Chapter fourteen:
"They plan to get you to leave the main living area unguarded enough for them to sneak attack it." Mello explains to them. "They plan on taking all those left behind down. Burning down all buildings that they find. Not even the children are safe from them. They don't care about anyone here. They want everyone dead."
Jack looks down to the table in worry upon hearing this.
"It's going to be a huge frontal attack." Mello warns Jack. "They plan on making us have no choice but to send what we have at the frontal attack."
Jack takes a deep breath in through his nose then out through his mouth in a sigh. "And we're running out of time…" He realizes out loud in which Mello nods.
"They'll be attacking very soon here." Mello confirms and the others in the room glance to each other.
"And if we send half of our fighters to go against the frontal attack. Would we be able to do that?" Jack inquires to the blonde.
"It'd be hard and a lower chance of winning the frontal attack." Mello admits making Jack almost lower his head even more.
"It's truly a hard situation that they've put us in." Jack admits. "Sending half our fighters might be our best bet."
"What about if we tricked them?" It is Near who speaks up this time while twirling a strand of hair around his finger.
Everyone looks to him silently asking that he clarify what is on his mind.
"I mean what if we make them think that there is more attackers than there actually is. Then we leave a little less than half here. Who hide and leap out to attack anyone who gets past anyone hiding around on the outside of here." Near explains his plan and L bites his short fingernail in thought as he listens to this plan. "We have a few people make noise around and attack here and there especially on anyone who goes to investigate the noise. Staying out of sight but making them think that we have a sneak attack of our own. They'll think that there is more out there than there actually is."
"Hm." Jack taps his chin in thought before smiling softly and he nods. "Yes. I believe that it could work." He agrees to this.
"I just wish that we didn't have to fight." Near admits and pauses when Jack looks to him at this.
Jack regards him for a moment before turning away with a sigh. "I wish for that as well." He informs the other. "Too many lives will be lost that I wish I could avoid…" He turns away. "I'm going to get everyone ready." He leaves with that.
Light pulls L close and whispers to him as Mello pulls Near close. "What is on your mind?"
"I'm just wondering if there is a way to stop the war." L admits quietly. "That we didn't have to fight until one side wins. What if we went right to the leader?"
"It could work if we take out Quetzal. But it might not be easy." Light admits.
"Let us go talk to Jack." L leads Light away.
Mello glances to Near. "Are you ready?" He asks of his love who sighs softly.
"Mello… Are we truly doing the right thing?" Near questions glancing down.
"It's hard to say for sure. But I'm leaning more towards yes. We are just defending ourselves and trying to live after all."
"Even so…" Near begins and closes his eyes softly. "I can't help but feel that something is wrong." He clutches the front of his shirt with one hand.
"You don't think…" Mello begins but he stops himself.
Near's head snaps up at this with a gasp. "We're going at this all wrong!" He realizes. "But I doubt any of them will listen to us. Not with danger looming over all of our heads." He glances away at this. "How are we supposed to stop this?"
"I'm not sure." Mello admits softly as if not wanting to do so as he keeps his beloved close.
Near blinks hearing the sound of flapping wings and he turns to where the sound is coming from. He watches as a diamond dove flies into the room. He stretches out his arm offering his hand to the bird.
The diamond dove lands on his wrist and he brings the other closer. It looks to his face staying there on his wrist.
"What is it?" Near is curious as to what brought this bird here along with the why it is here. "Is something wrong." He lets the diamond dove climb up him until it reaches his partner in flight's feathers.
The diamond dove gently taps the feathers then quickly flies back to Near's wrist when there is a slight glow.
The ghost of the diamond dove that Near got feathers from comes out of the feathers. It flies around then lands on the table.
Mello is watching in shock and though Near hasn't heard of this happening he goes along with it.
Near moves over to the table and the ghost diamond dove glances to anything put on the table. "The war?" He questions and the ghost nods it's head. "Do you know what we are supposed to do?" He asks another question and the other diamond dove flies to the table. He watches it land and the two face each other before turning to look to him. His eyes flicker between the two birds then blinks as he believes that he knows what they are trying to say. "I think I get it."
"Share." Mello moves closer at this causing the platinum haired boy turns to look to the blonde boy.
"There is only one way to stop all of this once and for all. But we will have to take a risk." Near informs the other.
"I'll do whatever it fucking takes to stop all of this. Just tell what we need to do." Mello swears making the other smile softly at this.
Near turns to look back to the two birds still smiling. "Thank you for your help. I'll tell you along the way but mostly just follow my lead."
The two birds bow their heads in a slight nod in sync.
The ghost bird flies back into the feathers that glow for a moment before returning to normal.
The other diamond dove flies out of the room with Mello and Near following after it as quickly as they can.