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

away, the tail of 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 of the creatures, and a mass of them staggered,

itself, however, a rain of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs of electricity suddenly shot

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

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

javelin fell from the sky, piercing

Rhino was already heading for the distant entrance to

had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was

especially vulnerable spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily perfect... months of

would have been

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

concentrated on

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

everyone's surprise,

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

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

Dale - Winter's former partner and one of the

Knight glanced at him

Sunny grinned.

a sight for sore

ironclad warrior stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. A calm voice resounded

too bad

dismissed his shield and summoned a powerful longbow

please concentrate? We did the best we could, but it will still be a bumpy

...And it was, indeed.

caravan still made

siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly

they had left, the city possessed robust

they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were placed along the wall's length, some aiming at the

most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among

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

like it was too

massive gates of the siege capital, though, which the caravan was

the city wall fell on him, he let out a quiet sigh