The pilots have dismounted from their respective mecha. Domon has Seraph by the collar.

Domon: OK buddy, now we want some fucking answers. What the hell were those things? And why do you need us specifically?

Seraph: If you unhand me then I'll explain everything.

Domon reluctantly let's go of Seraph's collar.

Seraph: Thank you. Those creatures you faced just now are generally called behemoths by most people here, although that isn't their true name. Those ones you faced earlier are just the basic foot soldiers of my counterpart. As for why I choose you for this: I really chose your mecha more than you specifically, although all of you will have an important role in this.

Simon: Our mecha?

Seraph: Yes. All of your mecha have a great deal of strength whilst being self-sufficient in terms of power. Together they make a balanced team, consisting of 2 real class, 2 super class and one mythic class.

Shinji: what's a mythic class?

Seraph: Never mind about that. Once you have completed your quest I can reinsert you back into your timeline at the point at which you left it, so there is no need to worry about what happens while you are away.

Domon: Fine then. But if you don't keep your word, you're gonna find yourself in a world of pain.

…

The pilots have returned to camp and are now sitting around a small electric heater.

Kamina (to Shinji): How the hell can someone with such an awesome mecha be so poor at fighting?
Shinji: Hey it's not my fault! I never asked to pilot Eva.

Domon: Regardless, you need some sort of combat training or you're gonna get yourself killed. Is that little knife the only weapon you have?

Shinji: Yeah, Unit 01 wasn't issued with any weapons on my last sortie.

Simon: Well in that case you'd better learn how to use it.

Setsuna: I'll do it.

Domon: eh?

Setsuna: I'll train him.

Kamina: you?

Setsuna: I have been trained in knife fighting since I was 8 years old.

Kamina: Fine then. See if you can teach him anything tonight.

Setsuna: Roger

Shinji: Wait, you're leaving me alone with him? Guys?

Setsuna hands a combat knife to Shinji.

Setsuna: Hold the knife with the blade pointing down. The angle the blade so it's parallel with your forearm.

Shinji complies

Shinji: Like this?

Setsuna: Correct. Now you can block more easily and stab with more force.

Shinji: Ok...

Setsuna: How is your footwork?

Shinji: Footwork?

Setsuna: In a knife fight the way you move can mean the difference between life and death. Attack me.

Shinji: What?

Setsuna: Swing at me with your knife.

Shinji: Ok

Shinji slashes wildly towards Setsuna's neck. Setsuna leaps back before dashing forward and swiping Shinji's legs out from underneath him, then pinning Shinji with his knife against the boy's throat.

Setsuna: footwork is important.

Setsuna stands up

Setsuna: Again.

…

The rest of the pilots are sitting around the heater talking amongst themselves.

Renton: Hey, Eureka?

Eureka: Yes Renton?

Renton: About what seraph said earlier. How is Nirvash self-sufficient? He needs trapar to even move, let alone to lift like we did earlier. And as far as I can tell, this world has no Scub Coral, so there's clearly no trapa

Eureka: I think it's the seven swell effect.

Renton: Really?

Eureka: Yes. During the seven swell effect Nirvash creates massive amounts of trapar. I believe that he may do it naturally, but at a slower rate.

Renton: But how?

Eureka shrugs. Setsuna and Shinji return to the fire, Shinji limping slightly

Simon: How'd it go?

Shinji: Painfully.

Setsuna: He knows the basics. (turns to Shinji) Tomorrow you shall learn how to disarm and pin your opponent.

Shinji: You know, you're a lot more animate when talking about fighting.

Shinji plops down by the heater, accepting a bowl of stew from Eureka.

Shinji: Do we have to do this again tomorrow? I ache all over.

Setsuna: Unless you want to die in your next battle.

Shinji: But I won in that last battle.

Domon: And what about when there are more? You can't afford to take so long on a single opponent if you're surrounded by enemies.

Shinji stays silent and concentrates on His stew. Swallowing a spoonful he nearly chokes.

Eureka: Don't you like it?

Shinji: T-that's not it! Of course I like it. It's just a little... Strong. (thinking) "It's almost as bad as Misatos cooking"

Simon: That was delicious, reminded me of Nias food.

Kamina: Nia?

Simon: I'll explain later.

Renton: Yeah it was good Eureka. Filling though.

Eureka (blushing): You really thought so? In that case I might cook more often...

Shinji: I could cook if you like. I do it all the time at home.

Domon: Well I don't suppose it could hurt...

Kamina: Yeah, after all we don't want to place all the work on Eureka here.

Shinji glances at Setsuna, who has cleared his bowl.

Shinji (to Renton): Did he really eat the whole thing?

Renton: Looks like it

…

Meanwhile in the core of unit 01 something stirs. Awareness returns to the being, as a pair of red eyes open...