Before Ultraseven sensed Zero's transformation, this was what had happened.
Under the Concentrated Healing Beam, Shinji's body gradually recovered.
But deep within his consciousness, he was listening to a different voice.
He floated in boundless darkness, seated on a stool with a harsh light shining on him.
The voice sounded as though it was interviewing him.
It was deep, but Shinji could tell it was familiar.
"Heh, how did you end up like this?"
"Do you think it was worth getting hurt this badly?"
Shinji sounded weak. "Until you tell me how Rei and the others are doing, I won't answer any of your questions..."
After meeting Noa, this sort of intimidation from someone playing a mystical oracle barely worked on him anymore.
"They're all fine. You and the mysterious power of that light saved them."
"Thank goodness..." Shinji let out a long breath. At least what he had managed to do had been worthwhile.
The voice remained impassive. "I find it strange. How did accepting a few words from that light of unknown origin turn you into this?"
"Before, you not only rejected this world, but would never have fought with this kind of resolve."
"What's more, you would never have accepted someone else so boldly before."
"I'm rather curious."
Shinji smiled under the harsh light. "His name is Zero. He's not some light of unknown origin."
"To me, he's more than just light. He was the first to tell me what a companion was, the first to tell me I deserved to be liked. Because of that, I found something I wanted to protect."
"He was the first person to accept me like that. He might not be as composed as his seniors, but that means nothing to me."
"Deep down, I've already come to see him as