Shadow Slave

The Rhino flew forward, somehow navigating the twists and turns or the narrow mountain road without plummeting off its crumbling edge. There was nothing but darkness anead, with snow swirling as it melted in the powerful beams of light that shot from the roof of the heavy vehicle. For once, Luster seemed serious and completely concentrated, his fingers wrapped around the yoke so tight that they had turned white.

The convoy did its best to keep up. The civilian transports were sandwiched between the APC and the military vehicles, shaking precariously as they rolled forward at high speed.

Sergeant Gere and his soldiers were hastily loading the poisoned ammunition into the feeding mechanisms of the turrets, turning their barrels east and aiming spotlights at the sky.

The veil obscuring the horizon was getting closer and closer.

'Damn, damn, damn...'

Sunny was standing behind Luster, perceiving the world through the eyes of his shadows. They were gliding far ahead, scouting the path in search of serious obstacles and possible shelter.

Shelter... there was none to be found.

And the devouring swarm was too fast to outrun.

Suddenly, his head jerked sideways. A dozen or so meters ahead, a swift silhouette lunged at the approaching Rhino from a deep crack in the cliff's face. All Sunny had time to see was a powerful body, a glint of madness burning in a pair of frenzied eyes, and dozens of sharp claws that shimmered as if made of metal.

Before the attacking Nightmare Creature that had laid in ambush received a chance to collide with the APC, a black arrow pierced its neck, throwing the abomination back and nailing it to the stone slope. Standing on the roof of the Rhino, Saint drew the string of Morgan's Warbow again as the pinned corpse flashed by.

Luster flinched, but kept the vehicle steady.

"...That was a close one, sir."

Sunny had nothing to answer.

a reckless manner brought its own risks. Not being

even then, it would most likely not

"...Go faster."

could tell that the approaching haze was strange and unnatural. They would not be able to see the flying horrors with their own eyes

too nerve-wracking, even

'Curse it...'

feverishly trying to find a way

did not know the speed of the approaching horde, but judging by how fast the distant

Creature appeared on the road. Before it could react, a massive shape lunged at it from the darkness. Abomination's powerful jaws closed on the monster's throat,

smaller Echo. Soon, they reached a fork in the road and stopped, unsure of where

His shadows had already explored both roads, confirming the

moments before the Rhino reached the fork, he leaned forward and spoke

"Take the right path."

right path was the only acceptable choice if they wanted to have even the tiniest hope of getting out of the path of the flying swarm.

it was blocked by the bodies of a

Luster saw them,

what

of the pilot's seat

"Just plow through them!"

could

the Rhino was already lowered. The abominations were Awakened, at best... tons of swiftly moving metal were bound to

down or trying to avoid a direct collision... not that it was possible to maneuver around the

had time to properly

splattered with a revolting mix of blood and mangled flesh. Without skipping a bit, Luster prevented the vehicle from lurching sideways with a small