a/n: Didn't expect to write another chapter so soon, but the muses had other ideas :) lol

Enjoy!
AF

"Ok, Ryuk…you have to promise not to freak out." Light muttered, trying to stay calm as he strode in the door of the other man's apartment in downtown Tokyo.

"Yeah…whatever." The tall dark haired mage closed the door and followed the anxious young brunet into the living room. He leaned against the door frame, spindly arms crossed on his chest as he watched Light pace back and forth with amusement. "Shouldn't you be in bed by now or something…kinda late for you to be out, isn't it?" Ryuk snickered.

Light stopped in his tracks and glared at the Illusionary magic practitioner, letting the golden glow, the raw power creep out from within just for a few moments. Ryuk's expression paled, no longer smiling as he moved from the doorway, taking a step towards Light before stopping himself.

"Holy fuck Light…what the…" The mage ran his hands through his hair and tugged anxiously. "Shit…this is so above my pay grade…are you seriously what I think-"

"An Angelus Mortis? Yeah, I think so…" Light sat down on the couch and placed his head in his hands before looking up at Ryuk again with pleading eyes. "I don't want to hurt anyone…"

The experienced mage gazed at him with sympathetic eyes from across the room. "I'm sure you don't, but all of this power… You'll have to learn to direct it where you want in regards to expelling or consuming energy. It will make the choice for you if you're not careful, Light."

The brunet nodded rapidly in agreement. "I know…I just need some time to get that part figured out and I was wondering if you'd help me conceal myself until I'm strong enough to do that." The young man decided that Ryuk didn't need to know that he'd also be figuring out how best to defend himself and prepare a counterattack should he need to as well…

"I'll be dead within a week if I don't find a way to hide Ryuk…"

The mage rubbed the back of his neck nervously, eyeing Light once more before shrugging. "Ok, but you do what I say and follow my rules. Are we clear?" Light nodded, a sour look on his face that made the other man grin. The brunet didn't have to like it. He just had to survive. At least that's what he told himself.

"So…what do I need to do?"

One Month Later

Morning

L was frustrated. It didn't look good for either him or the Japanese government that the Angelus couldn't be found. He couldn't pick up a trace of it with his magic in the Kanto region. Even when he reached further, stretching his limits…

Nothing.

But he knew it was still there. Oh yes, you're hiding somewhere amongst us aren't you…Kira. That's what the public had taken to calling the creature that was leaving dead criminals in its wake every night for the last month. Some were calling it divine retribution, building shrine like websites in worship. He was being revered as a mage with the power to deliver justice…

No, this is not justice. This is a greedy, hungry little creature feeding off the lives it comes across. He wavered in his conviction at the statement.

Why only criminals? There was not a legitimate 'innocent' amongst the victims. All were the most vile of murderers and horrors of society that had been hiding amongst the populace uncaught. They all bore one of the most obvious signs of the prey of an Angelus Mortis, a sudden heart attack from having their life energy drained.

Why can't I find you? L's eyes narrowed angrily. More importantly, who is skilled enough to be hiding you?

"Quillish?"

"Yes L?"

"Could you get the NPA on the line as soon as possible? I'd like them to look into something…"

"Right away."

"Thank you."

L got up to make himself another cup of tea, mulling over the possibilities in his mind. Either an Illusionary magic practitioner or several are concealing him…or he was one before he came into his new power and is using it to hide himself. It was rather impressive, L had to admit, that this creature was able to hide so well.

He strode back to his desk and waited for his handler to setup the call with the NPA. Time was of the essence. He wanted their assistance pulling together a list of the top Illusionary mages in the region so they could begin to question them as soon as possible. Every day that passed, another person died and there became a greater chance that this all would result in a large scale tragedy.

xxx

Evening

"You're really something at this now Light! Pretty soon you won't need me to shield you anymore."

"Thanks Ryuk…I mean that." The young man grinned at the tall, lanky mage as they left his apartment. Light had truly made the most of this last month, exceeding all expectations the other man had and moving on to pursue additional forms of magic as well. "Not that I haven't enjoyed all of this time we've spent together…but it'll be nice to be able to have some manner of control over my life again."

"Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk…" The dark haired male laughed. "No worries Light, I completely understand. But I'm always here if you need help."

They'd found that the young man's photographic memory in particular was incredibly helpful when it came to memorizing spells and incantations. This had allowed him to progress quickly in his learning. The most challenging thing for Light was being essentially tied to Ryuk's side for the last month.

The invisible runes he'd spelled upon Light's body to mask his power did not last more than 18 hours before they needed to be re-cast upon leaving Ryuk's presence. The young man's schedule pretty much consisted of getting through school and over to the safety of Ryuk's warded apartment every day before time ran out.

His parent's thought he was part of a rigorous study group for his upcoming exams. They had no idea he was studying something else entirely, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible in an effort to both defend himself and protect others from his new power. Of course it helped that the Yagami family had no reason to question their brilliant, upstanding child's lies. He was a model student and perfect son after all.

Once I can cast the runes for long enough on my own, I can tap into my own power and I won't need Ryuk to protect me anymore. They stepped into the elevator to descend to the ground floor. Light often accompanied the Illusionary mage to a bar he co-owned with his friend Rem to ensure that the drain on the runes was delayed as long as possible.

The Realm was known as a popular venue for heavy magic users and practitioners of all kinds to meet. Light knew that he was safe there under Ryuk's gaze and had decided to take advantage of the opportunity to scope out the talent from behind the mage's shields on many nights, completely unseen up on the walkways accessible only to employees.

He knew that his long term survival would likely include gathering powerful people to him. Those who would be willing to protect an Angelus Mortis. Who wouldn't see him as a threat and could understand his power. But who won't try to use me for their own gains… He thought worriedly, taking a deep breath in the cool night air.

Upon arriving at the club, Light went to the back office and opened up his laptop, paling slightly as he saw the news feeds regarding 'Kira'. Some were regarding him as a saint… Some as a vigilante… Others as an urban legend waiting to be debunked… Light shook his head in disbelief.

It's terrifying to think that there is someone out there just killing people off like this…even if they are criminals who deserve it. What worried Light even more was that all of the victims that died suffered heart attacks due to energy drains, a hallmark of an Angelus attack. Yes, there were other magical beings and spells that could cause it too, but there were so many and it started right after he'd come into his power.

Ryuk said that my power will make the choice for me if I don't direct it, but he couldn't mean that I would be using it unconsciously? Can I even kill from a distance like that? His eyes widened with fear.

These criminals…if I did use my abilities to kill, this isn't too far off from something I would choose to do. He needed answers, but he was scared to ask these questions aloud…even to Ryuk.

Light admittedly could feel the constant nagging itch…a need begging to be fulfilled that pulled at the core of his being. His power wanted more, wanted to feed, but also wanted to be used…

Angelus Mortis were beings that both contained and consumed vast amounts of energy. On one hand, there were those that feared them and on the other, there were those who sought to control them, to tap into their endless stores of magical power. The more energy an Angelus consumed, the more powerful it became.

What the general public didn't realize was that there wasn't just a single type of energy that could satisfy an Angelus' instinctive hunger for power. Historically, the ones that were well known and documented had been focused on consuming the most pleasing and dangerous of all, life energy. It was like heroin to a being like Light, providing a high that made all other sources pale in comparison. The young man refused to willingly become an addict.

Light knew he couldn't give in to that urge, because once he did, he wasn't sure he would be able to come back from it… Would I be able to stop myself from doing it again and again? From becoming a monster? The young mage shuddered at the thought and pushed away from the desk, heading out to the walkways to watch the crowds from above.

He was committed to studying other types of energy he could absorb as well; Emotional energy, Gaia energy, meditative energy…and yes, even sexual energy. Now he was beginning to doubt his control as he considered the recent deaths.

He watched the people laughing, drinking, not a care in the world it seemed. Light felt so removed from it all in that moment. Will I ever feel normal again? The brunet though back on his life, always a step above and apart from others. He'd always been putting on a show to fit in perfectly. Deep down, he'd known there was something…different about him. Have I ever felt normal?

He laughed softly, the quiet sound drowned out by the loud music. What is normal though? He looked to the far side of the large space to the other walkway, where Ryuk was perched on a stool eating an apple and lazily gazing down upon the customers. He kept a close eye on the bar from his unseen vantage point, ready to break up any problems and stop any drama before it began with a quick message to security.

"Light-o…" The young man heard the mage's voice as if it was speaking in his ear, even thought Ryuk was far across the room from him.

"Yes Ryuk." Light latched on to the thread of the other man's spell and sent his own message down the line like a string attaching two tin cans. It was an amusing analogy to Ryuk when he'd mentioned it, but hey, whatever helped you visualize a spell, right?

"Something is pushing at my wards…" He growled out. "Go put on the protection charm I made…I don't like this." Light's eyes widened and he nodded to the other man, quickly heading into the office and getting the necklace out of his bag. He pulled the long silver chain over his head and watched as the spelled Black Onyx stone glowed briefly before he tucked it under his sweater.

Light sat down on the ground and crossed his legs, quickly calming his breathing and falling into a meditative state. He felt the cool stone against his skin and the protective, cloaking spell radiating out to envelope him. The brunet focused his thoughts on reinforcing it and once it felt like an invisible steel shell covering every inch of his body, he muttered an incantation to send out a small sentry spell that could become his eyes and ears as he kept the rest of his power locked up tight. The nice thing about the sneaky little spell that Ryuk had taught him was that it was nearly impossible to trace back to the owner if done properly.

Ryuk chuckled slightly, as he felt Light give the psychic equivalent of a tap on the shoulder as he walked through the bar to the front entrance. The one thing that sucked was that Light wasn't able to talk to Ryuk with this spell, only observe. Of course the young man would be able to receive any messages the bar owner wanted to share with him, so there was that at least.

"We have some guests apparently…" He murmured lowly, so only Light could hear before he reached the door. The Illusionary mage gestured for security to let him out and as they held the door open, the first thing Light caught sight of was a face possessing of a pair of unmistakable charcoal grey eyes that he could never forget, partially hidden behind disheveled raven hair and wearing an expression of grim determination that both chilled and intrigued the young man.

L...shit…

The door opened wider as Ryuk stepped out and Light gasped as he viewed L's entourage. His eyes flew open, jarred from his meditation in the office upstairs.

No…

What is my father doing here?

Endnotes:

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