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

No! Why would you think

young woman gave him a dubious look and shook her

look a little different, that's

Sunny grinned.

a

sigh and mumbled under

how is

and appeared on top of the Rhino, sighing as the

though... he was not that cold. His passive resistance to the elements

Ice, and wrapped the shadow he kept with himself around his

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 as

Huh.

down on the roof and closed his

can get used to

Traversing the abomination-infested expanse of the Antarctic Center was still hard and dangerous, but with

relays in the military vehicles. Sunny was stationed at the head of the column, while Naeve

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

'Ah. Finally, a professional...'

a long bone harpoon and a net woven out of unnaturally

and his Aspect powers seemed to be under severe restriction, though,

more than

Sunny to notice the difference between the two of them. It was understandable... after all, the Nightwalker had a

new to Sunny, and made him think about

By then, Sunny was secretly starting to thank the gods that Naeve's ship had suffered catastrophic damage.

everyone and arm

other than Beth who