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.

Before any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and

and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the rest

of the horde could reorient 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 between the

the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but

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

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

was already heading for the

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

spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily perfect... months of fighting in Antarctica had really honed his once rudimentary

have been

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

concentrated on the task at

was already climbing the steep slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for

indeed, to everyone's surprise, nothing went

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

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

Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and one of the captains of the

glanced at him and

Sunny grinned.

really are a sight for sore eyes. Say, have

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

too bad yourself,

that, he dismissed his shield

the best we

...And it was, indeed.

still made it safely to

drove past the mighty fortifications of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall,

city possessed robust defenses... but not nearly

they had been scavenged from decommissioned

countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers

on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort, resources, and ingenuity

it was too large

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

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