"The target is transforming! Distance: twelve thousand!"
Huang Zhetian raised the Special Unit's hands above its head and deployed its Absolute Territory. "A.T. Field! Deploy!"
All the EVAs arrived considerably earlier than in the original story. Unit-02, Unit-00, and Unit-01 gathered together, watching the Eighth Angel descend slowly from the sky as they deployed their Absolute Territories!
Shinji Ikari roared, "A.T. Field! Full power!" When the Eighth Angel touched their units' palms, a transparent, rainbow-colored octagonal shield held it back.
A humanoid body emerged from the Eighth Angel's pupil-like core. Two long, thin arms reached out to touch the Absolute Territory, slowly penetrating it before grabbing Unit-01's and the Special Unit's palms and piercing straight through!
Shinji Ikari's synchronized nerves transmitted the pain. It was so intense that tears welled up in his eyes.
Huang Zhetian, however, did not make a sound. Instead, he shoved his hand directly into the Eighth Angel's body!
Asuka drew a dagger with Unit-02 and tried to stab its core, but the Eighth Angel kept shifting the core, preventing her from landing a solid hit.
Sweat seeped from Huang Zhetian's forehead. Gritting his teeth, he said with difficulty, "I'll make an opening for you! Rei! Help Shinji Ikari hold it steady! Asuka, aim for its core and stab it when you get the chance!"
The Special Unit's pierced palm was infected and corroded by the Eighth Angel, but faint traces of lightning could be seen around it.
Seeing her attacks fail to reach the Angel's core, Asuka could not help feeling anxious and helpless. There was nothing she could do. With the unit's dwindling power and the countdown ticking away, anyone would have lost their composure.
Asuka shouted, "Got it! Leave it to me! And stop ordering me around!"
Beside them, Rei's Unit-00 eased some