Shadow Slave

The preparations did not take long. As the caravan was getting ready for one last push, the three Masters briefly discussed the plan of the battle.

There was not a lot they had to do. If things went well, most of the Nightmare Creatures would be pulled away by the city defenders, and the mountain road would be cleared by the Irregulars. However, it was always a good idea to prepare a few contingencies, just in case.

At some point, Roan gave Sunny a studying look and said:

"...You've look different, Sunless."

Sunny tilted his head a little, confused.

"Why wouldn't I? The last time we saw each other, I was still an Awakened. Oh... or do you mean my skin?"

Roan shook his head with a smile.

"No, I don't mean your appearance. You just seem... older."

Sunny blinked a couple of times.

"I am older, though? By about two years?"

The handsome Master chuckled.

"That you are. Anyway, I think we are as ready as we can be. Should I send the signal?"

Sunny nodded, prompting Roan to summon a Memory that resembled a waxed clay tablet. He simply drew a jagged line on it, then waved at them and walked over to his griffin.

Not long after that, the sortie that was supposed to lead most of Nightmare Creatures away from the valley commenced. It started with a heavy missile barrage, which was then followed by a full company of MWPs appearing on the far side, accompanied by many cohorts of Awakened.

Sunny and Naeve silently watched as the sea of abominations rushed forward, then glanced at each other and dashed toward their vehicles. Abomination and Blackie rose from the ground and shook their gaunt bodies, preparing for a battle.

They did not have to wait long.

As soon as the horde of Nightmare Creatures shifted to the far side of the valley and spilled out of it, pursuing the retreating diversion force, the Rhino growled and lunged forward. The battered APC was functioning perfectly, as if it had gathered all its remaining strength for one last glorious charge.

The long column of vehicles followed the mighty machine.

remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles

and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the rest of the creatures, and a mass of them

of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs of

to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were probably not going to last

abominations could weather the damage and slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply leap

though, a javelin fell from the sky, piercing the creature

heading for the distant

survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping,

Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily perfect... months of fighting in Antarctica had really honed his once

would have

doing right now? Probably staring at the

Sunny concentrated on the task at

steep slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set up in the way of any potential pursuers, so their retreat had a good chance of happening without

everyone's surprise, nothing

on the roof of the Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian, Defiled Witness, a few

very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared

behind the visor of a closed helmet, but Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and

at

Sunny grinned.

You really are a sight for sore eyes. Say, have you always been so

for a moment, then shook his head. A calm voice resounded from behind the

too bad

dismissed his shield and

best we

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made it

the Rhino drove past the mighty fortifications of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't help but stare

city possessed robust defenses... but not nearly

was at least seventy meters tall, surrounding the whole siege capital. Its many bastions housed devastating railguns, which seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were placed along the wall's length, some aiming at the ground, some staring into the dark sky.

was littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers

converted into a fortress on such a scale

like it was

of the siege

city wall fell on him, he let