And so begins the final stretch of the battle. After some dramatic action with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, a persuit starts up, and I use my opening for 'pretty colors' (the explosive 'foot-steps' of Unit 14, and the big side-ram that starts off the 'last round' of the fight.) Establishing Unit 14's black eyes through the views of the others was deliberate, creating a bit more 'coolness' around the idea than just simply describing it before. The link between boy and Eva is quite clear now.
Ayanami-sama and Cirus take on the Angel together, though they argue a bit over who needs to retreat more (a bit of humor and irony in this harsh battle). Of course, Unit 14 isn't done yet, and gets two spikes through the torso for good measure, further emphasizing how much Cirus will ignore to protect Rei. Of course, the gentler Rei gets, the more sway she has over Cirus. He finally retreats, but when she is pressed by the Angel's assault, he drives back into the fray. It is Cirus, of course, who recognizes the similarities of hatred for the human race in the Angel and the actual devil of the non-fictional world. No, I don't consider him the actual 'Lucifer', it's just an artistic play on ideas and theories.
Killing the Angel with a super-powered punch from Rei, of all people, was very satisfying for me as an idea, and I took relish in describing it, even breaking the description apart for an after-thought to linger in the reader's mind. With the monster defeated, the two battered pilots can finally collapse, and the rescue begins. At the end of this section, the wording may be misleading. Effectively, the Angel had the most powerful AT field ever recorded... but Rei's went through it like a hot knife through better. She has the most powerful AT field.
The immediate recovery is rather touching in my own view, showing how each Rei and Cirus are wholly focused on each other, despite their own injuries, which force them each to relax into the care of their friends and allies at last. Cirus, of course, has more injuries than seem explainable by the specific wounds his Eva endured, but he was sent flying several times, and thrown through a few buildings, which I think account for the 'extra injuries'. Ending on an almost childish note between Misato and Kaji felt appropriate at the time, and I'm quite pleased with the resulting finisher between them, almost like they're highschool sweet-hearts (rather than college-lovers).
The final section is really just a chance for me to write for Rei (and Cirus) in a nice, soft, relaxed manner, which also, hopefully, gives the reader a much-desire rest with some enjoyable fluff between the two (and establishing that Cirus healed Rei of her injuries). It was Ritsuko who had their beds pushed a little closer together than usual (if you're not sure from her 'acammodated' line earlier). The holding hands, the soft voices, all very sweet, gentle, and adorable. Only Ayanami-sama could make the line 'rest now, please?' work so well.
Rei has found new strength in herself, and it has enriched her love for Cirus in a more healthy, independent manner. Even though they don't quite realize it yet, their relationship is properly cemented, a foundation is set, to face true trials for them as a couple. And it is with this bond in mind, that the final arc of Kenosis begins...