The air between the Spire and the Harmonizer's floating throne didn't just part; it screamed. As Kaelen plummeted through the sky, his Void-Skin trailed jagged, indigo static—the physical manifestation of a million people choosing to fight despite their fear.
The Harmonizer's emerald eyes widened. She had managed the "Sentiments" of entire planetary populations, but she had never seen a consensus built on the acceptance of failure. She brought the bone flute to her lips, her fingers dancing in a frantic, high-pitched blur.
"Silence!" she shrieked, her voice a sonic wave of pure "Compliance Code."
[SKILL ACTIVATED: AUDITORY RESTRAINT]
[Effect: 99% reduction in physical momentum.]
Kaelen felt the air turn into thick, golden syrup. His forward motion slowed to a crawl just meters from the Shareholder's throne. The "Compliance" was trying to rewrite his kinetic energy into "Static Data."
