Disclaimer: All characters originally appearing in Neon Genesis: Evangelion contained in this fiction are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, AD Vision and Manga Entertainment and are used without permission.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank those of you who have taken the time to help out a humble newbie fanfic writer with your past and future comments and suggestions. Keep the feedback coming; I appreciate it all. Flames, on the other hand, will have to wait until my D-type equipment arrives. ^_^
Special thanks go out to my prereaders: Slicknfly, Badges2, and my darling wife Carrie. This is dedicated to my sons Curtis, Brendan and Travis - we'll watch the shows together when you're a little older, guys; it's worth the wait.
Evangelion: Exorcism
By Akodo Tim
Prologue: In the House of the Lord
"So he called unto him all his officers, and all his nobles, and communicated with them his secret counsel, and concluded the afflicting of the whole earth out of his own mouth."
- Judith 2:2
* * *
Saint Teresa's Basilica, Nova Jerusalem
June 22, 2015
The darkened hallways of the basilica were silent, as they always were at this early hour of the morning. Statues and artwork depicting God and his Creation adorned the marble walls, hidden by the deep shadows cast by the faint moonlight shining through the windows.
A slender robed figure strode briskly through the corridors, paying no attention to the trappings of over two millennia of faith surrounding him. His legs screamed for rest, but his mission could not be delayed by mere weakness of the flesh; he was bearing a message from God.
His Holiness needed to hear it - now.
Only when he approached the ornate gilded doors did he slow down. He rested his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath, forcing air into his asthmatic lungs. The years spent in service to his Holiness were not kind to Samuel, yet his services were the least he could offer in exchange for rescue from the holocaust of the Second Impact. In return for salvation, he willingly offered his body and soul. It had been a good trade, really.
As Samuel reached for the doors, they slowly, silently opened, as if cringing away from his touch. Drawing himself up, he walked reverently into the chamber beyond. The doors quietly entombed him inside the darkness as they closed behind him. The robed man walked a dozen paces before he stopped, bowed his head, and knelt on the stone floor.
Samuel waited there, motionless. The absolute blackness of the room seemed to swallow his senses until only the beating of his heart and his soft breathing filled his ears. Seconds stretched to minutes; minutes, hours. After what felt like an eternity, a dazzling white light flared in front of him. He sat unflinching, eyes downcast, until he heard the command out of the darkness.
"Rise, Samuel."
The Voice, deep and rolling like thunder yet as piercing as a trumpet's clarion call, seemed to be coming from everywhere and yet from nowhere at once. It surrounded him, echoed around him, reverberated through him. Samuel raised his gaze to the gigantic white cross that now towered before him, illuminated by a brilliant light shining down from somewhere above. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the glare.
"What news, my child?"
Samuel breathed deeply. "Your Holiness, I bring an urgent message from Judas."
"Proceed."
"He reports that one of the harbingers has been chosen by the Marduk Institute and is scheduled for immediate testing."
"Intriguing. Which one?"
"Nathaniel."
A pause. "This is unexpected. Fortunate, but unexpected. So, NERV has designated him as the Fourth Child, then?"
"In all but name. They are still awaiting approval from the institute, but that is just a formality at this stage."
"That will come, in time. We have waited fifteen years; another few weeks will not matter. Does Judas have a timetable for the second phase?"
Samuel stared at the darkness above him, thinking. "He expects that that child will begin training next week if NERV and the institute keep to their timetables. If we allow two weeks for additional testing and synchronization, we can start the second phase in about a month. That is, if he is not rejected by the Ev-"
"Do not mention those abominations in my presence!" The humble man jumped as the Voice thundered around him. "Those vile monstrosities are an affront to God Himself! Mankind has brought about our Lord's wrath by believing himself equal to Him, yet now he tries to rise up against His emissaries to challenge His divine authority. We cannot let this blasphemy continue." The Voice paused, then spoke again, the anger from moments ago replaced by tenderness. "Remember Samuel: that is why we are here. The arrogance of Man shall be his own damnation and we shall be there to see him fall from grace as Lucifer did himself."
Samuel's lips curled into a smile. "And a little child shall lead them."
"Indeed." There was a hint of a smile behind the Voice. "What of Thaddeus?"
"His agents report much activity in Babel, though nothing significant relating to our plans. Oh, and they're still trying to part the Red Tape Sea, as they call it." Samuel's smile broadened. "Some things never change."
"Of course. Now, we have much to prepare for and precious little time. Arrange an emergency meeting with the rest of the Apostles to discuss the execution of the second phase. Keep me informed of any changes to our situation, no matter how insignificant they may seem."
Samuel rose to one knee and bowed deeply. "It shall be done, your Holiness. The Lord our God will we serve and his voice will we obey."
"Amen. Now go."
Samuel quickly rose to his feet and left the room, the doors silently closing after his rustling brown robes. After a moment, a whisper broke the oppressive silence.
"...And may God have mercy on our souls."
If anyone was there to hear it, they might have detected a touch of sadness.
The light above the cross faded, leaving the chamber in brooding darkness.
* * *
In the next chapter of Exorcism:
Things come to a head on the day of Third Impact, and the Children and the rest of NERV will never be the same again. Find out what's in store for them on the 'Day of Reckoning'!