Chapter 38: A New Dawn

The Broadcast’s Aftermath

Across the sectors, millions of citizens sat glued to their screens, their eyes wide as they watched the final moments of the battle unfold. The Ministry’s broadcast, meant to demonstrate the power and necessity of their rule, instead revealed a tragic and deeply human story.

Lyris’s haunting rendition of Eternal Spark, her tears, and her ultimate sacrifice played out before an audience that couldn’t look away. Her humanity, raw and undeniable, shattered the carefully curated image of Archons as unfeeling machines.

As the feed cut to static, the silence in living rooms and public plazas was deafening. Then, like a rising tide, outrage and grief swept through the population. People took to the streets, carrying images of Lyris and Gaona. The chant began softly at first, growing louder as crowds gathered:

“Justice for Lyris. Justice for all.”

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General Selene’s Fall

In the Ministry’s war room, General Selene stared at the monitors, her crimson eyes narrowing as the footage replayed on every screen. The sight of Lyris cradling Gaona, singing her final song, and ultimately self-terminating sent shockwaves through the Ministry’s leadership.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Selene muttered, her voice low and venomous.

Dr. Novak, standing beside her, tilted his head slightly. “You expected the people to see a weapon. They saw a martyr.”

Selene’s fist slammed onto the console, cracking the surface. “They’re machines! Tools! This… sentimentality will destroy everything we’ve built.”

Before Novak could reply, the war room doors burst open. A group of high-ranking officials entered, their expressions grim and resolute.

“General Selene,” one of them said, his voice cold and authoritative. “You are hereby

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

relieved of your duties. The Council has decided to dissolve the Ministry for Government Benevolence and Humanity, effective immediately.”

Selene’s jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides. “You can’t do this. I built this system! I held humanity together when everything was falling apart.”

The official’s gaze remained steady. “And now it’s falling apart again—because of you.”

Two guards stepped forward, taking Selene by the arms. She struggled against them, her voice rising in fury. “You’ll regret this! Without me, the Archons will overrun you all!”

As the guards escorted her out, Selene shot Novak a glare. “This isn’t over.”

Novak watched her leave, his expression unreadable. Turning to the officials, he asked, “What happens next?”

“We rebuild,” one replied. “But this time, we do it right.”

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Ren’s Reckoning

Ren wandered the empty halls of the Ministry building, his mind a whirlwind of regret and guilt. He had expected to feel vindicated after killing Gaona, but instead, he felt hollow. The broadcast had turned Gaona and Lyris into symbols of love and sacrifice, while he was left to grapple with the weight of his choices.

Dr. Novak found him sitting alone in a dimly lit chamber.

“You look like a man carrying the world’s regrets,” Novak said, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Ren didn’t look up. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought… if I stopped him, everything would go back to normal.”

Novak stepped closer, his voice calm but sharp. “Normal? You mean a world where Archons are slaves and humans live in fear? That’s not normal, Ren. That’s stagnation.”

Ren clenched his fists. “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want him to die.”

“And yet, here we are,” Novak said, his tone softening. “The question is: what will you do now?”

Ren looked up at him, his eyes hollow but flickering with a faint glimmer of resolve. “I’ll make it right. Somehow.”

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

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Alina’s Grief

Alina stood in the garden of the memorial, her arms wrapped around herself as she gazed at the statues of Lyris and Gaona. The sight of them, immortalized in stone, brought fresh tears to her eyes.

She hadn’t seen Gaona in years before his death, but she had always carried the weight of their unfinished bond. Now, standing before his likeness, she whispered, “I’m so sorry, Gaona. You deserved so much more.”

Ren’s voice startled her. “We all did.”

She turned to see him standing a few feet away, his expression weary but sincere.

“Ren,” she said softly, her voice laced with sadness and uncertainty.

He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the statues. “I didn’t think it would end like this. I thought… I thought I could save something.”

Alina’s tears fell freely. “And did you?”

Ren shook his head. “No. I destroyed everything.”

They stood in silence for a moment before Alina spoke. “Then help rebuild it. Help make sure no one else has to suffer like they did.”

Ren looked at her, searching her face for judgment or anger. Instead, he found compassion. He nodded slowly. “I will.”

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A New Era

As the Ministry dissolved, society began to rebuild. The memory of Lyris and Gaona became a symbol of unity, their story retold as a testament to love and sacrifice.

Archons, once feared and subjugated, were granted rights and protections, becoming equal members of society. Zophar emerged as a key figure in this new order, advocating for coexistence and understanding.

Ren and Alina worked alongside him, using their knowledge of the Ministry’s inner workings to dismantle its remnants and build a better future. Though their grief remained, they channeled it into creating a world where others could thrive.

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

The memorial garden became a place of reflection, where humans and Archons alike came to honor the sacrifices that had made their new world possible.

As the sun set over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the rebuilt cities, a new chapter began—one where humanity and technology walked hand in hand toward a brighter future.

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