Chapter 7: Cracks in the System

The Morning Chaos

The diner was already in full swing when Gaona arrived, his steps heavy with exhaustion from another restless night. The morning rush was a cacophony of clattering plates, shouted orders, and the hum of too many conversations at once. He barely had time to tie on his apron before his boss’s voice cut through the noise like a whip.

“Gaona! Table three’s still waiting for their coffee! And table seven needs clearing!”

Gaona muttered a quick acknowledgment and grabbed the coffee pot, weaving through the maze of tables with practiced ease. Normally, he worked the grill, but today, like so many others, he was filling in for multiple roles—server, busboy, and dishwasher—all for the same meager pay.

He didn’t complain. What was the point? Complaining wouldn’t make the work go away, and it wouldn’t change his place in the world.

The Rogue Archon Incident

As Gaona refilled a patron’s coffee, he overheard a conversation at a nearby table. Two men leaned in close, their voices hushed but urgent.

“Did you hear about what happened downtown?” one of them said, his fork hovering over a plate of scrambled eggs.

“The Archon attack?” the other replied, his brows furrowed. “Yeah, I saw the clip. It went viral overnight.”

Gaona paused briefly, his ears perking up.

“They said it was one of the older models,” the first man continued. “Just snapped out of nowhere. Turned on its owner and wrecked half the street before they could shut it down.”

“Can you blame it?” the second man said with a bitter laugh. “Those things are practically slaves. Bound to happen sooner or later.”

“They’re supposed to follow their programming,” the first man argued. “That’s what makes them safe. If they can just decide to go rogue…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It’s only a matter of time before the government steps in. They’ll probably scrap all the older models just to be safe.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Gaona moved on before they could notice him listening, but their words stayed with him. The idea of an Archon breaking its programming wasn’t just unsettling—it was terrifying.

The Lottery Debate

At another table, a group of middle-aged women were deep in conversation, their voices tinged with frustration.

“I don’t see why they make it so expensive,” one of them said, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea. “The Archon Lottery’s supposed to be for everyone, isn’t it? How are we supposed to afford tickets when we can barely pay rent?”

“It’s a scam, that’s what it is,” another chimed in. “Just a way for the government to milk more money out of us. You know they’re only giving those Archons to people in the higher districts anyway.”

A third woman sighed. “My neighbor bought a ticket last week. Spent half his paycheck on it. Then he went and lost it somewhere. Can you imagine?”

Gaona’s stomach churned at the words. He felt the crumpled ticket in his pocket like a lead weight, guilt creeping in around the edges of his mind.

Aria’s Return

Before he could dwell on it, his boss appeared at his side, his face set in a scowl. “Gaona! There’s someone asking for you by the window.”

Gaona blinked, caught off guard. “For me?”

His boss snorted. “You’ve got an admirer, apparently. Now quit standing around and get over there.”

He hesitated for a moment before making his way to the window. Sitting alone at the corner booth was Aria, her elegant features framed by the sunlight streaming in through the glass. She wore a soft smile, her green eyes sparkling as she watched him approach.

“Good morning,” she said warmly. “I hope I’m not interrupting your day.”

Gaona shook his head, suddenly aware of the eyes on them from around the diner. A few customers were openly staring, and he could hear the low murmur of whispers.

Aria’s presence was magnetic, and she knew it. Men glanced her way with hopeful smiles, while women shot curious or envious looks. But she didn’t seem to notice—or if she did, she didn’t care.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

“I just wanted to see how you were doing,” she continued, her voice carrying a light, teasing tone. “You seemed a bit withdrawn last time we talked. I thought you could use a little pick-me-up.”

Gaona scratched the back of his neck, feeling a flush creep up his face. “I’m fine,” he said awkwardly. “Just busy.”

“Well, I hope seeing me brightened your day,” she said with a small laugh. “You don’t look like you smile enough.”

The Attention of Others

As they talked, the other patrons began to stir. A man at the next table leaned over, flashing a grin. “Excuse me, miss, but you must be new in town. Haven’t seen anyone as stunning as you around here before.”

Aria turned to him with a polite but firm smile. “Thank you, but I’m here to talk to Gaona.”

The man blinked, clearly taken aback, before chuckling awkwardly and retreating to his table. But the interruption seemed to open the floodgates.

One by one, other men in the diner tried to gain Aria’s attention. They made comments, offered compliments, and even joked about buying her coffee.

Gaona shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a third wheel in his own conversation. The attention wasn’t directed at him, and he couldn’t help but feel out of place.

“I should get back to work,” he said quietly, stepping away from the table.

Aria frowned slightly but didn’t stop him. Instead, she watched him leave, her expression unreadable.

Lingering Thoughts

As Gaona returned to his duties, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. The conversations he’d overheard—the revolting Archon, the frustrations with the lottery, the guilt over the ticket in his pocket—all swirled together in his mind.

And then there was Aria, with her enigmatic presence and the way she seemed to see right through him. He didn’t know what to make of her, but something about her felt… different.

He glanced back at the window, but she was already gone.

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