Chapter 6

"Who are you?" Demetre demanded, holding his leg. His right thigh raged with a searing, burning pain from the bullet wound. He tried to move away from the shooter, shifting his weight, but it just caused him more agony.

The shooter smirked. "Someone very familiar with your situation and your relation to Kira," he revealed. "I know Kira is Light Yagami. We used to be BFF's. We all went to the same middle school, in fact, but things have changed drastically since those days. You knew me by another name. Back then, I experimented a little. Everyone did, right? But you can call me Rapture now."

Demetre blinked, trying to recall. "Wait! Your face looks familiar?"

"I must have one of those faces," Rapture smiled. "I used my good looks to get close to Light back then. He's a pretty good kisser. But the moment he found out my secret, he rejected me. I didn't take well to that. Later, when I kidnapped his family I gave him an ultimatum. I told him that he either accept my offer or I would kill his family. He subsequently ran away. Then something bizarre happened. I didn't understand it at the time, but after I was told about Shinigami and the Death Note, it all made sense. If you didn't know the real him, someone would say Light suffers from a duel-personality. But we both know better. He's just one cruel son-of-a bitch!"

"Who the hell are you?" Adam then interjected.

"Adam, get back," Demetre told him. "Don't antagonize him. Angel, keep him back!"

With a returning smirk, Rapture said, "Adam Rothschild of the famous Rothschild Family. Your family is exceedingly wealthy, political and influential. I don't see your lifespan, so I know you're the owner of a Death Note. And at such a young age? It helps to know your enemy. And with the Shinigami Eyes, I get to know so much more about a person. Rage and I made a deal. I gave him half of my lifespan. But considering the alternative, and what happened to me, it was well worth it the trade. I love my new life!"

"There are four other Shinigami in the room, Rapture," Rage informed. "Draycott just spoke to one named 'Angel'. She used to be Dana Chika's Shinigami before Chika was killed while engaging in a rescue coup with Demetre Draycott at the Kira Task Force headquarters to save Light Yagami against a third party assassin hired by Zurn Wellington. Or, so this is what I was told? Apart from Geist and Angel, there is another named 'Cerberus'—the one who brought the SID grenade—and a fourth named 'Valtros'."

"Ah, a string quintet of death; how quaint," Rapture said. "Show yourselves! I know you can become visible to others even if your Death Note isn't touched. You choose not to because of your pretence to hide as sublime beings."

Valtros materialized, then moved to Demetre. Angel and Geist, then Cerberus, all showed themselves.

"Don't hurt them," Valtros said. "I won't kill you, but I can hurt you. I know who you are. Your name is shown above your head. And Light Yagami told me about you during our time together. You're a sick and twisted pervert! But how come you're alive?"

Rapture smirked. "I'm loved by the gods and was too young to die," he said, smirking merrily. "I have a new name with my new life. But in a previous life, I went by the name Ken Kuzushi. You can call me Rapture now, as in rapturous. It goes so well with my personality—ecstatically joyful. And when I want something, I don't stop until I get it. Since my resurrection, I've prided myself in enjoying everything to enjoy. No holds barred. You know what they say: You live once for yourself and twice for your dreams. And I have a lot of dreams I want granted with my new life. That includes getting back what's mine from Light Yagami. What he stole from me! And Demetre Draycott will help me."

"Whatever it is, I won't help you!" Demetre rebuked.

"Oh, I think you'll change your tune soon." Ken Kuzushi crouched down next to Demetre despite Valtros being close by. He held both the rifle and the grenade in hand. Rage loomed over them. The Shinigami's claw was damaged, but Rage was still a threat. Geist stood near, but didn't make a move. "Ever read American comic books, Draycott? You are American, after all. So, I bet you have." He smiled at Valtros. "Think about it. The most interesting villains always come back for a second encore. I'm back from the dead now and I want revenge against Light for what he did to me." He looked back at Demetre. "I know all about Dana Chika and I know you want payback against him, too. Don't you? My purpose here is simple. I'm here to collect you on behalf of someone else who wants the information on the USB Drive. It is information from the future, after all. Who wouldn't want to know the future, right? Especially a way to make tons of money to finance one's agenda. And if you agree to come back with me willingly, I may just tell you where to find Zurn Wellington."

"Where is he? Where is Zurn? I want him!" Demetre demanded eagerly.

Ken rose to his feet, shook his head. "You're so full of hate, Draycott. Better be careful or you'll suffer premature heart failure, a Death Note won't be needed. But the Bible says, an eye for an eye. The USB drive for the information you want. Sounds fair, right? But I'm curious, isn't anyone going to ask me about my resurrection?" He eyed Valtros and winked at her, since she was most familiar with him. "I'll give you a hint: He's foot feet tall, wears all white, and owns a book with remarkable regenerative power."

Valtros gasped. "Are you talking about Morph? Why did he bring you back to life?"

"For shits and giggles, maybe? He said I was an interesting person and a wonderful rival to Light Yagami. A worthy hero needs a wicked villain, they said. He used the Life Note. And I'm glad Morph resurrected me. However, since my body was so badly damaged after my bomb vest exploded during my confrontation with Light, it took a little time for me to regenerate even by supernatural means. Morph used a finger he broke off my old body to work his magic. It was all he needed, he said. After I became fully conscious, he told me everything."

Demetre didn't know the full story behind Kuzushi, but right now he didn't care. The guy was insane, that's all he knew.

"Who wants Demetre?" Adam demanded.

"He goes by the name 'The Evangelist'," Kuzushi revealed. "And he wants Draycott for something special."

Adam blinked shocked. "That's the man I saw in Zurn Wellington's mind the last time we tangled with him, Demetre…when you slapped me, and knocked me unconscious because I was over-exerting myself using my gift."

"You hit a child, Demetre Draycott?" Kuzushi said, shaking his head. "That's child abuse, you can be arrested for that." Kuzushi chuckled.

Demetre stared at Kuzushi. "Who is this Evangelist? If Zurn knows him, he must be a member of the League of Darkness? What does he want with me?" Demetre felt his leg, it was beginning to turn numb.

Ken Kuzushi smirked. "That's his business, I'm only the messenger," he said.

"Where's Morph?" Demetre then demanded. "I want to talk with him!"

"Don't be fooled by the devil and his trickery, Demetre," Valtros said. "You're smarter than this. I didn't want to crush your hopes before, but Dana cannot be brought back. Morph can only revive someone within seventy-two hour after their death. That is one of the rules of the Life Note. He must have begun Kuzushi revival within that time."

"You're very knowledgeable about Morph's powers," Kuzushi said curiously. "How do you know him?"

"I know enough that he likes to play games with people for his sick and twisted enjoyment. So, it doesn't surprise me that he resurrected you. He was a member of a race who fought against Shinigami during the Great Death Note War many years ago. But lost. He now harbours the remainder of his people inside him and uses human energy to feed them. He vows one day to get his revenge."

Rage laughed. "Fat chance of that happening," the Shinigami stated.

Kuzushi smiled devilishly. "We all want revenge for something or other, but that's Morph's business." He extended a hand to Demetre. "The USB Drive please, so we can depart. We're already wasted enough time here."

Demetre suddenly remembered the USB Drive, hidden behind the gun butt within the same hand. He had forgotten about there until now. Luckily, when he dropped the SID, it didn't drop. He passed the gun to his other hand, took the USB, and then swallowed it. He knew the casing would protect it as it made its way through his intestinal system.

Rage growled outraged.

Kuzushi looked surprised, even amused. "Now that was unexpected," he said.

"Try and get the information now, you deranged psychopath!"

"Sticks and stones," Kuzushi said with a laughing snort. "But thank you. This now makes the rest of you are redundant. Only a fool gives up his only bargaining chip. Since the Evangelist wants you and since the USB is now inside you, you've condensed the package to deliver. Of course, if it was up to me. I would have Rage rip you open and take the USB Drive, then wrap your intestines into a pretty little bow. Then again, why would I want any harm such a cutie like you? You have such a pretty face."

Demetre blinked. He now recalled Kuzushi. How he was in middle school, how he/she used to flirt with all the guys pretending to be a girl. No one knew she was actually a he until Light exposed him. He dressed like a girl. And it was apparent, he was gay.

"Rage, pick him up," Kuzushi ordered. "We're going. If any of you try anything, I'll use this SID. You may all have physical form, but you're still dimensional spectres. It was foolish of you to give up your hand. Poker is all about bluffing. You gambled away your advantage."

Rage reached down and picked up Demetre by the back of the neck, pulling him to his feet. Demetre struggled to balance on his good leg, his other leg spiking with pain. He was lifted and placed under Rage's mechanical arm and locked him in place, squeezing him tight.

Valtros ran at Kuzushi and attacked him, but Kuzushi quickly pulled the pin of the grenade and tossed it at her. She caught it. But the moment Valtros did, she signed her death warrant. She vapoured in a flash of blinding light with a last scream echoing. It was a short range grenade, so none of the others were affected. But they had all ducked for cover, nonetheless. Angel instinctively smothered Adam for his own protection.

"No, Valtros!" Demetre cried out in horror. "You goddamn bastard! I'll kill you!" Demetre struggled against Rage's grip, but to no avail. Tears formed in Demetre's eyes. It was like witnessing Dana die all over again. He felt rage in his heart. He still had the gun and pointed it at Kuzushi and prepared to pull the trigger, his mind fogged with hate. But Rage quickly ripped it away and crushed it with his free hand like it was toy. He tossed it away.

Geist then attacked Rage, but he was easily subdued. He was grabbed and tossed into the ruins of the bed Geist had destroyed moments before.
Angel remained vigilant, and stayed with Adam, while Cerberus barked.

"You bastard! Valtros was a friend of mine! I'll kill you!"

Kuzushi smiled broadly. "Just try it, Shinigami. And then you'll die. Killing for another, even for a Shinigami, is an immediate death warrant. Or have you forgotten that simple rule? It's not only if you kill a human for another humans. So, your threat is meaningless. Rage, let's go!"

Kuzushi turned and began to walk away, rifle shouldered. Rage lumbered behind him. Demetre struggled, but to no avail.

Rage followed Kuzushi to a red off-road HUMVEE with large wheels that was parked a little distance from the cabin.

Kuzushi opened the back compartment and stored the rifle next to an assortment of other weaponry. One of which, Demetre saw, looked to be a combination semi-automatic and grenade launcher.

Kuzushi took it out and then seemed to examine it. He even took a rag and wiped the barrel of the launcher down.

"Take Draycott to the Evangelist," Kuzushi ordered. "Use one of the Shinigami portals for quick travel. I'll make my way to his island by other transport after I'm finished here. A private plane is waiting for me at the airport. I like using conventional travel. The portals are like roller coasters to me and they make me sick to my stomach."

Rage chuckled.

Kuzushi looked at Demetre.

Demetre saw a weird look in Kuzushi's eyes as he smiled at him. Then the villain came over and ripped the crucifix and chain off around Demetre's neck.
"You won't need this where you're going," Kuzushi said, dumping the chain and crucifix into the barrel of the grenade launcher. "And it'll make the perfect calling card for Light when he finds it amongst the ashes. A detective always enjoys a good puzzle. Ever read any Sherlock Holmes?"

"Ashes? What the hell are you planning?"

Kuzushi reached into the back of the HUMVEE and opened a heavy black case with grenades separated and inserted into black foam. He then dropped one into the grenade launcher barrel. He aimed the large weapon at the cabin.

"Oh god, no! Stop! Don't do that! Adam's in there! ADAM!"

Kuzushi then fired at the cabin through the Master Bedroom's French doors. The grenade—with the chain and crucifix—soared across the distance. There was a momentary pause when it entered, followed by a massive fiery explosion erupting in flying debris. Kuzushi fell back, dropping to his rear holding the weapon in hand. He then laughed like some crazed lunatic. "Whoa! What a blast!"

"No! Adam! You sadistic, god-damn murderer! I'll kill you! I swear it!" Demetre cursed.

He knew the blast would not hurt the Shinigami, but Adam was human.

Rage chuckled. Then, sprouting wings from his back, the Shinigami took flight with Demetre. With his wings flapping, Rage called the portal. The circular, electrified portal crackled into existence with a mere whim. Travel through it would be almost instantaneous, Demetre knew. Like folding space and time.
Geist had called up a portal when they travelled to the roof of the Kira Task Force, so he knew what travel through one was like.

Demetre struggled ferociously to get free, but Rage squeezed him, pressing against his ribs tighter. Demetre cried out in pain, the fight leaving him.

"I'll met you at the rendezvous point," Kuzushi said, getting to his feet. He put the weapon back into the HUMVEE and slammed the back door. He took out a cell phone. "The forest need not suffer. I'll make an anonymous call to the Tokyo Fire Department and tell them there's been an accident with the propane tank at the cabin in this region of Hokkaido-Jozankei Forest. The Fire Rangers will want to get here quickly."

"You son-of-a bitch!" cursed Demetre. "I swear it! I'm going to kill you!"

Kuzushi laughed, as Rage took Demetre through the portal.

To be continued...