Shadow Slave

As Nightmare Creatures rushed forward, the six Awakened began to act.

The two with elemental Aspects attacked first. Something flashed in the air, and then one of them was suddenly surrounded by a swiftly spinning ring of fire. The fire disc then flew forward and collided against the mass of abominations, immolating one of the hounds and burning several more.

The other raised her hand, and a thin blade made of nothing but air whistled as it bit into the flesh of one of the hunters, severing one of his arms at the shoulder.

Sunny blinked.

[You have slain a Fallen Monster…]

The fastest of the Nightmare Creatures were already lunging at the defenders. The girl he had spoken to before took a step forward and attacked with a slender saber, striking at the neck of a spiked hound and opening its artery with a precise cut. Two more Awakened were covering her from the sides, both wielding a shield and a Memory weapon of their own — one a short sword, the other a steel pike.

The last one did something to repel the arrows that were already flying toward their bodies, but Sunny had no idea what.

[Your shadow grows stronger.]

The Awakened were performing well… they acted with sufficient coordination and foresight, doing everything in their power to slow down the tide of approaching monsters. Although not elites, each of them was a capable combatant. They were brave and determined.

…And yet, it was not going to be enough. Not nearly enough to survive, let alone prevent the invaders from escaping into the city.

[You have received a Memory.]

'What to do, what to do…'

Not fully realizing what he was doing, Sunny commanded the shadow to wrap itself around his body, and for the Soul Serpent to slither back onto his skin.

Immediately, he felt much more powerful, his head more clear. His muscles brimmed with raw strength, double what he had just a second ago. His breathing became deeper.

Sunny knew that he had to slow the abominations down, and then get back into the fight.

That was the only way...

Making a step forward, he swayed a little, and then grabbed the roof of an abandoned PTV to help himself keep balance.

…Bending down, he then grabbed the bottom of the heavy alloy vehicle with his other hand.

his body, flooding it with as much strength as he could

every muscle in his body to perform one devastating, explosive

and the rushing tide of Nightmare Creatures and crashed into it from the side like a bizarre cannonball, turning several dormant beasts into bloody pulp, breaking numerous

threw just one look at them, searching for

Memory Type: Weapon.

'Good enough…'

the weapon and used Shadow Step to

his improvised ram and were already either attacking the six Awakened or escaping into

do anything

he could do,

black obsidian materialized in his hands, he thrust it into the throat of one of the wraiths,

brought it down on the head of a lunging hound,

in his ears and continued to fight, more Nightmare Creatures got past him… and more still

die, die… die, you damn wretches, die

***

the line

of the school didn't panic, either. Nevertheless, they could feel that the adults were frightened,

were

in theory… only none of those things could be done. There was just not enough time to evacuate or reach the nearest shelter, and so,

together. The younger children were placed in the middle, the older ones near the edge,

weapons, which looked menacing and beautiful… at least to Rain, who had never seen her teacher wield

the school because of those children whose parents were really important, there were five Awakened among them,

the first time how flimsy

that it was a real weapon, and not just a training

going

at him and say something in a low voice. Rain wasn't

He said:

that they held that long, really. Only seven of them… I don't know who these people are,

But… but… if seven Awakened were supposed to die in less than

felt cold and scared. The whole thing didn't seem real… how can something like this happen? This school was so prestigious and expensive, and so many important people sent their

through everyone's bodies. The automatic turrets had gone online, which meant

worked for the government, handling matters having to do with the logistical support of the Awakened, and although he didn't like to talk about work, she knew more