Hello, readers! Sorry for not updating for pretty long time. I have some things to do IRL so I barely able to write down the story in my usual speed, not to mention my exam is coming up soon. Anyway, last but not least is about my other stories. I might be very late of updating them but I can say I they're in progress so don't worry! I might do some double or triple chapter update, maybe. Alright, for not waste any more time, let's go to the story, shall we?

(Disclaimer: I don't own Senki Zesshou Symphogear or any songs I use, I just own the ideas and OC's)

Re:_Code VIII: Durandal of Traitorous Sister

(3rd POV)

"I see, so that's what happen," Rinko says after she got explained about the whole thing that happen without she even know. Kanade have explain to her about the true fact about the Noise, the incident and the strange suit she use when she save her, the Symphogear. The fact that there's a weapon that can be used to defeat the Noise is what take her interest, but Kanade also explained that if the Symphogear's technology is fall to wrong hands, it might spell disaster than hope as the only person in the world who know deep-down about it is a woman called Sakurai Ryoko, "So, you're one of those user you're talking about?"

"Yeah, but not as active as I am before," she said before put her hand at Hibiki's shoulder, "Right now, other than small fight, I was focusing on training Hibiki here as my successor."

"You're her successor?" Rinko said in little disbelief, "Unbelievable."

"Hey! Can you trust me a bit, Rinko-senpai!" Hibiki protested while pouting in same time.

"Sorry-sorry, I just teasing you," Rinko apologize lightly while giggling, "But world became very strange after you telling all of this. I don't even know what is real and not real anymore…"

"Well, most of people would say," Kanade agreeing, "But you don't need to worry about it now! Considering you have been targeted by the one that might be the source of Noise attack all this time, the 2nd Division will give you protection as well as me being your bodyguard too! So you don't need to worry to get a stuck-up person as your bodyguard."

"I felt uneasy about it…"

"Oi…"

"Haha! Kidding-kidding! I'm grateful that you be the one who will protect me… even though I felt bad about it as you always help me this past two years."

"Don't worry, I don't mind!" Kanade said with smile.

"Also… about my brother… is that true? That he was goes around fighting Noise in some kind of armor that similar to yours?"

"Yeah… that's true…" Kanade said with little depressing tone as it make her remember a guilty feeling she have since the concert incident, "and he… sacrifice himself to save us at that incident."

"…" Rinko fell into silence as her face looking downward. Kanade can tell that all the information she receive including the truth of how her brother died might taking all of her mind, "Kanade, Hibiki-chan, can you please leave me alone for now? I… need to think about it."

"S-sure, take your time, "Kanade answered, "Let's go Hibiki."

"Don't force yourself, Rinko-senpai. If you need my help, I'll always come right to you!"

"Thank you, Hibiki-chan," and thus both of them leave the room, leaving her alone in there. She then put her arms on her face and seems overwhelming by all the emotion inside her heart, but not the one anyone expected.

As her mouth shaping into little smile.

(Opening Song: Error by GARNiDELiA)

(Instrument)

Firstly, the scene reveals a gigantic network with million red small boxes connected with several lines to each other inside an empty void. Then a small blue light comes from out of nowhere and started scanning the boxes one by one, as if it was trying to find something. After several attempts, it finally found the right box and started accessing the information inside of it. However, it is blocked by some kind of protection system, which resulted in the blue light forcing itself in by hacking the system and finally accessing the box. Then, the box becomes blue and began spreading around like a virus as the lines somewhat developed a crystal-like layer around it. Finally, the camera zoomed out and reveal a static video feed that was then replaced by the title "CODE-Rider SIN: The Endless Symphony" before the blinding light engulfs the surroundings.

Kowarete shimatta mono wo miru you ni

The scene reveals Tatsumi in his armor without the helmet and Kanade in her broken Symphogear armor with their backs facing each other inside a broken stadium of the concert incident as their eyes stared at the aftermath of it in agony. Then the camera zooms in to Tatsumi who slowly closes his eyes as his body turns into black dust. Kanade tried to reach for him but before her hand got to him, he vanishes completely. With a shocked expression, Kanade pulls back her hand towards her chest as her face changed to one showing sadness and regret, emphasizing more of her failure.

"Okashina koto da to" daremo ga iu

The scene shows a split screen, with Hibiki on the left and Tsubasa on the right with different environments in each. Firstly, Hibiki was inside the bathroom as she looked at the mirror which showed her figure, focusing more on the forte-like scar near hear chest as she remembers the mistreatment from people towards her and her family in the past. She closes her eyes and shook her head as if showing that she must not waver and trap herself in the past and that she must move forward to a better future. She turns around and leaves the bathroom, but then for a split second the mirror showed numerous amounts of 0s and 1s and the word "CODE" before returning to normal again.

Soredemo shinjitai sono te wo tsukamitai

Secondly, Tsubasa was in the middle of walking towards the command room with a troubled expression. Her mind is strictly sharpened to become a sword and to not let her emotions get to her in order to make sure something like the concert incident never happens again. However, that thought of mind was almost destroyed as many unexpected things happened and she was in a dilemma. But she doesn't let it get to her as she steps forward full of confidence into command room, with everyone there looking at the screen, which showed that it was being hacked with 0s and 1s all over the place and the single word "CODE" plastered in the middle of screen.

An Error code Error code Error code Error

Back to gigantic network, which every single box showing the word "error" as the scene continuously glitches between the network image and other images. The first is a close up of the "error" word on one of the boxes before changing into a scene where the camera shows a hooded man from behind with blood red colored background. The second showed images of Hibiki meeting up with Miku, who was going to school together with her but was then replaced with the camera getting closer to the hooded man who was slowly turning around. Next shows Hibiki and Miku meeting up with their other friends while continuing their trip to school before changing into the hooded man turn around and reveals his fully bandaged face from the side. Lastly it shows all the girls almost reaching the school, only to be surprised by Rinko who jumps up from behind and surprises them all with a hug from the back in a friendly manner before the image once again changes completely to show the hooded bandaged man facing head on while showing his black CØDE-CALLER before turning into static.

An Error code Error code Error No Error!

The scenes change into nighttime, with Rinko looking outside from her window, completely in trance before she closes her eyes. In split second, the scene changes to a burning research room with a big monster facing someone in a white Symphogear, before the scene abruptly ends as Rinko opens her eyes, panting and having headache over what she momentarily saw in her dream.

An Error code Error code Error code Error

The scene changes to Chris in Nehustand armor whipping the floor with her crystal whip and creates sparks as if she tried to intimidate her opponent in front of her, with group of Noise behind her. Then the scene quickly changes to the inside of a big mansion, with a white-blonde hair woman sitting at the end of table enjoying her drinks as she smirks at the camera.

An Error code Error code Error No Error!

The scene changes, showing the hooded bandaged man walking on street while walking towards a huge group of policemen and military soldiers that all had their guns pointed at him. But when they light up the street, it then shows that the man isn't alone as hundreds of masked soldiers and humanoid monsters of varying forms and shapes walking behind him, all ready to destroy anything in their way. Then the hooded bandaged man flicks his finger.

Bokura no mirai ga seikai to iu katachi ni naranakutemo

The scenes then changes to the Symphogear users fighting against the Nehustan user. First is Kanade who launches her spear from sky but it was dodged by her enemy before being followed up by Tsubasa giving sword slash but her attack got deflected.

Ima furetai to omou kimochi dake de ii

Hibiki rushed towards Chris and she saw her coming, accepts her challenge and rushes toward her as Hibiki's fist and Chris's whip clashes with each other, creating a large explosion and surrounds everyting in smoke. Once the smoke cleared, the Symphogears once again faced the Nehustan user for another round.

Dareka ga egaita puroguramu door ni kimerarenai ne

The scene changes to show the city from the highest point of view. The hooded bandaged man looks at the city from the highest building as he watches the chaos his men was causing. Then he notices someone approaching him from behind and turns around, only to find Rinko there with a determined look on her face. On her eyes, the image of someone she cared for was imprinted over the man, but when she blinked the image disappears as she knows what she must do.

"Imi" nara tsunagu te no naka

Rinko raises her hand that held a white CØDE-CALLER and points it at him. She seemed to be shouting something at him but it was being muffled by the explosions. Finally she pulls the trigger as the screen breaks into pieces, falling onto ground as white and black feathers.

(Few days later)

Few days have passed since Rinko's hospitalization. The news is quickly spread around the Lydian after Miku comes to visit and Hibiki's often slip of the tongue at conversation that make most of student know it. It becomes quite hectic as a lot of acquaintances and friends of her coming to visit after the teacher confirm the news is true. It makes Rinko happy and exhausting as there are a lot that coming but still in consideration as she needs to heal herself first.

Then after she was allowed to takes outpatient as she still need to going to school, she finally feels free at last. She can't explain about it but she have some discomfort to be inside a hospital room, more than anyone in general and she felt glad that she finally out from it. Of course, she needs to regularly coming back to check-ups as she isn't completely healed.

Days have passed and normally despite her knowledge about the 2nd Division and other stuff that normal people won't know about and as part of her protection, she have been put as reservation in support team as there's no telling when she will got attacked again, for whatever the reason the enemy is. However, 2nd Division has found one fact that they are never think about.

That the thief of Nehustan and CODE isn't a same person. They're entire two different faction as they seems become enemy to each other as well. It put the 2nd Division between them, means it's more like battle royal among them and from how escalated their movement by abducting Rinko, the situation become more serious as the peace they're hold now won't last longer. And it's all start by this day.

In some place, a three cars drove out in the street in secret. If anyone seeing that, they won't found anything strange as it's just cars driving on the street like any vehicle should. However, if they know who's inside those cars, then it would be another story.

"First is CODE and now the Relic thief… things become really out of control lately," the one who says it is none other than the Minister of Defense himself, Hiroki as he's inside one of cars and in the middle of delivering something really important, "Not to mentioned the abduction of civilian… this is become more concerning than anything else. We're really in the war now, a secret one nonetheless."

"Indeed," said Hiroki's companion inside the car, "When we think we just dealing with Noise and now is abduction too. Whoever that group of thief and CODE planned, both of them is a threat we must be caution off, not to mention these past days is really peaceful."

"It is, right? It's almost like a calm before a storm…" the cars have drove into a narrow passage way and almost get out from there. However, when the first car almost out, a cargo truck suddenly appeared from the exit, which make the driver panic and crash the car to the other. When in still in confusion of crash, an armed men go out from the truck and heading toward where Hiroko is.

The bodyguards got barely enough time to lift their weapon before they got shot in the head by those armed men. Hiroki, who's only got dizzied after that crash, thinking fast and tried to reach the briefcase. Sadly, he can't as the window suddenly broke and a barrel of gun slammed into his hand, render him to get that thing.

"You must be Minister of Defense, Mr. Hiroki," one of armed men said in English.

"Who… who are you guys?" Hiroki asked as he nurse his hand from the blow. The armed man raise the gun and tried to shoot him, but he's stop as suddenly a commotion appears on the outside of car, which force that armed man to take out his gun from the car before he shooting toward another place. Only a seconds bullet fly from his gun and he got slammed by something, "What's just happen?"

He then, however got the answer immediately by the door opened by itself. Hiroki found it suspicious but consider the current situation, he got no choice as the have something very important that he must be delivered or it will be problem later. But his suspicious has proved right as when he got out from the car, he was surround by humanoid monsters with Gatling gun as their hand and aiming toward him. He doesn't know what just happen until he saw what happen on the outside of the car.

Those armed men, which seems targeting the briefcase on his hand has been slaughtered. Their body are either stuck on the wall or hopeless lay on the ground with blood everywhere. If Hiroki is an weak-willed man then he's already puked from the scene, but as Minister of Defense his mind has been trained to deal with stressful job he have and he had already seen blood more than anyone, so he only got little surprised by seeing that.

Then, two of those humanoid monsters step aside and open a way for someone. Hiroki looks at there and found a very familiar face, which mostly anyone already now who is it. Dressed in hooded jacket while his entire face is covered by bandaged except his left eye. That person is none other than the leader of CODE, the bandaged man and also known as CODE-Rider SIN by 2nd Division.

"Taketsugu Hiroki, I presume?" SIN asked.

"Heh, to think the leader himself would meet me like this," Hiroki said while still keeping the briefcase in his hand, "You might save me from whoever they are, but I can tell you want something from me too, right?"

"Indeed," he answered, "But don't worry, you're free to give that key inside that briefcase to them, we will help you with that. However, you need to come with us."

"…" Hiroki is in thought of what he should do. If what he said is true, then the key he want to deliver would surely arrive on 2nd Division hand and will help them with their plan to improve their strength against the Noise. For him to be got with them for whatever reason they want is a cheap price, considering his high statue as Minister of Defense, they won't dare to do anything, even though he know that can do it without any concern. But he knows their leader isn't a madman leaded by egoistic and stupid ideology like any terrorist group he knows.

But what happen if he lied? He might got killed, the key won't be delivered and he won't be know what he want with it. It's such a gamble but the risk might worth for it, "Alright. I'll go with you. But make sure you're delivering it to them."

"I will. I won't take my own word," he said which still make Hiroki suspicious but he just keep watch out for what they might do. Without he knows, one of those humanoid monster hit his stomach and render him unconscious before several man in soldier uniform appears and put him into a body bag and bought him to somewhere, leaving the briefcase alone with SIN. He then took the briefcase before taking out a communication device and calling someone, "R-114-K0, there's a packet you need to delivered."

(Later…)

"Huh? A rat?" Rinko asked after she arrive on the appointment place. Kanade has called her and Hibiki to discussing about the topic that was hot among the 2nd Division, and that's about the possibility of a spy has been infiltrated their place, "Is there a proof that someone is a spy?"

"Yes," Kanade answered, "In these past days, several data has been copied and manipulated, even there's a trace that the camera around the base had been hacked. If not because of Ryoko was checking the system, we might not realize it."

"So, did you know who the spy is?" Hibiki asked.

"Um… it's difficult. Old Man Genjuro has said that the spy might already there for a long time, even before the CODE release their video. Ah, we're speculating that the rat is come from them and not from the Relic thief, even though we aren't sure ourselves."

"Then, you're still blind over matter?" Rinko asked.

"Sadly, yes. Whoever that spy is, they're really good to be able to hide their track of activity inside the base without anyone know. Currently, everyone is the suspect," Kanade said which make Hibiki gasped and Rinko raise her eyebrow, "Um, no. I mean everyone except us. Hibiki is just a normal girl before her Symphogear awaken and Rinko has just join in. Tsubasa is impossible and no way was it me! I'm not that smart to do something like that."

"Who knows? You might be pretend to be meathead all the time while hiding your genius self inside," Rinko said with grin on her face.

"You know Rinko, you had been mean to me lately," Kanade said while furrow her brow, "Did I do something wrong to you?"

"Hm… let's say… about that day when—"

"On second thought, never mind," Kanade suddenly cut off as she knows what Rinko tried to say. To think Rinko use "that" as black mail to her is very surprising for Kanade herself, that she has change a lot since that day. Indeed she's still an everyday kind but teasing girl in school or even outside, but she becomes more and more unpredictable as time goes by. It doesn't mean a bad thing, but also not a good thing either. But Kanade also thinks about another possibility that she's just depressed over something and want to let it out over things or someone, which unfortunately she become her target, "Anyway, we should be—"

Before Kanade continue her words, her communication device go off, "Ah, sorry. Let me answer this for secs," Kanade stand up from her sit and going somewhere to answer her call. Rinko and Hibiki waiting for her while enjoying their remaining drink until she come back with serious face.

"Kanade-san? What happen?" Hibiki asked.

"I can't speak it out in here. Let's go to "base". Old Man Gejuro would explain it further," After Kanade said that, they both nodded to each other before follow Kanade to 2nd Division HQ. When they're arrive, everyone is already there including Ryoko and Tsubasa as well.

"Old Man! Is what you said is true?" Kanade asked when she coming in to the room.

"Yes," Genjuro answered with serious tone, "Defense Minister has been kidnapped."

"What!?" Rinko is the first one who got surprised, "Is that what you tried to say before, Kanade?"

"Yes. I'm not sure too so I thought it was the best if Old Man Genjuro explained it," Kanade answered.

"I see, then who's the kidnapper? You can't say…"

"It is," Genjuro said as he pointed at the screen, which reveal the scene of kidnapping and a familiar figure, "It was CODE."

"They're finally make a big move," Tsubasa said, "But from the video, it seems not only them who targeting Defense Minister."

"Yeah, you're right Tsubasa," The video reversed to couple minutes before the kidnapping happen, "An unknown military group ambushing the car that drive him to here, but they got slaughtered by CODE's group. I won't say it was a good thing, but consider their movement, if the CODE's group doesn't attack at that time, the Defense Minister Hiroki might be killed on spot," he massage his temple, "This is considering fortune and misfortune for us too."

Not long after he said that, someone get inside the room with a box in the hand, "Commander! There's a package addressed to here!"

"Huh? How? This place is a national secret that no one is able to know its existence," Genjuro said as he looks at the box, "Did you already check if there's a bomb or something on it?"

"Yes, nothing suspicious about the box," the deliver say, "But the one who sent it," he show it to Genjuro, make him surprised before take the box. Kanade takes her chance to peek on it, and got surprised too.

"It comes from CODE!?" Kanade stated, "How they found this place!? No, what they actually send to us?"

"That's what we will know soon," Genjuro said before he's unboxing the box. On the inside, it can be seen a two item, one is a chip and the other is a flash drive. Ryoko who saw that chip suddenly coming to the box and took it out.

"This chip… this is the key to open the place we hold Durandal!?" she said in surprise, "It should be in the hand of Defense Minister, but how it can come from their group."

"Hm… Hey, how about the flash drive?" Rinko said while pointed at it, "It looks… suspicious."

"If this come from them, it might have a video file on it," Kanade said, "Old Man, how about we check it out too?"

"Indeed, but there's a chance that there's a trap in it," Genjuro said, "Hey, check the drive and see if any suspicious program on it."

"Understood!" one of personnel said before she receive the flash drive and check what is inside of it, "There's… nothing, except a single video file and a note."

"Like Kanade said…" Genjuro confirmed, "Play it on the screen."

"Affirmative!" she play the video on the big screen with everyone look at it. After few second of blank screen, the video finally reveal images, which make everyone surprised. On the video, Hiroki is strapped on the chair with a hooded bandaged man, the leader of CODE, SIN sitting on the table nearby.

{Ladies and Gentlemen of 2nd Division} he said on the video while looking at the camera, {Sorry to inform you all in this… beautiful day that sadly have been stained by red paint of bloodshed}

"He must be mean about the ambush…" Tsubasa said.

{I must say… it was fortunately for us… and him} he said as he got close to Hiroki, {that we are nearby on that time. Such a lucky person you're…}

{I got nothing to say to you all} Hiroki said on his chair, {Why are you take me in like this? For a ransom? Or something else?}

{That's what we will talking about} he then return to the table and sit on it, {We have no interest in ransom or anything like that. Ho…we…ver… we have interest on something you're possessed}

{You mean the complete Relic? Did you already have one right now?} Hiroki said.

{No, that Nehustan Relic that you all experimented at that time is not on our possession. Indeed we have targeting it, but sadly someone else has one step further from us and able to take it out from you guys. Really sad indeed, as you also lost someone that have help you a lot at there}

"You have no right to talk about him!" Kanade said in anger when SIN mentioned about Tatsumi. Not only he have use the same thing as he use, but also using his alias, it makes Kanade very angry that Tatsumi sacrifice is tainted by this man action. In other hand, Rinko seems downed when he talk about her brother and stay silence with grieving expression.

{Anyway, let's go back to main topic} he said before getting closer to the camera, {In exchange of Defense Minister's life, I want you to give me the complete Relic, Durandal. The place and time is inside the note on the drive so you can think about it until the time, his life? Or your precious Relic? That's all your choice} and then the video ended, making everyone fell in silence.

"Then… what should we do, Old Man?" Kanade asked.

"We have given a chance to save Defense Minister life," Genjuro said, "But we can't let them have the Relic as it's our last hope for our battle against the Noise. Hiroki must be thinking in same way too, and prefer that we don't save him to keep the Relic save."

"But considering they have known this place, there's no guarantee that they won't attack this place if we don't want to give what they want," Ryoko said, "Then, the best thing we can do is to send it to the saver place."

"That place… also known as the Ruins of Memory. A special vault deep under the sea where the government keeps all dangerous object the possessed," Genjuro said.

"So, we send it there before the appointment time?" Tsubasa asked.

"We don't have choice. Once we inform what we know about this, the government might ordered us to do the same… and tried to save Hiroki too if possible."

"Then, how about we give them the fake one?" Kanade suggested, "Is not like they would know immediately if it was the fake when we give it to them."

"We can, but the risk is very high as we don't know what they might do if we tried to do it. However, we got three days before the appointment time so it might the best if we send the Relic before the time."

"So, in meantime we needs to wait for the order from above?" Tsubasa asked.

"Yes, it is," Ryoko answered.

"I see… but am I really needed here?" Rinko asked, "I mean, this is very important and secretive as well."

"Hm… Considering you're targeted before and we don't want any civilian got dragged in this," Genjuro looked at Kanade, "Kanade, can you drive her back to her house? And also make sure she's save as well."

"Well, that's my job anyway," Kanade answered, "Let's go Rinko. I know that you might be want to get involved in here but your safety is first."

"Alright Kanade, I'll follow you then," after that, Rinko and Kanade walk out from the room. Once they're gone, Genjuro look at Hibiki.

"We will inform you about the mission later. You can go back too."

"Ah! That's right, Miku might questioning me if I don't go back soon!" Hibiki said when she looks at her clock, "Sorry! I have to go!" then she also walks away from the room. When they're out, the situation in the room become more serious than before. It fall into silence until Ryoko speak first.

"So, how about the rat?" Ryoko asked, "If whoever they're in here, even if we planned to fake the Relic and move it before the appointment time, they might know it."

"However, we have investigate every single personnel data and past history that might lead them to something suspicious," Ogawa said, "But we don't find anything that looks very suspicious or even a reason that they might part of that group."

"How about the fake information?" Tsubasa asked, "I mean, this "rat" information may be fake and an attempt to split trust between us, make us less coordinate due that?"

"No, it can't be that," Ryoko answered, "Even if that's the truth, then all trace and evidences we gathered are all for nothing."

While they're still discussion about the "rat" and how to inform the government, they don't know that one of surveillance camera is actually pointed toward them, and recording everything they have discussing about. Meanwhile, Rinko who is driven back by Kanade on her motorcycle can't help but to smile for some reason.

(Next day, around evening)

In the next day, everyone have been gathered to the meeting room. Their main discussion is about the mission, which is the transfer of the Relic toward the safest place. The Relic itself is named Durandal, one of few complete Relics that ar remains on earth, which is kept deep underground of the 2nd Division base, dubbed as the "Abyss".

Everyone except Rinko have listening toward Ryoko explanation and about the mission they will goes to. It will be send one day before the appointment day, in early day around 05.00. Once the meeting is done, they're going back to rest themselves and prepare for the day while Ryoko is taking out the Relic out for the mission.

In Kanjou residence, Rinko was preparing the dinner when the door is opened, revealing Kanade who's seems exhaust over meeting.

"Welcome back," Rinko said to her, "How's the meeting?"

"As we planned before, it will be moved before the appointment time, that's mean tomorrow," Kanade answered before she slump down to sofa out of exhaustion, "We might be able to fool CODE, but there're also possibilities that the Relic thief, that Nehushtan user will be coming for it too."

"So, it won't be a simple drive from point A to B, right?" Rinko asked while still cooking.

"Yeah, it will be bumpy ride I tell you," Kanade said, "Say… are you not angry that 'person' talking about you brother like that?"

"Oh, you mean at that time?" she asked which Kanade replied by hand's wave, "To be truth, of course I'm angry. He talks about my Nii-san that easy as if his sacrifice is was for nothing, if I can meet him in person then I'm one hundred percent will punch him right on his bandaged face! Whoa!" she said and almost messed up her cooking, "Anyway, if you happen to meet him again, say my "regards" to him, alright?"

"I'll, including my share as well," she then approach Rinko from back, "By the way, you looks good on that apron."

"Eh? Really!?" Rinko asked in embarrassment, "W-well, of course it will looks good! This apron is personally chosen by Nii-san anyway."

"Uwaa… I don't know you're such bro-con, Rinko," Kanade said in teasing manner.

"Oh please Kanade, stop teasing me like that," she said before she felt something on her body, "Um… Kanade? You might need to wait until I'm done cooking here if you want some "fun"," she reminded as Kanade almost begin her usual 'touchy-touchy' activity.

"Ah, sorry. My bad…" Kanade said before she back off, "Anyway, it smells really good! I can't wait for taking a second!"

"You don't even eat it yet," Rinko said while sighed, "Well, then prepare yourself as I'll send you to heaven with my food! As this is the last dinner we will share together…" she said while muttered the last part.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Ah, nothing. Now, be a good girl and prepare the table while I finishing this dish!"

"Sure-sure," Kanade answered before she walks to table and preparing the table ware. Rinko who's cooking once a while looking at Kanade with smile, but that smile change into something before it back to her usual smile as she continue her cooking.

(Mission day)

04.50. The situation on the place of 2nd Division is very tense. That's because they are going to begin the most important mission at the time, the Relic transfer. Not only the item they're bought is really important, but by any chance the lost it… it won't do well for any of them as it is the only complete Relic they have and might be a changing point toward the wars against Noise.

With simple briefing, everyone is ready to their position. Hibiki along with Tsubasa is inside of Ryoko's car and the one who bring the Relic. Kanade used her bike to follow from side in case they need immediately act and Rinko isn't there as it might dangerous for her. Everything is ready and they're only hope that everything will going smoothly.

As the car drove out from the garage, everything is going to be fine. The diversion car is drove first before it split up with the rest according to the briefing until the leave Ryoko's car, Kanade and guard's cars nearby. It almost going to be smooth until an explosion occurred in front of them and man Noise appear on there.

"Let me handle them!" Kanade said before she sings her activation chant and transform into her Symphogear armor. Putting her spear in front of her, she charge it with energy before rush out forward, destroying the Noise in front of them and making an opening for Ryoko's car to get out from there.

[RUSHꝎSTAR]

With the Noise out of their way, Ryoko using her spectacular driving to move them out from that place as fast as possible. However, the car suddenly got struck by something as it crashed to side road. The door suddenly shot out as Tsubasa in her Symphogear get out following by Hibiki who's still clutching at the Durandal's briefcase and Ryoko following afterward. Tsubasa tried to find the one who responsible and as she thought, Chris donned in her Nehushtan armor appears and ready to attack them.

"You again!?" Tsubasa stated.

"I am! And I'm here to take that Relic from you!" Chris said while preparing her whips, "Before that annoying group unexpectedly appear again."

"Like we will let you," Tsubasa said as she ready her blade, "Tachibana, protect the Relic while I deal with her."

"You think you're enough to defeat me!?"

"Then make it two!" Kanade said as she rushed toward Chris with her motorcycle and tried to crash into her. However, Chris realize it and using her whip to destroy her motorcycle before it crashed to her as Kanade jump out into sky and preparing another attack with her spear, "THIS TIME you won't get away from us!"

"Try it, granny!" Chris provoked as she block Kanade's attack.

"You're so death…" Kanade charge toward Chris with her spear ready to strike her down, followed by Tsubasa from side to do pincer attack. Chris see her coming with her partner and block Kanade attack and redirect it toward Tsubasa. Knowing that she will crashed toward her, Kanade let go her spear and do something that Chris not expected, she thrust her palm toward her stomach and send some kind of shockwave palm strike toward her. Chris got blown and loss her stance and Tsubasa use that chance to attack her. While still in pain, Chris use her whip to pull her back to safety and evade Tsubasa's follow-up attack. Chris isn't done as she send couple [Nirvana Gedon] toward Kanade and Tsubasa and use the chance of them evading her attacks to targeting Hibiki who's still bough the briefcase and watching from sideline.

"You're mine!" Chris use her whip to attack Hibiki but it stuck at the briefcase and send it to the ground. Somehow, the briefcase opened as the Relic Durandal thrown out to the air, "So, that's the Durandal? Time to take it!"

However, before she's able to get it, she got tackled by Hibiki and using that chance she tried to reach the Durandal, "It's mine!" then she grab the sword. However, when she have the sword on her, something strange happen as the feeling on the air change and a pillar of light suddenly erupt from Hibiki and the Relic. The shockwave from the light blasted Chris to the side as Kanade and Tsubasa tried to hold themselves on the ground with their weapon to not get blasted like her.

"What a power…" Kanade said as she barely able to see what happen in front of her eyes. At there, the stone sword which is Duranda changed and turned into golden sword that's much taller than Hibiki in height. However, at that time Kanade feels something wrong with Hibiki as she showed the face when she almost go berserk, "Don't tell me…!?"

"Your defense in opened like a hole!" Chris said as she summon more Noise around Hibiki, but it didn't faze her as she raise the sword at the air and want to swing it down. However, before she can swing it down, someone interfere.

[CØDEX_FINISH!]

SIN, come out from nowhere strike her with powerful kick and successfully cancel her attack and obliterated the rest of Noise around her. Hibiki got thrown out from there but Kanade see her and catch her body before she crashed to ground. In other hand, Tsubasa saw Durandal thrown into air and ready to catch it before Chris do, but someone has taken it first on air before that figure landed on the ground, "Who!?"

As the smoke disperse, Tsubasa and the others can see SIN and the figure who catch Durandal. Everyone got their eyes widen as they recognize who the figure is. It is none other than Rinko, who strangely dress in some kind of tight combat suit.

"Rinko!?/Kanjou-san!?/Rinko-senpai!?/You're that girl I kidnapped!?"

Not only she dress different, but the air around her also felt different. Even though Kanade know that is Rinko, she felt like it also not Rinko she knows well. She realizes that she's holding Durandal as Chris is still surprised from her sudden appearance and SIN is not far from her place, so she shout at her, "Rinko! Take that sword away from there!"

But something unexpected beyond her understanding happen afterward. Rinko walked… toward SIN and give Durandal to him, "Why…?" Kanade, Tsubasa and still conscious Hibiki can't tell or think what has she doing right now. Rinko is just give the most important item for them toward the leader of terrorist group CODE. Suddenly, Kanade remember about the talk about rat that has hiding inside the personnel of 2nd Division and combine it with the fact that she has just see, and finally realize the truth, "Rinko… you're the spy of CODE!?"

"What!?" Hibiki said in shocked when Kanade said that. She just said that the very senior of her, who often teasing her and Miku and one she's respected by her capability and kindness turn out as a spy of very group that was searched by the entire world!? "Rinko-senpai! Please, said that wasn't a truth!"

"Sadly… that's the truth, Hibiki," Rinko said in cold tone as she break every hope of Hibiki that don't want to admit the truth in front of her eyes, "Those were a nice time we had as we play and things together with Miku-chan. I really mean it! That was a very beautiful memory I had! But… it's not mean the fact is still the fact, Hibiki."

"So… you lie to us! Lie to everyone on the 2nd Division and moreover, to me!?" Kanade said as she tried to hold her sadness that mixed with anger as she hold her spear tightly, "Why Rinko!? What's the reason you're become a part of them!?"

"It's that obvious?" Rinko simple said as she looks at the SIN. He stab the sword on ground before deactivate his armor, revealing his hooded bandaged face before he took off the hood and slowly put off the bandage off from his face. When his true face finally uncovered and revealed to them, Kanade is the first who's reacted as her eyes widened and her spear fall from her hand. Only single word escape from her mouth, which is—

"Tatsumi…?"

The leader of CODE, the bandaged man, the self-proclaimed CODE-Rider SIN, is none other than Tatsumi Kanjou. The young man that everyone believe had died two years ago in concert incident, but now he's standing right in front of them with new appearances that they never and ever know until now.

"Nice to meet you again, Kanade. Or should I say… after we meet couple of time in recent times?" this time, his voice is not deep and harsh like every time he talks before, but a clear voice that Kanade remember very well before his dead, "However, I must say that I'm not her for chit-chat so I'll take this sword and go away from here," he said before he point the CØDE-CALLER forward and shoot out black smoke, covering him, Rinko and the Durandal before they're vanish from there.

"Tch… they got the sword…" Chris said before jump into air and vanish from the location.

On there, everyone is still shocked from the revelation they have just get, especially Kanade. Hibiki tried to comfort her and calling her name, but she get no response and even Tsubasa have a same result. For Kanade, her emotion is so mixed and she can't say anything except shouting one word—

"DAAAAMMMMMMIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT!"

(CODE's Base)

SIN, or Tatsumi right now has been back to the base with Rinko and the sword. He hands the sword to his men before he looks at Rinko, who seems very concerned about what has just happen, "Still thinking about it?" he asked.

"Yeah…" she answered as she rested her back on nearby wall, "I still… felt like this is wrong. All of this. I know that you being dead is part of plan but… to betray their trust after all this two years I spent with them. I… I—"

"I know, Rinko. I know it very well," Tatsumi said as he join Rinko beside her and put his hand around her shoulder, "To betray your friends, comrades that you had spent years or maybe only few times with them but it feels so important that you felt like want to rip your gut out just to take that kind of feeling away from your body… I know… no words can describe how hurt it is."

"Nii-san…" Rinko want to say more, but she got embraced by Tatsumi as he slowly pet her head to comfort her, "It's… hurt…"

"I know… but it was necessary," he answered while still comfort her, "Once everything is done, we will be back… to our normal life. I promise…"

"Nii-san…" Rinko can't hold it any longer as she cry on his chest. By many painful experience she have, this is might one of the most painful thing she have. Not physically, but mentally scratch her soul. She didn't want this to happen, but she knows that soon or not, this will happen. However, for now all she want is to let out all of her feeling as she cry on her brother's chest. No one around them mind their sibling moment and keeps doing their job but still take some distance to no make them uncomfortable.

However, when Rinko crying over his chest, Tatsumi is different. Unbeknown to anyone or even Rinko, he's smiling. Rather than showing an empathy-like expression, he's smiling, with a sinister smile on his face as his black sclera red eyes shine brightly.

(Ending Song: Beautiful Soldier by Minami)

(Instrument)

Hontou no jibun ga ima itsuwari no egao de

Kakusareta, tojite yuku… mienai

Hitori de daijoubu

The scene slowly reveal the inside of an abandoned ancient church-like building in the middle of night. Everything inside is so dark with only moonlight that illuminate a certain place through the glass wall behind the altar on front of place. The camera slowly move from right to left, emphasize the beauty of serenity and emptiness of the place.

Sekai wa kimi no koto tameshi tsudzuke

Jiyuu no hane o otosu no

Owaranai nichijou, tatakai e… sou, mayowazu ni

The camera then zoom in to altar. It reveals the state of altar, which had been cracking and half broken being eaten by time. However, the moonlight illuminate to it has make the reflection part to reflect the light and emphasize more the beauty of what goes through time had. Then, afterward a white and black feathers falling out of nowhere into the altar.

Makerarenai… kimi to jibun no yume ni

Issho ni tsukanda keshiki, kagayaku no

Kodoku o sutetatte

The scene drastically change as the building cracked and split into fragments, revealing a black void behind and the altar transformed into a big black stone throne. Beside the throne, Envy resting her back on it while looking with side-way view toward the place enviously. Resting on the throne is the CØDE-CALLER with the screen heading toward the camera.

kimi wa kimi dakara…

Finally, the camera zoom in to the CØDE-CALLER button screen, which now don't have static image anymore and showing clear blue screen with number sixty five percent on screen.

Corruption Level: 65%

And that's all for this chapter, which a twist on it! Rinko is a spy of CODE from very beginning! Yeah, that's right. Ever since chapter 1 of the second arc... no, ever since the end of first arc. All of this is Tatsumi's plan! Well, that's it. However, twist isn't over until later and the revelation of what actually is "Corruption Level" above. Anyway, thanks for reading and don't forget to review. Bye-bye!