Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

The mass-produced units, gripping replicas of the Spear of Longinus, emitted mournful cries like infants, surrounding Unit-01 like a high wall. They recognized the threat Unit-01 posed and prepared to unleash a fatal blow at the same moment.

However, Shinji Ikari completely ignored these scumbags; mass-produced gadgets were not even worth mentioning in his eyes.

"In the face of my Unit-01, you didn't run away, but you even dared to get so close?" Shinji Ikari's tone instantly rose several decibels.

At that moment, he actually ignored the threat and proactively released the Absolute Domain defense. The warm white diamond-shaped domain rapidly contracted until it enveloped Unit-01's hands.

The punches were so dense they were like a torrential rain. If Gendo Ikari tried to dodge, he would only have his face smashed open. In the brief exchange just now, he clearly realized that Shinji Ikari's Absolute Domain was far superior to his own. Therefore, in terms of domains and defense, his own Absolute Domain was completely ineffective.

He didn't flinch, because he didn't believe that his four limbs and arms were no match for the Evangelion Unit-01, which only had two hands.

Unit-03 clenched its fists, meeting Shinji Ikari's sharp edge. Its four piercing eyes shone like gas lamps on the purple machine before it, yet sparks flew from its pupils.

There was no technique involved; it was simply a matter of giving it your all. Time seemed to slow down in Gendo Ikari's eyes, allowing him to clearly track the trajectory of the fist that tore through the sound barrier.

Yes, it's possible! It can be done! Gendo Ikari sees the future!

Fist against fist, domain against domain, the sounds of armor cracking and bones breaking during the collision were clearly transmitted to Gendo Ikari's mind.

But the first thing he experienced was the pain of a broken arm and deformed limbs.

Its own advantages were not even available for it to be fully utilized. Despite having four limbs and arms, and despite the fact that Unit-03's awakening was superior to Unit-01's, the collision was like a child swinging its fist and crashing into a train. In just an instant, its armor cracked, its bones dislocated, and its flesh exploded.

As the first pair of arms twisted, the second pair of arms, which were heading straight for Unit-01, followed closely behind, hanging down in several broken pieces. The final blow pierced directly through Unit-01's chest.

Gendo Ikari was unable to withstand Shinji Ikari's attack. It was as if the angel of death had pointed a spear at your heart. He was declaring your death in the name of God. You could not resist. You could only submit to fate!

The so-called Adams, the so-called medium, Unit-13, like Unit-01, are the most special machines, and Shinji Ikari, as the pilot, is far superior to him!

"Alright, now we both only have two arms." Shinji Ikari's voice, brimming with laughter, rang in Gendo Ikari's ears. "Oh, that still isn't enough. Please amuse me a little more!"

Hearing Shinji Ikari's laughter, Gendo Ikari finally thought of escaping, but Unit-01, with only two arms, tightly gripped its remaining two arms. With an absolutely savage force, it forcibly tore the limbs off Unit-013, pulling so hard that the bones and a small part of the shoulder blades were also detached from the body.

"Oh, now you have one less pair than me."

167: Beginning and End, Knocking on the Gates of Heaven

Unit-01 retreated step by step, trying to maintain a safe distance between itself and Unit-01, or perhaps it was the murderous aura emanating from Unit-01 that forced it to back down. The aerial combat-type artificial Angels formed a circle and took a half-step forward, both pressured by Shinji Ikari's domain and fearful of the power he possessed. That thing, capable of terrifying even transcendent divine machines, was Unit-01. When its true form was revealed, even the most ruthless Angels would tremble from their biological instincts.

With a pierced chest, torn arms, and a body covered in wounds, Gendo Ikari was a beast driven to the brink of despair.

"Are you ready, Gendo Ikari? Along with your divinity, this machine, everything you are proud of, I will trample them into the dirt." Shinji Ikari stretched out his arms, light gathering in his palms.

The beam struck Unit-03's shoulder, brutally pinning this divine being, who surpassed all life forms, to the ground. The remaining beams sliced ​​through it, dismembering its body in an absolutely cruel manner. Immediately afterward, a purple mist enveloped the two figures. Shinji Ikari raised an eyebrow. A massive amount of purple mist, resembling liquid nitrogen, filled the air, and at this moment, the abundant energy actually created distance between the dying Unit-03 and him.

"The appointed time has come; let us open the gates of heaven!"

The white arm, made of energy, unfolded, and the double-colored halo behind Unit 13 burst forth with color again, drawing a pattern composed of countless arcs.

The pattern itself wasn't particularly complex; it was simply a series of curved lines forming a design resembling an infinity symbol. But the door it opened revealed the immense power of another universe.

The shattered Sky Tower completely shattered Hakone. Amidst the collapse, two figures, one purple and one white, chased and intertwined as they soared into the sky.

Yes, the energy that just now was enough to reverse the universe proves that Unit-013 is an awakened machine that surpasses Unit-01, but why can't we defeat him! Why can't we defeat Shinji Ikari! Why?!

Gendo Ikari piloted Unit-03 at breakneck speed into the sky without looking back. He couldn't understand it; it was completely illogical! Whether it was awakening, the strength of the machine, or the power he possessed, he was stronger than Shinji Ikari, yet in the collision, he was so utterly vulnerable!

But the next second, a hellish sound rang out behind him.

"Was that energy that surged from the negative universe your last trump card? Someone like you won't find the gates of heaven open for you. Stop bluffing!"

The dazzling spear of light pierced through Unit-03's chest once more from below. But it was not over. Gendo Ikari's struggle had made him realize that the machine before him possessed immortality surpassing that of an Angel, and that he must be pierced into the depths of hell with the hottest spear.

Aircraft No. 13 rose from the ground and then plummeted downwards.

At this moment, the people on the Hope Ship floating in the clouds watched the mythical scene before them. Light gathered in the palm of Unit-01, which stood tall in the sky, and an unprecedentedly huge spear of light took shape.

The light was so dazzling that it stole the light from the surroundings, leaving only this one radiance in the entire world.

The moment it was thrown down, it turned into a rain of light that filled the sky.

The platinum-gold light permeated the entire sky, and each raindrop was a spear of light, carrying an incomparably sharp momentum, piercing through the body of Unit 13 one after another until it fell into the abyss.

“It’s over.” Misato Katsuragi closed her eyes. “This time, I witnessed a myth firsthand.”

It is indeed a myth; they are all figures from mythology. The victor is naturally the righteous lord of all armies, while the one pierced through to hell by a scorching spear is Satan, who defied fate.

"When Unit-03 awakened, the gates of heaven did not open for Him, and Gendo Ikari had already failed." Fuyutsuki Yukizo, who was also watching the battle from a distance, did not feel anything; this outcome was entirely within his expectations.

There are many Adams, but only a few can truly guide souls and open the gates of heaven. Gendo Ikari was qualified, but his awakening was too hasty and did not meet all the conditions.

What was once the Central Dogmatic Zone is now a bottomless abyss.

From here, a straight pillar rises to the sky, lifting Hakone, once buried underground, to the clouds. And now, the collapsed Sky Tower and the shattered Hakone have returned to where they belong.

Unit-01 was parked nearby, a gentle breeze blowing. Shinji Ikari walked to the edge of the dark abyss, gazing at its bottom, where his past lay buried.

He turned around as if sensing something and saw a pure white angel descending from the sky—it was Kaworu Nagisa.

Behind him was Asuka. She was enveloped by a white, misty field that resembled wings of light, and they arrived together.

“There’s not enough time. I just wanted to figure some things out,” Shinji Ikari said.

In this sense, Wille's actions disrupted Shinji Ikari's plans. However, the most crucial secrets have been uncovered. The next step is to piece the puzzle together, like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle.

“It’s alright, leave the rest to me.” Kaworu Nagisa smiled. “If we have some time to spare, it would be nice to go back to Tokyo Tower. That’s the core area, full of mindless wanderers.”

"What is that?" Shinji Ikari looked at the enormous thing that had been revealed after the collapse of Hakone.

Kaworu followed his gaze and looked ahead. "That is the Egg of Lilith, the Black Moon, the House of GUF, the end and the beginning of all souls. It is also the seventh heaven in Jewish mythology."

The enormous object, which was given a whole host of names, was actually just an item that looked very much like a wine glass.

“If Gendo Ikari’s plan succeeds, the Black Moon can also trigger additional impacts and create a gun that belongs to him,” Kaworu Nagisa added.

"I see. No wonder I always felt that Gendo Ikari started something but ended it abruptly. It turns out that we can complete the plan here."

"Of course, that key only grants him the ability to oppose the gods. The name of Nebuchadnezzar is enough to explain it all."

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of ancient Babylon. Literally, people would only think of it as symbolizing "power" or "ability." However, those even slightly familiar with the Old Testament will realize the true meaning of "Babylon" within the Old Testament.

Babylon is the city of demons, and its king is the great demon. Humans built the Tower of Babel, a blasphemous structure, and after its destruction, this abandoned city became Babylon, a place of chaos and rampant demonic activity. Historically, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for the infamous Babylonian captivity, a great catastrophe in Jewish history.

Naturally, the Old Testament would not have a single good word to say about Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar was an object of hatred for the Jews, the king of evil.

In reality, the Key of Nebuchadnezzar, blasphemed in name, merely grants Gendo Ikari the ability to oppose the gods. Essentially, it's similar to the genetic modification technology used by Space Marines, only with the addition of something that could be called a "special identity" or "destiny."

Shinji Ikari glanced back at the dark, bottomless abyss one last time, then turned and walked forward.

"...Baka Shinji."

A faint voice, audible only to Shinji Ikari, rose from a distant place behind them. It sounded vaguely like Asuka's voice, and it was hard to tell whether it was a plea for help or a taunt.

He turned his head to the side, and Asuka stood not far away with her arms crossed, coldly watching him. It seemed that what he had just heard was just a hallucination.

Three hours later, after collecting the spoils of war—or at least what they were publicly declared as spoils of war—WILLE's fleet, piloting its flagship Hope, arrived at the edge of the abyss.

Only the Ship of Hope and its accompanying fleet remained stationed at the edge of the L-Barrier. Misato Katsuragi, wearing a protective suit, stood at the edge of the hatch. There, she saw only Asuka and a boy who appeared to be Adam; Shinji Ikari was nowhere to be seen.

The searchlight shone on Kaworu, who offered no protection or shield, his white robes fluttering in the wind. Yet, this ordinary posture put everyone on the Ship of Hope on high alert.

Although they were unaware of Kaworu's true identity, they were able to control Unit-02 with sheer willpower, withstand Unit-013 which surpassed even the divine with their human bodies, and most importantly—the blue symbol that signified an Angel.

“No need for precautions,” Misato Katsuragi ordered Midori Kitakami behind her. “Put me down.”

The sling lowered Misato Katsuragi to the ground. Asuka didn't even look at him; she sat cross-legged on a rock, playing a game. Three hours had passed, and she had stayed by Unit-01 and the damaged Unit-02. Like Kaworu and Shinji Ikari, she could survive comfortably within the barrier using only her physical body. Apart from Shinji and Mari, no one else could even stir her emotions; she needed neither food nor sleep. In this state, she was already half-sided with the Angels.

"Prepare to receive Unit-01 and Unit-02. We've already spoken to the guys over there; Unit-01 will remain in our custody, and they have no objections. However, SEELE might cause some trouble."

"Those old bastards aren't dead yet?" Misato Katsuragi sneered. "Unit-01 has always been ours, and SEELE, who colludes with NERV, is also an enemy preparing to destroy the world. We don't need to care much about the opinions of our enemies."

No matter how much Misato Katsuragi feared in her heart, she still outwardly adopted a tough stance.

"That's settled then. However, with our current resources, we have absolutely no way to repair Unit 2. It's infuriating that it's in such a damaged state."

Asuka, with her hands in her pockets just like Shinji Ikari, skipped and hopped back to the Ship of Hope.

After handing over the two mechs and Asuka to Misato Katsuragi, Kaworu's mission was complete. As they passed each other, neither spoke. Misato noticed the half-fig leaf on the chest of his shirt and roughly understood his stance.

On matters of principle, Wille and Kaworu were of one mind: neither could allow Unit-01 to achieve its final awakening. Wille's aim was for the surviving humans, while Kaworu's was simpler. Therefore, even after Shinji Ikari left, Kaworu remained stationed there.

However, Misato Katsuragi did not thank him. Kaworu Nagisa fought against Unit-03 not to help Wille, but only to fight against Gendo Ikari. After the battle, the two sides were no longer allies.

“Hey!” Katsuragi Misato said.

Kaworu Nagisa stopped. He didn't speak, but his eyes seemed to ask what was wrong. Misato Katsuragi thought for a moment: "Although I don't know where he went, you should know. You can give this to him."

Misato Katsuragi tossed him a black Walkman. Kaworu Nagisa gently stroked the side of the watch, as if he could sense Shinji Ikari's presence through it: "Okay."

"We'll still be facing each other on the battlefield, right, Adam? Whose side are you on?"

Kaworu didn't speak, nor did he say whether he was Adam or not. Like Shinji Ikari, he glanced at the bottomless black crater, then raised his head and flew into the sky, which had returned to its azure hue.

This familiar pose surprised Misato Katsuragi, who finally couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "You still say you're innocent? The second impact was definitely Ultraman's doing!"

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"Mental health curve is normal."

"The synchronization rate is at a normal level."

Just now, the link between the control center and the eligible candidate was suddenly lost. Although it was only for a moment and was reconnected, it still put everyone on high alert.

"However, it seems that the change in the third eligible candidate just now was just an unexpected situation." Aoba Shigeru wiped away his cold sweat.

"Speaking of which, Unit-00 always has problems, and it has the most instances of going out of control and going berserk among all Evangelios," Makoto Hinata added.

In the command room of the First Test Site in Old Hakone, Hitomi Kaga looked at Maya Ibuki, the person in charge of this experiment, and said, "It's over. We can announce it now."

"Huh? Oh!" Maya Ibuki snapped out of her daze. She had been waiting for Ritsuko Akagi to announce the end of the experiment, but it wasn't until Hitomi Kaga reminded her that she realized she was the one in charge of the experiment. She cleared her throat and walked to the microphone. "Hello! Shinji, can you hear me?"

“Yes,” Shinji Ikari replied casually.

"The experiment is over, you can come out now. Oh, yes, you can come out now!" Ibuki Maya took a deep breath. What was she supposed to say again? What was the technical term for removing the candidate from the experiment? And what was the next procedure? She had forgotten everything, even though she hadn't forgotten a single thing when she was the assistant.

Shinji Ikari didn't care about Maya Ibuki's tension; if he wanted to, he could eject from Unit-01 at any time, but he didn't want to frighten them.

He spent two days in a parallel world, and upon returning, time still seemed to stand still. If it weren't for the portable hard drive he clearly carried in his pocket, he would have doubted whether it was all a dream.

After exiting the cockpit, Shinji Ikari went to the changing room to change into his usual clothes. He carefully kept the portable hard drive containing information about new life support technologies in his inner pocket, and then went to the restroom to wash his face.

"Congratulations, the experiment was a success." Ritsuko Akagi's voice rang out from the side.