Chapter 25: "Fallen One"; part 3 Commentary
Wholly focused on the Angel and Rei, the mental turmoil grows more intense. This debate between the Angel and Rei about 'right to life' really gets across the ideas I want demonstrated by Kenosis. Each being has the 'right' to live, the dignity given by G'd as part of His creation, but when that becomes a source of conflict, it is permissable to defend one's self. So, no, humans don't have a right to kill Angels, but neither do Angels have a right to kill humans. Each has a right to defends its life, even to the point of causing the death of the other. Within this debate, I used specific points from the plot to get these ideas across. The idea of Rei's sacrifice being spoiled by being remade is something I wanted to get across the reader, especially if s/he had seen the series. I believe it is the reason Rei (III) finally turned on Ikari (the breaking of the glasses scene). Her sacrifice for her love (Shinji at the time) had been made useless by her nature (and Ikari). This is the only deeply personal event I saw for Rei in the series, all else she handled with casual dismissal or calm focus, but she actually cried and showed anger (crushing the glasses) after coming back to life. It was clear to her that Ikari (the Commander) only saw her as a tool, nothing more.
And as such, Rei's inner debate starts up once more, again with Cirus' voice playing a role. This is actually extremely fast for such a realization, and I think it only works because of the context of a very long story getting Ayanami-sama to this point. At last, she accepts that her desire for love is valid, as valid as anyone's, and that is how she may justify fighting for her life. Just as the Angel may for his. The tables turn, Rei's strength blazes to life, and she reveals the lie in the Angel's methods. Taking control, the physical battle returns... but Rei has already won in her mind.
And now possibly the most drawn-out, harshest battle in all of Kenosis really begins. Effectively, the end of chapter 25 is Rei holding her own with an Angel, letting her demonstrate she is a genuine warrior as well as a powerful young woman. And even so, she remains focused and aware, keeping track of the threat to the city, herself, and her friends all at once. She also retains that innate practicality that is part of her charm, neither wanting to lose Cirus, nor being blindly focused on rescuing him when he will really be rescued by defeating this monster. All that, and the pretty colors I love writing in battles, too. *laughs*
The formation of the Angel's sword is an odd place to stop the chapter, but the start of chapter 26 will make the reason more clear, since the action jumps anyway.
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