Prologue
26th January 2010
Flames licked the ancient stone of the church ruin. The heat of the blazing inferno was scorching the surrounding area, but at this distance, it was no more than a cosy fire to Light Yagami. It was really quite beautiful, tongues of orange and yellow, dancing, reaching for the sky in exhilaration; a perfect reflection of his inner mood.
It was a shame to lose Takada. She had been very useful to him, as well as possessed a poise and grace that Misa so sorely lacked. Pretending to love her had been a whole lot easier, as she didn't grate on his patience with every word she spoke. Regardless, he simply could not risk that she fall into Near's hands. Not after today. Not with Mello's real name on her piece of the notebook.
He could hardly believe how smoothly things had gone. Mello had given him more trouble than any of his previous enemies—bar of course L. Not only had he embarrassed Light by playing the death note right out of his hands, using Light's own sister as a bargaining tool, he had also foiled its recapture once, and his own neutralisation twice. The second time the attempt had even cost Light his father's life. Taking out Mello was a purely tactical manoeuvre, but Light had to admit that it felt good to get revenge, both for his father's death, and Sayu's kidnapping. Or rather, the awkward position these events had landed Light in. Yes, Mello had been an inconvenience of the highest order, but now that troublesome backup to L had finally and truly gone in his predecessor's footsteps. There was only Near left. Not bad for a day's work.
In two days, Light would meet with Near, and if everything went according to plan, this whole business could be finished once and for all. He was on the home stretch, and the world was a little brighter for it. Or perhaps it was just the light of the dancing flames.