Chapter 15: The Arrival of the Archon

The Email

The rest of the day passed in a blur for Gaona. After staring at the winning lottery numbers for what felt like an eternity, he finally composed himself enough to send an email to the government department overseeing the lottery. His message was simple, almost too hesitant for the monumental moment it represented:

Subject: Winning Ticket - Archon Lottery

Dear Ministry of Benevolence and Humanity,

I believe I have the winning numbers for this year’s Archon Lottery. My ticket matches the numbers announced earlier today: 7, 3, 2, 4, 9. Please confirm if I am correct.

Sincerely, Gaona.

He sent the email and immediately felt a wave of doubt wash over him. Was it real? Had he misread the numbers? His heart raced as he refreshed his inbox over and over, waiting for a reply.

It came much faster than he expected.

The subject line read: CONGRATULATIONS, WINNER!

Gaona clicked the email with shaking hands.

Dear Citizen,

Congratulations on being selected as a winner in this year’s Archon Lottery! A representative is currently en route to deliver your Archon unit. Please ensure you are home to receive your prize.

Thank you for your participation, and welcome to the future of humanity.

The Ministry of Benevolence and Humanity.

Gaona reread the email several times, his mind struggling to grasp the reality of it. A representative was on their way. Tonight.

The Knock at the Door

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

As the hours dragged on, Gaona tried to distract himself, but his usual routines felt hollow. Even staring at the wall—his strange comfort after long days—didn’t work. He couldn’t stop thinking about what was coming, what it would mean for his life.

When the knock finally came, it startled him so much that he nearly tripped over his own feet on the way to the door.

Standing in the doorway was a sharply dressed government representative, their uniform pristine and adorned with the insignia of the Ministry. Beside them was a massive, imposing metal box, its smooth black surface gleaming under the artificial lights of the biodome.

The letters ARCHON MODEL ALPHADELTACHARLIE305762 were emblazoned across the side in bold, white text.

“Mr. Gaona?” the representative asked, their tone brisk and efficient.

Gaona nodded mutely, his eyes glued to the massive container.

“Congratulations on your win,” the representative said with a practiced smile, holding out a sleek tablet. “Please sign here to confirm receipt of your prize.”

Gaona took the tablet, his hands trembling as he signed his name. The representative took it back, nodded, and gestured to the box. “This is your Archon unit. It’s a state-of-the-art model, equipped with the latest advancements in AI technology. Consider yourself lucky—it’s one of only five units produced this year.”

They pressed a button on the side of the box, and small magnalift mechanisms activated, effortlessly floating the heavy container into Gaona’s apartment. The representative maneuvered it carefully into the center of the room before stepping back.

“It’s filled with packaging, that’s why it’s so big,” the representative said with a wink.

Gaona nodded, still too stunned to speak.

The Box

The box stood tall—eight feet high, four feet wide, and five feet deep. It loomed over the room, casting long shadows across the walls. Gaona stared at it, his heart pounding as the representative handed him a small booklet and a slip of paper with a numeric code.

“This is your activation manual,” they explained. “Follow the instructions to power on your Archon. The box itself also serves as the Archon’s charging station and home base. If you have any issues, you can contact our support line.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

The representative tipped their hat, their smile sharp and professional. “Enjoy your new companion. Welcome to the future.”

And with that, they were gone, leaving Gaona alone with the massive container that now dominated his apartment.

The Activation

Gaona stared at the box for what felt like an eternity. The sleek black surface was featureless aside from the glowing keypad on the side. His hands trembled as he unfolded the slip of paper, carefully typing the activation code into the keypad.

The box emitted a soft hum, and faint mechanical whirring filled the room as it came to life. A series of clicks echoed through the apartment, and with a hiss, the front panel began to slide open.

A cloud of smoke and vapor billowed out, obscuring the contents within. Gaona held his breath, his heart racing as the room filled with an eerie, expectant silence.

Then, a faint light flickered on inside the box, illuminating the figure within.

The Archon

As the smoke began to clear, Gaona’s eyes widened. Standing inside the box was a regal figure, perfectly still, like a statue carved from the most delicate marble. She was tall, her form reaching six feet even without the heels of her sleek, form-fitting suit. The suit hugged her frame with a precision that spoke to the advanced engineering of her design, its dark material shimmering faintly under the light.

Her bare shoulders and arms were smooth and flawless, her skin glowing with a faint, almost human warmth. Her legs, long and elegant, were similarly exposed, showcasing an uncanny blend of beauty and precision.

For a moment, Gaona thought she looked… dead. But then her chest rose slightly, as if taking a breath, and a soft red flush spread across her skin.

Her eyes fluttered open, revealing irises that glowed faintly with an inner light. They locked onto Gaona, and her lips curved into a soft, radiant smile.

“Hello,” she said, her voice smooth and melodic. “You must be my companion.”

Gaona’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at her, utterly captivated.

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