Death Note: Return from Purgatory

Part 1: Revival of the Savior

Page 1: Return from the Brink

"Just as I thought... Humans are so... Interesting!" -Ryuk

Kira.

It was name of both reverence, fear, respect, awe, disgust, and scorn. Some thought him or her to be a killer, a monster that murdered under the pretext of justice. Others believed him to be a messiah, a god that watched over them and delivered righteous judgment to the world. This was how the world saw him, and this was how Kira saw the world: nothing but black and gray.

Little did people know that Kira was originally a high school student, and recently the most brilliant detective in the world... Light Yagami. He was a genius in his school days, athletic and smart in a single package, being among one of Japan's brightest. However, he was disgusted with the world's justice, seeing social indifference, crimes, and acts of savagery being committed almost every day.

And then came that fateful day where he found that incredible book, the one that turned him into a god of a new world order filled with honest, kind, and hard-working people while sinners were expelled via death.

The Death Note, the ultimate tool of the Shinigami, the gods of death.

"The moment you write a name in the Death Note, you're soul will be denied entry to Heaven and Hell... all that will await you is nothingness."

This was the unwritten term given to those that touch the Death Note, thus forfeiting their souls to the Shinigami that owns the book. Light knew the risks, and yet he continued this path. He became Kira, he became a God of a new world order...

And yet, here he was, lying in his own pool of blood. His back was slumped against the wall, his eyes growing heavier by the second. He saw a familiar black figure in front of him, but he couldn't see them clearly. His vision was blurry, as if it was murky water. He heard them say something, but their voice was lost in a filter of noise.

So this was how it was going to end... the almighty Kira, shot to death by a clumsy detective! How ironic could you be?!

And yet... Light felt pleased. 'It's funny, now that I think about it...' he thought wryly. 'Up until now, I was so scared of dying... I wanted to believe that this world needed a God... but the sad part is, it never needed one... All those lives I ruined... Was it all worth it?'

His memories went back to the day when he was bored out of his mind, having no power to change society until that fateful day came, and he saw a black book fall from the sky. 'I wonder... what sort of life would I have led if I never picked up that book? Would I have become a detective? Would dad still be alive? Would L still be alive? Hell, would I even be alive right about now?'

The more he thought about it, the more the thought that came from the back of his mind echoed out from the darkness. "How different would things have gone if I never became Kira?" Unfortunately, that was a path he had sentenced himself to. By killing that man, the one who took innocent people hostage, he became a man of reverence, people know of his existence, they knew that someone was exiling sinners from this world. Misa was living proof: she worshipped his very existence; she was his savior, the one who pulled her from the depths of despair when her parents were killed. He never returned her affections; he used her as a tool...

Again, another thought crossed his mind. If he had never become Kira, would she still be wallowing away in despair?

Light coughed, pain erupting in his chest as blood spluttered into his hand. The red liquid flowed past his fingers and splattered against the floor while his body remained slack. Slowly, Light's head turned to the door of the rooftop in the warehouse he took refuge in. There were harsh bangs against it, along with shouts. "So, they're here already..." Light muttered before seeing a familiar face standing not far away from him. A wistful smile appeared on his pale mug, closing his eyes. "So... even you're here to see me off, L..."

The door finally came unhinged, and a few people rushed in. Matsuda looked around before seeing Light's limp form against the wall, and slowly reached for his gun. "Light." Said youth slowly looked up through hazy eyes at Matsuda, probably one of the few people who was in denial. It seemed as if he still couldn't believe that Light was Kira, the original Kira, the "L-Kira".

"Matsuda..." Light greeted before coughing up again. "Please... don't tell... my mom... or my sister..." he requested. Matsuda was about to open his mouth, but one of the others gently grabbed his shoulder, shaking his head. Light was already a dead man, thus they had every right to grant his last request. "The last thing... they need... is to know that... I turned into... a..."

Light coughed again, only this time, he no longer felt pain. In fact, his whole body felt numb at this point. Matsuda holstered his gun and kneeled in front of Light, a hand on his shoulder. Once he gave a solemn nod, Light gave one last smile before his eyes closed for the final time.

Ryuk gave a sad sigh and snapped his Death Note shut, shaking his head. "What a way to go..." he muttered under his breath, spreading his night-black wings from his eyes before he looked at Light's corpse. It was strange, despite how he acted and became from the day he used the Death Note he looked... serene, at peace with himself, as if content with the state of the world. "Still, you made things pretty damn interesting, Light." However, his sadness vanished as a toothy grin reappeared on his face, slipping his book of murder back into the leather strap. "I can't even begin to think what sort of life you'll lead now... Hehehehehehehe!"

The group could have sworn they heard the sound of wings flapping as the clouds parted, revealing the long forgotten sunlight of old.

~~~Death Note: Return from Purgatory~~~

When Light awoke, he wasn't expecting some paradise or scene straight from a horror movie such as Hellraiser or the likes. Rather, he expected some kind of bleak, dreary scene, and indeed, it was that sort of place in which he stood in. It was nothing but a desert with large bones sticking out from the ground, collapsed buildings all around him with the stench of decay lingering in the air. All he could hear was the sound of the wind blowing against him, kicking up sand as it did so, and the rattling of chains. "So, this is the realm of nothingness..." Light observed, smiling thinly as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "It's actually... a bit more than I thought it would be."

"More like rotting if you ask Ryuk, or any of the Shinigami here."

Light turned to see a cloaked figure standing not far from him. They were tall, easily a head and a half than his own stature, dressed in tattered black robes stinking of decay, and rotting bandages wrapped around his hands. His face was obscured by a cracked white mask with no holes for eyes to peer out, and strands of black hair fell around it.

Light already had a pretty good idea who was standing in front of him. He didn't feel the least bit phased by this being's appearance, rather he was a bit curious. "Are you the Lord of the Shinigami?" he asked, desiring the answer to his thoughts. The figure nodded, causing Light to chuckle. "So, the king of death himself has come to greet a man who tried to become a God. I feel honored."

The death king gave a horse chuckle as he took a seat on a pile of rubble. "Ryuk told me that you were by far the most interesting human he had ever met." the being said amused. "And I can see that he was right. You aren't the least bit frightened, nor are you crying in despair. Most souls tainted by the Death Note suffer, but it seems to me like you've expected this."

Light gave a wry laugh at the Shinigami King's words, having found his words ironic. "He told me I have something to look forward to when I die, so I held him to his word." Light stated, remember Ryuk's warning when he saw how many names Light wrote in the book. "So, what happens now? I wander here for eternity?"

The Shinigami King gave a strange 'hum' as he folded his arms over his chest, even tilting his head as if in thought. "Well, that is normally what most are sentenced, but..." the Shinigami King looked up at Light. "Every now and then, I make exceptions... And you, Light Yagami... You are by far the most intriguing human I have ever seen. You wouldn't believe what I felt when I heard what Ryuk told me! A human playing God! I couldn't tell if you were born full of sheer arrogance, or perhaps delusional!"

'You're actually close, old man...' Light thought, but didn't voice out his opinion. Last thing he needed was to piss off the king of the gods of death.

"However, considering you're achievements, as well as your actions in the Human World..." the Shinigami King said as he stood up. Light could have sworn he heard the rattling of chains underneath the cloak. "I will give you an offer... One of which that could prove beneficial to you."

Light raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Go on..." he urged him.

"According to Rem and Ryuk, you've written down thousands of names in the Death Note, which is quite something. Personally, I've never heard of a human, much less any Shinigami here, that has written down so many names. To me, it would seem a waste for you to trudge around here aimlessly, looking for your father, who has been sentenced here as well." At the mention of his late father, Light's hands balled into fists. Even as Kira, the god of a new world, he couldn't do anything to save his father.

Perhaps it was proof that he was powerless, that his power came from the Death Note.

"That is why..." the Shinigami King stated, bringing Light back to reality. "I shall give you an offer. Considering your achievements, you shall have three paths open to you. The first," he lifted up one bandaged finger from his cloak. The finger was slim and long, almost bony and spider-like. "is the obvious. You wander Mu for eternity, as per the agreement of the contract between the human and the Shinigami." The Shinigami King lifted up a second finger. "The second is that you become a Shinigami yourself. Should you choose to accept, all memories of your past life will vanish, thus Light Yagami that human will cease to exist, and all that remains is your new self: a God of Death."

Light had to admit, that one sounded tempting. By becoming a Shinigami, he could resume his work, except he would no longer be human, and he wouldn't be Kira any longer... He would simply be a nameless being that thrived in a realm of decay. 'At least now I know what Ryuk meant by I'll have something to look forward to when I die.' he thought with a wry smile before gesturing the Shinigami King to continue.

However, he never expected the offer.

"The final offer... is that I return you back to the Human World."

Needless to say, Light was floored. Had he just heard that correctly? "Come again?" he asked in disbelief, staring at the old being as if he were insane. "Did you just say you'd send me back? How is that possible? I'm dead!"

"And I am the King of the Shinigami." the Shinigami King reminded him, and Light could have sworn he saw the mask curl into a toothy grin. "I am Hades, the Lord of Mu, and the King of Death. I am death itself. There is nothing beyond my reach."

Light just stared at the being. 'H-he's serious?' he thought in shock, trying to determine of this was just some elaborate prank or a complex lie, but soon realized that the being, Hades, was telling the truth. 'If I return to the Human World... I can return to being Kira. I can resume my quest to create a new world...'

'But...'

Several images flashed by in his head. They were the faces of the people who died because of him, the people that stood against him, or paid the price because of his foolishness. They were dead because of him, whether directly or indirectly. He even remembered all of their names, down to the very letter. 'Penber... Naomi... L... Dad...' Light felt his hands clenched tightly. 'What would be the point in coming back? Kira isn't needed... Near can create a perfect world by himself. Without Dad or anyone I care about there... what's the point?'

"Lord Hades..."

"Ah, perhaps I should mention this, but... when I say I will return you to the Human World, I meant that I would send you back to the beginning."

Light frowned, ceasing his thoughts altogether. "What do you mean by 'back to the beginning'?" he asked curiously.

Hades chuckled like a madman before he explain. "If you accept, you shall return back to the world of the living... back to the very day when you received the Death Note."

Light's eyes widened, and his body became stiff. Back to the beginning... If that were to happen...

'I could make things right...' Light thought, recalling every last name he had written down in the Death Note, as well as the lives that Kira had ruined. 'If I do this right...'

"Hades, answer me this!" Light demanded, his voice rising. "If I accept this offer, will I be able to change the world for the better? Better than what the god of that world had done?"

Hades gave a laugh, clapping his hands as he did so. "Hahah, you're quite amusing!" he said light-heartedly before the cloth around the mask came undone, revealing black holes. It was nothing but darkness within them, not a trace of light to be seen. "By accepting this offer, you will enter into a new contract, one that does not come often, Light Yagami." the Shinigami King warned. "Are you prepared to accept those terms?"

"I do indeed!" Light replied fiercely.

"Very well then..." Hades' cloak fell, and the mask shattered. Light could only stare slack-jawed as he saw a virtual double of himself, except with blood red hair and empty gray eyes. Bandages, thin black chains hung loosely from the ankles and wrists, some even protruding from the gaps of the cloth, covered most of his body. "The contract is thus: perish within the new world, and you're soul is mine."

Before Light had a chance to register what was going on, the bandages wrapped around the Shinigami King's body became unhinged, and shot around him before they tightened, encasing him. He smelled not the fragrance of death or decay, but rather, the new beginnings of life.

As he watched the darkness born from the bandages overtake him, he heard Hades give out this one declaration, his voice booming and echoing across the world of the Shinigami.

"Create a New World once more, Kira!"

Even when he was drowning in the abyss, Light did not feel despair. All he could feel was the flames of determination. One face came into mind, and the flames only grew brighter.

"This time... I'll make things right.' Light, or rather, Kira thought, eyes blazing. 'I shall deliver judgment to this world... not as a God... but as one who weighs humanity's sins!'

"I will become a god of this new world!" –Light Yagami

Here it is, a revision to my original opening. I will keep the original one up in case people like that better, but the next chapter will be included.