Chapter Twelve:
"The Evangelist's Offer"
Raito blinked rapidly. One moment Light was with him in the alley outside Dragoon's condo apartment, the next he just simply vanished into thin air, and only after he had touched minds with the Evangelist. But he knew for a fact that people don't just disappear on a whim, there was always a cause.
Unfortunately the moment he made contact with the Evangelist, it was like he had become a beacon for him to take Light—to who knows where and using some sort of supernatural gift. A gift no mortal should possess, unless that were in league with a godly being with that ability. Raito shivered to think who.
Even gods get nervous sometimes. And right now, he felt anxious.
The Evangelist's mind was intrepid and dark. He was unlike any creature, even a god, Raito had known.
And yet, he wasn't evil. Or, at the very least, he didn't believe he was. He honestly felt all of his actions were just—like Light felt when he used the Death Note. There was a saying amongst the gods: Gods have no concept of right or wrong, because every action a god takes is the right one. And from what he could sense, the Evangelist believed he was a god in human form.
With his connection with Light, Raito reached out with his mind. Unfortunately, Yagami was unconscious.
Just then, he was kicked out of his reverie when the quickness of a person ran past the alley opening. It had only been a second, but something about her face and long wavy auburn hair struck a cord with him.
He ran out of the alley. She was wearing a medium-length red coat that fit to her ample frame and red knee high, high-heel boots.
"Asumi Satou!" he called out. The woman stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Asumi Satou?"
She didn't confirm nor deny her name, but by her reaction it was her. But he should have realized saying her name out loud like that was the wrong thing to do especially with everyone's fear of Kira, especially with her background.
"How do you know my name?"
He held up his hands, and said, "Please don't alarmed. My name is Sgt. Raito Empyrean of the Kira Task Force," reciting his fake name. "I need to speak with you. I'm Light Yagami's cousin. He told me about the events involving the 'Yukaza Incident', as we call it, and about you—Tigressa. All in confidence, of course. Can we speak for a moment in private?"
She approached him. He ushered her into the alley and out of the way of prying eyes. He allowed her room in case she didn't feel comfortable to talk to a complete stranger.
He sensed her trepidation in speaking with him, so he needed to assure her that he was genuine. To tell her something that Light would not have revealed in any police report or to the rest of the task force.
So, he told her how he knew about her and Riki torturing Light—against his natural grain—when he refused to hand over information about the NPA and other law enforcement agencies, and how Light and Asumi were intimate after the fact. None of which was in a police report. It was prudent by Light, because it may have compromised his career.
She was shocked. "Sgt. Raito, is it? Light told you all that? You two must be very close to reveal such intimate details?"
Raito nodded. "He needed someone talk to about it, to get it off his chest," he lied. "And please, just call me Raito."
Without instructing her to do so, she said, "I believe Light is terrible danger, Raito. You need to warn him about the Yukaza. They have a large bounty on his head in retaliation for the killing of Terrance Claw, the leader of the Dragon Sect. I know he didn't do it. Some plan on collecting on it to make a name for themselves. They know where he lives."
Raito knew Light didn't kill Terrance Claw, too. It was Morph. But he couldn't reveal that. "Thank you for the information," he said. "I'll tell Light when he returns, and the rest of the Kira Task Force."
"Light saved me from a life I came to despise," she went on further. "I was forced into the sex trade from an early age, but rose the ranks. If I didn't do what my Master said, I would have been killed. The previous Mistress of the den was killed for defying Terrance Claw. When Light refused to adhere to my methods, to give me information despite the horrible things I put him through, I had to lie to the Master and fake information to tell him. I respected Light for his defiance. I never met anymore more fierce willed than him. And I…" She blushed. "I think I fell in love with him at that moment."
Raito's brow rose surprised. Interesting; a kind of reverse Stockholm Syndrome. The captor falling in love with her captive because he defied her advances. The bizarre nature of some humans, he mused.
"Despite everything I put him through, he still helped me and Riki escape Terrance Claw and his enforcer Nazareth. When Riki and I were being choked by Nazareth, I thought we were going to die. And, for a fraction of a moment, I thought" —she shook her head— "I must have just been imagining things. I was a miracle both Riki and I survived."
Not a miracle, Asumi, Raito recalled. Morph got involved, and preserved your lives as a token to Light.
"I also have to tell Light something else," Asumi said. "And it's about Riki, I mean—his real name is Hiro Yamamoto. I still call him Riki, because that was the name I gave him when he was a member of my den. We all had other names, it was to protect us from Kira. And with Kira still active, I still call him that in case Kira wants to take retribution on those he sees as wicked."
"I think Kira is smarter than that. Hiro/Riki is a victim. I think Kira being the omnipotent god that he is would know this."
Asumi nodded. "Regarding Riki," she started. "After he was rescued, he went to live with his only surviving family—his grandparents; his parents were dead. I only recently found out when I called his home to check up on him that he was kicked out a few weeks back when his grandparents learned the full truth of where he was and what he had been doing. They are staunch Catholics, and I mean really true, Wrath-of-God believers. And according to their religion, Riki is a repeated sinner, and hence pure evil. They said they didn't want their home tainted with his filth. But it wasn't his fault. He was kidnapped and forced into the sex trade. He's eighteen and old enough to make his own decisions now, but I worry about his mental health."
Raito agreed. "What he went through was very traumatic," he said. Some humans can be utterly despicable! I find it horrible that even today, some people think their religion usurps human kindness and dignity. "Do you have any idea where he might be?"
Asumi shook her head. "No idea," she said worried. "I was hoping Light could help and use his resources to track him down. He may be an adult, but he looks like a kid—about thirteen or fourteen. And he has a very district tattoo on the left arm and part of his lower neck. He received it when he was with the Yukaza. It's the symbol of the Dragon Sect, a large serpent. I worry that history may repeat itself and he may have been taken and repurposed within the Yukaza crime family."
"When Light comes back, I'll ask him to help," Raito said. When I find him…
Suddenly the ring tone to his phone sounded with an elevated and echoing tone within the alley. He must have been distracted, because it literally made him jump. Along with his name, status, and insertion into the Kira Task Phone, he also had his own cell phone. He took it out his pocket and saw that it was Light's father. "Raito here," he answered.
"Where are you, Raito?" Soichiro said.
Raito noticed Light's father's voice was a little hindered like from the wind blowing into the speaker. He then noticed Soichiro Yagami when he stepped out into the open to the entrance of the alley.
Soichiro entered the alley, disconnecting the call. He noticed Asumi, but said, "Where's Light? I thought you two were going to make your way home? My offer to drive you home still stands, but something has come up. Good thing you're still here. Who is this?" Then Soichiro gasped with a sudden revelation. "You! From the Yukaza Incident, I mean—"
"Detective Yagami," she said, and gave a slight bow. "Asumi Satou, nice to see you again. Thank you again to you, the NPA, the Kira Task Force, and especially to your son in rescuing myself and Riki from the clutches of the Yukaza."
"You're very welcome. I'm sure my son will be pleased to see you again, and for your thanks. Our job is often a thankless one."
"I came here to speak with Light, but he's not here right now," she said. "I just finished informing his cousin, Raito that several members of the Yukaza are after Light for Terrance Claw's killing, the leader of the Dragon Sect. He was a very prominent member within the organization. When they learned of his death and who was involved, they immediately placed a large bounty on Light's head, and now it would seem some are wanting to collect it. I wanted to warn him."
"We know about the bounty," Soichiro said. "As cops, we all have targets on our backs." He turned. "Raito, where is Light now?"
Raito opened his mouth, but he wasn't sure what to say. A lie was as good as a truth right now. "His stomach wasn't feeling well. Before coming here we stopped off for some ramen takeout. It must have been a bit too spicy for his plaint. He went to find a bathroom. If you know what I mean?"
Soichiro cleared his throat. "Um, yes, well…When Light is done, please let him know the investigator wants to ask him a few more questions about the crime scene. We are still trying to find Special Agent Hansel Dragoon, but he's not answering his phone. It keeps going directly to voicemail."
"Understood, sir," Raito replied officially.
"Ms. Satou," Soichiro then said. "How did you know where to find Light?"
"The Yukaza are very sophisticated in surveying people of interest. They managed to infiltrate the NPA without anyone knowing, so tracking Light is not a problem. They know he is a member of the Kira Task Force and they can ping his location at anytime. They've also put out little markers to track his internet searches. I'm sure they've bugged his phone, too. But since he is fighting Kira, who is an enemy of the Yukaza and all criminals, they've been hesitate in retaliating against him. They don't want to kill an ally against Kira. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend', as the saying goes. But a rogue group is out to eliminate Light to make a name for themselves. I know their methods and I followed Light here. I had to warn Light before they got to him."
"Then that makes you target. If they can track Light, they've no doubt followed your movements here," Soichiro said. "You're under police protection now. You've put yourself in grave jeopardy, Ms. Satou. But I appreciate you giving us the information." He gave Raito a serious look. "Ratio, find Light, and get your butts to the West Safe House. I'll inform the rest of the task force to avoid Light's apartment. If the Yukaza know where Light lives, it's not safe. I may not be the chief of the NPA anymore, but my name and reputation still hold clout. I'll have a team stake out Light's apartment to watch it for these rogues."
Raito nodded.
Suddenly, Raito clutched his chest and gasped for breath. The sensation was undeniable! He felt a sudden tightness in his chest—it was a heart attack. He collapsed to his knees as the feeling got more intense.
But I am a god. I shouldn't be able to feel such a thing, he thought.
No, he mimicked being a human to such a degree that he wanted to experience everything that a human felt, so he could duplicate the human experience to starve off his boredom. But he never thought that he could feel this—
"Raito!" Soichiro cried out. "Someone! Medic—Help! My nephew is having a heart attack!"
Someone must have heard Soichiro Yagami, because a member from the investigation team looked into the alley.
They said something to Soichiro and then left, obviously to get the medical examiner who was still on site.
Soichiro tried to ease and calm him, but his voice sounded miles away to Raito's ears. All surrounding voices and sounds faded to next to nothing, as well. Then his eyes widened when he suddenly heard a voice, loud and clear.
God of the Astral Plane, I have your dog. Come and me if you wish his return.
Who are you? Ratio struggled to answer through he pain. No, I know who you are!
Raito saw the medical examiner come running into the alley with his gear, getting down on one knee. He was saying something, speaking his name, but the only thing Raito could hear was that of the chilling voice of the Evangelist—a sinister voice, reverberating through his very being.
Come to me, oh god of the Astral Plane. Or you'll never see Light Yagami alive again! For as long I hold one ounce of his blood, you will never be able to return to your realm. You will be trapped in that human body forever!
That was right. Even without a physical form, with the blood oath Yagami took forming a contract with him and the Book of the Third Eye, similar to that of Shinigami and a Death Note, he was bound to the contract even if Light Yagami died. His blood still held the contract unless Yagami renounced it. If he died, he could never renounce it!
That was a severe drawback to the contract, but how did the Evangelist know this?
I will be expecting you…
The Evangelist's voice then began to fade, and so did, strangely enough, the tight feeling in his chest at the same time. He could breath again. The atmospheric noises around him, including the voices of the medical examiner and Soichiro also began to reassert themselves. Asumi Satou was standing back away from the scene. Others from the SIU team were standing near the opening of the alley entrance.
So, this is what a heart attack feels like. I don't like it!
"Sgt. Raito…Sgt. Raito," the medical examiner was saying. "Everything is going to be okay. We are going to take you to the hospital. How do you feel?"
"Weak," Raito said.
"Damn Kira!" Soichiro cursed.
"I don't think," Raito began, but then stopped himself. How could I explain it to them?
"Kira's attacks are fatal, Detective Yagami," the medical examiner said. "We won't know what happened until we get Sgt. Raito checked out. It could have been any number of things, including an acute bout of angina—a narrowing of the arteries. Or, something else?"
"Or, a sudden attack of spicy ramen noodles," he said, trying to add a little levity to the situation.
He couldn't believe it! He, a god, had suffered a heart attack! The Evangelist had attacked him physically. That wasn't possible? He had touched the Evangelist's mind, and felt a sinisterness about him. But there was no way a human could challenge a god?
Unless everything, all the recent occurrences—Dragoon, and Zurn Wellington's involvement (who was an arm of the League of Darkness for which the Evangelist was also a part; Gretel Grimm's murder with the Death Note, and then her re-killing after being revived by divine powers), and the monster truck incident…
It wasn't for Light Yagami's benefit all it.
It was all for mine!
Every situation revolved around him. That would mean the Evangelist wasn't after Light Yagami after all. He was just an opportunity of convenience. In fact, the Evangelist was testing him, Epiphany—a true, and bonafide god! If so, then the fun and games were over.
The Evangelist was a very dangerous individual with the powers of a divinity.
To be continued...
