Death Note: The God of this new world

Chapter 26: Desperate Measures

Aria's head was pounding as she pushed herself up to a sitting position. Her vision blurred for a moment before it finally cleared up. She looked around and found herself in a room she didn't recognize. It was dimly lit and empty except for the harsh fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling.

She noticed a sharp piece of metal nearby that had been knocked loose from a table during her altercation with Teru. With great effort, she crawled over and picked it up. It was a bit rusty and dull, but it would have to do.

Aria slowly got to her feet, using the wall for support. Her entire body was aching, but she pushed the pain aside. She had to find L. He was still in danger and she was the only one who could warn him about Mello and Teru.

Holding the improvised knife tightly in her hand, she moved stealthily through the unfamiliar corridors. Every noise made her jump, but she forced herself to keep going. She couldn't afford to be caught off guard again.

After what felt like hours, she finally spotted a figure in the distance. It was L, standing alone in the middle of the hallway. A wave of relief washed over her as she quickened her pace.

But before she could reach him, another figure appeared from the shadows. It was Mello, his cold eyes locked on L. Aria's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted towards them, ready to do whatever it took to protect L.

Mello's lips twisted into a smirk as he began to speak, his voice echoing eerily in the empty hallway. "You know, it's funny how things have turned out," he said, his eyes never leaving L. "Who would have thought that all this would start with a simple notebook?"

L didn't respond, his gaze steady on Mello. Aria could see the tension in his shoulders, the grim determination in his eyes. She wished she could reach him faster, but Mello was too close.

"I remember when we first heard about Kira," Mello continued, pacing slowly. "Near was so sure that he could catch him, that he could solve the case. He was a fool, just like you."

His words were full of disdain, his expression one of bitter amusement. "He thought he could beat Kira by playing by the rules, by following the law. But Kira doesn't care about the law. He's above it. He's... a god."

Mello's eyes glinted in the harsh fluorescent light, his smirk widening. "And now, here we are. You, on the run, and me, on the side of the new world order. It's almost poetic, don't you think?"

L said nothing, his expression unreadable. But Aria could see the muscles in his jaw clenching tightly. She had to reach him, and fast. She gripped the knife tighter in her hand and continued to move forward, praying that she would make it in time.

Mello's gaze hardened on L, his voice taking on a mocking tone. "You see, L," he said, taking a step closer. "Kira isn't just some criminal you can catch with your detective tricks. He's a force of nature, a god. And you can't fight a god with mere human efforts."

As he spoke, Aria could see the gleam of something metallic in his hand - a knife. Her heart pounded in her chest. She had to act now. With a surge of adrenaline, she lunged forward, driving her own knife into Mello's leg.

He let out a strangled cry, staggering back as Aria pulled L away from him. "Run!" she shouted, and they did, racing down the corridor as Mello's cries of pain echoed behind them.

They turned a corner and skidded to a halt, finding themselves in front of a large door. Aria quickly scanned the room - this was it. The main office. The control room. The heart of Kira's operations.

"Aria, we need to get out of here," L said urgently, his eyes darting around the room. "If Mello recovers..."

"I know," Aria replied, her mind racing. She quickly went to the control panel, her fingers flying over the buttons as she tried to find a way to unlock the exit. The stakes were high, but they had come this far. They couldn't afford to lose now.

From the darkness of his secret office, Light watched the screens displaying the security footage. His eyes were locked onto the figures of L and Aria, escaping from the building.

An inscrutable smile crept onto his face, his eyes reflecting the glow of the screens. "So, they're together," he murmured, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the armrest of his chair.

The revelation was interesting, to say the least. L, the world's greatest detective, who was always so focused on his work, involved with someone else. And Aria, the daughter of Dove, who had unexpectedly shown up and proved to be a thorn in his side.

Light leaned back in his chair, letting out a soft chuckle. This was an unexpected twist, but one he could use to his advantage. The bond between L and Aria could be exploited; it was a potential weakness he could use to bring them both down.

"Yes," Light said softly, an evil smile spreading across his face. "This could work perfectly."

His mind began to churn with plans and strategies. L and Aria had escaped tonight, but they had unknowingly given him a potent weapon. And he intended to use it to its full potential.