CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"Killers"
Light had the wind knocked out of him and he struggled to get his breath back. Nazareth had hit him very hard when he tried to charge the massive brute. He should have realized it would be a futile move. Nazareth was three times his size.
Suddenly, he was surrounded by six Yukuza men, all wielding guns, they came from down the way He put up his hands in surrender, his gun picked up, knocked out of his hand when Nazareth sent him flying to the floor. Light's chest felt like it had been hit by a truck.
Nazareth approached, and the big man reached down, took hold of the sides of Light's shirt and yanked him to his feet. "Nice try, little man," the brute said, his mouth a fowl with odour. Light cringed at the smell.
"You have me, Nazareth," Light said with a challenging tone. "Are you going to kill me?"
"Nazareth—STOP!" Asumi ordered. "Don't kill him!" She and Riki were now in the hands of two of the Yukaza members.
"Why shouldn't I?" Nazareth huffed out. "I should break his neck for killing the Master!"
I didn't kill Terrance Claw/Kenta Ikeda, but how would I be able to explain what truly happened? I don't want any connection between myself and Kira. I don't need someone else figuring it out that I am Kira, there are already enough people out there who do.
"No! Kira must have did it! There can be no other explanation." Asumi/Tigressa suddenly said. "Kira can do tremendous things and Terrance Claw must have been on Kira's radar. No one know's who Kira really is, but obviously he's all-seeing and all-knowing. Light was saved by Kira, there can be no other reason. And Aiden must have seen the wrong thing. Put him down!"
Light smiled to himself. Good Asumi, very good…
Nazareth stared directly into Light's eyes. The big man hesitated for a moment, but then dropped Light. Light landed a little unsteady. He then fixed his shirt, but he could see the top two buttons were ripped open, and he had put Asumi's chain under his shirt to protect it.
"She is correct," Light said. "The Master knew I was a member of the Kira Task Force, and that I have inside knowledge no one else has. So, I can say, most assuredly, Kira" —or a power much likely Kira's— "was involved in Terrance Claw's death."
He said nothing about the boy Aiden who claimed to have witnessed Light killing Terrance, he had only met the "houseboy" when he was leaving Claw's quarters.
However, Light had an inkling Morph probably had a part to play in all this and may have chosen Aiden to become his new host, willingly or not. Morph most likely had the boy run around, shouting untruths in an attempt to stir things up to settle the trickster's tedium.
"I don't believe you!" Nazareth rebuked. "You are a detective with the NPA, and have sworn to eliminate the Yukaza. As for that pathetic worm, Sai, found dead in the corridor outside Master Claw's suite, I think you two conspired to infiltrate the Yukaza and then you killed him to cover your tracks. We've known for some time Tigressa wished to leave our community, and she was slated to be executed." Tigressa gasped shocked. "But the Master's death has altered these plans. You'll all be executed together in the most ruthless method we have."
"I don't normally wish ill upon people," Light said, and then pointed, "but with you I'll make an exception. I hope Kira finds you, and kills you in the most ruthless method he has."
Misa, if you are able, I want you to kill Nazareth! Now!
Misa cradled her head in frustration and whined. "Oh, Light, I can see you pointing at that man, and you probably want me to kill him, but I can't! I can't properly see him name!"
She continued to view the events as they unfolded in the Probable Orb. She thought about killing the other six men that surrounded Light, but the sudden murder spree might just get Light killed in retaliation and it could reveal an unsettling truth—that Light was Kira. If that happened, Misa would probably have to kill everyone there to keep Light's secret, and she didn't think he wanted that.
"Well, maybe just one or two…"
Nazareth chuckled short. "It's funny, you speak as if you are Kira. But if you are, you could have us all killed in an instant. All your posturing and idealistic threats just prove you're not." The burly man cross his massive arms around his chest.
Suddenly, one of the Yukuza men clutched his chest, and collapsed. Then a second.
Light took this as a sign, grabbed Asumi by the arm, and bolted through the force of men as they were distracted, and past Nazareth, who was equally stunned. Riki quickly followed.
A sudden volley of weapons fire ensued, but hit the wall as the trio turned a corner.
Asumi pointed in a direction, venturing through corridor after corridor, and they managed to make it to the Arboretum Gardens, seemingly going around in circles. Entering the lush foliage, they knew they needed to get lost within it. The Yukaza would be close behind.
Riki tripped over an unseen root after they soon entered and fell to the ground. Light and Asumi turned. Light let go of Asumi to help him, when it appeared.
When the Komodo Dragon, Kito, suddenly dashed out from a thicket of bushes, the amphibian springing out of nowhere, its tongue whipped out of its large mouth-trap like a whip, hungrily.
Riki froze with fear. "Mr, Yagami, help…" the boy pleaded softly.
"Remain very still, Riki," Light told him, holding his hands out. "And don't make a sound."
From what Light could recall from his younger school years, reading about them, Komodo Dragons were moderately fast over land. They could move up to 20 kph and had a bite ratio that could snap a human neck within seconds. They came from the Indonesian Islands of Komodo—which is where the large lizard got its name. This tropical garden was a perfect setting for its habitant. No doubt Terrance Claw fed it on a regular bases, but the creature would always be hungry, and this particular Komodo Dragon, its bulk and girth, could easily swallow Riki whole.
"Riki, when I tell you, rise very slowly, and then back away from it," Light instructed. Riki nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off the dragon. "It won't attack unless you're acting aggressive," he added, as if to assure the teen.
"Kito!" Light shouted. The creature turned around, very quickly. Light clicked his teeth, trying to mimic Claw when trying to control it.
He backed away, shouldering Asumi with him.
The Komodo Dragon etched forward to him with every step, and this was Light's plan. When the lizard was far enough away, he told Riki to follow his previous instructions.
Riki rose slowly and then backed off. Asumi also moved away from Light as he kept the lizard's attention, moving left, as Asumi moved right, soon joining Riki in a safe place.
Light waved his hands to make sure he kept Kito's focus, successfully.
Most predatorily lizard instincts catered to taste, licking the surrounding air with their tongues, and followed this method to track down their prey. However, a lizard, especially a Komodo Dragon, also had very good eyesight. So, Light needed to keep it looking at him. And he even surprised himself that he was putting his own life on the line for two people had just recently met. If he wasn't careful, this could be Kira's last stand—and no one would know.
"Get someplace safe," Light ordered. And Asumi and Riki ran into the thicket.
Just then, Nazareth and the four remaining Yukaza men showed up, and the sudden collective made enough noise to summon Kito's attention. The Komodo Dragon turn abruptly. But this gave Light the perfect opportunity to escape the monster's sights, and seeing Riki and Asumi in the thicket, he silently gave the duo a series of hand gestures and told them to move further away from the area. He just hoped there weren't any more surprises waiting them within.
Of course, the Yukaza scrambled in terror as Kito bolted towards them.
Nazareth managed to avoid its nasty snapping jaws, but then Kito set its sights on another man, standing closer, frozen with fear, and with a sudden pivot, the monster opened it massive jaws, and snapped onto the man's right leg.
The man screamed, then Kito went into a barrel role, much like a crocodile in water, and within seconds ripped the man's leg clean off from the knee, the man's screams turned into death gurgles, as blood spurted out his mouth, and then other vital areas, giving the reptile the opportunity to finish him off.
Light witnessed it all from afar and it almost made him sick.
When they were together again, next to the wooden bridge that arched over the man-made creek that flowed through the entire gardens, Light turned to Asumi, with an urgency, and said, "Asumi, you and Riki need to escape this place. Nazareth won't stop until he kills me. Despite your past crimes, I know you two can make amends. I think Kira would agree with me."
Asumi shook her head. "We're staying here with you. We don't know what we can do to help, but we're not leaving." Riki concurred with a nod.
Light was about to protest when yet another very loud blood-curdling scream was heard. Kito had gotten another victim. And that changed his mind. Kito was fast, and he didn't want the pair to become the Komodo Dragon's next victim. It was best to avoid it at all costs.
"Fine, but just stay—"
Just then, Nazareth came out of a thicket of brush and barrelled into Light, knocking him down. The big man grabbed Light on the ground, and they rolled.
Nazareth then delivered a series of punches that Light tried to block. But one left hook got through and Light's head jerked back. Nazareth got to his feet with Light's shirt in one hand, and Light's back arched, his body felt like a sack of wet cement. The punch dazed him.
"Don't hurt him!" came a shout from Riki, and boy suddenly charged at Nazareth.
Asumi shouted for him to stop, but Riki ignored her, and grabbed Nazareth's left arm, pulling and yanking, trying to help Light, as Nazareth grabbed Light's shirt. But the big man just took Riki's face in his other hand and pushed Riki away like he was rag doll. Riki rolled end over end, until a tree stopped his momentum. Asumi went to him to see if he was okay.
Light witnessed this. Nazareth grabbed Light's chin and snapped his attention forward. "Look at me, boy!" he demanded. "Don't worry at them! You need to think about yourself! You're not going to get out of here alive! I'll guarantee it! Once the Yakuza has you, you are ours forever!"
More screams were heard in the distance as Kito probably chased Nazareth's men, eating them. And this just made Nazareth smile and laugh, as if their lives meant nothing.
Light struggled to slip out of his shirt but his tie kept him within Nazareth's tight grip. But it would not have done any good, as Nazareth then clutched both of Light's shoulders—the enforcer's grip was like two vices—and raised him up in the air above his head, and laughed.
Light looked down at the Neanderthal, and with a hard knee, bashed it into the thug's face.
Nazareth recoiled, and a stream of blood began to exit from the left corner of his mouth. But it only worsened an already brutal situation. And the brute only laughed more, as if it meant nothing. He twisted and tossed Light through the air and into the water with a huge splash.
Light gasped for air when he resurfaced, the creek was deeper than he thought.
He finally removed his tie and before he tossed his jacket, he removed the baton from the pocket. There was no way he was going to win against a brute of such strength, and he knew he needed an edge. He kept the weapon with him wherever he went the moment he got it back.
Pressing the button, the baton telescoped to its full two-and-half foot length.
Nazareth saw the weapon, and suddenly discarded his own jacket, shirt and tie, giving him freedom of movement—and revealing the rest of the large dragon tattoo Light had only seen part of. It wrapped around Nazareth whole heavy muscular body from shoulder to waist, coiling around like a true serpent. The man was built like a powerhouse, someone who worked out on a daily basis, muscle on muscle.
Saturated to his skin, Light removed his own shirt. He felt emasculated compared to Nazareth. But now Light had full freedom of movement, not bogged down by his water logged shirt. Although, at the moment, he wished he had got a haircut when he had the chance. He brushed back his wet hair back, drier, it flopped back down over his forehead but with less weight. And with a pat to his chest, he made sure Asumi's chain was still there. What he needed now was hope, and gripping the symbol, he prayed that "hope" was on his side.
Nazareth grinned amused, waving Light over, as Light stepped onto the river bank. "C'mon, little man, fight me. But not even your metal rod will help you." He slammed his fists together.
Light gripped the baton tightly in his left hand, then charged and swung it. Nazareth blocked it easily and tried to grab it, but Light moved swiftly.
Falling back to his police training, Light rolled past Nazareth, and got to a safe position from the brute's reach, then backed off further. But like a hungry and determined animal, Nazareth would not relent. Light could still hear the screams and shouts from the other Yukaza as Kito hunted them down one-by-one. This meant Light needed to finish this fight soon.
Kito would be after him soon. And Light wondered, somehow, if he could use the lizard to his advantage. Right now, however, another "animal" was his main focus.
Light managed to get a hit in during a moment of weakness as Nazareth reached for him, reaching forward with both his massive arms in an attempt to grab Light. This left Nazareth off-balance. Light ducked, and bashed Nazareth on the right shin. The big man let out a painful yelp, but it didn't seem to faze him much. He laughed. He seemed to enjoy pain.
"Come any closer, and I'll shove this straight up your ass!" Light grinned.
He had an idea, but he needed to make Nazareth angry. Emotion was the simplest thing to manipulate in a person, and anger was the easiest. When someone is enraged, they can lose all control over common sense and reality.
"You fail to realize that you were following a man with an insane ideology," Light said, as he circled Nazareth. "The things he allowed to happen here were testament to pure evil. And if you believe in his cause, then that makes you evil. Evil will be eradicated. And Kira will do it!"
Nazareth laughed loudly. "You really thing we are the evil ones? We are in the era of Kira. Whoever Kira is, you need to be afraid just as much as I do. Despots like Kira won't stop after his initial plans succeed. And if you believe in his ideology, then you need a re-education. You see, Kira and I are very much a like, we're both killers, and we love it!" Nazareth grinned.
Light grit his teeth. Nazareth was making him angry instead. But Light wasn't going to get into a debate. Kira was making the world into a kinder and gentler place for good hearted people. The Dragon Sect was an organization of pure, undulated evil that needed to be obliterated. Claw was dead, his facility and people were in chaos, but if Light didn't finish things here with Nazareth, then the man would most likely re-organize. Light would not let that happen.
Light straightened, which confused Nazareth. The brute didn't let his guard down, his hands into fists, his body postured like that of a prized fighter. Nazareth momentarily halted.
"What's this then? Giving up? But I'm not done with you."
Light eyed Nazareth with a hard stare. "People like you are the reason I took on the mantle of saviour," Light said sternly. "This world needed to change, it was rotten to its core. Yes, I have made mistakes, and I have sold my soul to the cause, but it is for a greater good. And when finally, my time has come, I will have no regrets for the sacrifices I've made."
Nazareth's eyes narrowed. "What are you babbling about? Is this some last ditch effort to save yourself, hoping I will take pity on you. Well, it won't work. I'm going to kill you! And then after I'm finished, I'm going to have my way with that hussy, and split her in two!" Nazareth grinned. "You've made that bitch fall in love with you, but there will be no place you and she can run. And once I become the new leader of the Dragon Sect, I'll paint your home town in blood."
Light gripped the baton tighter. But then he exhaled deeply, calmingly. "You are not going to kill anyone here, Nazareth," Light said firmly. "I will kill you instead!"
Nazareth chuckled between his teeth. "Oh, I beg to differ, detective, and there is nothing you can do stop the carnage I will unleash. You, the Mistress, the kid Riki, your family, the entire Kira Task Force—you will all be my targets. This whole escapade ends now!"
Suddenly, Nazareth unbuckled is pants belt and literally ripped off his trousers exposing more snake tattoos, snaking their way around his legs, all the way down to his ankle. He also revealed, along with wearing a pair of black speedos that left little to the imagination, that he, too, had a hidden (secondary) weapon—a sizeable knife, inserted into a flat scabbard, wrapped around his outer left thigh. It looked military grade, a combat knife with serrated ridges.
"I'm going to slice you into pieces, Detective," Nazareth smirked, branding his knife. He even licked the flat surface like some sadistic wild man. "Then I'm going to feed you to the Komodo Dragon. And as a personal triumphant, I'm going pickle your genitals for a trophy. I'll set them beside the tongue of that Kira Task Force informant that I cut out. You see, I enjoy collecting oddities! And body parts are the rarest oddities there are!"
To be continued…