Chapter 16: The Arrival of Lyris

A Marvel Beyond Expectations

The Archon stepped forward, her movements graceful yet deliberate, as if she were testing the limits of her body. She was statuesque—standing at a commanding six feet tall, towering over Gaona’s average height by nearly a head. Her presence was imposing yet elegant, her regal bearing exuding both power and grace.

Her long, flowing white-blonde hair cascaded down her back like silk, and her piercing blue eyes glowed faintly in the dim light of the apartment. She seemed almost otherworldly, her form brightening the drab, muted colors of the space.

Gaona couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by her, not just in stature but in presence. She carried herself with a confidence that felt both natural and unnerving, her physical form perfectly balanced between beauty and strength.

Though her build was lean and athletic, Gaona could tell she was heavier than she looked—just slightly, as if her weight came from something denser than flesh. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was noticeable, a subtle reminder of her mechanical nature. Still, the parts used to construct her were so advanced that her weight likely matched that of a human of similar height and mass.

Gaona couldn’t tear his eyes away. She was breathtaking, every detail of her design so intricate and precise that she could have been mistaken for a goddess from some ancient mythology. Her tight, form-fitting suit shimmered faintly, clinging to her athletic yet feminine frame, and her bare shoulders and arms gleamed with an almost ethereal warmth.

But as perfect as she appeared, something was… off. She wasn’t one of the five Archons he had seen on the lottery announcement video feed. This one—Lyris, as she would soon introduce herself—was different. More advanced, more stunning, more humanlike in every way.

Gaona’s mind raced with questions. Why wasn’t she one of the models from the feed? Was this a mistake? A special case? But as he looked at her, those questions melted into awe. Whatever the reason, he couldn’t complain. She was more than he could have ever dreamed of.

And yet, there was something else. Something about her delicate movements, the way her presence commanded attention yet exuded warmth, reminded him of someone. It was faint, but the similarity was there. Aria.

He shook the thought away, chalking it up to his mind playing tricks on him.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

“I Am Lyris”

The Archon finally broke the silence, her lips parting to reveal a faint, practiced smile. "Greetings," she said, her voice soft yet mechanical, her tone rising and falling in precise, unnatural rhythms. "I am designated Lyris. It is my pleasure to meet you… companion."

The word "companion" lingered in the air, sending a strange shiver down Gaona’s spine. He didn’t know why, but the way she said it felt almost too personal, even though it was likely just part of her programming.

Gaona hesitated before replying, still processing the sheer surrealness of the moment. "Uh… hi," he managed, his voice cracking slightly. "I… I’m Gaona. I guess… I’m your companion now."

Lyris tilted her head slightly, her glowing blue eyes studying him intently. "Gaona," she repeated, her pronunciation stiff and phonetic. "Acknowledged. Awaiting… instructions."

Her words were monotone, her voice slightly too even and measured. But as she spoke, Gaona noticed a subtle shift—her tone grew less rigid with every passing second, as if her systems were learning and adapting to sound more natural.

The First Instruction

Gaona blinked, caught off guard by her request for instructions. "Instructions? Uh…" He glanced around the room, struggling to think of something to say. His gaze landed on the small table in the corner.

"Why don’t you… uh, take a seat?" he said, gesturing toward one of the chairs.

Lyris turned to the table, her head tilting slightly in confusion. After a brief pause, she stepped forward, grabbed the back of the chair, and lifted it effortlessly off the ground. She held it up with one hand, looking back at Gaona as if waiting for confirmation.

"Is this correct?" she asked, her tone sincere but mechanical.

Gaona’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to find the right words. "N-no, not… like that," he said quickly, stepping forward. "Put it down and… sit on it. Like this." He gestured to demonstrate.

Lyris tilted her head again, her expression thoughtful. "Understood. Simplifying instructions… Sit on chair."

She carefully set the chair back on the ground and lowered herself onto it, her movements smooth but precise, as if following an internal script. When she was finally seated, she looked up

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

at him with a faint smile, as though proud of completing the task.

Gaona couldn’t help but smile back, despite the awkwardness of the moment. "Good. That’s… good."

A Fresh Mind

As Lyris sat at the table, she folded her hands neatly in her lap, her posture perfect. Gaona studied her, marveling at how human she seemed despite the occasional mechanical quirks.

Yet, it was clear she was still learning, still piecing together how to interact with the world around her. She reminded him of a child in the body of a regal adult—eager to learn, but unfamiliar with even the simplest concepts.

"What are… my tasks?" Lyris asked, her voice softening slightly as her tone adjusted further. "Please… clarify."

Gaona hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn’t know what tasks to assign her. This was all so new, so overwhelming.

"For now… just sit and relax," he said finally.

Lyris tilted her head again, her expression blank but curious. "Relax. Define."

Gaona sighed, realizing how difficult this was going to be. He sat across from her, leaning his elbows on the table. "It means… you don’t have to do anything right now. Just… be still."

Lyris blinked slowly, processing his words. "Acknowledged. Relaxing."

She sat perfectly still, her glowing eyes fixed on him. The silence stretched between them, and for a moment, Gaona wasn’t sure what to do.

Learning to Connect

The more Lyris spoke, the more her voice began to lose its monotone quality. She seemed to be learning quickly, adjusting her speech patterns with every word. Yet there were still moments where she would pause, tilting her head in confusion, or repeat words in a way that felt almost too precise.

Gaona found himself growing more comfortable around her, despite the oddness of the situation. Her curiosity was endearing, and her eagerness to learn made him feel a strange sense of responsibility.

At one point, she looked at him and asked, "Gaona. Are you… pleased with me?"

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

The question caught him off guard. "Pleased? I… yeah, I guess I am. You’re doing great."

Lyris smiled faintly, her eyes softening. "Acknowledged. Your approval… is important."

Gaona felt a faint warmth in his chest at her words. It was strange, but he couldn’t deny that her presence was already starting to make him feel less alone.

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