"Human life itself is nothing but hell. And I, Gendō Ikari, have long dwelled within it."
Gendō's lips curled into a cold smile.
"You will never understand the true purpose of the Human Instrumentality Project—nor the benefit it will bring to mankind. To evolve… to transcend into higher forms of life! Even the power of God cannot accomplish this!"
"You're too arrogant. To sacrifice millions of lives, just to force the evolution of a chosen few—Gendō Ikari, I want you to burn in hell forever!"
With those words, Ryōji Kaji drew his pistol and leveled it directly at Gendō's head.
One pull of the trigger—and Gendō would be finished.
But Gendō only chuckled, unshaken.
"Heh. Do you truly believe you can kill me? Before my scenario reaches its end? No… I, Gendō Ikari, cannot die yet. Go on then, pull the trigger if you dare. But before you do, I have something to tell you…"
"What?" Kaji frowned, narrowing his eyes.
In that very instant, Gendō suddenly reached into his coat, pulled out a small remote control, and pressed a hidden switch. The floor beneath his feet split open—and his body dropped swiftly into the depths below.
"Damn it! He escaped!" Kaji cursed, stunned and furious.
"Kaji-san! Quickly—we have to go! If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!"
The urgent voice called out from nearby.
"…Kitazawa-kun!" Kaji looked up at the group standing in Unit-02's palm. With a weary smile, he muttered, "And yet—on this ruined Earth, where could we possibly find a place to live?"
"No, Kaji-san." Kitazawa Ryōta shook his head firmly, his voice steady. "As long as we're alive, there's hope."
Their bond, forged during the mission in Russia, still held strong. Ryōta could not simply abandon Kaji here—not after everything they had endured together.
Kaji looked into Ryōta's eyes. A faint, wry smile touched his lips. And then, with a nod, he said quietly:
"…Alright."
He leapt up, joining the others upon Unit-02's hand.
Together, Unit-02 and Unit-03 charged toward the surface—toward whatever remained of the outside world.
But outside was no refuge.
The world had become a furnace, engulfed in the Fire of Seven Days. Heaven and earth alike were ablaze—scorched winds and searing flames swept across every horizon. It was a vision so dreadful, no film could ever capture it.
"Mary—there's something I need to ask of you."
Ryōta's voice rang out, directed at Unit-03.
"Hmm? Say it. If it's within my power, I—Mari Makinami—swear I'll do it." Mary's voice came, warm yet resolute, from the Eva's entry plug.
"Take Unit-01 with you."
"No problem."
Ryōta knew Unit-06 had fallen in Terminal Dogma, but of Kaworu himself there was no sign. He believed—hoped—that Kaworu was unharmed.
And one day, he vowed, he would face Kaworu. The strongest of the Angels. The thought alone set his blood alight.
But now—now, the sight of the ruined world shook him deeply. He had foreseen this apocalypse, yes. But to stand within it, to breathe its heat and ash, was another matter entirely.
For now, all that mattered was survival.
They had escaped NERV, but the first and most vital step was to find shelter.
Yet in this wasteland, where could such a place exist?
Unit-02 and Unit-03 ran tirelessly across the ravaged earth. Everything was painted in shades of blood-red. Sandstorms and burning winds howled. The land itself was torn apart, split into yawning chasms and jagged scarps. It was no longer Earth—but a barren, lifeless star.
Many of the survivors, at the very sight, broke down completely. Hope abandoned them. Some sank to their knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Even Misato Katsuragi's eyes brimmed with tears. She wanted to cry, wanted to collapse—but forced herself to hold back, to stay strong.
"Everyone—listen to me!" Misato's voice suddenly rang out. "We are still alive! We survived! Compared to the billions already lost, that alone makes us lucky!"
"No… no, you're wrong!" one survivor shouted through his tears. "We're all going to die! We have no food, no water… nothing! The world is gone! How can we possibly survive?"
"You're wrong!" Misato snapped back, her teeth clenched. "We will find a place to live. And we will go on!"
"Will we really? Will we really find somewhere to survive?"
Her words left the group staring uncertainly at one another. Misato was their highest-ranking officer, but even so—could she truly be believed?
"Yes," Misato declared, her voice sharp with conviction. "We will find it. We will find shelter. We will find food and water. We will find others who survived. Believe me—we will."
Her eyes blazed as she looked at them, her nod resolute.
"If Major Katsuragi says so, then… then it must be true…" murmured one, clinging to her words.
"No… such a place doesn't exist. She's only trying to comfort us," muttered another, bitterness and despair thick in his tone.
But Misato did not respond. She only pressed her lips together, directing Unit-02 onward, forcing herself to hold the weight of everyone's hopes.
Asuka Langley Soryu said nothing the whole time. Yet her silence did not mean she was untouched. The desolate world before them struck her just as deeply.
"Tell me—do you think we'll really find such a place?"
Kaji's voice was low as he walked beside Ryōta.
"The world has become this… finding refuge seems nearly impossible."
"It's not nearly impossible," Ryōta answered quietly. "It's beyond impossible. But we must find it. If we don't… then we all die. Including me. Do you understand?"
Please drop some power stones support me at my
PS: Access the complete chapters/series at