Part 2:
From a broken past, a brighter future will emerge.
Chapter 3:
Those who bear the name of The End


Genjuro's POV:
Section Two HQ


One week has passed since Maria revealed herself as part of a terrorist organization known as "Finé" and declared war on the world. Strangely enough, there has been no news of this group since then. "If anything, that performance seemed to only be used as a way to tell the world of their existence." Sakuya commented. "Thankfully, it gave us at Section Two an opportunity to counter them swiftly."

"As far as self-proclaimed revolutionaries go, it was a rather odd way to go about their plans." Genjuro adds. "But this may be what they intended to happen."

Suddenly, a call comes in from Ogawa and Serena. "Commander Kazanari."

"Ogawa? Any luck on you and Serena-kun's end?" Genjuro asks.

"We looked into where that abandoned trailer found near the stadium originated." Ogawa reported.

"Just who do you think you two are?" A voice of a member of a Yakuza said over Ogawa's comms. "Kill those bastards!"

As Serena, with some assistance from Ogawa, subdued the Yakuza members, Ogawa continued his report. "I tracked it back to a construction company, whose records showed several large purchases of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and measuring equipment from a fictional company." The mention of medical equipment intrigues Genjuro. "The records date back to two months ago. It seems the gentlemen over here were using it as a form of money laundering. Regardless, don't these records seem interesting?"

"This does seem like something to look into..." Genjuro answers. "If you find anything else, please don't hesitate to report it."


Ogawa's POV:
Yakuza Hideout


"Understood." Ogawa says, hanging up the phone. "You okay, Serena-san?"

"Just a few scratches. Nothing concerning." Serena said.

"That's good to hear." Ogawa replies, before noticing Serena seemed off. "Something on your mind?"

"It's just... Even a week later, I'm still unsure why Maria seemed to treat me different from everyone else at the concert, besides her allies." Serena answered. "I just have a feeling that she must know something about me that I don't."

"If the organization and Finé are truly linked, there's a good chance you're right." Ogawa says, putting a hand on the shoulder of his assistant/partner. "For now, we should do what we can to find out what we can of their location before we can ask anything else."

"Right!" Serena replied.


Kana's POV:
Lydian


After class, Kana walks with Miku and Hibiki. "Hey Hibiki, is everything okay?"

"What do you mean?" Hibiki asked.

"Aside from the teacher lecturing you, again, you just seem like there's something bothering you." Kana answers.

"Something bothering me? You must be imagining things." Hibiki said cheerfully, but Kana and Miku both see through this. "Alright... It's about Maria-san and the others..." Hibiki looks to make sure no one is listening to them from far away before she continues. "At first, I was surprised by the fact there were two Gungnir Symphogears. But when I thought about it more, it wasn't too surprising that we both have our own reasons for fighting. Then I thought about what her ally said..." While she wasn't as focused on their fight, Kana knows what she was talking about.


"I just want to save people who are in need of saving!"

"And that right there is why you're a hypocrite!"


"Since then, I've been questioning what I've truly been fighting for... I know I swore to never lie to myself, but..."

Suddenly, Kana and Miku give Hibiki a hug, snapping the latter out of her train of thought. "Hibiki. I meant what I said then and I mean it now, you are not a hypocrite." Kana calmly reassures Hibiki.

"Kana's right Hibiki." Miku added. "You've saved so many people. You truly fight to keep them safe."

"And who cares what Shirabe said? None of them know what you've been through." Kana continues. "Besides, the Hibiki I know would stop at nothing to bring about peace for everyone. She inspires me to give my all for the same cause. So don't ever think that what you're doing is hypocritical, okay?"

Hibiki tears up at her friends' encouraging words. "Thanks girls. I know I can always count on you two to cheer me up."

"You always have our backs, Hibiki." Kana says. "It's only fair that we're always there to have yours." Miku nods in agreement. Suddenly, Kana notices the time. "Oh crap! I gotta get going! I promised Kanade-san and Tsubasa-san that I'd help with preparations for the school festival today! See you girls later!" With that, Kana rushes to meet up with the idols of Zwei Wing, much to the amusement of Hibiki and Miku.


Shirabe's POV:
F.I.S. HQ


As Kirika was telling a story about something that happened to her, Shirabe is lost in her own thoughts. Noticing her friend's turmoil, she asked her, "You're still thinking about her, aren't you?"

In Shirabe's mind, Hibiki's words echoed.


"If we can just talk, I'm sure we'll understand each other! We don't need to fi-"


"I refuse to accept her as the hero who saved humankind, especially since she carries no burdens herself." Shirabe answers.

"Yeah... Sometimes, there are things you must do, no matter what. And even if you know it's wrong, you must bear those burdens." Kirika said.

Unable to hold her anger any longer, Shirabe punches the wall. "But why? She said all she wanted to do was save people in need of saving!"

Saying nothing more, Kirika calms grabs Shirabe's hand that punched the wall, eventually calming her down as she places her hands around Kirika's. At the same time, Maria joins her allies conversation with her own words of wisdom. "Regardless, all we can do is fight for our own sense of justice. We don't have the time to stop and reconsider or hesitate..."

"Maria..." Shirabe says, before remembering what happened before they returned to base after the mission. "I wanted to a-" Before she could finish her sentence, alarms began to go off in their base.


Nastassja and Ver's POVs:
F.I.S. HQ Control Room


Taking the right precautions to contain the Nephilim relic they awakened thanks to the phonic gain of Hibiki and co.'s S2CA Triburst attack, the older woman watched on the cameras as the monstrous being sated its hunger. "So this is the impulsive hunger, spoken of in legend, that drives them to consume even their own kind..." She says to herself, "The Nephilim really is beyond human power to control."

"Please don't think of them as such, Dr. Nastassja." A voice says from the shadows. Upon approaching the monitors' light, the voice's figure could be seen: Dr. John Wayne Vercingetorix (Dr. Ver). "Even if they are beyond human power to control, wouldn't be enough if just a hero could control it?"

"Mom! What was that alarm?!" Maria shouted, rushing into the room, Kirika and Shirabe following right behind her.

"The next flower is still just a bud," Dr. Ver calmly reassures the alerted wielders. "As such, I wish to treat it with as much care as possible."

"I am grateful for your concern, but everything is under control now." Dr. Nastassja adds. "The Nephilim was just going wild, so closed the blast doors and fed it. It'll calm itself down soon." As she says this however, the Nephilim causes the room to shake once more, concerning Maria. "There is no need to worry. The appropriate steps have already been taken."

"On another note, isn't it time for your inspection?" Ver asks, changing the subject.

"The Frontier is another key element in our plan." Nastassja states. "It is vital that I keep a close eye on it before it's activated, however..."

"Please don't worry about me." Ver interjects. "I'll hold the fort while you are away, as well as gather some more food for the Nephilim in the meantime."

"In that case, I'll keep Shirabe and Kirika here to protect you." Nastassja insists.

"I'm not planning to start any conflicts, so it won't be necessary." Ver says. "If anything, It'll be better for you to keep our forces at your side."

While hesitant to leave him unguarded, Nastassja decides to take Ver's suggestion. "We shall return at the appointed time. I'll leave the rest to you."

Watching as the door closes behind his allies as they leave for the inspection of the Frontier, Ver's calm demeanor shifts into his true schieming demeanor. "With that settled, it's time to see if our prey takes the bait." He says with an evil grin.

On Dr. Nastassja's end, Maria remembered something, "Shirabe, were you going to say something before the alarm went off?"

Shirabe wanted to ask her question, but decided against it. "It's nothing important." She said, "It can wait until we return from the inspection."

While Maria wished to hear what Shirabe wanted to say, she was right, the mission took priority above all else.


Kana's POV:
Lydian


Sprinting down the halls, Kana rushes over to where she was supposed to meet Tsubasa and Kanade. On the way, as she harshly lectured herself for not keeping track of time, she doesn't pay attention to where she was going and rams into another student, dropping the supplies she was carrying. "I'm very sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was go- " Upon looking to see who she ran into, she was met by none other than Chris. "Chris? What's going on?"

"No... No time for that! They're coming!" Chris replied, catching her breath before hiding against the wall.

Looking through the opening, all Kana sees is a group of girls run by. "I don't see anything suspicious..."

"Good. That means I managed to lose them." Chris said, sighing in relief.

"I'm confused, who are you talking about?" Kana asks her friend.

"Some girls from my class." Chris answered. "They keep trying to get me involved in some school event." Hearing her reason, Kana rolls her eyes and starts to pick up her dropped supplies. "Did you forget about that strange 'Finé' organization that attacked us? We hardly have time for stuff like this. What are you doing, anyway?"

"Since you seemed interested," Kana sarcastically replies, "I'm on my way to help Tsubasa-san and Kanade-san prepare for that 'school event' you're trying to not get involved in. Though, it seems like you'll be involved regardless..."

"What are you going on about?" Chris asked.

"The way I see it, you can either head back and get dragged into it, or you can come with me to help Tsubasa-san and Kanade-san for a bit." Kana continues. "Besides, either way ends in you getting involved, so why not help your allies for a bit?" As annoyed by her roommate's arrogance as she was, Kana had a point.

"Fine..." Chris said, agreeing to Kana's suggestion. "Lead the way." Smiling at her victory, Kana picks up the remainder of her supplies and heads off to where Kanade and Tsubasa were waiting.


Kana and Chris' POV:
Lydian Classroom


As they began to approach their destination, Kana starts some small talk with Chris. "So... Are you used to life at Lydian yet?"

"You're the last person to be asking me that kind of question." Chris quickly lectures. "You came from an entirely different world. Can you truly say that you're used to life here yourself?" She wasn't too concerned if anyone heard her say that last part, mostly due to the empty halls around them.

"You've got a point there..." Kana replies, "Though, to be honest, the new Lydian reminds me a lot of home. Regardless, we can both agree that this lifestyle is very different than what we each individually grew up with."

"More or less..." Chris says, agreeing to Kana's statement.

Not much longer after that attempt at small talk, they finally arrive at where Kana was supposed to meet with Kanade and Tsubasa. "Hey everyone! Sorry I'm late!" She says, "I lost track of time and came as quick as I could."

"No worries, Kana-chan." Kanade said.

"So you're Kana-chan." One of the other girls with Kanade and Tsubasa said, "Kanade-san mentions you a lot. From what she's told us, you're a really nice person." Before continuing, the girls properly introduce themselves to Kana and Chris as Ayumu Takasaka, Tōko Sabe, and Ako Ōki.

"It's nice to meet you three." Kana says. "As Kanade said, I'm Kana Kamui and this here is my good friend and roommate Chris Yukine."

"Glad you were able to join us, Yukine." Tsubasa said, receiving a cold stare from Chris.

Not much longer after that, The seven of them get to work on preparations for the school festival. "So, if you don't mind me asking, how did you three get to know Tsubasa-san and Kanade-san?" Kana asks.

"We're their classmates." Ayumu answered. "Although, in the past, Tsubasa-san wasn't as easy to approach as Kanade-san was."

"That's true." Tōko added. "While Kanade-san was a very outgoing person, Tsubasa-san seemed to be in her own world. To be fair, they both are celebrities, as well as pop stars."

"But when we worked up the courage to talk with Tsubasa-san," Ako continued, "We quickly realized how we weren't too different after all!"

Hearing her classmates' kind words, Tsubasa couldn't help but smile. "Sounds like those two are doing just fine at Lydian." Chris sarcastically says to Kana about Kanade and Tsubasa.

"What? Were you upset by that?" Kana asks.

"Dunno." Chris answers. "But I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to try a bit harder too. Only a little though..."

Kana grins to her friend. "Sound good to me."

"Then how about we do a little more work today?" Tōko asked.

"Yeah, we might as well finish up with what's left of our supplies." Ako added.

Some time later, the group finished up with their decorations and called it a day, heading to their homes... Until Section Two gave Kana and Co. a call...


Kana and Hibiki's POVs:
F.I.S. HQ


Upon receiving a call, the wielders were brought to an abandoned hospital, which seemed to be the base of their enemies. However, as to avoid any risks, the wielders were split into groups of 3: Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris would scout the base as Kana, Kanade, and Serena kept watch for any suspicious activity outside. "The sooner we can put an end to this the better, so we end this tonight!" Genjuro said over the wielders' comms. "Stick to the plan, and it'll be over before you know it!"

"And again, sorry we called you out so late on a school night." Ogawa added.

"Don't worry about it." Tsubasa replied, "After all, this is our duty as wielders."

"It's like sensei said, the sooner the better." Kana adds. "To be honest, it's more surprising just how close to us they were all along."

"This hospital was shut down a very long time ago." Ogawa stated. "But our reports have shown that various supplies have been coming in, bit by bit, for the past two months. And, as much as I hate to admit it, that's currently all we know."

"In that case, I'd say it's time we get them out of their hiding spot." Chris said, rushing into the abandoned hospital, Tsubasa and Hibiki following right behind her.

"Be careful, you three." Serena said.

"I'm sure they'll be fine, Serena." Kanade reassured her friend.

"And hey, once we bring them in, we can hopefully get some answers for you about your past." Kana adds, knowing how eager Serena was for answers.

Meanwhile with Hibiki's group, the trio pass a corner and see a room covered in a red fog. "They've really set up a whole 'abandoned hospital' atmosphere too..." Hibiki says.

"What? Don't tell me you're scared of this." Chris said.

"That's not what I mean!" Hibiki quickly answers. "The air in here just feels heavy..."

While the others chatted amongst themselves, Tsubasa was quick to notice something approaching their location. "Looks like their welcoming party arrived sooner than expected." She said, alerting her teammates of the incoming Noise on the other side of the red fog. With their enemy sighted, the three wasted no time in transforming.


"Killter Ichaival tron"


(Bye-Bye Lullaby begins to play)

"Team 1 has entered combat!" Sakuya reported.

"Should we go assist them, Sensei?" Kana asks.

"No. For now, keep watch for any suspicious activity outside." Genjuro ordered. Despite these orders, Kana couldn't help but feel anxious.

On the other end, Chris, Hibiki, and Tsubasa engaged the Noise directly. However, as they continued to fight, their attacks started damaging the Noise less and less. "What the hell is going on? Why can't we do enough damage to them?" Chris asked.

Almost instantly, Tsubasa could tell what was going on, "Our Gears' outputs are dropping."

The others were alerted to this directly by Section Two, causing the rest of Kana's group to grow anxious too. "Boss?" Kanade asked.

"It may be best to get closer to their position, but stay alert for any possible signs of an ambush!" Genjuro said, causing Kana, Kanade, and Serena to hurry over and assist their allies.

While it was more difficult than before, Hibiki's group dispatched the Noise to the best of their ability. However, they were given no time to relax or process their situation before another beast struck from the shadows, jumping at Hibiki. Reacting quickly, Hibiki punched the monster away, but it quickly rebounded and went to attack once more, this time getting struck by Tsubasa's blade, getting sent flying backwards. "What's going on?! You hit that thing directly with your Armed Gear!" Chris said.

"But why didn't it turn to ashes?" Tsubasa asked, continuing Chris' train of thought.

"Maybe that thing is not a Noise?" Hibiki asks.

"Then just what the hell is that monster?!" Chris asked. Suddenly, clapping could be heard as a figure appeared from the shadows, the monster returning to its' side. "Is that...?" Upon coming closer to them, the group quickly recognized the figure. "Dr. Ver?!"

"I must admit, you're smarter than I expected." Dr. Ver commented, closing the cage the monster walked into.

"I don't understand... Back when the Iwakuni base was attacked... You were nowhere to be seen!" Hibiki says.

"I get it." Chris said. "Those attacks on that mission were planned!"

"To be honest, it was really simple to pull off." Dr. Ver stated. "When the attack happened, Solomon's Cane was never in the case. I had it hidden underneath my coat."

"So you pretended that the Noise were attacking you and disappeared in the chaos, all so you could steal Solomon's Cane?" Tsubasa asked.

"Only Solomon's Cane is capable of summoning the Noise and keeping them under control." Dr. Ver continued, summoning several Noise behind him. "And the only one really worthy to wield Solomon's Cane right now... Is me! Wouldn't you agree?"

"Like Hell you are!" Chris retorted. This reaction made the doctor chuckle, sending the Noise towards the three. Immediately, Chris goes to launch a Mega Deth Party at the approaching Noise. Once she fires the rockets, she begins to reel in pain.

"With lowered compatibility values, the Gears are placing a great amount of stress on the wielders' bodies." Aoi reported.

"Kana-kun! You and your group need to get to Hibiki-kun's group ASAP!" Genjuro ordered. "While we're not completely sure what's going on, they are in a dangerous situation and need backup!"

"Don't have to tell me twice, Sensei!" Kana answers as her group immediately gets into their Gears and arrive just outside the area Chris blew up with her rockets. Suddenly, a huge Noise could be seen leaving the area with a small cage, and Tsubasa could be seen chasing after it. "If Tsubasa-san's after that, then it must be important to the enemy!"

(Gekkō no Tsurugi begins to play)

"Kana-kun, if you can, find a way to help Tsubasa stop that Noise!" Genjuro quickly said over comms.

"Understood!" Kana replies, activating her augmentation for Tsubasa's Ame no Habakiri. "Kanade-san, remember what we did back when I needed to save Miku? Let's do that again!"

Kanade smirks, remembering that plan fondly. "Alright! Serena, give me a boost into the air!" Serena nods, lifting her friend into the air as Kana uses her draconic wings formed through her Dragon Fang to get airborne. As they did once before, Kanade swung her spear like a baseball bat and collided with Kana's sword, sending her towards the Noise at breakneck speeds.

Mid-flight, Kana activated her Ame no Habakiri augment's variant of Shining Yato, using it to cut through the Noise like a hot knife through butter, causing the Noise to drop the cage as it disintegrated. "Tsubasa-san! Jump and grab the cage!" Kana shouts to Tsubasa, doing what she could to halt her momentum without bringing harm to herself.

Tsubasa was closing in on the edge of the abandoned hospital's runway, jumping was her only option to reach the cage in time. Immediately, she jumps over the ocean. "Headquarters! Surface immediately!" Genjuro ordered. Within seconds, a ship emerged from the water below Tsubasa, who used it to propel herself through the air and grabbing the cage.

"I've got the cage!" Tsubasa said, "I'm bring it back to-" She was cut off as a surprise attack caused her to drop the cage and fall into the ocean.

"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki and Kana shout in worry. They look to see who or what caused that strike to happen, only to see a spear hover above the water. Seconds later, the spear's owner lands on its hilt: Maria Cadenzavna Eve was responsible for striking at Tsubasa, reclaiming the cage with the monster inside it.

Kanade and Serena finally catch up to Hibiki and Chris, who had captured Dr. Ver, and looked at the ocean. "That's..." Serena said in shock.

"Perfect timing, Finé." Dr. Ver said, shocking the wielders.

"Did you just say 'Finé'?" Serena asked.

"It is a name that means 'the end'." Dr. Ver stated. "While it is the name of our organization, it also serves as the second name of the girl you see before you."

"Wait..." Serena said, "Then that means... Maria-san is..."

"That's right!" Dr. Ver said. "The newly awakened reincarnation of Finé!"

With this newfound information, the wielders are taken by surprise, however, Serena only becomes more curious by this revelation.

"Finé is able to revive herself through anyone that carries her genes, allowing her to come back to life eternally throughout history." Chris stated.

"Then... What happened to the singer known as Maria?" Hibiki asks.

"Well... I'm sure that's something we would all like to know." Dr. Ver said. For once, Serena could agree with the Mad Doctor.

Meanwhile, Maria was glad to have been able to successfully reclaim the Nephilim from the wielders. As she decided what her next move would be, suddenly, Tsubasa emerges from the water and charges at Maria. She anticipates Tsubasa's attack, dodging it while barely moving. "It is foolish to underestimate me!" Tsubasa shouted, firing an azure flash towards Maria.

Maria simply blocks the attack with her cape, keeping her focus on Tsubasa. "To underestimate my opponent would be a fatal mistake!" Within seconds, Maria throws Tsubasa towards Section Two's submarine, tossing the caged beast into the air, which disappears midair, and landing on the ship with her lance in hand. "Which is why I will fight you with everything I have!"

"Hold it!" A voice called out. Moments later, Serena lands in between Tsubasa and Maria.

(Kono Ima wo Ikite begins to play)

"Serena? What are you-" Tsubasa tried to ask, but Serena simply put her hand up.

"You're still recovering from Dr. Ver's trap. Leave Maria to me for now." Serena said, "Besides, I have some questions that need answering." Tsubasa wanted to argue this, but Serena was right, Maria was at her full strength and Tsubasa wasn't, this was the best option for the time being.

"Tsubasa-san!" Kana shouts, landing on the sub, wasting no time in trying to heal Tsubasa. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, for the most part." Tsubasa answered. "Right now, I'm more concerned for Yukine's condition than my own. Not to mention, Serena." Kana looks to where Tsubasa was looking, seeing Serena approach Maria.

"Oh?" Maria said, intrigued by Serena's request to face her alone. "This must be important if you had to intervene in the middle of the fight."

Wasting no time, Serena gets straight to the point, "I have something I need to know for myself. Maria... Finé... Whoever you really are... Who am I?"

"'Who are you'?" Maria said, confused by the question. "Did you forget who you were? Your name is Serena Ka-"

A dagger passes next to Maria's face, close enough to get her attention, but far enough to not injure her in any way. "That's not what I mean and you know it!" Serena said. "Serena Kamui was who I became the day Kana saved me. I was told my true name by Kana and Lilith when I woke up, but I took their surname to avoid any unnecessary attention from enemies. For the longest time, I thought nothing of my true name, until someone showed up months later bearing the same last name that Kana told me all those years ago: You, Maria Cadenzavna Eve."

"Serena..." Kana says quietly.

"Kamui?" Tsubasa asked, "What is Serena talking about?" Kana kept quiet, knowing what her sister was about to ask.

"What are you getting at?" Maria asked.

"I'll rephrase the question in a way that makes more sense." Taking a deep breath, Serena prepared herself for what could change everything she knew.


"Who is Serena Cadenzavna Eve?"


A/N: I don't really have much to add here in regards to the story.

I honestly just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for enjoying this fanfic thus far. It honestly means a lot that people are honestly enjoying this, and I hope to continue making something you all enjoy.

With that said, thank you all for reading and I'll see you all in the next chapter!