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.

the valley. Before any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles fell upon them, tearing

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

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

barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were

abominations could weather the damage and slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply leap over it... one was already trying,

javelin fell from the sky, piercing the

already heading for the distant entrance to the mountain

Echoes were moving ahead of the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged

Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily

have been

his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and waiting for his turn to board

away all distractions, Sunny concentrated on the task

failed, the caravan was already climbing the steep slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to

indeed, to everyone's surprise, nothing went

familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian, Defiled Witness, a few months ago. Very little had changed in this

suspiciously empty of enemies, and very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder and

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

Knight glanced at him

Sunny grinned.

a sight for sore eyes.

at him for a moment, then shook his head. A

too bad yourself,

his shield

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

...And it was, indeed.

caravan still made it safely to

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

the city possessed robust defenses... but not

seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were

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

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

Scott looked... like it was too

gates of the

the city wall fell on him, he let out a