CHAPTER TWELVE
"Morph"

After Terrance Claw left the Dining Hall, he walked slowly alone back to his personal suite and contemplated his encounter with the NPA detective.

Light Yagami was a formidable foe, and he had told Tigressa to keep him alive but to torture the young man in the usual manner. It was a way to break him. However, the young man did not break, despite Tigressa's deception that he had revealed some secrets.

Claw knew she had lied, and he also knew she pleaded to Yagami to help her flee the Yukaza. He lied that there were no wire taps in her room. He had listened to their entire conversion.

He kept a straight face while he dined with the enigmatic detective, but he knew the truth about Light Yagami even before this entire affair began. He told the Director of the NPA, who was on the Yukaza payroll to call Light Yagami and assist the NPA's raid at the matinee against his people. It was doomed to failure from the start and the deception was a way to get his hands on Yagami. He also knew the secret server that Yagami provided access too was a ploy and help would not come for Yagami. Soon the Yukaza would have the ultimate power in the universe!

He entered his luxurious suite of his own design, filled with an array of his favourite items. Once inside, he dropped down into a chair, and poured himself a drink from a tray of liquor on a table in front of him, and took a sip, and wondered about his next move.

But soon afterwards, he heard a voice. "That stuff will kill you…" It was a child's voice. But the Dragon Sect wasn't startled. The origin of the disembodied voice soon pushed through the front entrance of Claw's suite. "The door was unlocked, so I let myself in."

A teen with brown, wavy hair approached, shutting the door behind him. Claw didn't recognize the teen, but he was most likely a member of Tigressa's Den. Claw could not recall his name. The only teen that stood out was Riki, Tigressa's Prime Assistant. This was not Riki.

The teen smirked with an arrogance that unnerved Claw, and Claw sat up, annoyed. "Who are you? How dare you come here!"

The teen produced a small white notebook, the size of his palm.

Claw gasped, and suddenly settled down. And then he knew exactly who this teen was, he just looked…different. The teen looked around, nodding approvingly, obviously impressed by its lavish and splendour. "I like it, the opulence suits your status, Terrance. I do believe this is the first time I've ever been in your private domain."

"I don't invite anyone, that is why," Claw retorted, finishing off his drink, setting the glass down on the tray. "Why have you come to me? And why not come to me like you always have?"

"Because I no longer wish to be a mere disembodied voice when I converse with you, although I can take physical form—I do have one. But I have taken over the body of this young boy, his name is Aiden, and he is a friend of Riki, the Prime Assistant to your Mistress Tigressa's Den. You still have work do so, Terrance. You played your part perfectly when conversing with Yagami over dinner, all the while you were face-to-face with Kira. That piece of the Death Note you took from him and now possess may prevent him from making his judgements down here, but you have not clipped his wings, so to speak. Right now he plotting how to kill you."

"What do you suggest?"

Aiden smiled with a sinister grin. "I came to you years ago because you wished for influence and power, so I gave you the tools to rise the ranks of the Yukaza to your current position. No one could have foreseen the advert of Kira and how he would massacre criminals for a sordid agenda, but you've managed to survive Kira's reign of tyranny…"

"And I will continue to do so, Morph." Claw stood and paced the room. He put a curled finger to his chin. "Light Yagami is impotent right now and he knows it, so let us announce ourselves to him, confront him, and push Kira off his pedestal. I will take his power." Claw reached into the right pocket of his pants and pulled out the scrap of the Death Note. "If I kill Yagami, I will be the owner of his Death Note. I will be Kira." Claw smiled wickedly.

"You have the right idea, however, there is no Shinigami assigned to that notebook he possesses," Morph revealed, "and there is another with Kira's power within Yagami's circle of allies—Miss Amane, who does possess a notebook with a Shinigami attached."

"Then she must also die," Claw expressed with a devilish smile.

Morph held up the small white notebook. "You are under my protection from anyone who tries to use a Death Note against you. This was part of the deal you made with me a long time ago, however, you must watch Light Yagami closely. He's very clever."

"I agree. I'll have Nazareth keep an eye on him."

Morph mused. "I have a better idea. Have Nazareth separate Tigressa from Light Yagami. He is using her to get to you, and yet, they've grown attached to each other. If Yagami cares for her even in the slightest, he won't jeopardize her safety."

Just then a knock came at Terrance Claw's door.

Morph looked at the door. "Well, well…speak of the devil and he shall appear," the boy said. Claw took this that Light Yagami was on the other side of the door. Why was Light Yagami here?

Claw opened the door. "Detective," Claw said. Light bowed slightly. "This is unexpected."

Morph/Aiden hunched, suddenly acting like the typical, timid houseboy, and cast his eyes down. "I will that make sure the task you assigned me will be completed, Master," the boy said softly. "Please excuse me, sir," he said to Light Yagami, and then left Claw's suite.

Claw gestured for Light to come in and sit. Light did, and sat down on one of the couches. Claw didn't feel intimidated in the slightest with "Kira" here, instead, he felt excited. As with Japanese tradition, Claw offered Yagami some tea, but Light declined with a thank you. Terrance then sat in a chair opposite Yagami.

"So, Light—may I call you Light?" Claw said. Yagami nodded. "What brings you here?"

"I wanted to apologize if the 'needle' in my watch may have brought up some harsh memories for you regarding your brother," Light began. Claw nodded, acting sombre. "I also wished to offer you something that may pertain to Kira." Claw perked up. "I have some valuable information that I think might be of high value to you."

Terrance Claw crossed one leg over a knee and leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers. "Go on, you have my attention," Claw pressed.

But before Light said another word, another knock came at Terrance's door.

Terrance groaned annoyed under his breath. So many interruptions, he thought. "Excuse me…" he said, and got up to answer it. He then swung the door open quickly. He growled, seeing who is was. "Yes?" he demanded abruptly.

On the other side was one of the men who Claw knew had brought Light Yagami here.

"Forgive the intrusion, Master Claw," Sai said. "But I was sent to inform you that the NPA have made a pitch for Light Yagami's release. Apparently they are willing to bargain. The Director of the NPA asks for a reply."

Light stood up. "This was probably instituted by my father, the former Chief of the NPA," he said. "He still has clout within the police force due to his years of service. Since my body was never found, he probably assumes I'm still alive. Did you send a ransom note?"

Claw shook his head. Yagami probably thought his trick with NPA secret server had worked.

"Tell the Director of the NPA he will have our answer soon," Claw said, then dismissed Sai. Claw shut the door. But when Claw turned, he had a gun in his hand. Light appeared to gasp.

"What is the meaning of this, Claw?" Light demanded.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Yagami blinked.

"I know the information you provided to us was falsified, that the server you gave us access to would alert the NPA to your whereabouts, or at the very least, tell them you were still alive. It is a secret beckon for captured Officers. We have spies in every department within the NPA and DIET. I was informed very quickly of this deception and told you it was verified at dinner."

"Lying comes easily to a person in your position it seems," Light said with a frown.

"We both appear to be lairs, Detective. And yet, deception is the name of the game when so much is a stake." Claw walked closer to Yagami. Light's eyes seemed to watch the gun in Claw's hand. "And you are not what you appear to be."

Light Yagami's eyes narrowed with a look of annoyance and villainy.

Terrance Claw raised the gun and pistol whipped Light hard across the face. Yagami recoiled, and clutched the right side, spitting out blood. Claw thought he even saw a tooth leave and drop to the floor. The Yukaza leader smiled smartly.

Claw raised the scrap of the Death Note. Yagami appeared to sneer. "You'e undeserving of such divinity, Yagami. And my people have been intercepting the encryptions from your de facto headquarters from your apartment for some time. Your attempts to usurp my organization here was a pathetic ploy." Yagami stood up straight, fists tightened. "Your silence speaks volumes. I never imagined Kira would be so young. I will kill you, and take your power!"

Yagami smiled amused, much to Claw's threat. He then sat down in Claw's chair and crossed one leg over the other, his hands clasped. "You seem to misinterpret the situation, Terrance Claw. Indeed, you are talking to Kira. But you need to concern yourself with your own wellbeing now. For even I have eyes and ears everywhere. And the moment your people spoke to your spy in the NPA, it was the moment my people gained access to your network."

Claw eyed Yagami. "You're bluffing," he said. "You couldn't possibly think that far ahead."

Yagami smiled devilishly. "Oh, I'm afraid I can, and I did, Terrance Claw. I am Kira, after all."

Yagami seemed to keep his stare with Claw for what felt like endless moments, as if he staring directly into his soul, when suddenly, there was a blood curdling scream from the corridor. Claw froze, kept his eyes on Yagami for few seconds more, but then optioned to open the door and look out. And there was Sai, clutching his chest—dead of a heart attack, his body dropped to the floor in unceremoniously fashion.

"How quickly the tables turn," Light Yagami stated, as Claw looked back. Light Yagami remained seated. "His fate was foretold and and he was found guilty of unforgivable sins."

"But how?" Claw questioned, pointing the gun on Yagami again. "You didn't do anything. You would need to write his real name down in the Death Note to kill him by a heart attack, that is the rule. Unless, you had Misa Amane do it. She must have the Shinigami Eyes and got that man's profile from somewhere. His death is merely a coincidence, fortuitous timing on your point. Don't take me for an idiot."

"I never have believed in coincidences, Claw," Yagami said, smiling smartly. Yagami chuckled softly. "You seem to know a great deal about something you should not. But you could not have gotten this information from your interceptions of my communiques. But allow me to assuage your curiosity. You are, indeed, dealing with the genuine article. I am Kira. The one and only, the Alpha and the Omega, and the one who will be standing on the ashes of the old world after I cleanse it. I will judge everyone, and those who I deem worthy to live in it. You are well informed, Terrance Claw—or whatever is your real name is. As you may have surmised, if you know about them…I do not have the Shinigami Eyes, but killing you will not be difficult. But answer me, how do you know about the existence of the Death Note at all?"

"I told him," came a disembodied voice. It echoed all around them, followed by a chuckle. The voice seemed to come from everywhere in god-like fashion.

Claw looked beyond Light, then Light turned.

They both saw it, as a bright white light began to manifest itself in the room.

Light shielded his eyes from the illuminance, getting to his feet, and what stood before him was—unexpected. Before them stood something not unlike an angelic being, and in human form, and wearing all white.

It was a small boy just over four feet tall. He had blonde hair and his skin tone was fair. He wore a tunic that dropped half way down his naked thighs, not unlike that worn by ancient Roman boys. With it, a black belt with a book pouch hung from his left hip. He also wore white fingerless gloves, sandals with laces that wrapped around his calves, and a white collar wrapped around his neck with a dangling crucifix. The only thing he was missing were wings. If this being was attempting to mimic an angel, it was unconvincing. In his hand was a small, white book.

"What are you, another form of Shinigami?" Light asked.

"Hardly." The child, god-like being chuckled. "Greetings, Light Yagami, or shall I address you as 'Lord Kira'?" The angelic-like boy chuckled again. With a slight bow, he said, "My name is Morph. We have never been formerly introduced, but I have met you before—during the incident with Jasper Yuta. Yet your memory was erased of our encounter. Let us get reacquainted…"

Light gasped, his thoughts immediately recalling the events with Jasper Yuta. And it took place while L was still alive, although L didn't play a pivotal role in it.

The entire affair began when he was ten years old when he helped put away "The Child Butcher of Japan", with his son, Jasper. Light had been kidnapped when he was ten years old, and would have been killed by Yoma Yuta if it wasn't for the collective efforts of the NPA. Then years later, Jasper Yuta escaped from a mental institution, and came after Light in revenge—Kira killing his father in prison. Although Jasper didn't know Light was Kira. In the end, the entire affair ended positivity for Light. But he did not remember this "celestial being" being there.

"Forgive me if my appearance startles to you," Morph said. "I can be anything I wish, like Loki of Norse lore. But I chose this form because it's less intimidating. I've been observing you for quite some time, Light Yagami. Your methods are…intriguing, but your original reason for using the Death Note has poisoned you, killing anyone who dares get in your way of creating a utopia."

Light would not be intimidated. "Those who stand in Kira's way will be eliminated. Sacrifices must be made for my new world order to come to fruition."

Morph shrugged. "A stringent response, but I wouldn't expect anything less. But, of course, you see yourself as a saviour of the masses, don't you?"

Light smiled humorously. "What can I say? You seem to have me figured out. Morph, is it? What brings you to the Human World? You don't appear to be a typical god of death."

"That's because I'm not. I'm a member of 'The Brigade of Life', clandestine, spacial lifeforms, and I am one of the last one of my kind. Unlike the Shinigami, and the gods of deaths with their multitude of Death Notes, there is only one Life Note." He held up his small white book.

On the front cover was a cross, the well-known religious sign of Christianity. But Light knew from his studies in ancient histories that the cross pre-dated to Ancient Sumeria, some 4,500 BCE. It was one of the oldest cultures the world knew with a written language. The symbol of the cross was attached to an obscure Mesopotamian deity associated with shepherds during that time. The symbol was only later adopted by Christians.

Light didn't need to have it explained what the Life Note was. If it was the opposite of the Death Note, then its namesake was the restorer of life. Could it restore a person's life by writing their name in it? If so, how did it work and what were its conditions?

A frightful notion crossed Light's mind: Could L be brought back to life?

"Allow me to insert a little historical context about my people, because obviously you appear eager for a lesson," Morph said with a hint of a smile.

"Not really," Light muttered under his breath.

"The story of my people is an ancient one, once a civilization with a spiritual enlightenment far beyond the cosmos, and long before the first notion of gods ever touched your culture's literal thoughts. Do you remember your biblical lore? You're an intelligent man with a great deal of knowledge at your finger tips, Light Yagami. Do you know the story of LEGION?"

LEGION—For we are many. Those words rang through Light's mind. It was of biblical belief that multiple beings could live symbiotically with a host.

"LEGION were demons that possessed a single man, Christian biblical lore proclaims," Light recalled. "According to scripture—and I used to attend church with my family when I was younger—Jesus met a man on a mountain top, suffering, and in distress, and he asked the man his name, and the man replied: 'My name is LEGION…for we are many'. Feeling the evil within the man's soul, knowing he couldn't be saved, Jesus left him to die, and to suffer, because he had an impure spirit." Light eyed the Imp for a moment. "There are many occurrences in the Bible where men with evil hearts cannot be saved."

I am not evil, was Light's immediately thought.

Morph chuckled. "How many people have you killed with the Death Note? Hundreds? Thousands? And you do it all with a good heart? You truly believe what you're doing is right for the world. I can see your Time Clock above your head—Shinigami call it a 'Life Span'—but the terminology is essentially the same. You own a Death Note, and you are Kira. And yet, you're nothing more but a puppet, and eventually your time will come to die."

Light sneered. "Believe what you will, but Kira has made a difference, and I won't apologize for saving the world from the evils that plague it. Since Kira's awakening, wars have stopped, crime is down, and people walk the streets now with good in their hearts. Kira has played an intricate role. I am not a puppet, as you claim—and Kira is the saviour of this world!"

"But under the guise of perpetual fear," Morph rebuked. "You're nothing but a fear-monger, Light Yagami. Do you honestly believe you are superior to others just because of a supernatural power? You may be smarter than most humans, but what gives you the right to judge people?"

"I saw an opportunity. Something needed to be done. How do you see me? Do you think I'm evil?" Light extended his arms wide as if to mimic the wings of an angel. "Judge not, lest ye be judged, as biblical scripture says. Take a look at everything Kira's accomplished. And there is still a lot more to be done. If you are aware of everything that has transpired up until now, and if you were a judge me…how would you judge society as a whole today? Weigh the scale of justice and tell me how it fairs?"

Morph frowned, and Light smiled—as if he just got the upper hand.

"Semantics, Light Yagami. There is a grey area when it comes to good and evil, and you've crossed it numerous times. The Shinigami use the Death Note to take life, that is their role. I can't blame them for that. Ryuk, was bored when he dropped his Death Note to the Human World. That was not the first time one was dropped, but you were the first human to use it so aggressively. And let me tell you, because of all this your future has been dramatically altered."

Light cocked an eyebrow. "Explain?"

"In an alternative timeline, you were killed in gun fire between two rival street gangs when you were walking home from high school, the very day—this you—found the Death Note. You didn't see it fall to the ground from your school window. The difference between that timeline and this one was those few precious moments you took to read the rules of the Death Note after you picked it up. It saved your life and those gangs managed their issues without your death."

Light blinked shocked. "I was saved by…"

"Divine intervention?" Morph waved off the thought. "Please, nothing of the sort. However, when you picked up the Death Note, it did increase your lifespan. Not even Ryuk is away of this fact. He still believes it was all an accident. As you are aware of Shinigami, and knowing how intelligent you are, must have know about dimensional time differential complexes, that every action has an equal and sometimes opposite reaction, creating different timelines."

"The thought had occurred to me," Light said, still a bit dumbfounded by Morph's revelation.

"The entire space/time continuum was altered that day. The future, changed. Ryuk obviously didn't look into the future before he dropped it. But Shinigami are stupid creatures."

"Ryuk said is was a random drop," Light said. "He said nothing about other—"

"Well, when I say Shinigami aren't stupid creatures, I truly mean, some are not. In the eons they have existed, most have grown dimwitted and tedious with existence as a whole. They do nothing but play games in their realm, only killing humans when they have to."

Light nodded, knowing this—told to him by Ryuk.

Morph continued. "Ryuk is clueless, nut there is nothing random about where it landed. You see, because the rotation of this planet moves with a predictable frequency I was able to alter the Death Note's trajectory, thus altering your fate. It was originally headed to somewhere in North America, to New York City, in fact. But I changed it, and it fell on the grounds of your high school. And I had you look in the very direction it would fall at the precise moment."

"I'm confused, what are you saying? That it wasn't a random drop? But your previous argument was that I had no right to judge my fellow humans with the Death Note. Now you say I was chosen? You contradict yourself, Morph. I don't believe you. Why did you do this?"

Morph smiled with bright white teeth. "My reason…" Morph shrugged, "…because I was bored."

To be continued...