The East PacificBoard

Aozora listened to what Malice was saying, and nodded, but it didn’t make her feel any better. I know the world hates him. That’s...exactly what I need to worry about. Since the best option I have involves- Her thoughts were cut off by Malice’s next words. Him? Planes? Nuke- NUKE!? It can’t be, it...no, don’t deny reality! We have to prevent this from causing any damage! GAH! They knew the weapon. They knew the target location. They knew the likely plan. All the information she’d so desired was within her reach! And yet...come on, come on! As Malice struggled with a messenger pigeon, Aozora snatched her communicator from beneath her cloak and desperately smashed buttons. But it was no use. All she received was static. She was out of communication range from the short-range device, and by the time she could meander back into range, it would be too...late...

A fury burned in her eyes, a fury like an inferno. Aozora conjured her scythe on reflex, raised it into the air...and realised what she was doing. The urge to destroy something to alleviate her stress had become so instinctive...slowly, she put the weapon away, the table in front of her undamaged. Her breathing became intense. At last, she let out a growl. “Of...of course....of course...of! OF COURSE! AFTER ALL THIS TIME WONDERING WHAT HE WILL DO NEXT, WE FIND OUT, JUST TOO LATE TO FO AN ACCURSED THING ABOUT IT!” Her voice thundered, echoing throughout the room. For a few moments, she was silent, fuming without a word.

Then, slowly, she began to laugh. It stated as empty, bitter chuckles, then spiralled into a maniacal cackle. She laughed and laughed, grasping the table with one hand to keep herself steady, her lungs crashing against her ribs, until she laughed enough to take her breath away. As she coughed and gasped, a few final, trailing laughs came from her throat, her eyes filled now with a desperate combination of hatred, fury and madness.