After hours of grueling combat, Unit 02, with the combined efforts of the remaining naval fleet and the tactical coordination of NERV's command, finally managed to defeat Gaghiel. The Angel let out a final, haunting cry as it was torn apart by a well-timed strike from Asuka, coupled with a barrage of missiles from the fleet.
The water erupted in a violent plume as the Angel's massive body disintegrated, its core shattered and sinking into the depths of the ocean. The battle was over. The Angel was defeated.
Inside Unit 02's cockpit, Asuka leaned back, panting heavily. Sweat trickled down her forehead, but a small, victorious smirk played on her lips. "Took long enough," she muttered, still catching her breath. She couldn't hide the exhaustion in her voice, but her pride remained intact. "I told you I could handle it."
Shinji, watching from the sidelines aboard the fleet, sighed in relief. Misato, still commanding from NERV headquarters, finally allowed herself a moment to exhale.
"We did it," Misato said softly, leaning against the console, her expression a mix of exhaustion and relief. "It took everything we had, but we won."
Ritsuko, standing beside her, nodded. "Still, it's worrying. That battle took too long. If Quest had stepped in, it would've been over in minutes."
Misato's face hardened at the mention of Quest. She hadn't forgotten that he'd been out there—watching, cloaked, and choosing not to intervene. "He could've helped. And he didn't. What's his angle, Ritsuko?"
Ritsuko adjusted her glasses. "It's hard to say. But if he's observing us, it means he's waiting for something. Whether it's to test our limits or to see how we react without him, we can't be sure. But one thing is clear: Quest Strother is playing his own game."
Misato's gaze shifted toward the sky, where she knew the Godslayer had been hidden, watching the entire battle unfold without lifting a finger. She clenched her fists. What are you waiting for, Quest?
--
High above the battlefield, Quest remained in the cockpit of the Godslayer, his cloaking device still active. He watched the aftermath of the battle with little emotion, his dark eyes focused on the scene below. They had done it—barely—but they had defeated the Angel without his help.
"Good," he muttered to himself. "They can hold their own, even if it takes them hours."
He wasn't surprised by the outcome. NERV's forces had potential, and the Evangelions were powerful. But he knew they were still unprepared for what was coming. He didn't always need to be there to save them—sometimes, it was better to watch from the shadows, to see how they would fare on their own.
They have to learn, he thought, his expression as cold as ever.
The Godslayer remained motionless, hovering silently in the clouds. Quest could feel that there were more battles ahead—more challenges that would test both NERV and himself. The next Angels would be even stronger, and while he had decided to stay out of this one, the future remained uncertain.
For now, Quest Strother would stay hidden, watching and waiting. Whether he would fight in the next battle or continue to observe from the shadows was a decision only he could make.
As he prepared to leave, his voice echoed through the empty cockpit. "I'll see if you're really ready next time."
With that, the Godslayer's engines hummed to life, and the massive machine ascended into the sky, vanishing into the clouds, leaving behind nothing but questions and an uneasy silence over Tokyo-3.
