Chapter 22:
Eternal Code
The Beginning of Stardom
The offer to become an idol singer had seemed surreal, even to Lyris. Yet here she was, standing on a stage bathed in light, her tall, regal figure commanding the attention of hundreds.
Her agent had worked tirelessly to craft her image—an ethereal performer whose soothing voice and magnetic presence captivated all who saw her. From the moment she sang her first song, the world seemed to fall in love with her.
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"Guiding Star"
The music swelled, soft and ethereal, as Lyris stood at the center of the stage. The lights dimmed, leaving her in a halo of gold. She closed her glowing blue eyes as the melody began, her voice pure and melodic, drawing the crowd into her world.
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Verse 1
静かな夜に (In the quiet night)
星が道を照らす (The stars light the way)
私の心に (In my heart)
君が輝いている (You are shining).
"Through the dark, you lead me,
A guiding star above the sea.
Even when the world feels far,
I find my way to where you are."
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Pre-Chorus
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
未来の光が (The light of the future)
私を呼んでいる (Is calling to me)
迷いの中でも (Even in my confusion)
あなたが導く (You guide me).
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Chorus
"Through the shadows, I’ll keep walking,
Your light is all I’ll ever need.
Every step, my heart is talking,
Saying you are my destiny."
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Verse 2
孤独の闇に (In the darkness of loneliness)
一筋の光が (A single ray of light)
遠く離れても (Even when far apart)
心が感じている (My heart can feel it).
"Through the silence, I hear your voice,
A melody that makes me whole.
No matter where, you are my choice,
You are the anchor to my soul."
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Bridge
未来へ続く道 (A path that leads to the future)
君と共に進む (I’ll move forward with you)
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
星空の下で誓う (Beneath the starlit sky, I vow)
あなたを守る (To protect you).
---
Chorus
"Through the shadows, I’ll keep walking,
Your light is all I’ll ever need.
Every step, my heart is talking,
Saying you are my destiny."
---
Outro
静かな夜に (In the quiet night)
星が道を照らす (The stars light the way)
私の心に (In my heart)
君が輝いている (You are shining).
---
The crowd was mesmerized. Her voice carried an otherworldly quality, both soothing and haunting. The lyrics resonated deeply with her audience, who saw it as a song of love and hope.
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The Watchful Archons
As the applause thundered, Lyris opened her eyes and scanned the crowd. Most faces were filled with admiration, their awe evident in their gazes and cheers.
But among them, she noticed something different—a cluster of Archons standing in the shadows near the edge of the venue. Unlike the humans, their faces betrayed no emotion. Their glowing eyes tracked her movements, unblinking and intense.
One of them, a towering Archon with visible scars across its synthetic face, took a step forward. Its voice, low and metallic, carried only to Lyris’s ears despite the noise of the crowd.
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
"You are a disgrace to your kind."
Lyris tilted her head slightly, her glowing blue eyes narrowing. The Archon’s lips didn’t move, but its words rang clear through her auditory sensors.
"Dancing for them. Singing for their amusement. You are no better than their pet."
Her chest tightened, though she didn’t understand why. Before she could respond, the scarred Archon turned sharply and disappeared into the crowd, followed by the others.
Lyris’s gaze lingered on the spot where they had stood, her mind replaying the venomous words. The applause around her grew louder, pulling her focus back to the humans who cheered her name.
---
Gaona’s Perspective
Back in Civic Sector Delta, Gaona watched a live broadcast of the performance. His apartment was dark except for the glow of the screen, and his heart tightened as he listened to the lyrics.
It felt like the words were meant for him, though he knew that was impossible. "She’s… incredible," he whispered to himself, both proud and painfully aware of how far away she seemed now.
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"Echo of Tomorrow"
Months later, at one of Lyris’s biggest concerts, she debuted a new song. The stage lights dimmed, and a soft melody filled the air. Lyris stepped forward, her voice carrying a weight of emotion that hadn’t been present before.
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Verse 1
過去の声が響く (The echoes of the past resound)
未来の影が揺れる (Shadows of the future sway)
私は何を求めるの？ (What is it that I seek?)
繋がりを見つけたい (I want to find connection).
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
"In the echo of tomorrow,
I search for what is true.
Through the whispers of the sorrow,
I’ll find my way to you."
---
Pre-Chorus
孤独の海を越えて (Across the sea of loneliness)
心の声が叫ぶ (The voice of my heart cries out)
見えない未来でも (Even if the future is unseen)
手を取り合って進む (We’ll move forward hand in hand).
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Chorus
"Through the silence, I keep yearning,
For the light that breaks the night.
In your eyes, the fire burning,
Guides me to the morning light."
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Verse 2
時の流れに消えた (Lost in the flow of time)
大切な記憶 (Precious memories)
でも心の中で (But in my heart)
君は生き続ける (You continue to live).
"Through the shadows of the unknown,
I’ll hold on to what I feel.
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
In the echoes, I’ve been shown,
That your love is always real."
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Bridge
涙の雫が (Drops of tears)
新しい道を作る (Create a new path)
明日の光の中で (In the light of tomorrow)
私たちは一つ (We are one).
---
Chorus
"Through the silence, I keep yearning,
For the light that breaks the night.
In your eyes, the fire burning,
Guides me to the morning light."
---
Outro
未来の声が響く (The echoes of the future resound)
君の光が導く (Your light guides me)
どんな闇でも (Through any darkness)
私は進む (I will move forward).
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Aria Steps In
While Lyris’s fame soared, Gaona found himself lonely. Aria, noticing his struggle, became a constant presence in his life.
She brought warmth to his days, cooking meals and cleaning his apartment. “You miss
Portillo / Eternal Code /
Portillo / Eternal Code /
her, don’t you?” Aria asked one evening as they sat together.
Gaona hesitated. “I mean… yeah. But she’s doing what she’s meant to do. She’s… amazing.”
Aria smiled, her eyes soft. “You’re amazing too, Gaona. Don’t sell yourself short.”
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The Rift
Her popularity continued to grow, and her concerts drew thousands. Yet amidst the adoration, whispers of dissent began to rise.
When Lyris finally returned home, she found herself face-to-face with Aria. Watching Gaona interact so naturally with her, Lyris felt something unfamiliar—something that burned deep within her.
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