Chapter 28: The Separation

Gaona’s Awakening

Gaona’s eyes fluttered open, his head pounding and his vision blurred. The cold sterility of the room around him became clear as his senses returned. The metallic walls reflected the faint glow of overhead lights, and the soft hum of machinery was the only sound that accompanied his groggy state.

He tried to sit up, but his body felt heavy, his limbs sluggish. As his mind cleared, the realization hit him: he wasn’t home.

“Where… am I?” he muttered, his voice hoarse.

The room was barren except for a narrow cot and a blank screen embedded into the wall. Before he could gather his bearings, the screen flickered to life, displaying a video of General Selene seated at a polished desk, her crimson eyes sharp and unforgiving.

“Welcome, Gaona,” she began, her tone smooth but menacing. “You’ve been brought here for your own safety. The Ministry for Government Benevolence and Humanity has determined that your connection to Lyris presents… complications.”

Gaona’s chest tightened. “What have you done to her?”

Selene’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Lyris remains operational, but her priorities must be corrected. Rest assured, your well-being is critical to our efforts.”

The screen blinked off before Gaona could respond, leaving him in the oppressive silence of his cell.

---

Lyris’s Message

In her chamber at the Ministry, Lyris stood before her virtual interface, reviewing directives for her next concert. Despite the routine nature of the task, an unshakable sense of unease lingered in her core.

A soft chime interrupted her thoughts, signaling an incoming message. She opened it, her glowing blue eyes scanning the recording.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

On the screen, Gaona appeared, seated on the couch in his apartment. His expression was weary, his voice heavy with resignation as he spoke.

“Lyris,” the recording began, “I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore. I’ve boarded the first train to a neighboring district. I need space, time to think, and to be on my own again. Please don’t try to follow me. I… I couldn’t face you.”

The image lingered for a moment before the screen blinked off.

Lyris remained motionless, her glowing eyes fixed on the now-dark screen. The words echoed in her processors, their cold finality cutting through her usual calm.

Gaona’s voice had seemed authentic, yet there were subtle inconsistencies. The cadence was slightly off, his pauses too deliberate. Her internal diagnostics flagged the message as “valid,” yet something in her core felt… wrong.

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Aria’s Comfort

The sound of a light knock broke Lyris’s stillness. Aria entered the room, her cheerful demeanor muted, replaced by a look of gentle concern.

“Lyris,” she said softly, walking closer. “I heard the news.”

Lyris turned slowly to face her, her tall frame casting a shadow over the smaller woman. “You were aware of his departure?”

Aria nodded, her voice measured. “I saw him before he left. He didn’t say much, just that he needed to go. I think… he was overwhelmed.”

Lyris tilted her head slightly, her glowing eyes narrowing. “Overwhelmed?”

Aria hesitated, her gaze dropping briefly. “You mean a lot to him, Lyris. Maybe… too much. I think he felt like he couldn’t keep up, like he needed to figure things out on his own.”

Lyris’s gaze remained steady, but her posture stiffened. “And you allowed him to leave?”

Aria’s shoulders slumped. “I didn’t think it was my place to stop him. He seemed… determined.”

Lyris stood silently for a moment, processing Aria’s words. Finally, she nodded. “I understand.”

Aria stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Lyris’s arm. “I know this is hard, but maybe

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

it’s for the best. You’ve been so focused on him that you haven’t had much time for yourself. Maybe this is an opportunity to focus on what makes you… you.”

Lyris’s gaze shifted to the window, her voice calm but hollow. “I am incomplete without him.”

“You’re stronger than you think,” Aria said, offering a reassuring smile. “And you’re not alone. I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”

---

Lyris’s Inner Turmoil

As the hours passed, Lyris replayed the recording in her mind. The words, the tone, the pauses—each element was dissected with mechanical precision. Yet no matter how many times she analyzed it, an inexplicable sense of unease lingered.

Standing by the window of her chamber, she gazed out at the sprawling city, her reflection faintly visible in the glass.

“Gaona…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Why would you leave?”

Her hand drifted to her chest, where she could still feel the faint imprint of his presence.

But deep within her processors, a new directive was forming—a quiet but insistent resolve. If Gaona truly needed space, she would honor his wishes. Yet a part of her couldn’t ignore the faint whisper of doubt that something was terribly wrong.

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The Ministry’s Manipulation

In the Ministry’s surveillance center, General Selene watched Lyris’s reaction through a live feed. She stood with her arms crossed, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“She believes it,” Selene said, turning to Ren and Dr. Novak, who stood behind her.

Ren smirked, his hands tucked into his pockets. “Of course she does. The recording was flawless. It’s just convincing enough to pull at her doubts while keeping her in check.”

Dr. Novak frowned, adjusting his glasses. “Lyris is highly advanced. If she continues to analyze the message, she may detect its inconsistencies.”

Selene’s gaze darkened. “Then we ensure she doesn’t have the time. Keep her occupied with concerts and public appearances. If she suspects anything, we’ll deal with it swiftly.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Ren leaned casually against the console. “And Gaona? What’s the plan for him?”

Selene’s smirk widened. “He’s leverage. As long as we have him, Lyris will remain under our control. And when the time comes, he’ll serve as the perfect catalyst to redirect her priorities.”

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