The shadows of the battlefield clung to Ein, whispering tales of his fury and loss as he stumbled away from the charred remnants of his old life. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of vengeance bearing down upon him as he traversed the ashes of a world now impossibly changed. His limbs trembled, both from the aftermath of what he had done and the awakening force that coursed through his veins—a power he had only just begun to comprehend. Fallen leaves crunched underfoot, echoing the turmoil in his mind, a symphony of chaos interspersed with the distant crackling of embers still flickering in a haunting lullaby.
Yet, it was not merely the echoes of battle that rattled within him; it was something more profound, an insatiable urge that clawed at his insides and demanded to be released. In the tumult of horror and anguish, an undeniable instinct took root, declaring itself through the icy tendrils wrapping around his heart. Everything he had suffered, every painful choice forced upon him, now spun into a promise of power—he could become something greater.
"Your pain is a vessel, Ein" a voice murmured within, alluring and dark, beckoning him to delve deeper into the abyss that had opened wide before him. Memories intertwined with desperation tightened their grip, shaping his emerging identity as he collided with the remnants of his former self. In that moment, he chose to embrace the storm brewing within—the Apex Devour.
He pressed a hand against the rough bark of a nearby tree, searching for grounding amidst the chaos. The ancient presence whispered through his fingertips, igniting a spark that danced along his skin like electric fire. Shadows flickered and twisted with newfound life, coiling around him as he surrendered to the dark allure that promised vengeance.
Clarity surged as if infused by some unseen force. He could feel the rhythm of the world pulse in sync with his heart, aware of each entity that ventured too close—friends, foes, or anything in between. The shadows moved with him, guiding him toward understanding, toward power—but at what cost?
A fierce determination flared within, eclipsing any lingering doubt as he took a tentative step deeper into the night. He was no longer the helpless observer; Shinji had transformed into a vessel for wrath. Whatever darkness lay ahead, it was his to claim, and he would not shy away from embracing the chaos that demanded he become a master of the very abyss that sought to consume him.