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

descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the rest of the creatures, and a

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

ash. Roan was holding them

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

though, a javelin fell from the sky,

already heading for the distant entrance to

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

was sending one arrow flying after another. Each pierced an especially vulnerable spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily

have been

was his friend doing right now? Probably

concentrated on the task at

slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set

everyone's surprise, nothing went

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

was 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

a closed helmet, but Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's

at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

Dale. You really are a sight for sore

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

not too bad yourself,

shield and summoned a powerful longbow

the best we could, but it will still be a bumpy

...And it was, indeed.

caravan still made it safely to the gates

capital and approached a

had left, the 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 battleships.

littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly

might of the First Army was gathered here, and the city itself had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of

like it was

of the siege capital, though, which the caravan was currently

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