Interlude: The Prophet Dips

INTERLUDE: THE PROPHET DIPS

The bells of the Dream Coil rang slow and uneven, like a chorus of confused toasters trying to harmonize. Someone had scrawled Ethan’s name on a tapestry. It was upside down.

He sat on the shrine’s cracked steps, chewing on something that was either sacred bread or extremely dry insulation. Didn’t matter. He chewed like a man with priorities.

Around him, the courtyard was bustling. Cultists lit candles to the “Echo Key.” Pallix organized a recitation of Ethan’s teachings (so far: “Don’t touch that” and “Try punching it anyway”). A small girl asked if she could name her hamster after him.

He patted her on the head and gave a thumbs-up.

Then stood.

Dusted his coat off. Slung the satchel over his shoulder.

“Alright,” he said, clapping his hands once. “This has been fun, really. Excellent vibe. Top marks on unhinged devotion. But if I stay any longer, someone’s going to put my face on a commemorative plate.”

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The chanting slowed. Pallix blinked. “You’re… leaving?”

Ethan nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got a school to defraud and at least two bounty hunters who still think I owe them spiritual taxes.”

“But—your divinity—”

“I still have it. I’m just taking it on tour.”

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Whisp peeked out of his collar. “We could leave quietly.”

“Could,” Ethan agreed. “But that’s not on brand.”

He turned back to the cultists, raised one hand like a politician who very much shouldn’t be allowed power, and declared:

> “Brothers, sisters, and recursive spirits—I bless you in the name of poor decisions, raw potential, and a complete lack of adult supervision. May your updates be stable and your relics uncorrupted.”

Silence.

Then wild cheering.

Someone threw petals. Someone else threw a boot.

Milo sprinted after him, clutching his datapad. “You can’t just leave! You’re the central figure of an emerging religion!”

“Then let them figure it out.”

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As the Dream Coil vanished behind them, the Frame chimed softly.

> [Alignment Shift – Cult Devotion → Mild Legendary Status]

>

> > Echo Key Status: Wandering Prophet Public Perception: “Probably a miracle. Possibly a hoax.” Fame Rating: ✦✦✦ (Worrying)

Ethan didn’t slow down.

He whistled a tune from an old Earth commercial and muttered, “School’s waiting. Hope they’ve got dorms with anti-assassination wards.”