Black Tears

"What did the weather bureau say?"

"They said the cause was unknown."

"Unknown, my ass! You can see from the satellite that this cloud bank has spread all the way to Washington D.C.!"

"B-but they really said it defies science."

What many people thought was merely a dark cloud heralding a heavy rainstorm had, in a short time, shattered their worldview.

Without any warning, vast swathes of dark clouds began to form and gather. Then they started spreading outward, with Liberty Island at the center.

In the distance, the dark clouds revolved faithfully around the center like an accretion disk.

Winds and waves began to churn, and thunderstorms erupted one after another.

Flights were delayed, ferries were suspended, and many people were stranded on Liberty Island.

The weather bureau's emergency meeting had been going on nonstop, but they still couldn't find a reasonable explanation for what was happening.

In the end, they simply gave up and said, "Perhaps this has something to do with supernatural forces."

Sure, sure. Passing the buck like that, huh? Making baseless claims, huh?

The higher-up had just been about to flip the table when he received an urgent joint notice from the FBI and officials even higher up. They told him not to concern himself with the cause, to ground all flights, and to tell anyone coming to New York, "Sorry, just land at whatever airport you can find for now."

"Could this really be connected to the supernatural?"

The higher-up muttered to himself.

"This definitely has something to do with the supernatural!"

At the FBI's New York office, several influential figures had gathered to hear the intelligence that had been confirmed so far.

"At two a.m. today, the supernatural being who once appeared in Tokyo and called himself 'the Faker' showed up on Liberty Island. He drew patterns around the island that appear to be some kind of ritual arrangement. We've since destroyed the patterns, but that doesn't seem to have affected the current situation."

"At nine this morning, a satellite that routinely photographs New York captured what appears to be 'the Faker' floating high above Manhattan, looking toward Liberty Island with one hand outstretched."

"Almost at the same time, clouds began to gather over New York, gradually concentrating above Liberty Island."

"An hour ago, a supernatural being in Tokyo who claims to be able to sense 'demons' contacted us through the Special Affairs Bureau. She said she could sense an extremely powerful and terrifying demonic presence. Its direction was right here."

"We've also confirmed that the 'Faker' was closely involved in the Shinjuku monster incident some time ago."

"So, we can conclude that the dark clouds currently hanging over our heads are the 'work' of a supernatural being, and are most likely connected to monsters. We must prepare for the worst."

After hearing the report, Director Edgar rubbed his brow and set down the documents in his hand. "Apart from preparing for battle and staying on high alert, do you have any other suggestions?"

"Should we ask the supernatural being in Tokyo to come over?"

"No. We can't do that unless it's absolutely necessary. The consequences would be too severe."

"What's the Faker's goal? Is there something hidden beneath Liberty Island?"

"There is something hidden there, but it isn't unique to Liberty Island."

"Could he be after the tourists on the island? Is he going to turn them all into monsters?"

Edgar stiffened at that, his lips parting as he looked at everyone. "Could his target be the Statue of Liberty?"

"But isn't the statue made of nothing but copper and iron? What does that have to do with demons?"

"True." Edgar breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, seemingly accepting the other person's point.

"I'm more inclined to think the Faker wants to use a ritual to turn everyone on Liberty Island into monsters. Perhaps he chose this location because of its unique geography."

"But if you put yourself in his shoes, wouldn't monsters do the most damage in a busy city?"

"Could they be flying monsters?"

"That would actually make them easier to deal with."

"If there are any important people on Liberty Island, bring them back and hold them for observation. As for the rest, we can see what happens."

All sorts of theories began to circulate. Edgar said no more and left the meeting room. He needed to brief the President and request assistance from the National Guard and the military.

When the President received the news, he treated it as a matter of utmost importance and quickly assembled his advisory team to come up with a plan. Given what had happened in Tokyo, they had no choice but to take this seriously. They had to deliver a heavy blow to the supernatural forces plotting against them and make an example of them.

And so, the war machine began to turn. A temporary combat command center was established, a carrier strike group set out, military bases shifted to a state of readiness, and pilots stood ready to take off at a moment's notice.

National Guard troops were deployed to key locations across New York, setting up temporary defensive lines. Evacuation alarms rang throughout the city, leaving people who had just been busy at work utterly bewildered.

Before long, however, they received the news on their phones and through TV media: supernatural forces were wreaking havoc in New York, and all residents were required to strictly follow the orders of nearby troops and either head to the nearest emergency shelter or shelter at home.

Panic began to spread, but the National Guard was on hand, and the thugs trying to take advantage of the chaos to loot were dealt the harshest punishment.

For a brief moment, law and order became better than ever!

The tourists on Liberty Island, however, weren't feeling nearly as cheerful.

"Why bother looking at the statue? It's just a hunk of junk. Look, now we're trapped here."

"But it's a symbol of America, isn't it? If we came all this way, we had to see it."

"Isn't there a telescope by the shore?"

"That's not the same thing."

A young couple started bickering. A middle-aged Asian woman nearby suddenly chimed in in English. "Don't worry. Our country's rescue teams are very fast."

The couple eyed her doubtfully. "Are you American?"

The Asian woman smiled proudly. "Of course. Can't you tell? I don't have an accent."

The young man curled his lip. "Fast rescue? Really?"

"Heh. Don't let certain media outlets brainwash you. Look at how fast our country's rescue teams are. The helicopters are already here."

The couple followed her pointing finger and saw several helicopters heading their way. They couldn't help but feel relieved.

Soon, the helicopters landed, and several soldiers emerged with guns in hand, warily scanning the crowd.

"When I call your name, come over and confirm your identity. Everyone else, don't worry. Ferry service will be back to normal soon."

After barely calming the crowd, someone began reading out names. There were only seven or eight people in all, but dozens were left behind!

"Sir, sir! I'm American too. I'm not a tourist. I got my—"

"Step back!" the soldier shouted, warily raising his gun and pointing it at her. The Asian woman was so frightened that she immediately raised both hands and slowly backed away, not daring to say another word.

The people whose names had been called quickly boarded the helicopter. They wasted no time at all, taking off and leaving immediately.

"What was that about?" The couple glanced at the Asian woman and whispered to each other.

Perhaps the Asian woman felt embarrassed too. She hurried away.

The rest had better return to the restaurants or museums on the island and hide from the rain that could start pouring down at any moment.

Aboard one of the helicopters, which had only just taken off, a passenger who had just been picked up looked at the Statue of Liberty, level with him in the distance, and exclaimed in surprise, "I never noticed before—her eyes are black!"

But the helicopter was too loud. Only the person beside him could just barely hear what he said.

"How could that be? Haven't you ever seen a textbook?!" someone beside him shouted.

"But look!"

He pointed at the statue's eyes. The others were drawn by his gesture and instinctively looked over.

And the very next second, the "black eyes" he had mentioned shed a drop of pitch-black tear. It slid from the corner of the goddess's eye and traced a streak of black down her cheek.

Rumble.

Lightning writhed through the dark clouds.

Thanks to "Author Keep It Up" for the donation.

Thanks to "Peter Pan the Great Flyer" for the donation.

Thanks to "Sleep with the Galaxy" for the donation.