Inside the subterranean launch tunnels, the three EVAs shot out like arrows from a bow, breaking through layers of armored bunkers to stand tall in a Tokyo-3 shrouded by the colossal shadow of the Eighth Angel.
The battle erupted in an instant.
The Eighth Angel's massive body was no stationary target. Its surface shifted constantly, extending energy tentacles and localized AT Fields in an attempt to block the EVAs' approach. Meanwhile, it continued its unstoppable descent; the air pressure and shockwaves generated by its fall had already pulverized the remains of the city's surface buildings once again.
"Follow the pre-set tactics!" Misato Katsuragi's voice rang through the comm channel, laced with undeniable resolve. "Unit-00, Unit-01, neutralize the AT Field! Unit-02, prepare to charge!"
Under Rei Ayanami's control, Unit-00 took the lead, deploying an orange AT Field like a shield against the core area of the Angel's descent. Almost simultaneously, Shinji Ikari pushed Unit-01's field to its limit, slamming into the Angel from the flank.
The two man-made "Walls of the Heart" collided violently with the Angel's absolute defense—a domain born of the divine. A piercing screech, sounding as if space itself were mourning, echoed across the heavens. Blinding energy ripples flickered wildly at the intersection of the fields, corroding one another.
"Now! Asuka!" Misato shouted.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Asuka had been waiting for this moment.
The orange-and-red Unit-02's back thrusters erupted in a brilliant blue light. The machine moved like a stalking leopard, lunging with breathtaking precision into the rift torn open by Unit-00 and Unit-01 before it could snap shut.
The Progressive Knife carved a searing trail through the air, stabbing straight into the core that had been briefly exposed by the field's turbulence. Without a moment's hesitation, as the knife bit into the core and sent tremors through the Angel's structure, Asuka used Unit-02's other hand to snatch a "Cherubim-I" grenade from its pylon and slammed it into the breach.
"Get... PURIFIED!" she growled.
Using the momentum of the charge, Unit-02 leaped backward at high speed. The grenade's delay fuse hit zero.
There was no earth-shattering explosion. Instead, a soft but exceptionally pure sphere of azure light expanded rapidly from within the Angel's core. Wherever the light touched, the Angel's ominous, hardened shell began to silently decompose and dissolve from the inside out, like filth cast into a purifying flame.
There was no gruesome explosion of blood, no familiar, nauseating stench of LCL.
Under the incredulous gazes of everyone in NERV Command and the observers on the ground, the Eighth Angel's massive form completely disintegrated within the azure light, turning into... a downpour.
Clear, pure, ordinary water.
The rain cascaded down, washing away the dust and smoke of the battlefield, gathering into small streams amidst the city's ruins. The air no longer smelled of death and pollution; it carried the long-lost, fresh scent of soil after a rainstorm.
Inside the command center, there was a brief, dead silence. Then, a cheer erupted—louder than any previous victory—a mix of shock and pure ecstasy.
"Success! It actually worked!" "The Angel has been completely decomposed! No LCL contamination! Repeat, no LCL contamination!" "Environmental monitoring confirms the precipitation is pure water! All indicators are normal!"
Misato Katsuragi let out a long breath, leaning against the console as if her strength had finally left her, a smile of immense relief crossing her face. This time, they hadn't just protected the city; they had protected the future of the land itself.
Ritsuko Akagi, meanwhile, kept her eyes glued to the energy readings and matter analysis reports of the decomposition process. The light reflecting off her glasses hid a sharp glint. The practical results of the "Sword of Cherubim" far exceeded the predictions of their theoretical models. The efficiency of converting Angel biomass entirely into harmless, common matter was nothing short of a miracle.
On the battlefield, the three EVAs stood in the clear rain. Asuka opened Unit-02's external speakers, her voice triumphant but carrying a hint of labored breathing. "See that? That is a perfect operation by an ace! I even took care of the cleanup!"
In the comms channel, Shinji replied softly, "Yeah... that was amazing, Soryu-san."
Rei Ayanami's tone remained flat as ever: "Mission complete."
At the Ninth Research Institute's observation center, Osiris watched the real-time satellite feed and the environmental data shared by NERV. He spoke into his recording device in his usual steady tone, providing a technical summary: "Field data for 'Cherubim-I' confirmed. Application results on the Eighth Angel match expectations; successfully induced orderly biological decomposition of the target. Energy conversion path directed toward low-energy stable matter (water). No abnormal active LCL residue produced. Field testing has verified the significant value of this weapon in controlling collateral damage and preventing secondary environmental disasters."
The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a nearly imperceptible smile. This successful application would undoubtedly grant him immense technical leverage and strategic status within NERV. It paved the way for his next steps—be it deeper technological exchanges or other operations.
Rain tapped against the institute's observation windows; outside, the world looked as if it had been washed clean. Osiris' gaze looked past this temporary peace, toward the depths of NERV headquarters.
The "Key of Nebuchadnezzar" was in his hands, and the value of the "Sword of Cherubim" had been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. The pieces on the board were moving exactly as he had planned.
The news that the Eighth Angel had been purified without leaving a drop of LCL contamination triggered a positive reaction within NERV and the UN oversight agencies that far exceeded expectations. This wasn't just a tactical win; it was a massive strategic and public relations victory. It proved that humanity didn't have to just passively endure catastrophic fallout when fighting Angels—they could actively choose a "cleaner" end.
Consequently, the "Sword of Cherubim" project received a massive surge in resource allocation and political backing. Osiris' influence within NERV's technical hierarchy skyrocketed; his project briefings now went directly to the top decision-makers, and his suggestions were given the highest priority.
Shortly after the victory celebration and the phase-end summary meeting, Osiris submitted a new technical proposal to both the Technical Development and Tactical Operations departments. This quickly caught the attention of SEELE and NERV's high command, leading to an urgent technical seminar to discuss the feasibility of his plan.