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

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

the ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs of electricity suddenly shot between the rods, creating a

to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for

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

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

was already heading for the distant entrance to the

caravan's Echoes were moving ahead of the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving down

pierced an especially vulnerable spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures,

have

aim a little, Sunny sighed. What was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and waiting for

Sunny concentrated on

Roan's lightning barrier 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 be set up in

indeed, to everyone's

Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian,

realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder and effortlessly jumped to the

recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and one of the captains of the Irregulars - by his steady

Knight glanced at him and

Sunny grinned.

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

shook his head. A calm voice resounded from behind

not too bad yourself,

he dismissed his shield

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

...And it was, indeed.

the end, the caravan still made it safely to the gates

of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't help

when they had left, the city possessed robust defenses... but

like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands

littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among them, gathering soul shards

had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort,

like it was too large

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

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