The pillar of heaven.
The closed gate slowly opened.
The steel angel with wings slowly revealed its figure driven by the catapult.
"Noel Cassia—ZGMF—X22A Eternal Covenant—Attack!"
With the help of the propeller, the Iron Giant rushed straight into the distance.
"It was discovered that the MS heat source was approaching, and the signal was identified - ZGMF-X22A! It's that machine!"
It was also at this moment that ZAFT forces deployed in the universe discovered the existence of the Covenant Gundam.
"MS troops attack immediately!"
The commander immediately issued a battle order: "At the same time, ask the friendly forces to come out to support, and the remaining people will surround me with the Heavenly Pillar! Once they make any changes, annihilate them immediately!"
As the Heavenly Pillar was Orb's former cosmic elevator, how could it be undefended in the direction of ZAFT?
If it hadn't been for the Heavenly Pillar's declaration of independence of the sky and the fact that Jibril was on Earth, he would have been overwhelmed by the same army as Orb himself.
But even so, ZAFT and the Earth United Forces also deployed a considerable number of troops outside the Heavenly Pillar.
Didi didi——
"Oh, that's quite a lot."
In the cockpit of the Eternal Gundam, Noel looked at the multiple red spots appearing on the radar and couldn't help but make a joke.
"Let's break out of the encirclement as soon as possible, Orb is still waiting for us."
Lux, who was sitting in Noel's arms, also saw the red waves coming from the radar. There was no trace of panic on her face, and she just spoke in a calm tone.
"Hold on."
After Noel finished speaking, the speed of Eternal Covenant suddenly increased, and the propulsion engines installed on its legs also detached, and the bright red paint covered the body.
Lux held Noel's neck with her hands slightly, and leaned her head on Noel's chest to try not to block her sight.
"It's just-huh!?"
"This is - a covenant!?"
"·····"
In front, the ZAFT MS troops who came to intercept saw the appearance of the incoming man clearly, and they were all stunned subconsciously.
"It's not a covenant, it just looks like it! Attack!"
The team commander was the first to react.
As he spoke, he raised his gun and locked onto the flying Covenant Gundam.
For them, no matter who the other party is, as long as it is an order from the army, it must be carried out.
With the commander taking the lead, the remaining MS units also fired beams one after another.
呲呲呲——
The beam saber waved.
The pale green beams of light were chopped into pieces.
Under their gaze, the front body turned sideways, and the outstretched wings on its back were covered in a pale red light.
The next second, a friendly mobile suit that had just approached was cut into pieces with two knives.
The mobile suit's combat support system kept sending out warnings.
But they had no time to react.
The beam cannot be locked. Even if it is locked and hit, it will not be hit. Even if it is hit, it will be chopped down by the opponent's beam saber.
Two minutes later——
The Eternal Covenant dragged its pale red wings and disappeared into the vast universe.
The broken and floating remains of the mobile suit were left alone on the ground.
When the ZAFT MS troops who came from behind to support arrived, there was nothing in front of them except the SOS emergency signals from friendly forces.
Earth.
Eric and Chisaka walked in front, Cagalli and Amagi walked behind, and the four of them walked towards the depths of Akatsuki Island together.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Cagalli walked behind and asked anxiously.
Originally, they were ready to leave for Orb, but Chisaka directly dragged her over.
Now every minute of delay, one more person from Orb would die. Under such circumstances, it was already very difficult for her to have the patience to follow behind.
"arrive."
As Chisaka spoke, he led Cagalli to an area that he had never entered before.
It may be the lowest level of the underground facility, and then continue into a dark space.
Eric leaned close to a wall and said to Cagalli casually: "There are words engraved on it, right? Read it out."
Although Cagalli was doubtful, she still followed the instructions and walked towards the panel she pointed to.
Use your hands to brush off the dust on the surface and read the words that appear.
'-I sincerely hope that the day when this door will be opened will never come. '
She looked up at the big wall in front of her and found that it was a tall and large door.
Eric, who was operating the panel nearby, shouted to Cagalli again: "I want to open the door."
"Huh? But..."
Doesn't it say that we can't open it?
Perhaps sensing Cagalli's confusion, Eric looked at the giant door that was opening and said meaningfully: "Because, when this door opens! Maybe it will be when Orb is surrounded by war again..."
Behind the door was darkness.
After the door was fully opened, Cagalli walked in, while Eric walked to the wall and turned on the switch.
"--At the same time, these are also the last words sealed by Master Uzumi."
The lighting turned on, and the surrounding area was suddenly filled with dazzling light.
Cagalli was blinded by the light, and she slowly opened her eyes after a while.
I saw a huge statue in front of me, shining with golden light under the lighting from the ceiling.
"...Golden...MS?"
Amagi said in admiration, while Cagalli opened her eyes wide.
She had never seen this kind of MS.
The armor is like a polished mirror, reflecting all light into gold, and its basic appearance resembles a Gundam.
There is also a pair of eyes and horn-shaped antennas on the head, the limbs are long and straight, a lightsaber is equipped on the waist, and a pair of cannon barrels can be seen on the back.
The wide horizontally stretched wings also reflected golden light, and the majestic appearance was like the sun god appearing in the human world.
At this time, a voice sounded in the hangar.
It was a recording, presumably set to play when the power was turned on.
"Cagalli..."
This familiar and nostalgic voice was calling Cagalli's name.
"dad……!"
Cagalli couldn't help but call out, the heat in her heart unstoppable.
"...One day, when you need strength, I will give this to you to respond to your needs."
Just like the warm and loving voice in her memory, she once again taught her earnestly: "There are many things that I have no time to teach you, but as long as you have a heart, you will absorb it from those who love you and support you..."
Looking up at the golden MS and listening to this voice, Cagalli's eyes gradually became moist.
Uzmi's voice continued: "For this reason, I only give you this gift. Power is just power. It is a kind of foolishness to be greedy for too much, but it is also a kind of foolishness to reject it blindly..."
Cagalli also had an extreme desire for power, but an extreme hatred of power.
However, a sword standing still cannot hurt anyone. Only the will of the sword holder can make the sword good or evil.
When she realized this, she had hope again.
"When you need strength to protect, or are determined to follow the right path and complete your mission, pick up this sword!"
Her father's voice seemed to push her.
"……dad……!"
The sword was entrusted to her because of her father's trust in her, and it was at the moment when she needed it most urgently.
Thinking back to the last time she saw him, Cagalli could no longer hold back her tears.
It turned out that the father had already expected that the day when he and his daughter would say goodbye was not far away.
"-However, I still sincerely hope that you will never hear this passage."
Speaking of this, there was more sincere love and concern in the voice. "Now that you have opened this door, it can be seen that this wish has not been realized... However, dad hopes that you will live happily, Cagalli..."
"First Evolution"
"dad……"
Cagalli seemed to feel her father's big hand touching her head again, just like the moment before parting.
His presence is still clearly imprinted on this place, ready to back up his beloved daughter when she loses her way.
Cagalli's knees weakened and she knelt on the ground crying.
――I am very happy to be your father:
These two words that her father reluctantly said before parting suppressed her heart again.
"……dad!"
――I want to live happily...
Like all parents, he always prays for happiness for his children's future.
I'm not alone...
"Cagalli——"
Chisaka knelt down beside the sobbing Cagalli and whispered to her: "Go and drive the Dawn."
"……dawn?"
Cagalli raised her head and looked at the magnificent machine body - this was the sword given to her by her father.
She turned around and saw others waiting for her decision, and tears flashed in the eyes of Amagi and Eric.
A force suddenly poured into Cagalli's body.
Like their father, these people also love themselves, trust themselves, and always protect themselves.
Therefore, you should also respond to this trust.
She wiped away her tears, nodded solemnly and said, "...Yes!"
Cagalli put on her driving suit and entered the once-sealed cockpit, watching the screens in front of her open one by one.
As the engine sound increased, more emotions converged into her heart: her father's love, expectations, and everyone's trust and hope.
The gates above her head opened one after another, as if leading Cagalli's path to ascension.
The bright blue sky appeared on the last gate, and the skylight immediately came in.
Dawn - I hope this aircraft can become a dawn that clears away the gloom.
