11/4/2022

A/N: This chapter has been slightly edited

"Loneliness? I don't understand?"

"Do you hate being alone? We are many, though you hate being alone. That's called loneliness."

"That's your heart you're feeling. It's yours that is full of sadness. Your own heart."

"These are tears. The one that is crying is… me?"

"Does my soul want to become one with Ikari?"

Eyes shot up. Red as dark rubies, seeing a familiar ceiling as the person whose eyes belong to awoken from their slumber. They lightly breath, trying to control a swirl of emotions from that dream. The dream they kept seeing. The dream that replays the events of that day when they arrived to reunite with Father. The dream of seeing the copy of Father's sister. The dream of what that feeling is. The feeling of loneliness.

Except it wasn't a dream. It was a memory. A memory that leads to the last moment of their first life. The moment they and Father's sister's copy joined together in the end. The memory that holds their death.

'Rei,' they thought, 'that sadness of yours. Did it wash away, in the end?'

Those red eyes then shifted to the side, seeing strange red characters in a small machinery. Its glowing color was the only thing lightening this dark room they were sleeping in. To someone who never sees these strange characters they would be confused about what they are, but not them.

Letting out an irritated groan upon seeing that the time was well late in night and that there was no way of returning to sleep after seeing that dream-memory again, like so many times before, they decided to hell with it and got off their bed to start their day.

Even in the dark they know the interior of the room they've been assigned to after being revived from the gates of death. It did take getting used to thou, not their surroundings but this new body and its functions as well. Every action caused by their body is new and… very discomforting. But after a good amount of time they got accustomed to it.

But they still weren't accustomed to the cold hard surface of the floor when contacting the soft smooth skin of their feet. Hissing and slightly lurching their feet back they slowly set these strange limbs again on the chilly ground and waited for the sharp feeling to go away.

Once it passed they walked through the dark and pressed something on the wall. Suddenly light opened in front of them and they walked out. With the light now present their bodies were now in view for anyone to see.

Soft and delicate they would say. With porcelain skin and feminine traits they will say the body belongs to a figure skater but with a good amount of muscles. But they will then say what caught their attention the most was their hair and eyes. Their hair was a shade of dark violet, in contrast to the already mentioned ruby red. It was a slight mess and some of the locks were in tangles. It will greatly annoy them when they have to brush it.

But for now they'll focus on getting something to nourish them. Out of the corridor and into a much larger living area where most activities occurred they walked to the left side where the cooking facility is stationed when they were surprised it was occupied by someone else with the lights on as well.

Sitting on one of the stools and eating cereal on the large countertop in a comfortable silence it would be rude if they went over there and disrupted it so they stood at the end of the corridor and waited patiently.

But the occupation then took notice of them. His features are almost similar to theirs with the exception of his gray, almost silvery hair. He smiled rather foxy at them and opened his mouth.

"Well, well, well. I didn't see you there, Armisael."

An Angel's Rebirth

"Tabris," said the now identified Armisael as she walked over there rather gracefully.

"Please, sister, I told you as I told the others. Call me Kaworu." He cheerily said.

"I would not." She said as she took out a cereal box from one of the top cupboard drawers. "You were given your assigned name by birth from our father, Adam, and I shall continue to address you as Tabris."

"Oh, come now sister. I'm part of our father so as your father I want you to call me Kaworu." Kaworu said, hiding no attempt of the smugness laced in his face.

"That's not humorous." Armisael said as she poured milk in her cereal bowl. "Please refrain from mentioning you're part of our father. The fact that a small remnant of his soul is merged with your Lilin's soul is still something that bogles me as well as trying to wrap my mind around it."

She heard his chuckling as she ate her milk-fill cereal. "I jest dear sister. Despite having a piece of father within me, I was able to lead a different life during my time on Earth. After all, I am the Angel of Free Will."

"Don't rub it in that you can basically do what you wish while the rest of us follow our hardwired instinct that ultimately led to our deaths." Armisael took an ill-mannered bite.

"I apologize, Armisael." He said. "Sometimes I forget that, while my life was somewhat controlled and groomed by Steele, your life and our brethren's was short. Awaken to get to our father's sister, Lilith, only to be killed by the Pilot Children of Nerv. Especially Shinji."

"The purple one?"

"Yes, the purple one."

Like that the conversation ended as both siblings ate their cereal in silence.

Picking up his bowl and drinking the remaining contents Kaworu then said, "So what made you awake, Armisael?"

"I don't want to divulge why I'm awoken."

"Now come, I'm not like our other brethren. I won't babble secrets so openly like Arael and Shamshel."

Letting out an exasperated breath, knowing her brother will continue to pry into such trivial matters if she denies him for a long period of time until she's worn out by his prestering, she decided to just tell him now to save herself from constant badgering.

"I had a dream."

"Oh." Kaworu curled an eyebrow, already curious about what this dream is.

"Ever since I've been revived this dream keeps appearing every time I slumber." She looks at him, their identical red eyes locked into each other. "Is the memory of me coming in contact with Rei Ayanami, the copy of Lilith, and talking to her."

"The First Child and second copy," said Kaworu. He leaned forward, more intrigued by the revelation of the first child.

"Second?"

"I'll tell you about it later. Please continue."

"Very well." Setting the spoon down she continued. "Once I made contact with the copy Lilith I began the process of fusioning with her but then this strong feeling suddenly invaded me. It was then I realized that this feeling was coming from her. I question why she was feeling this way but she counters with me not having experienced it before.

"So in the fit of rage, still having the mind of a brutish mindless animal, I decided to invade the purple one when he arrived and she reacted in a way that got us both killed. I don't understand other human emotions as well but she seems fond of him. Affection, even."

Drinking the remaining milk she put the bowl down as she breathed out a content sigh. "And now you know my 'secret', I guess you can say."

Kaworu hummed, taking both pools and setting them in the sink. "Yes, I guess I can see why you keep waking from your sleep. The second copy, Rei, was the… most emotional of three clones. Living longer than the one before and the one after who took control of Instrumentality and gave it to Shinji. And we both know that the result of that was… mixed."

Armisael nodded, she, and all the revived angels, saw the recording of the events of Instrumentality, or the Union as the Angels called, and the aftermath as well. All three children, how their lives end in tragedy. Especially both the Purple and Red One. Even some of her brethren who hated the Children were distrubed of what those False Angels did to the Red One and the nightmare landscape the Purple One created.

"In the end, years after Instrumentality, I hoped, no matter how thin that string is, they were able to find what they sincerely needed." Kaworu said, taking a moment staring down the sink. His voice filled with somber as his eyes softened. "Shinji, Lilith's copy, and Langley Soryu. I don't know if this is my Lilin side speaking for me, but they didn't deserve the fate they were chained to. I dislike how my role played in the pivotal moment of Shinji's mental state. If I can just go back I could at least differentiate the path that leads to destruction."

"But we can never go back," said Armisael. "Nor can we change it if we were given the opportunity. We played our roles given to us by birth despite having the knowledge of what is to come. And I know how much you care for the Purple One but even you know what comes to pass must pass, no matter how much we rebel against it."

She got off the stool and walked back to her room. "All we can do now is play the new role that is given to us after our rebirth. Our original purpose. One that is greater than the previous one. One, that we can at least do, is to oblige so we can protect them."

She left, leaving Kaworu all on his lonesome. He took time to process her words. To protect them. From a threat far more greater than them against the Lilin race. A threat they were designed to combat in the first place. A threat he still couldn't fathom the magnitude of what they were informed after coming back to the living.

But, that doesn't mean he'll do his damn hardest and fight the forces of Doom. To keep Shinji safe. That's what matters to him, and only him.

He perked up when he heard heavy footsteps and turned his head to see Armisael in completely full black gear. Boots, pants, fingerless gloves, a tank top and a trench coat. It suits her figure well. Then again, it was modeled after Ayanami's. Strikingly too well, in fact, if you put them together side by side there's no denying of viewing them as identical twins. The only thing separating them apart was their physical figure and their hair. Their hair was identical but Armisael's side bangs were longer, passing her chin and the color being a darker purple opposite to Ayanami's baby blue.

She walked towards the entrance door. "Once they're awake tell them I'm heading to the training simulator area. And make sure they're not delayed, I don't want them to be scolded by the Chief or any military official with him today. Understand?"

Kaworu did a mock salute. "Roger that Major."

She scowled at those words. "I would prefer it if you did not call me that."

"Oh, come on now, sister. I only call you that because they made the decision of making you the leader of our group. It would be such disrespect if I didn't recognize your rank."

Once she twisted the knob she said her final piece. "Careful, Tabris, your Lilin side is showing." With that she opened the door and exited, quickly shutting it before Kaworu could respond back.

Pressing a button the elevator descended down as Armisael rested her back against its steel wall.

The quiet atmosphere, disregarding the mechanical sounds of the steel carrier, really calms her down to the nerves. Because no matter how many times she steel herself for training a great weight would settle in her stomach in a very discomforting way. Now she somewhat understand the fear the Lilins experience under their terror. Despite them just being made up of data and digital bodies, the forces of Doom terrified her. The savage Imps, the unrelenting charging Pinkys, those Hell Knight brutes, the disgusting gelated blobs Mancubus and the huge orcs Hell Barons that are just the worst, especially the ones in the higher tier class.

And that was only in the simulation, she doesn't want to know what the actual thing will be once she's out there and engaged with the real enemy. But considering their creators consider them an ultimate weapon that can eliminate even the strongest Hell has to offer, she questions why, since her rebirth, she isn't in her old body instead of this new. The answer when she asked that was 'Don't worry about'.

She placed her hand on her navel area. Her core, a ruby marble, embedded itself in her flesh. She doesn't think she has one in her old body but that small sphere nestled in there is there. Her hand traveled up and rested where her beating heart was. From particulates and wavelength matter to flesh and bones. She didn't feel anything back then but now she feels blood coursing through the veins, can taste anything she eats and drinks, how different each texture of surfaces she touches, and the need to sleep. That was weirdest of all to her.

A signal was heard, telling her the elevator stopped at its designated floor. She exited the elevator and walked through the lobby. Her boots left a soft imprint across the high-quality carpet as she let her gaze linger on a statue of a Praeleanthor Marine standing triumphant with various demon heads around it. She opens the entrance door and the warm outside air greets her as the cool air conditioning leaves small brushes against her before the door closes with a loud slam.

Taking a moment of her body quickly adjusting its temperature which left her a small shiver, she continued her small trek. It was still dark with this planet's several moons high up but she could see a bit of purple on the horizon. Bugs were starting to buzz loudly but even that it was serene to her ears. Walking across the grassy fields she looks around and sees tall buildings. Higher up in the clouds, they tower than Gaghiel's old body.

It may seem odd for a human to see such 'futuristic' structures yet no road pavement, all grass. It was due to other races the Praeleanthor helped and rescued from Hell invasions they'll then assist with their needs. Helping refugees from other worlds accustomed as best as they can after learning they'll never go back to their original homes that were already assimilated to the planes of Hell. A majority of these races were more in tune with nature as it was their lifestyle. So in the words of her sister, Ramiel, it's a blend of Cyberpunk and Naturecore. Whatever that means.

Armisael walked through another front entrance of another building and a second one with clear doors that slid open and a cold wave of the building's air conditioners blasted her as she nestled in her trench coat. Her boots echoed in the empty lobby as she came upon one of the elevators and took something out of her coat pocket.

A small plastic card. Holding it to a small black square to the side for a few moments until a beep was heard. The door was open and she went in and pushed a button. Stealthing the card back she exhales a deep breath, trying to not let the jitters get to her.

The same ding was heard and she exited. Walking through a long corridor she fished out the same card and held it to another black square and what seems to be a dead end wall then descended to the side, opening a space for her to walk in.

Before her was a room filled with many computers that were led up and in odd positions. Wires and cables were messily laid around, some over each other and others in tangles and knots. Hums and beeping were in a cold cacophony symphony as she tiptoed the room, not wanting to trip.

Navigating the room was quite difficult as the only light sources in the room were the computers' but she managed to make it to a desk with someone resting their head on it. Their long flowy black hair spread all over in a chaotic fashion.

Complimenting if she should wake them from their slumber she decided to wait and look for a suitable area to sit when a whoosh sound was heard behind her. Looking over her shoulder a Praeleanthor scientist enters, holding a stack of papers. Having a body similar to a human but with a gray skin and more rounded eyes. His eyes widened in surprise behind his glasses when he saw her.

"Armisael, didn't expect you to be here this early. You're here for your schedule simulation training, huh?"

"That is correct, Doctor Carmack. I'm here to do today's quota."

"Well," he set the stack of papers on top of a computer, brushing his blond hair, "let me clear this up and we'll set up the simulation." He looked around. "Where's Romero?"

She moved to the side and he saw the other scientist sleeping. Rolling his eyes, he carefully moved around across the floor and lightly smacked the head. "Romero, dude. Wake up, Armisael is here for training."

Snorting the head leaned up as his hair fell on his shoulders like curtains. He yawned as he rubbed his eyes to wear off the drowsiness. Like Carmack, Romero, too, was a Praeleanthor scientist, with gray skin and rounded eyes. He blinked several times before he noticed the two.

"Armisael? Carmack? When the hell are you guys doing here?"

"I work here, so do you, and she is here to shoot digital demons in the face."

"This early?" He stretched as he got up from his seat. "Fuck it, let's go. Armisael, you can go into the simulation room when you're ready. We'll set up the Map levels, the demons and firearms, and the difficulty level and you're all set." He took a quick look around the room. "Where's the intern doctor?"

"Getting coffee," said Carmack. "She'll be here shortly." He then looked at Armisael who wore a blank but patient look. "Like he said, Armisael. You can go to the room whenever you're ready. We'll set up very shortly."

She nodded and took off her trench coat and set it aside on a computer that was off. Going to the side of the room she descended down a small set of stars as a door automatically opened for her. She entered a very open room that was wide and spacious. It took her a moment to get to the center of the room but once she got there she heard the voice of Mr. Romero on an intercom.

"All right, Armisael, we're all ready. Just stand perfectly still so the room can do its thing and after that your training can begin."

Then another voice spoke, this time more feminine.

"Loading WAD Set: Knee-Deep in the Dead."

She closed her eyes as she felt a change around her. Her heart beats rapidly in anticipation and anxiety.

"Loading up standard starter weapon and armor set, uploading randomizer addon."

Even though there was virtually nothing in her hands there was suddenly a 'weight' they were now holding.

"Setting difficulty level to Hurt Me Plenty."

That level? That ain't so bad. The only thing that is gonna give her trouble on that level is the higher demon class in the high tiers. Father forbid if she went up against a Legendary right off the bat.

"Loading simulation complete. All things set. Okay, Armisael, rip and tear."

Opening her eyes she sees herself in the starting room of the first map level she's been accustomed to since the first time she trained here. Lifting up her hands, two standard Eden Pistols rested in her hands. Weapons of death meant to end the lives of Hell. Loaded up with Fire Dust ammunition she aimed towards a wall and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

That was enough for a deep, guttural unnatural voice echoing through the room.

" I smell mortal flesh."

An Angel's Purpose

"She's doing well out there."

"Yeah, making significant progress. Hit a few roadblocks that are Pinkys and Cacodemons, and those Imps are always zig-zagging around, especially the higher tier ones, but she's holding up pretty well."

Both Carmack and Romero observed as they sipped their coffee. Never taking their eyes away from the monitors that are showing Armisael blowing a Zombiemen's head off with a Quad Shotgun.

"What map level is she in right now?"

"I believe in Central Processing. She's about to complete it and head to Computer Station."

"Ooo, that's a big one. Hope she's ready for endless waves of Imps."

Romero took a side glance to the third person in the room and, with a mischievous smirk, suddenly yelled, "Hey, intern! How 'bout you? What are your thoughts on our angel's progress?"

Letting out a startled, yet cute squeak, the intern, a beautiful woman with blonde hair, green eyes, a bountiful bosom, and peach skin in contrast to their gray skin, trembled a bit before she said her piece.

"Well-well she's completing the Maps in record time in the current difficulty level. But I'm worried about the end of EM1. She's about to face the Hell Barons."

That got the others quiet as they continued watching the Angel mowing down demons and non-demons with a Demon Tech Rifle.

"Oh, yeah, The Busier Brothers. She's gonna have trouble with that."

"Yeah, especially if it's a higher tier one."

A pregnant silence settled in before it was quickly broken by one of them.

"Wanna bet if one of them is a Legendary."

"Pfft, that's a sucker's bet."

"What? Afraid you'll lose?"

"No, it's common sense."

"Come on, I'm not gonna bet something outrageous just a couple of drinks later tonight. So, you want to bet on it?"

Carmack hummed as the intern interjected.

"Um, Doctor Carmack, Doctor Romero. Are you sure that's appropriate?"

"Relax, Tearju, this is simulation training. Nothing serious. If this was the actual thing we would never do something like this."

Tearju shuffled in her feet as she nervously spoke, "I suppose."

They all turned to the open door upon hearing loud chatting and entered in were the rest of the Angels, all dressed in black like their sister who's currently running after a Pinky with a chainsaw in her hands. And like their sister they all have dark red eyes and pale white skin but each of them have distinct features that makes them stand out from each other.

"Oh, is it already eight?" Tearju said, blinking in surprise.

"Morning, Doctor Carmack, Doctor Romero, Doctor Lunatique, and yes, Doctor Lunatique, it is indeed eight. Our sister made sure we arrived at the exact, scheduled time." Kaworu said in his usual polite tone.

"Hmph! She could have at least waited for us," said one of the Angels. Her twin-tailed hair softly glowed its luminous white color. She crossed her arms as she looked away rather disdainfully. "Getting a head start so she won't wait for her turn once we do our scheduled training. By turns, mind you."

Tearju giggled while Carmack and Romero went back to the monitors. "Please, Arael, your sister just wants to see how much she has improved since the last training. I doubt she came here early so she wouldn't have to wait for her turn once we set up the order of which turn each of you will go."

"Oh, she's definitely cutting ahead." Romero interjects. "She's free for the day after this, unless we decide to have her go through more tests. But, yeah, no, she's free for the day."

"That sneaky jerk." Arael yelled. "I can't believe her. Why I'll-"

She was cut off by a swat to the head by another Angel. She glared at the one who did it while holding the slight bruise area. "Zeruel, you ass, why did you do that?!"

"You were being loud," said Zeruel, annoyed at his loud sister. A strong build with broad shoulders and orange hair with a white streak as he crossed his arms as he sent her a scowl. "It's morning and I don't want to hear that unnecessary screeching coming from your mouth."

"Why you mother fu-"

"All right, enough." Carmack cut in. "It doesn't matter who comes here early, Arael, but you all are going to do your simulation training today, so no complaining. And Zeruel, don't antagonize your sister."

Both of them grunted the others, except Carmack and Romero, all chuckled uneasily as Romero straightened up and stench. "Well Carmack, drinks are on me."

Carmack looked at him surprised. "What, she finished already?"

"Yup, got stopped by one of the Busier Brothers."

"Which one?"

"Phase Warlord."

He winced. "Those are a pain to deal with."

"Yeah, and it's only on the Hurt Me Plenty difficulty. But that's only because she got blindsided by one of Spectres"

"Pfft, she got her ass handed to her on that pathetic level? By one of those weak ass demons. Ha!" They heard Arael in a mocking tone. "That's some weak shit. I can do that easily with one hand behind my back. On the highest level, Ultra-Black Metal, and in Plutonia map levels."

"Is that so, Arael? If you're that confident then we'll set up that difficulty level once it's your turn."

They all turn to see two more people enter the room. Both were Praeleanthor. One was old, balding but still had white hair on the back, carrying a cane while straightening out his business suit. The other, while old, was younger than the other. Bleach blond hair and a military uniform, his steely eyes scans everyone in the room. Both of them had stern faces, postures full with confidence and undeterred spines. They just exclude an air of professionalism even Kaworu thinks SEELE could never hold candles to them, not even Keel Lorenz, with his crafty mind, could out play these two if given the circumstance.

The three doctors saluted with Carmack loudly saying, "Chief Satsuma and General Cassatt."

"At ease, gentlemen and miss," said Cassatt. "Lunatique, how's that daughter of yours?"

"Oh, um, she's doing well, General."

"Excellent, I can't wait to see her follow your footsteps in the field of biotechnology." General Cassatt said as The Chief greeted the Angels.

"Angels."

"Chief," said Kaworu as the Angels saluted him in a lax and less respectful manner.

"I see that Armisael is in the simulation room, correct?"

"Half-correct, Chief." They all see Armisael return from the room. Her pale body drench in sweat as she's heavily breathing, her body all tired and sore from the constant running and evading demons' attacks. Tearju quickly rushed while carefully watching her step and handed the tired Angel a towel which she gratefully accepted. "I've already done today's quota unless it isn't sufficient for you then I'll gladly do it again under the scheduled regimen."

"That won't be necessary, Angel Armisael," said Cassatt. "You've done enough to fill today's quota. But you must win at all costs against the enemy. Even our seasonal warriors are beaten down by ruthlessness that Hell has to offer. That's why we sent out squads of our finest to combat against the more powerful demons instead of sending just one soldier."

"Indeed," said The Chief, "but each of you Angels, a one-third of the projects we started a long time ago in our original home, Mars, have the power to turn the tide. Never forget when we inform, after your revival, your original purpose. Combat the armies of Hell. Even if their home dimension has increased vastly by conquering and assimilating other worlds, if we can stop them consuming a world even a single inch then we're doing enough to halt their ravenous conquest of all life across all space and time."

"Right then," said Cassatt, "since the simulation has been set up we'll proceed with today's regimen. Armisael, you're free today since you've done your turn, but be advised of training early. You must follow whatever schedule we have for any day, understood?"

"Yes sir." She said as she put her trench coat on again.

Then Chief Satsuma said, "Now then, we will announce the order of each angel starting from the top. Israfel, you're up first followed by Shamshel then Ireul. The rest of you, you may leave the facility or stay until it is your turn to be called upon. Good? Then dismiss."

The rest of the Angels cleared out of the room except four. Two of them groaned at the announcement. The first one has gold hair with a bang covering his right eye while the other one has silver hair with a bang covering the left.

"This sucks," says one half of Israfel, "why do we have to go first?"

"Yeah," said the second half, "why can't we be last or something?"

"Suck it up you two," said another Angel, her hair was purple like Armisael but much lighter with pink highlights. "At least you're going first. I've got to waste a portion of my day waiting until you're done."

"Calm down, sister," said the last Angel in the room. His hair was black but now and again some parts would glow red. "Let's Alpha and Beta do their thing. In the meantime let's occupy our time with something while we wait."

Shamshel rolled her eyes. "I guess."

"All right, Alpha, Beta. The simulation has been reset and ready to go. You may enter now."

As the two-in-one Angel descended down the stairs Chief Satsuma then spoke to General Cassatt. "I'll be leaving, General. If you need anything then be sure to call me."

"Well do, Satsuma." Cassatt replied.

"Carmack, Romero, Lunatique. Be sure to record the tests."

"Will do, sir." Tearju bowed as the other two waved in farewell.

"Shamshel, Ireul, do well in your training, and good luck."

"Yes, Chief." They both said.

With that he left.

A/N: So this is a weird one. A crossover between Evangelion and Doom? An odd combination, but one that stayed in my head after rewatching the anime and reading the lore of Doom and watching videos of mods of it.

I don't know where this story will be going as I'm writing it on the spot. But I am using Doom's demons from the latest version of Clusterfuck mod as a basis. And this story takes place before the events of 2016 and after the End so there's that. I'll also be using related Complex mods and not related mods as well and expected maybe a few minor crossovers as well so we'll see how that goes.

So that's it then. If you have any questions feel free to leave it in the comment. See ya.