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.

any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an

was wrong. Scores of abominations turned around and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the rest of the creatures, and

of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front of

first few Nightmare Creatures that tried to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were probably not going

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

land, though, a javelin fell

Rhino was already heading for the distant entrance to the mountain

ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving down to rip into the weaker enemies with its beak

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

have

aim a little, Sunny sighed. What was his friend doing right now? Probably

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

indeed, to everyone's surprise,

up ahead. That was the place where he had

armor suddenly appeared from behind a

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

Knight glanced at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

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

stared at him for a moment, then shook his

not too bad yourself,

that, he dismissed his shield and summoned a

best we could, but it

...And it was, indeed.

end, the caravan still made it safely to

drove past the mighty fortifications of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny

possessed robust defenses... but

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 moved among them,

converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort, resources, and ingenuity

looked... like it

whole attention was concentrated on the massive gates of the siege capital, though, which the caravan was

wall fell on him, he let out a quiet sigh and suddenly