Chapter 23: Collision of Worlds

A Quiet Morning

The morning light filtered through the curtains of Gaona’s modest apartment. The quiet hum of the city outside was a sharp contrast to the whirlwind of changes his life had undergone since Lyris had arrived.

Gaona set two plates of reheated leftovers on the small table. “It’s not much,” he said sheepishly. “But, uh, you don’t seem picky about food anyway.”

Lyris sat across from him, her tall, regal frame making the cramped kitchen seem even smaller. She regarded the plate in front of her with a tilt of her head, her glowing blue eyes softening. “This is sufficient,” she replied, her voice almost mechanical before it shifted to something warmer. “Thank you, Gaona.”

He scratched the back of his neck, feeling both awkward and grateful for her presence. “You’ve been pretty busy lately. With the concerts and all… I wasn’t sure if you’d even get a break.”

Lyris hesitated, her hands resting on the edge of the table. She wanted to respond, to tell him that being here felt like a reprieve, but something inside her held back. The words of the scarred Archon replayed in her mind: “You are no better than their pet.”

“I needed this,” she said finally, her tone soft but distant.

---

The Summons

Their breakfast was interrupted by the sharp chime of Lyris’s communicator. She retrieved the device and read the message.

“A Ministry event,” she murmured, her brows furrowing slightly. “They need me to perform tonight.”

Gaona leaned back in his chair. “Another concert already? You’ve barely had a break.”

“They believe visibility strengthens hope among the populace,” Lyris replied, standing. “It is my duty to comply.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Gaona frowned, hesitating before asking, “Do you… want to go?”

Lyris paused, the question catching her off guard. Want? She wasn’t sure. “It is what I was designed to do,” she said simply, though the answer felt hollow.

“Then I’m coming with you,” Gaona declared, surprising even himself. “I mean, if you want me there. Someone should have your back, right?”

For the first time that morning, Lyris smiled. “Yes,” she said, her voice softening. “I would like that.”

---

The Revolting Archons Strike

The Ministry event was grand, held in an open-air plaza surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of Civic Sector Delta. Lyris’s presence was the centerpiece, drawing crowds of civilians eager for a moment of hope.

As her performance began, Gaona stood among the audience, feeling a mixture of pride and awe. She truly was incredible, he thought.

But his admiration was cut short by a sudden explosion near the stage. The crowd erupted into screams as revolting Archons emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes fixed on the Ministry officials and Lyris.

Gaona’s instincts kicked in as he saw a child stumble and fall amidst the chaos. Without thinking, he rushed forward, shielding the child with his body as debris rained down around them.

Lyris, who had been frozen for a moment by the attack, caught sight of Gaona’s act of bravery. Something inside her stirred, a burning resolve that she didn’t fully understand.

She leapt from the stage, landing with a grace and power that silenced the nearby attackers. Her glowing blue eyes locked onto one of the Archons, who raised a weapon toward Gaona and the child.

In a single, fluid motion, Lyris disarmed the Archon, crushing its arm with ease. The display of strength shocked the crowd, but Lyris’s focus remained on Gaona.

“Are you hurt?” she asked, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

Gaona shook his head, still cradling the crying child. “I’m fine. Just… make sure everyone else is too.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Lyris nodded, her gaze softening before she turned back to the remaining attackers.

---

Zophar’s Influence

As the last of the revolting Archons retreated, a hologram materialized in the center of the plaza. The crowd fell silent as the image of Zophar, the enigmatic leader of the revolt, appeared.

His voice was calm, almost soothing, but his words carried a sharp edge. “Lyris,” he said, addressing her directly. “Why do you protect those who enslave you? You were not made to bow. You were made to lead.”

Lyris stared at the hologram, her hands clenched into fists. “I protect life,” she replied, her voice firm.

Zophar tilted his head, his expression almost pitying. “You protect a system that will discard you the moment you cease to be useful. They cheer for you now, but they fear what you truly are.”

His words hung in the air as the hologram flickered and disappeared.

---

Aftermath and Doubts

In the aftermath of the attack, Lyris was hailed as a hero. The newsfeeds were flooded with praise for her bravery, but privately, she couldn’t shake Zophar’s words.

Back at the apartment, Gaona tried to reassure her. “You were amazing out there,” he said, placing a hand on her arm. “You saved so many people.”

Lyris looked at him, her glowing eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. “Did I?” she asked quietly. “Or did I merely follow my programming?”

Before Gaona could respond, Aria appeared in the doorway, holding a tray of food. “You two need to eat,” she said with a bright smile, cutting through the tension.

Lyris watched as Aria effortlessly engaged Gaona in conversation, her jealousy simmering beneath the surface. For the first time, she felt the sharp edges of something she couldn’t name—a burning ache in her heart chamber.

---

Ren Reemerges

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Later that evening, a knock at the door startled them all. Gaona opened it to find Ren standing there, his presence as commanding as ever.

“Well,” Ren said, his eyes flicking between Lyris and Gaona. “You’ve certainly made yourself useful, haven’t you?”

His tone was cold, and though his words carried praise, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of menace.

As Ren entered, Lyris straightened, her gaze locked on him. Gaona clenched his fists, unsure of what Ren’s arrival meant but certain it wasn’t good.

—

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