Kamen Rider Faiz, Another Paradise.

Episode 1: 555-891

*Somewhere in Tokyo, an abandoned mysterious laboratory."

The air inside the laboratory was stagnant, heavy with dust and the faint scent of oxidized metal. The place seemed abandoned for years: the concrete walls were cracked, rusted pipes hung from the ceiling, and old electronic terminals were scattered across the tables, covered in a thick layer of dust. Frayed cables dangled like cobwebs, and the flickering neon lights cast irregular shadows on the walls.

At the far end of the room, next to a massive steel safe embedded in the wall, a figure worked tirelessly. Dressed in dark clothing and thin gloves, they were completely focused on the device in front of them. Their face was concealed by a black, opaque motorcycle helmet, reflecting only the bluish glow of a small laptop screen.

Their fingers moved with surgical precision across the keyboard, inputting a series of cryptic commands. Lines of code rapidly scrolled across the monitor as a progress bar slowly filled. The process was long, and the system's security did not yield easily. The intruder, however, did not seem discouraged.

"Damn thing… You're really stubborn, huh?" the figure muttered, their voice slightly distorted by the helmet.

They had spent days working on that safe—analyzing its defense mechanisms, deciphering its security protocols, and disabling its digital safeguards. It wasn't just an electronic lock; the security system had been designed with cutting-edge technology, typical of Smart Brain. But they were a professional. And they weren't about to give up after coming this far.

Suddenly, the screen vibrated, and a flashing message appeared in red characters:

[FINAL LOCK ACTIVATED – COUNTERMEASURES ENGAGED]

The intruder gritted their teeth. The mechanical sound of gears shifting echoed through the room as a series of pistons activated behind the metal. A final defense mechanism had been triggered. They recognized it instantly. If they didn't solve the last security puzzle within the next thirty seconds, the safe would lock permanently—perhaps even self-destruct.

"Damn it." Their hands flew back to the keyboard. The code was changing continuously, making a direct attack impossible. They had to think fast.

"If I were a Smart Brain engineer, how would I protect something this valuable?" Their eyes, hidden behind the visor, quickly scanned the lines of code. Then, realization struck.

"Locking the safe is an extreme measure. If there's a lock, then there must also be an emergency access point. But where is it?"

They scanned the digital structure, searching for a weakness. Then they found it: an old string of code, likely a remnant from a previous system version. "Gotcha!"

They typed a precise command and hit ENTER.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then—

CLUNK!

A deep metallic sound reverberated through the laboratory. The internal mechanism of the safe had unlocked.

The intruder froze, holding their breath. Cautiously, they reached out with a gloved hand and grasped the steel handle. They pulled.

The door creaked open.

Inside, resting carefully on a black velvet support, was a gray briefcase.

Stamped on its surface was a logo the intruder knew all too well:

SMART BRAIN.

Their heart pounded. This was the key. The reason they had risked so much. They reached out and firmly grasped the briefcase.

And in that moment—

THE ALARM WENT OFF.

A sharp, piercing sound filled the room, bouncing off the crumbling walls. Red lights flashed violently, intermittently illuminating the intruder's concealed face.

"Fuck!" they cursed through clenched teeth. They had underestimated the possibility of a residual alarm system.

Wasting no time, they bolted from the room, clutching the briefcase in one hand and the laptop in the other. They sprinted down the decayed corridor as automated security shutters began to drop behind them.

The motorcycle was parked exactly where they had left it—just outside the laboratory's side entrance. A black motorcycle, with a matte fuel tank and a silent yet powerful engine.

They didn't slow down. With a swift motion, they jumped onto the seat, turned the key, and revved the engine. The alarm continued blaring, and whoever had designed that laboratory would already know about the intrusion.

They twisted the throttle.

With a deafening roar, the motorcycle shot into the darkness of the night.

*Tokyo, Night Streets, a Few Minutes Later*

The asphalt glistened under the city's streetlights, still damp after a light evening rain. The roar of the engine echoed between the buildings as the motorcycle sped through the empty streets. The mysterious Rider gripped the handlebars firmly, leather gloves tightening around the grips while the wind howled around the matte helmet.

On the rear luggage rack, securely fastened with straps, the Smart Brain suitcase and the laptop swayed slightly with every turn. Losing them was not an option. Not now.

A quick glance at the rearview mirror—

Red and blue lights flashed in the night. Three police cruisers were on his tail. Sirens blared, headlights cutting through the darkness like luminous blades, weaving through oncoming traffic to block off any possible escape route. This wasn't just any patrol: they moved in perfect coordination, almost as if they had been waiting for him.

"Dang, stupid alarm." He accelerated. The engine roared aggressively as the motorcycle gained speed, weaving between lanes with surgical precision. The speedometer climbed past 120 km/h, then 140, and beyond. The moving cars became mere blurs of light and color, the wind slammed against his chest, but he held firm.

The police radio crackled through the night. "Unit 1 to Unit 2, suspect is accelerating on Highway 316! Block all exits!"

"Copy that, deploying spike strips at the next intersection!"

"Spike strips?!" The mysterious Rider gritted his teeth. If his tires got punctured, it was over. He had to think fast. To his left, the Shibaura railway bridge loomed over the main road, with a maintenance passage running parallel to the tracks.

"Perfect." He made a sudden sharp turn, leaning the bike so low it nearly scraped the asphalt, and veered onto a side road. The tires screeched as the motorcycle skidded, sparks flying against the guardrail.

"Suspect has changed course! After him!" The officers didn't waste a second and swerved to follow. But he—or she—had a plan.

Ahead, the maintenance passage was blocked by a rusty metal fence. Without hesitation, he pressed a button on the handlebar, and the engine let out a ferocious growl.

VRRROOOOM!

He jumped.

For a brief moment, the motorcycle lifted into the air, its frame shuddering under the tension of the leap. The fence shattered as the Rider landed onto the narrow path beside the tracks. Behind him, the police cars weren't as lucky: one crashed straight into the barrier, while the other two swerved sharply to avoid a collision.

"Dammit! Unit 1 is down! Unit 3, intercept from the other side of the bridge!"

The Rider gripped the handlebars and continued racing along the maintenance path, dodging concrete pillars and railway signs. It was a race against time.

A menacing sound behind him—

A freight train was approaching fast, its headlights blazing down the tracks like burning eyes.

Too close. He had to get out of there before it was too late.

Up ahead, a small concrete ramp led to another elevated road. A perfect opportunity. He pushed the throttle to its limit, squeezing every last bit of power from the engine.

And then, he jumped again.

WOOM!

The motorcycle soared off the railway passage, clearing a small concrete staircase before landing onto a secondary road. The suspension absorbed the impact with a sharp bounce, and the Rider sped away without losing momentum.

Behind him, the freight train thundered past the maintenance path, cutting off the police cars.

"God Dammit! We lost him!" Silence filled the police radio.

Meanwhile, the mysterious Rider took a turn and slowed down slightly. He had shaken them off.

A heavy breath. His heart pounded, but the plan had worked.

Now, only one question remained.

What was inside that suitcase? ...Yeah, he had stolen this thing without even knowing what it was.

*A Few Minutes Later*

The motorcycle engine cut off with a final metallic sputter, leaving the studio apartment in silence. The mysterious Rider dismounted with a smooth movement, still slightly shaken from the adrenaline of the chase. Grabbing the briefcase and laptop from the cargo rack, he headed toward his apartment door.

A single heartbeat, louder than the others. He cast a quick glance behind him. No police cars in sight. No one was following him. "Good… for now, I'm safe." Taking a deep breath, he slid the key into the lock, turned the knob, and pushed the door open.

The studio was small but incredibly tidy. A neatly made single bed, a desk with precisely stacked folders and a couple of technical books. A minimalist kitchen, equipped only with the essentials. On the wall near the window, a dark leather jacket hung—one almost identical to the one he was still wearing.

He shut the door behind him and switched on the light. A neon lamp illuminated the central table, casting sharp shadows on the walls.

With a decisive motion, he removed his helmet, revealing slightly disheveled brown hair. Two hazel eyes, filled with determination, fixed on the briefcase he was gripping tightly. He was 19, but his gaze carried the weight of someone who had seen and lived through far more than his age would suggest.

Carefully, he set the briefcase down on the table and powered on his laptop. The screen lit up with a sequence of codes and a customized system interface. With a swift motion, he inserted a USB drive and launched a decryption program.

Time to find out what he had risked his neck for.

He sat down, running his fingers along the edge of the briefcase. The Smart Brain logo, embossed on the metal surface, almost seemed to glow under the artificial light.

He took a deep breath and unlocked the case with a double metallic click.

Inside, nestled within perfectly molded protective foam, was a belt. "What the hell…?"

It resembled the Faiz Belt, but with noticeable differences. The main structure was still gray, but instead of Faiz's signature red accents, this one featured emerald green highlights. The details along the sides were more refined, with additional grooves and sections suggesting a more advanced design.

Next to the belt, secured in a dedicated compartment, was a Phone.

It, too, bore similarities to the Faiz Phone, but its design mirrored the belt's colors—gray and emerald green. On the back of the device, engraved with meticulous precision, was a variant of the Hexa symbol, slightly different from the one he knew.

The young man remained still for a few seconds. His breathing grew heavier as his mind pieced things together.

Then, almost under his breath, he muttered a question "What… is this?" He spoke softly, as if saying it out loud would finally confirm that what he was seeing was real.

His fingers brushed against the edge of the belt, feeling the cold, metallic texture. His heart pounded. This… was no ordinary belt.

It was something more.

The mysterious boy stared at the Hexa Belt for a long moment, trying to process what he had just found. The advanced design, the green accents, the symbol embedded in the Phone… Everything screamed Smart Brain technology.

But why was a belt like this locked away in a high-security vault?

The question hammered in his mind as he stood up and walked over to his desk. With a swift motion, he turned his computer monitor towards himself and began typing.

His fingers moved across the keyboard with speed and precision. The black terminal interface displayed a stream of running code as the decryption software did its job. He had spent weeks infiltrating Smart Brain's systems, gathering data, studying their security protocols. He knew the company had extremely advanced protection levels, but he had already breached their firewalls before.

This time would be no different.

After a few minutes of waiting, the monitor beeped, and a message appeared: "Access to classified files confirmed."

Holding his breath, the boy quickly scanned through the encrypted documents. Texts, diagrams, blueprints… He focused on searching for a name: "Hexa Gear."

"Found it." He clicked on the file and opened it.

Detailed schematics of the belt, annotations, and test logs appeared on the screen. He skimmed through the documents, deciphering key information.

Project Name: Hexa Gear-SB-861
Developed by: Smart Brain Research Division
Objective: Create a transformation device usable by both humans and Orphnochs
Status: Project completed and archived due to incompatibility with Smart Brain's directives

Scrolling further, he found a more detailed note: "The Hexa Belt successfully passed initial testing. However, its use by humans raised ethical and political concerns within the organization. Smart Brain decreed that only Orphnochs should wield the power of the belts. As a result, the project was archived, and the belt was secured in a high-level vault."

The boy clenched his jaw. "So that's why it was sealed away? This belt… it allows humans to transform?"

A spark of determination flashed in his eyes.

Hexa wasn't just a discarded prototype. It was a threat to Smart Brain's dominance. He opened another folder and started searching for information on the other existing belts.

After a few minutes, he found what he was looking for. Two files labeled Faiz Gear and Kaixa Gear. He opened both.

Project Name: Faiz Gear - Model SB-555
Developed by: Smart Brain Research Division
Technology: Orphnoch-based transformation system
Compatibility: Orphnochs only
Status: Project completed. Stolen by unknown individuals. Retrieval operation already in progress.

Project Name: Kaixa Gear - Model SB-913
Developed by: Smart Brain Research Division
Technology: Orphnoch-based transformation system
Compatibility: Orphnochs only (even stricter than Faiz Gear)
Side Effects: High risk of death for human users
Status: Project completed. Stolen by unknown individuals. Retrieval operation already in progress.

The boy clenched his fist. "So there are other belts out there…"

Whoever was using Faiz and Kaixa was already at war with Smart Brain… right? And if they had survived this long, it meant they were strong.

He stood up, crossing his arms as he pondered.

Hexa was the key to changing the rules of the game. But he couldn't take on Smart Brain alone. If he truly wanted to stop the organization, he would need allies. And the holders of the Faiz Belt and Kaixa Belt were his only lead.

Grabbing the emerald green Phone from the briefcase, he turned it over in his hands, thinking through his next move. Then, he quickly typed a number on his computer display, launching a tracking program.

"I'll find Faiz and Kaixa."

The screen displayed a map of the city as the system scanned for any possible trace of the two Riders. The game had just begun.

In the silence of his studio apartment, the sudden sound of a ringtone broke the tense air. The boy turned toward the phone, still lost in his thoughts about the Hexa Belt.

Brrr… Brrr… Brrr…

A familiar name appeared on the display: Hikari.

The boy stared at it for a moment, hesitating. Then he picked up the phone and answered. "Hello?"

On the other end, a bright and energetic voice filled the room: "Rei-nii-chan! Finally! Do you know how long I've been waiting for your call? Did you forget about me?"

Rei allowed himself a faint smile. "Don't say nonsense, Hikari. I just… have a lot of work to do."

"Work, work! It's always 'work' with you. But when are you coming home, Onii-chan?"

Rei closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Hikari… I can't come back yet. But I will. I promise."

There was a brief moment of silence on the other end. Then his little sister's voice became softer: "…Do you really promise?"

"Yes. And promises are meant to be kept, right?"

"…Right."

"Good. But now you have to be patient, okay? And don't get into trouble while I'm away."

"I don't get into trouble! It's you who disappears into thin air!"

Rei smiled faintly, then sighed. "We'll talk soon, Hikari."

"Mmmh… Okay. But you owe me an ice cream when you come back!"

"Deal." He hung up the call and stared at the phone for a few seconds. Then he returned to his Hexa Gear.

There was no time for emotions. He needed to prepare properly.

Days Later*

For days, Rei immersed himself in studying the Hexa Belt.

He spent hours dismantling the Phone, analyzing every circuit, deciphering every function. He studied the belt's structure, tested the activation sequences, and examined the transformation commands. The Hexa Belt was similar to the Faiz Belt, but it had some unique features:

It didn't require Orphnoch DNA to be used.

It had greater resistance to impacts.

It possessed a more efficient energy system.

He tested its power multiple times, transforming and practicing the attack commands. His first attempts were clumsy, but over time, he began to master every move.

"Hexa… isn't bad at all."

When he finally felt he had full control over the Belt, he decided it was time to take action. He needed to find Faiz and Kaixa.

...*

The sky was covered with light clouds as Tokyo's traffic flowed endlessly. Rei walked through the streets, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket.

The Hexa Belt was well hidden under his clothes. He didn't know what was going to happen, but he preferred to be ready.

As he passed by a vending machine, a thunderous explosion echoed through the streets.

BOOOOM!

Rei turned sharply.

From a nearby alley, under some kind of balcony, he saw a red-clad figure staggering backward.

"…What?"

A few seconds later, another figure emerged from behind a column, advancing confidently. A warrior clad in yellow and black armor.

Rei observed the scene intently.

"Those are… the Riders." He immediately recognized Faiz and Kaixa.

Meanwhile, two people stood nearby, a young man and a young woman, both shocked by the scene.

"Takumi!" the girl shouted, running toward Faiz.

Rei remained on the sidelines, analyzing the situation.

Kaixa was on a black motorcycle… No, more than a motorcycle, it looked like a two-wheeled tank.

Rei clenched his teeth. "What the hell is going on between those two?"

But he couldn't just stand by and watch.

Time seemed to slow down.

Rei's eyes were locked onto the scene. Kaixa had just pulled the trigger.

From the Side Basshar's missile launcher, six massive cylinders hissed through the air, leaving a trail of smoke behind. As they flew, the cylinders opened, revealing dozens of smaller missiles inside, all locked onto Faiz.

"No way!" Rei couldn't let that happen.

With a swift motion, he tightened the Hexa Belt around his waist.

The device locked into place with a metallic click, adjusting perfectly to his body. He then pulled the Hexa Phone from his pocket, his fingers moving swiftly over the keypad.

8 – 6 – 1

A sharp electronic sound rang out. "STANDING BY."

Static energy made the air around him vibrate.

Rei tightened his grip on the device and brought it close to the Hexa Belt. "HENSHIN!"

With a fluid motion, he inserted the Phone into the belt's connector. "COMPLETE."

An emerald-green surge of light burst from the device, illuminating Rei in an instant. Digital structures formed around him, like data assembling into a tangible shape.

The armor of Kamen Rider Hexa enveloped his body.

Dark gray and green, its design was more aerodynamic than Faiz and Kaixa's. The armor was lightweight yet durable, built for agility and speed. His helmet featured a glowing green visor, resembling a digital interface, and thin hexagonal lines extended across his chest and shoulders, as if built upon a perfect data framework.

Rei didn't waste a second.

He shot forward.

...*

The missiles tore through the air, breaking the sound barrier as they locked onto Faiz.

Takumi was barely getting back up after the last hit. He had no time to react.

But Hexa did.

Rei leaned forward slightly as the motors in his armor activated with an electronic hum. A green current surged through his body, and in an instant, he launched forward at an unreal speed.

His legs kicked off the ground like reinforced springs, leaving behind a surge of emerald energy.

The pavement beneath him cracked slightly from the sheer force.

He closed in on Faiz with inhuman speed.

The shockwave of his movement sent dust swirling, shaking the debris around him.

Takumi only noticed the shadow approaching at the last second. "What—?!"

Before the missiles could hit, Rei grabbed him by the torso and shoved him aside.

Time seemed to slow down again.

Takumi felt the air rush past at insane speed as his body was yanked away by an unknown force. "Who the hell—?!"

Seconds later, the missiles struck the ground where Faiz had been standing.

BOOOOOM!

A shockwave rattled the windows of nearby buildings. The asphalt cracked, creating a small crater in the streets of Tokyo.

Takumi and Rei landed a few meters away.

Faiz recovered quickly and got back on his feet, ready to retaliate.

But when he looked up, he saw Hexa standing before him.

The new Kamen Rider straightened up, the green reflections of his armor shimmering in the fading sunset light.

His digital visor quickly scanned the area, calculating distances and threats.

Then, Hexa turned slightly toward Faiz. "You alright?"

Takumi stared at him, surprise evident even beneath his armor.

Who the hell was this guy?

And more importantly… Friend or foe?

*...*

The air was still thick with smoke and dust. The crater carved out by the missile explosion was still smoldering, with debris and chunks of asphalt scattered all around.

Masato, still on the Side Basshar, observed the scene with a sharp glare.

A new Rider?

His gaze locked onto Hexa, the mysterious Kamen Rider who had appeared out of nowhere and saved Faiz at the last second.

Hexa's dark gray and emerald-green armor gleamed under the city lights, its hexagonal patterns pulsing faintly with digital energy.

Masato clenched his teeth. That guy had just ruined his plans.

His grip on the Side Basshar's handlebars tightened as he aimed the bike's mounted weapon directly at him "Who the hell are you?" he asked, his voice laced with challenge.

Hexa remained silent. "I asked you a question, idiot," Masato pressed.

No response. The new Rider didn't even move a millimeter.

Slowly, Masato tilted his head: "Fine. That just means I can skip the introductions."

With a swift motion, his thumb slid over the Side Basshar's trigger.

Click.

The targeting system activated instantly, locking onto both Hexa and Faiz with a glowing red reticle.

The interface flashed. "TARGET LOCKED."

Masato narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Sayonara."

His fingers squeezed the trigger. A sharp electronic sound echoed. The missiles were ready to launch.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Open you Eyes, for the Next Faiz.*

Takumi: "So who exactly are you?"

Rei: "Rei Aizawa."

Mari: "A Belt that can be used by humans?"

Rei: "Are you two Orphnoch?"

Masato: "Takumi was protecting an Orphnoch."

Mari: "Why, Takumi?"

Masato: "It will be a pleasure working with you, Aizawa-San."

Rei: "There's something weird here... ...And I'm going to find out what it is."

Episode 2: The Hacker Rider.

*AUTHOR NOTES*

For those wondering when this chapter takes place, the pre-battle events where Rei finds the Hexa Belt take place more or less parallel to Faiz episode 13. The fight between Kaixa and Faiz, on the other hand, takes place in episode 15. Leave a review, whether it's positive or negative, is fine, turn on notifications so you don't miss any chapters, and see you next time everybody!