Kiyotaka gazed at the empty space where Zefir had stood moments ago. His face remained impassive, but his thoughts were already calculating possibilities. An invitation, not an imposition. Yet even in free choices, manipulation always lingers.
He put on the accessories Zefir had given him and, without looking at anyone in particular, broke the silence. "What do you plan to do?"
Light, who had been examining the items carefully, let a faint smile cross his lips. A man offering power with no apparent cost always has a hidden motive. But if what he said is true, this power will be my ultimate tool.
"The logical step would be to verify his claims," he replied calmly as he fastened the collar around his neck. His tone was neutral, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his restrained excitement.
Lelouch, ever analytical, observed the others before donning the accessories with an elegant motion. His mind wove potential scenarios as he sought ways to seize control of the situation. "I agree," he said, turning to the group with a piercing gaze, "but if this 'job' takes us to other worlds, acting alone would be reckless. At least for now, working together would be the most sensible approach."
Senku let out a brief, mocking laugh as he adjusted the collar and pocketed the remaining accessories like just another set of scientific tools. "Kukuku... 'Working together,' you say. I suppose it makes sense, but if zombies are as basic as I imagine, we could handle them individually with strategy and preparation."
L, hunched over with his curious eyes locked onto the collar, examined it as though it were a puzzle. He remained silent, processing the situation.
Eventually, he slipped the collar around his neck with a slight nod, saying nothing.
Shinichi nodded faintly, his expression calm but vigilant. He eyed the accessories with a hint of mistrust before deciding to wear them. "Zefir mentioned that the difficulty is progressive. If that's true, there's no sense in worrying too much… for now."
Yuuichi, with a carefree smile, took the accessories and fastened them as though he didn't care. Yet his eyes gleamed with dangerous cunning. How kind of him to give us the 'freedom' to choose. Well, I won't waste such an amusing opportunity.
He turned to the others, gesturing toward the collar he wore. "Though, if we can really go to any world with this, we should test it before jumping in blindly."
Keima, for his part, barely looked up from his console. He took the accessories with an indifferent air and wore them without much thought. "Do whatever you want. As long as you don't interfere with me, I don't mind working together… for now."
Light, seeing the lack of coordination among the group, took the initiative with his usual charisma. "Before we do anything, I think it would be wise to introduce ourselves. After all, we aren't just any group." He paused briefly, flashing a polite smile. "I'll start. My name is Light Yagami. I hope we can work together."
The others looked at him for a moment, assessing his words.
Kiyotaka was next, his tone cold and devoid of emotion. "Kiyotaka Ayanokouji."
Lelouch raised his chin slightly, exuding innate elegance. "Lelouch Lamperouge."
Senku spoke simply. "Senku Ishigami."
L, still hunched over and fiddling with the ring, introduced himself without taking his eyes off the accessories. "Rue Ryuzaki."
Shinichi kept his introduction brief. "Shinichi Akiyama."
Yuuichi, still wearing his sly grin, added in a light tone laced with intent. "Yuuichi Katagiri."
Finally, Keima, without lifting his gaze from his console, said, "Keima Katsuragi."
After the introductions, Lelouch resumed leadership of the conversation. "If we really want to test these accessories, the most logical step would be to return to our original worlds briefly. That way, we can confirm if they work as Zefir promised."
"A sensible idea," Light said, his fingers brushing the collar. "If we can go back and forth, we'll be able to plan more effectively."
Senku nodded as he casually examined the ring. "That would also let us evaluate any potential limitations these devices might have."
"Then let's not waste time," Yuuichi added, still amused. "I don't know about you, but I'm eager to use 'Devour'."
One by one, they stood and activated their collars, focusing on the name of their original worlds. Within moments, they vanished from the empty space.
From their perspectives, the world seemed to reconstruct itself in an instant, returning them to the exact places they had disappeared from.
—————————————————————————
[Location: Death Note – Unknown Country - Unknown Place]
L Lawliet surveyed the familiar surroundings of his room. Though his expression remained impassive, his sharp eyes scanned every detail.
The return had been surprisingly simple, almost unsettlingly so, and while he wouldn't admit it outright, Zefir's words echoed in his mind like a haunting melody.
For now, he set those thoughts aside. More immediate priorities demanded his attention.
He calmly approached his computer, sat on the floor, and adjusted the microphone with an automatic motion.
"Watari, record everything I'm about to say from this moment on."
At his monitoring station, Watari listened attentively to L's words.
His eyes had been fixed on the cameras when he saw L suddenly reappear, but he didn't let the surprise show. In his position, caution was a necessity.
"I'm listening, sir. You may begin when ready," he replied calmly, activating the recording and taking a notebook to jot down anything he deemed important.
L, aware of the caution in Watari's tone, didn't bother to question it. If their roles were reversed, he would have acted with equal prudence.
"Suddenly, all I could see was an impossible landscape," L began softly. "A place where white stretched out beyond visibility. No walls, no ceilings... it seemed like a completely empty world. The lighting suggested an open space rather than a closed one, but it was impossible to identify any concrete source of light."
He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, then continued in the same methodical tone.
"There were nine people there. Judging by their behavior and words, eight of them were simply human. Among them, Light Yagami, a Japanese high school student. Fragile build, chestnut-colored hair, slightly long and unkempt. Brown eyes, thin eyebrows..."
With unsettling precision, L began describing them all, listing physical traits, behavioral patterns, and any details he deemed potentially useful. Some individuals received more detailed descriptions than others, depending on what he found relevant.
When he finished, he paused meaningfully before speaking again.
"Watari," he finally said, his tone suggesting the importance of what came next. "That's all I can say for now. I intend to return to that place. My return will be within an hour at most. If I don't return within that time..." L let the sentence hang in the air for a moment, calculating the impact of his words. "Make the necessary preparations."
Watari remained silent, processing L's words.
From the moment his employer had begun speaking, he hadn't interrupted once, even as the account seemed to verge on the edge of logic.
However, only seconds passed before he replied with the efficiency and composure that always defined him.
"Understood, sir. I'll be waiting."