of habit.
"Let me guess. You want me to work for you."
---
It paused.
Then laughed harder.
"Oh no."
---
"I want you to exist."
---
The tunnel walls vibrated.
---
"Free spirits attract chaos," it continued.
"Chaos weakens law."
"And strengthens you."
"Yes."
---
"So I'm bait."
"Anchor," it corrected.
"Temporary."
---
> [System Alert:]
Contract Proposal Detected
Type: Informal Influence Pact
---
I frowned.
"What happens if I say no?"
The fragment considered.
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"Eventually."
---
"And if I say yes?"
---
The presence sharpened.
"Survival."
"Knowledge."
"Protection… sometimes."
---
"…And the price?"
---
Silence stretched.
Heavy.
---
"You will be watched."
"By more than law."
---
> [Risk Evaluation:]
Acceptance: High Volatility Path
Rejection: Short-Term Safety, Long-Term Termination Likely
"…You really know how to sell."
> [Neutral Tone: Agreed.]
---
I stared into the darkness.
Freedom.
Real freedom.
Came with eyes.
Lots of them.
---
"Is this binding?"
The fragment shook.
"No chains."
"Only consequences."
---
I exhaled.
"…Fine."
---
The darkness smiled.
Wide.
Satisfied.
---
> [Informal Pact Established:]
— Chaotic Influence: Minor
— Protection Trigger: Conditional
---
Heat surged through my core.
Not pain.
Not power.
Weight.
---
> [New Passive Acquired:]
Chaotic Signature (Dormant)
• Masks presence from authority under specific conditions
• Increases attraction of unpredictable events
"…That's not reassuring."
> [Observation: Correct.]
---
The fragment began to dissipate.
"Grow," it whispered.
"Annoy them."
---
Then it was gone.
---
The tunnel felt smaller.
Colder.
---
> [Spirit Core Integrity: 52%]
Stability: Improving
---
I floated there.
Alone.
Contracted.
---
"…I really need a plan."
> [Recommendation: Yes.]
---
Above me—
The city pulsed.
Watching.
Waiting.
---