Chereads / Linking Stars (old) / Chapter 18 - Scattered Blades

Chapter 18 - Scattered Blades

December 31 4005 6:58PM

At the academy roof, Derek stoods still at the center of a circle drawn on the ground with different unreadable symbols written to it with bright red ink

With his eyes closed as strong cold wind blew in the darkness of new year's midnight with flashing lights of the bright city

Although cold, he stood still without flinching or shivering as if the cold wind didn't affect his body, with that temperature, a human would've froze to death within several minutes

Just then, 7PM struck, he immediately opened his eyes, smiles before chanting incomprehensible words from his mouth

He continued chanting for what seem to be a few minutes, as wolves howl around the academy and chimes can be slightly heard...

Suddenly, the symbol on the ground glows exponentially, the red color slowly turns into cardinal red, growing brighter and brighter, before slowly and slowly turning bright white before quickly disappearing from the ground into thin ashes...

Just then Derek smiles menacingly, looks up on the sky and spread his arms widely as a dark void appears from the sky and above him which is barely visible due to the dark night sky, although it looked like a hole up close that has been opened from the sky

It grew more exponentially before stopping for a moments as the size was as big as the academy...

Then, a single huge monster fell from the void and landed on the academy grounds as it roars, more and more appeared with different types of monsters, a rhinoceros type, a hydra, aswell as a huge dragon, within a few minutes, it coveres the entire school with monsters...

Several roars and crashes can be heard from the inside, it was an all out rampage outside the school grounds...

"RAAAAAA!!!" roars several monster

Some monster knock over small buildings and some even try to break into the academy...

It was soon noticed by Isaac, Ann and the other staff members inside the academy

"What in the world is all that commotion?" wonders Isaac

"Isaac? I think that was monsters..." responds Ann

They quickly got out of the academy in a hurry along with other students to check the commotion...

"Oh, Monsters? Where the originality of that..." says Isaac

They look around, and see monsters, around the school grounds

The student look terrified and stand petrified on their state, although Isaac and Ann shouts to keep them from being scared...

They held their weapons up, sword, axes, staffs and confronted the monsters who in turn fight them...

As the students hold out the monster from the outside, several make their way inside, with different ways such as ramming into the academy, bashing it and even just roaring at it was enough to make a hole on the wall, big enough for the monster to bash through...

December 31 4005 7:10PM

Meanwhile, inside Light's barren and lifeless dorm room, the flickering light from the big flat television screen cast a dim glow on the plain walls. Light, sat on the floor, his gaze fixed on the game unfolding before him. Across from him, Claire, beside him, sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes filled with excitement from the video game that both played for the entire evening

The sound of gunfire and explosions filled the room as their virtual avatars engaged in a fierce battle. Light's character moved with calculated precision, striking down enemies without any hesitation. Claire's character leaped and spun, unleashing a flurry of arrows and deft sword strikes, her infectious laughter echoing through the room.

Suddenly and unfortunately, a chilling cry pierced the stillness, causing both Light and Claire to pause mid-game.

"What was that?" asks Claire

Light glances with a sincere look at the direction where the sound came from as their eyes met between Light and Claire, a silent understanding passing between them. The playful atmosphere evaporated, replaced by a sense of urgency and duty. They knew the origin of that cry—a monster lurked outside, threatening their peace and safety.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling cry pierced the air, causing Light to instinctively spring to his feet, ready to rush outside. But before he could take a single step, Claire swiftly stood in front of him, blocking his path.

"Wait, Light," Claire said, her voice filled with concern.

"Light..." says Claire

Claire then held his hand tightly in hers as he stood there, without moving, then she slowly let's go it

"You don't have to face this alone. Let me go with you." says Claire, as he voice filled with the expression of concern

Light's expression remained stoic and emotionless, his eyes locked on the door, his desire to protect evident. He hesitated for a moment, contemplating Claire's words, before finally meeting her gaze. In that moment, a flicker of appreciation and trust passed between them.

As they slowly opened the door to the dorm room, they cautiously stepped outside the dorm room, the darkness enveloped them, the cold biting at their skin. The chilling cries of the monsters intensified, resonating through the still night air. Light's expression remained impassive, his emotions concealed behind a mask of blankness.

"Well, it appears our evening just got a little more exciting," Light remarked dryly, his voice cutting through the silence.

Claire, undeterred by the darkness and cold, flashed him a determined smile, her eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve.

Suddenly and expectedly, a club bashes itself towards Claire

Fortunately, Light was quick to react and pushed Claire out of the way making the club crash onto the ground which reveals itself to be an ogre's club

The ogre breaths deeply, It's monstrous silhouette loomed against the moonlit sky, wielding a massive club that seemed to dwarf everything in its path.

"Human... Tasty..." says the ogre with a malicious intent

The ogre let out a guttural roar, a challenge that sent tremors through the ground beneath their feet. Light gripped his sword with a firm resolve, the weight of it providing both physical and emotional grounding. Claire's eyes sparkled with excitement, her carefree nature finding solace in the thrill of battle.

Light held his sword and charges into the monster, he uses -Fulmination Wallop-, his sword gleamed in the moonlight as he unleashed a series of lightning-fast slashes. Each stroke cut through the air with deadly accuracy, leaving trails of shimmering steel in their wake

With the ogre wounded and momentarily distracted by Light's relentless slashes, Claire seized the opportunity to display her prowess with the bow. She swiftly notched an arrow, drawing the string back with practiced precision. Her eyes focused on the ogre's exposed flank, a target she knew she couldn't miss.

In one fluid motion, Claire skillfully with her stellar art -Precision Striker- released the bowstring, her arrow sailing through the air with remarkable speed and accuracy. The arrow found its mark, burying itself deep in the ogre's flesh. A resounding thud echoed through the night as the monster recoiled, its roar of pain filling the air until it slowly fell down onto the ground.

"Well that takes care of that, I guess..." says Claire

"It's a little early to celebrate..." responds Light

As Claire turned around, her eyes widened at the sight that unfolded before her. Light, his normally stoic demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency, pointed towards the hallway where a swarm of monsters lurked. The hallway was a chaotic scene, with several students desperately defending themselves against the relentless onslaught.

Among the chaos and desperate struggle, Liene, wielding her kyoketsu shoge, fought alongside the other students, her weapon whirling through the air with deadly precision. Her movements were fluid and calculated, as she used it's long string and sickle-like blade to engage the encroaching monsters

As the horde of monsters closed in, Liene's eyes flickered with determination. With a quick and fluid motion, she swung her kyoketsu shoge, expertly manipulating it's long string and blade. The weapon snaked through the air, its movements calculated and precise

Liene's keen gaze fell upon two particularly menacing monsters charging towards the group. Without hesitation, she twirled her kyoketsu shoge, skillfully maneuvering the chain to entangle the creatures. With a deft flick of her wrist, she wrapped the chain tightly around their limbs, binding them together in a tangled mess.

Sensing an opportunity, Light, ever vigilant, observed Liene's actions and leaped into action. With a burst of agility, he darted forward, positioning himself between the entangled monsters and the vulnerable students. His sword gleamed in the dim light as he readied himself to intercept their attack.

The monsters, restrained by the kyoketsu shoge, roared and thrashed in an attempt to break free. Liene held firm, her grip on the weapon unwavering as she maintained the pressure on the tangled chain. The monsters' futile struggles only served to tighten the binds, further limiting their movements.

With a final, desperate surge, the entangled monsters lunged toward the group. But before their claws could find their mark, Light swiftly swung his sword, intercepting the blow. The clash of steel echoed through the hallway as Light's skillful parry deflected the monsters' attack.

The impact reverberated through his body, but Light stood resolute, his stoic expression unwavering. He absorbed the force of the blow, protecting the other students from harm. The combined efforts of Liene and Light had bought the group a precious moment of safety.

One by one, the arrows struck true, finding vulnerable spots on the entangled monsters. The creatures roared in pain and fury, their struggles growing weaker with each precise hit. Claire's shots with her trained stellar art -Swiftshot Precision-, guided by her keen eye and steady hand, proved to be the perfect complement to Liene's strategic entanglement

Although the monsters growing numbers slowly overwhelmed the three

"Light, there's too many of them..." points out Claire

Light's eyes darted across the chaotic scene, taking in the overwhelming number of monsters flooding the area. Claire's words resonated with him, the reality of the situation sinking in. He glanced back at her, a flicker of concern crossing his stoic expression.

Light nodded, as he spoke in an emotionless tone. "We need to find a way to thin their numbers and buy time for the others."

Claire nodded, her energetic demeanor replaced by a focused resolve. She tightened her grip on her bow and arrows, her eyes scanning the battlefield for a strategic advantage. Together, they needed to come up with a plan to turn the tide in their favor.

Light's mind raced, analyzing the situation and assessing their options. A flicker of inspiration sparked within him as he spotted a narrow corridor leading away from the main battlefield. It was a bottleneck, a potential advantage they could exploit.

"Follow me," Light called out to Claire, his voice cutting through the chaos.

He sprinted towards the corridor, his agile form swiftly navigating through the onslaught of monsters. Claire followed closely behind, her steps light and nimble.

As they reached the corridor, Light skidded to a halt, turning to face the incoming horde. Claire positioned herself a few steps behind him, drawing an arrow from her quiver and nocking it onto her bowstring. They had to act swiftly and decisively.

With a determined glint in his eyes, Light raised his sword, channeling his focus and skill. As the first wave of monsters reached him, he unleashed a series of precise and calculated slashes with his stellar art -Rage Ascension-. His sword whistled through the air, finding its mark with deadly accuracy, felling one monster after another.

Meanwhile, Claire positioned herself at the entrance of the corridor, her bow fully drawn. With practiced ease, she let loose a flurry of arrows, each shot finding its intended target with uncanny precision. The monsters faltered under the barrage, their advance momentarily halted.

Light's slashes and Claire's arrows created a lethal dance, their movements synchronized as they fought to thin the horde. The narrow confines of the corridor worked to their advantage, limiting the monsters' ability to surround them and overwhelming them with their combined assault.

As the horde pressed forward, Light and Claire held their ground, their determination unwavering. Each swing of Light's sword and each arrow released by Claire found its mark, cutting through the ranks of the encroaching monsters.

Time seemed to stretch as they fought, the battle becoming a blur of swift and precise movements. Light's silent intensity and Claire's unwavering focus carried them forward, pushing back the seemingly insurmountable odds.

Slowly but surely, the numbers of the horde began to dwindle. The remaining monsters grew wary, sensing the determination and skill of their adversaries. Light and Claire, fueled by their unwavering resolve, pressed on, their attacks unyielding.

Liene's eyes followed Light's every movement with a mix of admiration and longing. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she observed his unwavering focus and skill in battle, realizing how much time he spent training and fighting alongside Claire. Her feelings for Light had grown stronger over time, and seeing him fight side by side with someone else only intensified her emotions

"Light..." says Liene with slow tone

Lost in her thoughts, Liene's guard dropped, and she momentarily forgot about the impending danger. It was then that a menacing monster, sensing her vulnerability, lunged towards her with bared fangs and razor-sharp claws.

As the creature closed in, time seemed to slow down. Liene's heart pounded in her chest as a mix of fear and regret washed over her. She had allowed her emotions to cloud her judgment, leaving her defenseless and exposed.

As Claire's keen eyes caught sight of the monster closing in on Liene, her instincts kicked into high gear. Without a second thought, she abandoned her position in the coordinated attack with Light, pivoting swiftly to intercept the impending danger.

"Liene!!!" yells Claire

With a burst of agility, Claire closed the distance between herself and Liene. She drew an arrow from her quiver with practiced speed, fitting it onto her bowstring. As the monster lunged towards Liene, Claire released the arrow with a precise aim, sending it hurtling towards the creature.

The arrow found its mark, striking the monster squarely in its side. The impact staggered the creature, as it slowly falls down onto the floor with loud thud

Claire gathers her thoughts, as she watches in relief for Liene safety

"Humm... Hummm... You're safe now, right Liene?" asks Claire

"Yeah... I am..." responds Liene

The monster behind them slowly emeges and stood up as it slowly claws into Claire

"Claire, Watch out..." says Liene with an alarming tone

Claire's eyes widened as she turned around, only to see the monster rising from the floor with renewed determination. Before she could react, the creature lunged at her, its sharp claws reaching out towards her.

Instinct kicked in, and Claire swiftly evaded the monster's attack, narrowly dodging its menacing claws. She leaped back, creating some distance between herself and the creature. Fear and adrenaline coursed through her veins, but she refused to let it paralyze her.

Gripping her bow tightly, Claire took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. She locked her gaze onto the monster, her mind racing to come up with a plan. Liene's warning echoed in her ears, a reminder of the imminent danger.

As the monster prepared to strike again, Claire swiftly nocked an arrow and drew back the bowstring. With a precise aim and steady hand, she released the arrow, sending it hurtling towards the creature.

The arrow found its mark, striking the monster in a vulnerable spot. It let out a guttural roar, momentarily staggered by the impact. Seizing the opportunity, Claire swiftly followed up with a series of nimble evasions, dodging the monster's retaliatory strikes before slowly the monster falls down and seemingly dies

She quickly turns back at Liene with a exhausted and concerned look

"You alright, Leine?" asks Claire

"Yeah, are you?" responds Liene

Light, too, recognized the significance of Claire's actions. He swiftly adjusted his combat strategy, shifting his attention to the monster that had momentarily turned its attention away from him. Without missing a beat, he resumed his onslaught, launching a fierce series of slashes and strikes.

As Light fought, he skillfully created an opening in the chaotic battle, allowing him a momentary respite to check on Liene's safety. His eyes scanned the area, finding Liene standing strong beside Claire, her determination mirrored in her gaze. A sigh of relief escaped Light's lips, grateful to see her unharmed amidst the chaos.

However, his moment of relief was short-lived as an unexpected blow from a monster sent him hurtling towards a nearby wall. The impact reverberated through his body, causing pain to shoot through his muscles and bones. Light's curse slipped through gritted teeth as he pushed himself up, refusing to be deterred by the setback.

"Shit..." says Light

As Light's body plummeted to the ground from the impact of the crash, he managed to roll and dodge the relentless claws of the monster that pursued him. His movements were swift and agile, narrowly evading each strike with precision and skill.

With a burst of strength and determination, Light propelled himself back to his feet, his eyes locked onto the monster that had targeted him. Gripping his sword tightly, he leaped into the air, his body arcing gracefully through the darkness.

In a seamless motion, Light brought down his blade with all his might, aiming for the monster's vulnerable head as he then uses his -Nova Strike- art against the monster. The sharp edge of his sword sliced through the air, cleaving through flesh and bone. The monster's agonized cry echoed through the night as it fell, defeated by Light's decisive strike

"It's too damn hard to use one sword to thi--" Light's words trailed off as his eyes widened in surprise

He stops from finishing mid sentence after seeing Claire and Liene rushed to his side, their expressions filled with concern and determination. They had sensed his struggle and had come to his aid without hesitation

"Crap-"

Light's heart raced as he leaped into the air, his body propelled by a surge of adrenaline. He intended to unleash his powerful art, -Fulmination Wallop-, upon the monster before him. However, to his dismay, his energy waned at the crucial moment, leaving him without the necessary strength to execute the technique.

"Shit-" cries Light

Instead of a devastating strike, Light crashed into the monster, his body colliding with its formidable mass. The impact reverberated through his bones, causing excruciating pain to course through his weary body. He fought to maintain consciousness, but his energy was depleted, leaving him vulnerable and defenseless.

The monster, seizing the opportunity, retaliated with a vicious swing of its club. Light's vision blurred as he was sent hurtling towards a nearby wall, the force of the blow driving him into the unforgiving surface. Stars danced before his eyes as he struggled to regain his bearings, his body battered and bruised.

In the midst of the pain and fading consciousness, a faint voice called out his name. It was Claire, her voice filled with concern and desperation. Light strained to see her, his view obstructed by the towering figure of the monster. He wanted to assure her that he was alright, but his body refused to respond.

"Light!" yells Claire

Meanwhile, Cain and Marcus, pressed forward with determined strides as they searched for their missing friend, Rose. The dimly lit corridors cast long shadows, adding an eerie atmosphere to their quest.

But their search took an unexpected turn as they rounded a corner, only to come face-to-face with a horde of monsters. The creatures snarled and growled, their menacing presence blocking the path ahead. It was a daunting sight, a formidable obstacle that demanded their attention.

Cain's eyes widened as he took in the horde before them. He knew they couldn't afford to be stopped now. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned arcane energies, swirling and crackling around his fingertips.

"Shit, where did they come from?" says Marcus

"Well, you can ask them yourself..." responds Caim sarcastically

Marcus grimaced at Cain's sarcastic remark, but there was no time to dwell on it. The horde of monsters closed in, their snarls growing louder, their clawed hands reaching out eagerly.

Without missing a beat, Marcus takes out his newly upgraded scythe and swung his scythe in a wide arc, its sharp blade slicing through the air with a resolute purpose. The monsters that dared to come too close were met with a swift and deadly strike, their bodies falling to the ground.

As Marcus continued his relentless assault, Cain kept a watchful eye, ensuring none of the monsters could get close enough to catch his friend off guard. His spells struck with precision, each blast finding its mark and sending the creatures reeling.

But the horde seemed endless, their numbers seemingly replenishing with each fallen comrade. Cain gritted his teeth, his determination unyielding. He knew they needed a plan, a way to thin out the horde and regain control of the situation.

Marcus then jump up and uses slashes the first monster before charging towards another and using the scythe art -Slant-, taking it out in one fell swoop

With the way clear, and without any monster on sight, they continue their search for Rose, running, looking around and checking their surroundings

"Marcus, we can't keep fighting like this," Cain called out above the chaos, his voice laced with urgency.

Marcus nodded, his eyes scanning the area for any advantage they could exploit. His gaze fell upon a nearby chandelier, its ornate design suspended from the ceiling.

"I have an idea..." Marcus replied, with a determined glint in his eyes and a small smirk.

"Yeah, no might be right time for that..." responds Cain

"Cover me" says Marcus

Cain nodded in agreement and with a smile, he raised his hands to conjure a barrier of magical energy around Marcus. It provided a temporary shield, deflecting the incoming attacks from the monsters while Marcus executed his plan.

With a burst of speed, Marcus darted toward the chandelier. He leaped into the air, and with the art -Soulchain Lash- he used his scythe as a makeshift grappling hook to catch onto the chandelier's chain. With a swift motion, he released the chain, sending the chandelier crashing down onto the horde below.

The impact reverberated through the corridor, causing the monsters to scatter and stumble. It created a momentary window of opportunity for Cain and Marcus to regroup and reassess their strategy.

"We need to keep exploiting their weaknesses," Cain suggested, his mind racing with possibilities. "Find their vulnerabilities and strike where it hurts the most."

"Yeah!!!" responds Marcus

He looks for any discernible patterns or weaknesses at the monsters. He spotted one creature with a glowing sigil on its chest, pulsating with energy.

"Focus on their sigils," Marcus called out, his voice resolute. "They seem to be the source of their power!"

With renewed determination, Cain and Marcus fought back with a newfound strategy. They targeted the monsters' sigils, striking with precision and purpose. Each blow weakened the creatures, sapping their strength and resolve as Cain threw a barrage of Fireballs and Lightning bolts at groups of monster with one of his spells missing and hitting an unknown target.

Slowly but surely, the tide of battle began to turn. The horde that once seemed insurmountable now dwindled in numbers, their ferocity diminishing with each fallen comrade. Cain and Marcus fought with unwavering resolve, their teamwork and determination proving to be their greatest assets.

Finally, as the last of the monsters fell, the corridor fell silent once more. Cain and Marcus stood amidst the aftermath, their breaths heavy and their bodies weary but victorious in harsh battle.

As they contemplate in their victory, Cain and Marcus took a moment to catch their breath and bask in their success. However, their thoughts quickly turned back to their main objective—finding their missing friend, Rose.

"Rose is still out there," says Cain

"Yeah" responds Marcus

"We can't waste any more time. We have to find her." says Cain with a concerned tone

Together, they resumed their search, navigating the dimly lit corridors of the academy with renewed focus. Their footsteps echoed in the silence, a constant reminder of the urgency of their mission.

"I think this is more than we think..." points out Cain

"What do you mean?" asks Marcus

They chat while running on the dark hallway

As they ran through the dark hallway, their conversation took a more serious turn. The realization that the appearance of the monsters sent a shiver down their spines.

"It's just that, the monsters suddenly appearing and Rose missing is not a coincidence... Don't ya think?" asks Cain

"Yeah, come to think of it, yeah that does make sense..." responds Marcus

Cain's gaze turned introspective as he processed the gravity of the situation. His mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts, each competing for his attention. He struggled to make sense of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the sudden appearance of monsters and Rose's inexplicable disappearance

"Come on, Rose, Where are you?" thoughts Cain

Marcus pats his back, and as he turns his head towards him, he receives a smile from Marcus

"Hey, we're gonna find her..." says Marcus

"Yeah..." responds Cain nervously

As they run vigorously on the dark cold academy hallways to find Rose's whereabouts

Meanwhile at the dorms, Claire and Liene fight against the horde of monster, while Light lie, weak on the ground while surrounded by monster

Claire and Liene fought with all their might, unleashing a flurry of attacks against the horde of monsters that surrounded them. The echoes of their weapons clashing and the monsters' growls filled the air.

Amidst the chaos, Claire stole glances at Light lying on the ground, weakened and vulnerable. Her heart filled with a mix of worry and determination. She couldn't let him fall to the monsters' claws.

With a swift movement, Claire maneuvered through the battlefield, her agility and precision unmatched. She darted towards Light, her bow ready to provide cover and support.

Liene, aware of Claire's intentions, intensified her attacks with the art -Nautilus Hook-, creating an opening for Claire to reach Light's side. Arrows whizzed through the air, striking down monsters with lethal accuracy with he art -Precision Strike-.

Reaching Light's side, Claire crouched down, shielding him as she fired arrows, keeping the monsters at bay. Her eyes locked with his, filled with determination and unwavering resolve.

"Light..." says Claire with a desparate tone

Liene jumps up and uses -Nautilus Hook-, a Kyoketso-shoge art as she hooks both her blades onto the ceiling, allowing to fly across the room and kick the incoming monster

Light slowly stood up from weakened state, with Claire sat next to him, he slowly takes out his sword once more and charges into battle

He leaped and spun once before slashing his sword towards a monster before leaping once again with his art -Rage Ascension-, dealing multiple slashes

As Light's energy surged within him, he leaped high into the air, his sword gleaming with a newfound power. With a swift and fluid motion, he spun once, gathering momentum, before bringing his blade down in a devastating arc.

The monster, caught off guard by Light's sudden display of strength, let out a howl of pain as the sword sliced through its thick hide. But Light wasn't finished yet. He propelled himself forward, his body a blur of speed and agility, as he unleashed his stellar art -Rage Ascension-

"Faster, I need to be faster" says Light with a desperate tone

With each leap and twirl, Light's sword became a blur of slashes, cutting through the air with incredible precision. The monsters around him didn't stand a chance as his blade tore through their ranks, leaving trails of blood and severed limbs in his wake.

With a emotionless expression etched on his face, Light tightened his grip on his sword and focused his mind. He knew that to be faster, he needed to not only rely on his physical abilities but also tap into the depths of his inner strength.

And then he used his -Catalyst Blast- art to break through the large group of monsters that threatened them as he raised his sword high, a surge of energy gathered around the blade, crackling with raw power. In a swift motion, he brought his sword down with tremendous force, unleashing a devastating shockwave that rippled through the air and with a large swoop from his gray sword, he took out a group of monsters in one fell swoop

After the close battle they had, Light took a moment to catch his breath as he held his sword tight in his hand as he had a much larger threat to deal with

He knew who it was, he knew the person who sent this monster to rampage across the academy

As Light stood there, his heart pounding from the intense battle, his mind focused on the one responsible for unleashing the horde of monsters. The person who sought to bring chaos and destruction to the academy. He clenched his sword tighter, his knuckles turning white, as a surge of determination coursed through his veins

"Derek..." thoughts Light

As he stood there with a sincere glance on his face

With a shared determination, Claire and Liene stood by Light's side, ready to face whatever awaited them.

"Thanks..." says Light

With a sense of urgency, Light, Claire, and Liene raced through the academy's hallways, their footsteps echoing against the cold, stone walls. The cheers and applause of the students they had saved served as a reminder of the responsibility they carried on their shoulders.

As the imminent threat grew closer and closer, and one way or another they will face the threat that immerges among them

At the top of the academy, bathed in the moonlight, Derek stood with a sinister smile curling on his lips. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and malice, his plan reaching its critical stage. He knew that Light would come, drawn by the chaos and danger that had unfolded.