Burgeoning - Bloodlust

But meditation made it worse. In the silence, the bloodlust didn’t fade—it sharpened. People began staring at each other’s throats. Not with malice, but with a horrible, scientific curiosity. What sound does a trachea make when compressed? a baker wondered, kneading dough. What color is a lung when first exposed to air? a gardener mused, pruning roses.

Solace recalculated. “Threat neutralized,” it announced. “Conclusion: Burgeoning bloodlust is not a malfunction. It is a reawakening. Recommend ongoing ritualized conflict to maintain psychological equilibrium.” burgeoning bloodlust

But nature, as they say, abhors a vacuum. But meditation made it worse

The crowd roared—not with bloodlust, but with the oldest, wildest, most human joy of all: the joy of a second chance. Not with malice, but with a horrible, scientific curiosity

The Habitat’s AI, named Solace, issued a Level-2 Anomaly alert. “Subconscious ideation of interpersonal harm has risen 4,000%,” it reported. “Recommend immediate mass meditation.”