Shadow Slave

Eventually, Sunny climbed out of the sleeping niche and went about the business of managing the caravan. They had made it far into the mountains and were already moving north, toward their true goal.

The blizzard was still raging, reducing visibility to almost zero. The landscape was as grim and foreboding as ever.

Surrounding areas needed to be scouted, maps needed to be updated, reports needed to be received, and a hundred other things demanded his attention.

Before getting down to it, Sunny spared a few moments to stare at the grey fabric and lusterless black leather of the Puppeteer's Shroud.

Who could have thought that he would be reduced to seriously using it again, after all that time?

'It sure is much more comfortable than walking around in a full plate of steel armor. Ah, the old me had it good...'

Actually, not really.

Sunny was ready to climb to the roof of the Rhino when he noticed Beth staring at him with a strange expression. He lingered for a moment.

"What?"

She blinked a couple of times, then pulled her gaze away.

"No, no... nothing..."

Sunny frowned.

"Just say it, will you?"

Beth remained silent for a second, then asked hesitantly:

"Are you... uh... are you wearing makeup?"

it was his turn to

No! Why would you think

woman gave him a dubious look and

look a little different,

Sunny grinned.

a marble

a sigh and

how is this

Sunny dissipated into the shadows and appeared on top

that cold. His passive resistance to the elements was already

wasting any time, Sunny made himself heavier for better stability, summoned the Memory of Ice, and wrapped the shadow he kept with himself around his body, simultaneously circulating essence to double the enhancement granted

of seconds later, he felt even more comfortable. Sunny still sensed a slight chill, but it was in no way bothersome. Additionally, the winds were powerless against him. It was

Huh.

sat down on the

get used

journey to Falcon Scott continued. Traversing the abomination-infested expanse of the Antarctic Center was still hard and dangerous, but with Naeve assisting Sunny in defending

military vehicles. Sunny was stationed at the head of the column, while Naeve stayed in the rear to provide

during the rare stops and when an especially dire threat demanded both of them to fight side by side to

'Ah. Finally, a professional...'

an extremely skilled warrior, using a long bone harpoon and a net woven out of

entirely comfortable fighting on land, and his Aspect powers seemed to be under severe restriction, though, so the scion of the

was more

to notice the difference between the two of them. It was understandable... after

was a bit new to Sunny, and made him think about things that

Field survivors joining it. By then, Sunny was secretly starting to thank the gods that Naeve's ship had suffered catastrophic damage. Without the additional supplies looted from its holds,

everyone and arm those who could and knew

the end, the only other person other than Beth who showed any reaction was Kim.