Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 43: The Sun Rises Bright and Early

Haruto was always intrigued by how much humans hated their jobs. He personally felt great satisfaction fulfilling his duties as he did now.

The government had a severe crackdown on press coverage during the war, making him miss out on what could've been a major milestone in his service life. He was elated yet apprehensive for the opportunity to cover a military operation.

He'd photographed and videoed many events in his two years operating for Rising Sun News: hurricanes, earthquakes, corrupt politicians falling apart in court, workers' strikes gone bloody; but he'd never seen anything quite like this.

Elizabeth discarded Sekiguchi and left her to suffer a mental breakdown against the trench wall. She coolly rose and walked into no man's land, her hair blowing in the breeze, back straight, and staring ahead with pure intent. Haruto knew all about Elizabeth from the biography the peacekeepers posted online, but seeing her twirl the sword in her hand and deftly deflect all the lasers coming her way while explosions shot hunks of flaming earth into the sky made him reconsider his knowledge of her. This was something words on a sterile internet page could not convey about her.

"Sumiko-san, you must see this!" Haruto said.

Sekiguchi was rocking back and forth, screaming and sobbing in her hysteria.

"Sumiko-san, would you like for me to toggle 'tough love' mode?"

Sekiguchi looked up in confusion. "Tough love mode?"

Haruto's green friendly face suddenly changed into a hostile red one. He extended an internally stored arm and slapped her across the face. "Get it together, you little crybaby! You wanted to cover war, so here it is! What did you think war was going to be?! People painting their nails and talking about their period cramps over cups of Spacebucks macchiatos?!"

"W-what are you— "

"Are you a journalist or not?!"

"Yes I am."

"Are you?!"

"Yes!" Sekiguchi yelled with a wet face.

"Then wipe that snot off your nose and act like it!"

Sekiguchi wiped away the tears and the snot running from her nostrils. "You're right. Thanks, Haruto. I really liked the dash of sexism you threw in there, too."

Haruto's face returned to green. "You were literally doing that last week!"

Sekiguchi huffed and carefully stood, remaining hunched so that her head didn't get blown off. "What is going o— oh, wow," she muttered as she beheld Elizabeth's swordsmanship.

Elizabeth deflected the lasers at the booby bots and chopped them down. She barely dodged Serplexor's armored vehicle as he leapt off and their blades met.

"You think you can fuck up my palace and get away with it?! Fuck you, you hoe!" Serplexor yelled as he clashed his glowing scimitar against Elizabeth's longsword.

Elizabeth kicked away his sword, slapped him until he spun around, and grabbed him by his tail. "What did you call me?"

Serplexor shrieked in pain while trying to wiggle free. "I called you a 'hoe,' hoe!"

She spun him around and flung him into the sky. "Say 'hi' to the moon for me, prick!"

The moon gave Elizabeth a dirty glare, who returned the gesture by kissing her fist and extending a middle finger.

"That's the cover for our article right there!" Sekiguchi said with bated breath while peeking over the trench's edge. A green laser nipped her in the cheek, sending her tumbling back in. "Fuck!"