Chapter 21 " The return of the holy one."
Part 3 "The world in flames"
Deep within in servers of Nerv Headquarters Misato tries to find a solution to this mess which her life has become the last month.
" One day when I was just a middle schooler I came across something that still haunts me to this very day. When I was returning from school I came across a crazy homeless man. He kept rambling about how the world is going to end and the skies and seas will be red in order to drown our sins and mistakes until there is nothing left of us. At that time I didn't think to much but some months later the end of the world almost happened and left all of us a scar . Every night I try to wash away the feelings of those first years after the expedition , I still haven't done it. Now I have the feeling something worse is going to happen and I don't know if we can make it as a species this time. It is true that humans don't die easily but how long can we hold against our extermination ?"
Misato continued to search more through the files of Nerv headquarters in order to find some answer to make sense of this mess she is in.
" I heard many co-workers saying that the Commander went mad and he is starting to speaking to the Evas like there were people. Makoto and Maya said that we will be fine for the time being since angel's activity is been silent for the moment. But that doesn't change the fact we have two pilots missing ( with the third considered to be dead at the moment) , a Commander who will probably throw us in the fire of his ambitions without a second thought and a doctor who have gone silent the last hours. Really wish that you are here Kaji, I really do you are the only one who I can trust at the moment, or at least this what I think."
Even with her best efforts she couldn't breach any secret file. She needed a good a hacker and she might know where to find it.
"What?" He said with a wildly confusion.
"You heard exactly what I said Makoto Hyuga I need you to hack in to the Nerv's files and keep your voice down even the walls have eyes and ears here."
He took a moment to consider the task which he was given.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Listen here Makoto , I never ask you a damm thing since I started working here so when I finally do you know damm well I good reason to it ."
Makoto sighed in response.
"Ok I will do but only because a thing for you " Said while blushing a little.
"I appreciate that but now there is more things to worry about."
They stood in a silence when the sliver haired figure call out to one of them.
"What's the matter Shinji-kun ? Don't you recognize an old friend?" Said with a friendly voice.
"A friend or a foe?" Said Shinji in response
He laughed at that answer.
"Your responses always amused me Shinji. I hope you haven't changed much since we last met." He then turned his vision towards Asuka . "May I take him for a minute or so?"
"All you can take is a dick fucking weirdo." She answered angrily and tried to approach him but she was stopped by Shinji.
"Wait."
"What is it ?"
Shinji approached here to speak in person. "Let me handle the situation."
"I don't trust him at all."
"Neither did I but if he previously had a change of mind there is a possibility to change it know, plus we might get our hands some information regarding Adam."
"Alright then, what is your plan ?"
"I will play his game and tried to extract some information. You will follow us while keeping a distance in case I need your help."
"He is a strong one, do you honestly think we can do something to him before he turn us in to jelly ?"
"No but two people are better than one in a fight."
"I like your thinking." She said with a smirk. "Fine then, you can have him for a little bit but remember his mine." He said to the figure.
He only nodded his head in response.
"Okay." Said Shinji "You start first and I follow."
The two teens started walking away from Asuka and when they finally got of her sight she started following them from the sidelines.
"It's been while since we last met." He said.
"Depends on where you looking at. For me might be half a year but for you might be decades."
"Only a couple of months."
"So what you are here for ? Expect to remember the old days."
He laughed at that last part. "Old days? Don't tell that you are the one who feels old ?"
"Everything which happened before feels like a lifetime ago in my eyes and I think Asuka believes the same."
"So you do have changed from before?"
"In a way yes, looking it back it was like I was asleep and refused to wake , but now I have awaken and see both good and the bad things life can give."
"That's good here. Tell me, do you wish something from that universe ?"
Shinji took a moment to look away in the distance to enjoy some of the crops nearby. He thought for a moment his past life. He remembered all the people he had met before and how much he missed them. Luckily Asuka is there with him so he doesn't feel so alone but he still wants to see the same enthusiastic Misato he had met one more time.
"I know that probably won't see those people again and it hurts more than I like to admit. Because back then I didn't cherish them as I should have been, but this then and this now . If I can't change the past then I should fight for a better future."
"I admire your point of view, it seems that you have changed since we last met."
"Things can change for the best or for the worst."
"You are right, sometimes things do need to change and soon will change."
"You saw it to right? The wraith of light."
The silver haired boy smile at that.
"It was as beautiful as all the sunset in the world."
"It isn't as beautiful when you learn what it is." Said Shinji coldly.
"Ah yes, the one who will bring the end of the Lilin race and the beginning of better future for our race. Me and my kind believe this to the death and we will untill our very extinction."
"This different from before, something bad is about to happening."
The figure didn't say anything in return,it just wave it's hand and invite Shinji to the ruins of an old church. Shinji followed him slowly.
When they entered the church Shinji was blinded for a second by the amount of light which was illuminated from the empty now roof. At the center there was a tree which vine was redish and it's top leaves where crystallized in a sort of artistic way.
"What is this?"
"A sign of change Shinji. Look how the LCL and nature are fused together into one new singularity. Never before has this happened, it will either be nature thrive or the LCL creating a bastardised version of it. Tell me Shinji, have found this life different? Like things are not how it should be? Like everything is in a state of closure and yet something new is about to emerge?"
"You couldn't be more right." Said Shinji.
" Everything has its explanation my friend, but first let the other guest reveal its face. You can stop hiding if you want."
Asuka emerged from her hiding spot, annoyed by the fact that she visible to him as much she tried to hide her presence.
"If you want finally say something say it quick twig." She said venomously.
"Of course, but first you have to open the gift which I brought for the two of you." The figure point in a pag which was layed in one of the church seats.
Shinji look at him suspicious." Asuka hold him I will check the pag."
"I am on it." She knew that even if she had entire armoury of guns it wouldn't scratch the angel but she might at least hold him a little.
Shinji slowly approached the bag and then he opened it slowly. As he saw what was inside the bag he immediately throw it away in disgust.
"WHAT KINDA FUCKING JOKE IS THIS KAWORU?" He lashed at him.
"What is inside the bag Shinji?" Asked Asuka as she trying to hold tighter her prisoner.
The figure didn't react to the question but only said: " What's the problem ? Can't you accept my gift to you?"
When the bag fell on the ground something roll from it . At first sight it wasn't clear what was it but with a closer look it was clear what truly was it.
Asuka watched in disgust as a skull was rolling from the bag. But it wasn't any sort of skull, it was skull of the leader of SEELE Keel Lorenz.
Shinji had learnt about SEELE intentions during the instrumentality but never truly dug to their backstories. Regardless, he did remember their faces and names pretty well, after all how can you forget the faces which ruined your life.
"This is just show of gratitude towards you, plus I am pretty sure all of uswanted this outcome for those bastards and besides I never said that I was Karowu."
A. N: Yeah I know it's been a long time but my studies have started and the schedule isn't favour to the story so don't expect for chapters to come out soon all tho I will try to find some time to finish the story.
