Getting a better look I stared at the girl before me.
From head to toe her body was covered in some kind of high-tech armor that glowed a sapphire blue. It covered her chest, shoulders and back; her legs up to her knees with a thin layer of fabric beneath it all.
She had three large tube openings on her back, and what looked like two antenna-like devices jutting out either side of her head.
Her jaded eyes glowed a bright light, while orange veins seemed to cover her body.
"Step aside." She ordered.
"Ah... okay-" I replied, utterly awestruck.
The creature screeched a high-pitch howl, I covered my ears in fear of my eardrums bursting.
The building began to rip itself apart as pipes attacked Eva from all angles. Her eyes darted around the hall, and in a manner of seconds she swiftly dispatched the attacking limbs.
Swinging her blade like it weighed nothing at all she ran toward the creature stabbing into its side. It screamed as she mercilessly carved into its stomach, releasing the creature's intestines onto the floor and staining her silver armor an orange mess.
She jumped back, as metal spikes shot out from the creature in self-defense.
She leaped off the wall, "Futile..." the blade began to transform as the orange veins glowed.
"Deploying, Kudagi: No. 2" her arm changed into a large cannon like appendage.
She aimed, "Firing-" and let loose a single shot that rocked the hallway. The creature exploded in a visceral display of carnage, staining the hallway with its entrails.
I sat there covered in chunks of orange and green meat; utterly aghast. "W-wha... what?"
Her arm soon reverted to its normal state, she bent over picking up a piece of its tongue, reading the number.
"Termination of No. 8 complete." She spoke, as if she was giving her report. "Retrieving subject and returning to HQ."
I noticed on the back of her neck another tattooed designation: "No. XXXII"
"32?" I thought.
She turned to me and walked forward; "Hey- what was that thing!?" I blurred out, "Aren't you-"
/Wham!/
And like that, the lights went out.
I awoke the next morning like nothing happened; I could hear the birds chirping outside my window, the sunlight shown in through the skylight in my room as the clouds rolled across the blue sky.
"Ngh..." There was a low throbbing in my head, like I had taken a whack to the dome. But...
"M-my ribs... they're healed...?"
The night before was a haze, like it was just some dream. "Ugh..." I decided to ignore it and carried on as usual to school.
Lunch time came around and I decided to head up to the roof to eat with Torako.
"I'm serious! There was this giant thing that was like half machine or something!"
"And it could also fuse with the building..." He replied in disbelief.
"Yes!" I shouted.
"And then you were saved by a magical girl who could turn her arms into weapons," He said sarcastically.
"Who may or may not be the new transfer student."
I stood up scratching my head as I paced back and forth. "Look- I know it sounds crazy."
"Which it is." He blatantly stated.
"But you gotta believe me it's all true! Just ask-" I paused.
"Hm? Ask who?"
My hands quivered as I slowly uttered his name, "Ask Mr. Shoda..."
"Huh? What would he know-" Asked Torako questioningly.
"Cause he- he...died... last night."
Torako looked me dead in the eyes, his expression gone flat. "..."
"Pffft- Hahahahaha!" He burst out laughing, falling on his back.
"Wha!? How's that funny!?" I yelled.
"Cause there's no way in hell that could have happened!" He replied. "He's been here all day."
"That can't be- I saw..."
Torako got off his back and walked over to the railing overlooking the courtyard. "See?" He said pointing down to the tool shed.
I peered over, taking a look. "...How..." and there he was, Mr. Shoda moving bags of fertilizer for the school flower bed.
I stepped back in shock, "D-did I imagine? No-"
Torako turned to me leaning back, "I don't know what to tell ya man. Maybe get some more sleep?"
"No- that can't be... " I held my head in my hands, "It was all so real, she-"
I looked up, "Eva..."
"What's that look?" Asked Torako, "Ya look like someone just shoved a stick up your butt... that or you've come to an idea."
"I need to find Eva." I protested. "If anyone should know, it's her."
I quickly ran off towards the stairs. Torako waved goodbye, finishing his lunch. "Go get 'er tiger-"