Chapter 37: Dual POV

Beyond stood frozen, his mad cackle dying on his lips as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Moments later he was engulfed in flames that hungrily devoured flesh and clothing. The hunters didn't even pause, to use to such happenings, and continued on with vigour as they fought to bring down the two remaining princes. Light was once again beset upon even as the group separated and ganged up upon L. They fought with desperation beginning to ting their movements, Light wasn't fighting to kill whereas the hunters were, and L just wanted to get out with Light beside him.

It wasn't until a hand snaked through L's hair and jerked his head back that Light ceased his fighting completely, a look of horror and sadness tinging his features even as L clawed at the hands in his hair as a silver stake was angled down towards his chest.

"I think that now would be the time for you both to corporate. One false move will end with this parasite's death." Soichiro dug his fingers into L's skull even as his family gathered around him and the remaining hunters brought Light down to his knees. "I don't know how you managed to fool us all, I have a strong suspicion that it involves the abilities gifted to princes upon their conversion. It's appalling to know that I allowed this bloodsucker into my home and family, I suppose it just shows that we'll simply have to ensure better methods on testing for parasites in the future." Soichiro's attention went to his son, disgust the leading emotion shown on his drawn face. "And you, to think that you were once my pride and joy. It's sickening to see what you've become, something that should never have awoken to see the light of day had you simply done what you were supposed to and ended your miserable life before it began."

Light's expression fell into neutral lines even as his eyes shone in defiance and levelled his glare upon the family that had burned him from their memories. The other hunters remained silent though the tightening of their hold on their weapons showed their impatience to continue with the kill.

"Perhaps we can come to an arrangement Soichiro, something that leaves everyone happy." L attempted, his hand wrapping around Soichiro's one that was still pulling his head back in an attempt to ease the strain.

"Oh I can think of something that'll make plenty of us happy." Soichiro said as he forced L's hand off of him and forced him to the floor in the same position as Light. "We'll kill you using one of these stakes, for even though your bloodline was one of the original hunter lines, it's been so long since then. And as for the parasite that's wearing my son's face we'll give him the traditional Hunter funeral should they become what they hunt." The way Light paled rapidly and the other hunters gave mocking laughs, it was clear that it wouldn't be a pleasant ending. "So, since that'll take some time to prepare, I think we should get your death over and done with." The silver stake glinted as it was raised but before it began its downward stroke a rage filled voice filled the room, drowning out the eager noises made by the spectators.

"Finish that stroke and I'll kill you all." Light snarled, eyes gleaming red pools of anger and fangs displayed in an act of warning. Unheeding the warning, one of the hunters let out a laugh as he reached down to grab for Light's cheeks, but before he was able to make contact he froze in place before rapidly blinking and straightening up. Within seconds of what had transpired between Light and the hunter; and before anyone could react, the hunter turned on his fellows and began lashing out with the stake. His comrades, taken off guard by the sudden and unexpected attack fell back from the controlled hunter, releasing Light as they tried to subdue their companion without bringing harm to him. From the moment of Light's release though, another three hunters turned on their companions leaving Light, the Yagami's and L the only ones facing one another.

"What did you do?" Sachiko asked, her voice filled with disbelief even as she fell into a defensive stance and lifted the stake she held to chest height.

"Let L go, and nobody will come to further harm." Light responded instead, ignoring his mother and sister and focussed solely on his father who still held L hostage. "We'll leave the city and you won't see either of us again." The only tone to enter his otherwise neutral voice was sadness.

"What on earth makes you think we'd take the word of a bloodsucker? There'd be nothing keeping you both from turning on us the moment you're free. No, I think I'll keep my bargaining chip, at least I know that you'll behave." Soichiro used the stake to draw blood and a hiss of pain from L's cheek that bubbled and blistered as proof, for even though Light made to attack he didn't follow through. Catching each other's eye L and Light silently communicated with one another, Light's agitation on the topic evident as he began to pace in front of his family and L.

It happened in tandem, L launched to his feet, surprising Soichiro and his wife and daughter as he spun and disarmed the older hunter even as Light appeared by L's side and began to tug him away from the conflict. Turning their backs on their attackers was something both knew was a mistake, but neither was thinking about that, L focussing on getting Light out and Light trying not to harm his family in the attempt to flee the hotel. They dodged past the burnt remains of vampires and those belonging to fallen hunters, avoiding the fight between the hunters that had moved to the other side of the room. A flying silver stake caused them to leap apart as it buried itself into the wall and both instinctively looked over their shoulders to see where the attack had come from. It was in this moment of distraction that L tripped over the still form of a hunter and fell heavily to the floor, Soichiro; a new stake in hand, coming up right behind him with hatred and disgust burning in his eyes as he swung the stake down.

Things came to a slow pace, time moving as though through molasses. The stake coming down in an unstoppable arc. A blur of crimson at the corner of L's vision. The moment of impact as the stake buried itself into flesh even as a voice screamed out in denial, cut off before it was finished. "No! L-"

The End.