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.

react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles fell

the deceived horde sensed that something was wrong. Scores of abominations turned around and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the rest

the ground in front of

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 to

slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply leap over it... one

could land, though, a javelin fell from the sky, piercing

the distant

the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving down to rip into

the Nightmare Creatures, killing them

would have been

What was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the

away all distractions, Sunny concentrated on

the valley. Naeve had arranged for an

to everyone's

on the roof of the Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain

suspiciously empty of enemies, and very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder and effortlessly jumped to the roof of the Rhino, landing just a few steps away

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

Knight glanced at

Sunny grinned.

for sore eyes. Say, have you

warrior stared at him for a moment, then shook his head.

too bad yourself,

his shield and summoned

you please concentrate? We did the best we could, but it will still

...And it was, indeed.

made it safely to the

and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't help but stare

city possessed robust defenses...

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

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

gathered here, and the city itself had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled

like it was too

concentrated on the massive gates of the siege capital,

soon as the shadows of the city wall fell on him, he let out a quiet sigh and suddenly staggered, as if robbed