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After a violent impact, a duplicate of Dude appears and moves in relation to him. Chef identifies the appearance as occurring after death and Dude provisionally categorizes it among his Terrible Decisions. They ask whether it understands speech, but the answer is partial. The test leaves urgent questions open: what the copy knows, how independently it can act, and how long it can exist.

Rae imposes safety limits while Chef tests moving the duplicate with a pan: same contact area, controlled force, no head and no joints. Earlier strikes shift it inconsistently; the sixth is closer to an intended displacement. Chef writes down an observed improvement. It demonstrates that training and repeatability may change performance, not that a fixed numerical law has been proven.

Rae tests linked pom movements, footwork and timed strikes against Split Shift. Some blows do not trigger the desired flash, while sequences that join body movement and rhythm do. She decides when to stop, reframe and finish rather than accepting the group’s urge to repeat indefinitely. The sequence keeps her own skill progression distinct from Dude’s post-death manifestation: one character’s training uses another character’s effect without becoming the same ability.

The sequence builds toward a held Liberty and a final linked impact. It depends on timing, trust and the participants being exactly where the move expects them to be. In the clearing, the finish works. That does not make a complicated maneuver safe to repeat without preparation.

The group is already discussing medical supervision before attempting more tests. A good result has bought them something valuable: a reason to keep practicing, and a warning not to mistake one success for mastery.