I should probably be working on more important things, but I figured I would at least get this out there. Expect any updates to be sporadic, at best, but...this is a concept I wish I saw more of. Aside from "Children of an Elder God" by John Biles and Rod M, finished about ten years ago, I have seen nothing in a similar vein; why let Christianity have all the religious fun? I may be atheist, but my people were pagan and I will venerate the ancient gods long before I worship the man known as Christ. To that end, I've sought to blend Celtic and Norse mythology together and insert them into the Neon Genesis Evangelion universe. Depending on how well this is received, I'll continue.
Let's get this trainwreck moving.
He waited.
The postcard said to meet her here; she wasn't here yet, but that was because he'd arrived an hour early. There was nothing that he could do about that, though. Besides, he was used to waiting. It was what he did, out of dissociation with the world rather than some sense of patience. Within the walls of his mind, he could shrink infinitely. No one paid attention to him, because he never brought any attention to himself...he waited for someone to notice him.
Now, it seemed, someone finally had. His father, calling him back after a great many years of exile.
He couldn't hate the man, though. It wasn't in his nature to hate.
As she finally pulled up, he didn't get to continue with that thought, or the realization that he would probably be better off if he did hate his father.
"Shinji! Hello, Shinji!"
"Hmm?" He looked to her. "Hello...Misato, right?"
"Yeah. You haven't been waiting long, have you?"
Around her neck was a torc, clasped at the front, simple in its design and yet with incredibly complex engraving; Shinji's mother had worn something similar, though that had been around her wrist. If his father was to be believed, she had been buried with it. Her red leather jacket and black skirt gave a friendly look, if still somewhat imposing and businesslike. Her smile after speaking washed away any thoughts of feeling threatened, though.
"No, not too long."
The wind cut into his back as he spoke, and it chilled him to the bone. It was an old wind, a signal-wind. It had drifted through the ages, lost through currents and spaces and heights and depths, and his dress shirt was the last caress it felt; it was an ancient sign of a coming storm, but none could have known that except for the one who had set it into motion, thousands of years ago. In the distance, tremors shook the earth as a bitter rain began to fall.
"Let's get going, then! Your father said that today was going to be a very special day. I wonder what he's planned for you?"
"I don't know."
He also didn't know how safe he was with Misato's apparent driving ability; the woman was going upwards of a hundred and twenty kilometers an hour, in steadily increasing rain, amid sharp turns and a fair number of road hazards. Did this woman really have a driver's license?
It was a moot point, though, as they reached the vehicle-sized escalator within five minutes.
"You really have no idea why he's called you here?"
"I don't even know what he does. We haven't spoken in three years."
"Nobody ever told you?"
"All they ever said was that it involved the future of humanity."
In the year 2001, a meteor crashed into the North Pole and plunged all the way through the axis of the earth, erupting from the South Pole and burning out in the skies above Antarctica; the heat from its impact and explosion evaporated both ice caps, flooding the majority of the world and killing eighty-five percent of the earth's flora and fauna. Much of mankind perished in the months that followed the initial wave of what came to be known in some circles as "Second Impact," due to inflated food prices after mass-loss of crops. The entire geography of earth changed. In North America, all land west of the city of Las Vegas, and east of the Appalachian mountain-range, were swallowed. all of Great Britain, the Iberian Peninsula, and most of France were inundated, though Ireland remained mostly untouched. The Mediterranean and Caribbean flooded all their islands and shores. Much of Mexico, Central and South America were covered under millions of gallons of water. Africa was severed from the Middle East, almost wholly consumed. China's eastern edge became an abyssal underwater seascape, the Siberian tundra became a near-idyllic beach. Japan, untouched due to the eastward spread of the Pacific into America, negotiated for peace even as they formed the Strategic Self Defense Force to protect themselves.
That, at least, is the official story given to the media by the United Nations, and from the media to the people of the world.
"That's what anyone will tell you about anything involving the government. They did it before Second Impact, and they've done it since. No matter how much has changed, I'm glad to know some things are still the same from my childhood."
"You're old enough to remember things before...Second Impact?"
"That's what NERV calls the meteoric disaster of 2001. I'm not sure what's implied, what the First Impact might be...although, if the event that wiped out the dinosaurs really was a meteor like a lot of people think, then I guess that might be it."
"That makes sense...what will we do when we reach NERV?"
"First, we'll run by my friend Ritsuko. She's the head of the Research Branch, and also our chief doctor. From there, it depends."
She knows something, and she's not telling me. He was irritated by the idea of secrecy when he already knew so little.
"Alright then. We'll see when we get there." The monotone, almost melancholic words struck a chord within Misato.
It's like he doesn't even care. This is the first time he'll be seeing his father in three years, and he just...doesn't care?
The earth around them trembled, machines groaning in protest.
"What's going on?"
"We might have to get out and start running."
"You're late."
"We got lost, Ritsuko! This is my second day here, I haven't memorized the layout!"
Another tremor.
"We have no time...Shinji Ikari, I presume? I'm Ritsuko Akagi. There are many things we need to talk about, but they can wait. For now, there is something I need you to do. Follow me." Curt and precise, no attempting to make any conversation with him that wasn't necessary.
Shinji appreciated that, and fell in line behind her. They entered into another room, expansive and smelling of...he wasn't sure what to think of the fact that the air smelled like fresh blood.
"Nothing is working! We're not even slowing it down!"
Gendo Ikari smirked, his burned hands bridged over his mouth. Soon, the UN military leaders would understand just how powerful they were. The Ancients were awakening; mortal man, all on its own, could do nothing. Fortunately, he had a slight advantage over most of humankind: Evangelion.
"All you have left are the N2 mines." He said, keeping the mockery out of his voice. "Would you really waste all the money it took to make them? The pilot has arrived, he will be ready for combat in short order."
"Not yet, Mr. Ikari." The first general declared. "We don't know that the bombs won't kill it. Fire away, boys!"
On the projected HUD screen, the UN Air Force dropped four N2 mines.
"Billions of dollars, all for naught."
Cernunnos, the lord of the wild, had awoken. He strode through the haze of smoke and light, unharmed, only seeming to become more savage as minutes passed. Thick, shaggy black hair fell to his shoulder blades. Wiry muscles propelled him with a wolf-like canter, the deer-horns atop his head shedding their velvet in a gruesome display. Dirt and dust stained his shirt and pants, seemingly made of ancient wool and burlap.
"Vice Commander Fuyutsuki, I trust you can handle things here? I have a pilot to greet."
"I assure you, sir, I have things in hand."
With that, Gendo stood and retreated to the elevator behind him; descending, his thoughts moved. What would make his son most receptive to piloting Unit-01? Rei was in no condition to battle, that was the reason he'd called Shinji to Tokyo-3 in the first place. What would...
He stepped out to the platform, leaving the elevator behind.
"Shinji."
"Father."
Both were cold, but neither was distant. They simply had no idea how to act around one another...just as Gendo had been with his father.
"I see you've matured in the last three years."
"Why did you call me here?" Shinji did not demand the answer. He never demanded anything.
"The world is threatened. At the moment, you are the one who can save it."
"Convenience, then?"
"No, actually. Inconvenience."
The longer they spoke, the onlookers realized, the more tense the situation would become.
"I do not have time for mind games or idle chatter, Shinji. Will you pilot the Evangelion, Unit-01, against the Wild God Cernunnos?"
"What happens if I don't?"
"All of Tokyo-3 will be destroyed, then Japan. The rest of the Ancients will begin to awaken, and the world will be crushed beneath them."
"I don't care about the world."
"What do you care about?"
"Nothing, not even myself."
"Then we are agreed."
Shinji looked right into his father's eyes, and nodded. "I am my father's son."
Gendo turned his back on the people below. "Get him in the entry plug. Cernunnos will reach Tokyo-3 in five minutes, or less."
"Yes, Commander Ikari." Ritsuko said.
His brother- and sister-gods would rise, soon. This world would be subjugated.
Where was he? These were not the forests of his homeland. This was not the earth he had walked in his life which was not.
These metal birds and turtles attacked him; they could do nothing to him, time having altered his body into one impervious to most assaults, but they were still an annoyance and a hindrance.
A sweep of his hand, a stomp of his foot, and they were crushed or scattered.
Home.
He had to find his home, and awaken the great father. That was his purpose. If he woke the father, he would be led home.
He could sense the elder being, to the southeast.
If the father could wait for him, then he would come.
"What is this?"
"It's LCL, which allows you to connect with the EVA. It's liquid, but it's oxygenated. You'll be able to breathe." Ritsuko answered.
"Alright then."
"Any questions?"
"How do I stop the...whatever it is?"
"From all the texts we have, Cernunnos has no weapons. However, it seems he has the ability to manifest natural fauna attributes into himself, so don't expect that to stay true. The EVA is designed for hand-to-hand combat, and you have what's called a 'progressive blade' in a sheath on your back that can extend up to five meters."
"So you're saying I have my hands, and a knife."
"More like a short sword, if you'd like to be technical. Your movement is also limited to the cord you'll be attached to, although you do have a five-minute backup reserve supply in the event that the cable is severed or otherwise disconnected."
"You're not exactly painting a hopeful picture, doctor."
"My job is to tell the facts, not beat around the bush." My, but he doesn't seem to have any qualms about this. He really is his father's son.
Shinji entered the plug, which was then inserted into Unit-01.
"Sync level twenty-six percent and rising. No interference. All readings normal." A technician read out.
"Are you ready, Shinji?" Ritsuko's voice came in, loud and clear, over the comlink.
"Yes."
"Launch!"
"Sync at sixty-two percent. Flatlining."
"Without training?" Misato gawked. "Isn't that a bit strange?"
"Whatever it was that Commander Ikari had his son do, it's clearly beneficial. That, or it's something that we simply can't explain."
On-screen, Shinji moved Unit-01 out to the border of Tokyo-3 and waited for Cernunnos. The rain was hard, and smelled just as cool as it had before he'd entered NERV's headquarters.
They sent me out here to face a god. A god of nature. A god of earth. What exactly does that mean, then, to be a god?
If gods are above men, like all the stories say, then what chance do I have?
I mustn't run away. My father needs me. I can't abandon him.
What are men, to gods?
I was raised without belief in gods. I only believe in the human mind. I believe there are things I do not understand.
I do not understand why I am here. I don't know why I was called here. Father said that it was out of inconvenience...does that mean someone else is supposed to be here?
He saw the Ancient upon the horizon, and he knew fear. Bleeding horns, pointed and deadly, rose from the god's head. Wolf teeth and bear claws, a neck like a bull's and porcupine spines extending from his arm.
What hope had one young man against the Wild God? His eyes were frenzy, his fists were earthquakes, and each step he took sent an echo of dread throughout the world.
I mustn't run away.
He opened its mouth.
I mustn't run away.
Cernunnos roared, and Shinji screamed.
"Get ahold of yourself!" Misato yelled. "Kill it!"
"HOW?"
"Like you would kill anything." Gendo's voice came across the audio filter, sounding almost disappointed. "Strike it until it cannot rise to be struck again."
I mustn't run away.
Cernunnos charged, one arm high and one arm low.
"He is not strong, nor particularly fast. His only skill is in animalistic transformation. Use that against him. You have superior strength, and equal speed. Slay him."
Shinji caught the first swing, then the second.
I couldn't run away now, even if I wanted to.
Unit-01 smashed its head into Cernunnos once, then twice, then a third time. The god stumbled back, wounded and disoriented.
"Strike."
Shinji moved his hand, and Unit-01 launched a haymaker into its enemy's shoulder.
"Again."
This time, a hook into the god's intestines.
"Break him." Gendo ordered, but it was not to be.
Cernunnos caught the third swing with both hands, and began to twist at the robotic arm. Unit-01's left hand rose, attempting to choke the god, but the effort wasn't enough; Shinji cried out in pain, feeling as though his own arm had been shattered rather than his EVA's.
Am I going to die? I've lost my good arm.
"Get Rei into Unit-00."
"Sir? She hasn't recovered from-"
"We can discuss the morality and the necessity of it at a later date. Clearly, the pilot of Unit-01 cannot be trusted to finish this on his own."
Within three minutes, Unit-00 was launched.
Shinji screamed as Cernunnos' claws ripped into Unit-01, rending metal apart.
The blade...the blade! On my back!
Shinji moved his arm, trying to get Unit-01 to reach its progressive blade. His movements were weak, though; his body was damaged. his EVA was damaged. If he was going to win, he would need to give everything that he had.
That was when he heard a quiet noise, barely audible over the beast-god's breathing and the pain inside his mind. Suddenly, another robotic arm was around Cernunnos' throat, and the king of the wild clawed at Shinji's mechanical savior with all of his might.
"Strike him now." The monotone voice came into his head, followed by an image of a girl with short blue hair and empty red eyes. "Draw your blade. Take revenge for your arm."
Something inside of him snapped.
I don't need the blade.
Unit-01 rose, mouth open wide; its roar was a death knell for god and man alike. The rain began to look red, to his eyes.
Gripping the Wild God's head, he smashed his knee into his enemy's face. The bones broke audibly, individually. There was no more restraint.
His mouth clamped down upon Cernunnos' arm, cutting through muscle and bone, severing it completely.
The Wild God bellowed his rage, kicking out and shattering Unit-01's kneecap. Shinji responded by ripping open the god's ribcage, exposing all its organs and a red orb that pulsed with life energy.
He bit at the god-core, and nothing happened. He punched it, and recoiled at the feeling of punching a wall.
"The blade." Her voice came again. "You have to use your blade." Rei's, after all, was trapped in the god's back, as she used both arms to hold the Ancient up.
Shaking with fervor, Shinji began to laugh.
"And they called you a god." He crowed.
"He's gone insane!" Misato said, astonished.
"No. This is what happens to those who fight the gods." Gendo's expression, behind sunglasses and his bridged hands, was unreadable. "Rei will undoubtedly experience something similar, if only in a lesser dosage. Don't be too concerned with it. They will return to normal after a few days.
NERV's commander watched, and he waited.
"The wilderness can't help you now!" Shinji cried as his blade struck against the core. First it cracked, and then it widened. His blade hammered, striking again and again. Flames began to run along Cernunnos' beaten body, sparks soon joining them.
"Get out of there! It's about to blow up!" Misato yelled, but Shinji couldn't hear her over the pain, or the anger, or the simple battle-frenzy that he'd worked himself into. Instead, as Unit-00 retreated, he lifted the burning body to face himself and bit through its neck; instantly, the severed head no longer burned. The rain's fervor increased as the body dropped, exploding. Unit-01's detached arm flew away, into a building, but all that Shinji knew was that he held his foe's head by the hair.
Screaming in triumph, in unison with his EVA, he didn't even feel it as the explosion reached the entry plug and sent him into unconsciousness.