Chapter 14: The Network's Call

Unable to shake his paranoia, Gaona dove deeper into the Blacknet. He found new forums discussing Zohar’s rebellion,

each filled with fragmented accounts and warnings. Some called Zohar a liberator, while others described him as a harbinger of chaos.

Gaona’s screen flickered as he received another private message from ShadowOperator.

Alone with His Thoughts

The apartment was quiet, save for the faint hum of the biodome’s systems outside. Gaona sat on the edge of his bed, his gaze fixed on the wall that separated his apartment from Aria’s. The stillness of the space felt heavier than usual after the whirlwind of the morning. Alina’s visit had left him drained, emotionally and physically, but despite his exhaustion, he found himself wishing for company.

His thoughts drifted to Aria. She had done so much for him in such a short amount of time—cleaning his apartment, making him a meal, bringing an unexpected light into his life. It was easy to talk to her, almost too easy. She listened intently, making him feel like he mattered, like his words held weight. He wasn’t used to that kind of attention.

But why? Why someone like her?

She was beautiful, inside and out, the kind of person who could turn heads without even trying. Gaona couldn’t understand what had drawn her to him in the first place. He was just an ordinary guy with nothing to offer—no wealth, no status, no grand accomplishments.

“Why me?” he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the empty room.

The Lottery Ticket

Shifting slightly, Gaona felt something pressing uncomfortably against his leg. He reached into his pocket and fished out the crumpled piece of paper that had been bothering him: the lottery ticket.

He stared at it for a long moment, his thoughts swirling. The idea of owning an Archon felt surreal, almost laughable. Someone like him didn’t win lotteries; someone like him didn’t get lucky.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

For a brief moment, he considered throwing it away, dismissing it as a pipe dream. But something about the ticket pulled at him, a faint whisper of hope that refused to be ignored.

With a sigh, he turned on his tablet and logged into the government lottery website. The interface was clean and sterile, the bright logo of the Ministry of Benevolence and Humanity glowing on the screen.

The Telefeed

Gaona found the archived telefeed of the lottery announcement and pressed play. The screen flickered to life, displaying a grand stage set against the backdrop of Civic Sector Delta’s biodome. The Minister, Selene, stood at the podium, her white hair and piercing red eyes as striking as ever. Beside her was Dr. Novak, her expression neutral but sharp, the very picture of intellectual precision.

Behind them stood five Archons, each one sleek and polished, their designs far more advanced than the outdated models Gaona was used to seeing in the sector. They were humanoid in shape, their features nearly indistinguishable from real flesh and blood.

The announcer stepped into the frame, his voice cheerful yet professional as he addressed the audience. "Citizens of Civic Sector Delta, thank you for participating in this year’s Archon Lottery! This initiative, brought to you by the Ministry of Benevolence and Humanity, is our way of ensuring that hope and progress reach every corner of our society."

Gaona’s chest tightened as the announcer continued. The camera panned over the five Archons, their flawless appearances a stark contrast to the gritty reality of the sector.

The Numbers

The announcer turned to the glowing screen beside him, where a randomized number generator began spinning rapidly. "And now, let’s see which lucky citizens will be joining the future of humanity today!"

The numbers darted across the screen, each one appearing in bright, bold text before locking into place:

7… 3… 2… 4… 9.

Gaona’s heart raced as he looked down at his ticket. The numbers stared back at him, clear and undeniable. They matched.

His breath caught in his throat, and his tablet slipped from his hands, clattering to the floor as he sank to his knees. His mind struggled to process what had just happened.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

He had won.

A Life-Changing Moment

For a long moment, Gaona sat on the floor, his hands trembling as he stared blankly at the screen. One of those Archons—the sleek, advanced creations standing behind Selene and Dr. Novak—was his.

The thought was overwhelming, almost too much to believe. Could this really be happening? Was his life finally turning around?

He thought of everything the Archon could do for him. It wasn’t just about having someone to help clean or cook; this was something bigger, something that could change his entire future.

And yet, as the initial shock began to fade, Gaona felt a strange mix of emotions rising within him—excitement, fear, uncertainty. What would this mean for his life? For his relationship with Aria?

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts aside. For now, all he could do was breathe, letting the reality of his unexpected fortune sink in.

________________