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.

could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles

column of

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 rods, creating

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

it could land, though, a javelin fell

was already heading for the distant entrance to the

apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged

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

have been

now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and waiting for his

away all distractions, Sunny concentrated on

way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set up in the way of any potential pursuers,

indeed, to everyone's surprise, nothing went

ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian, Defiled Witness,

appeared from behind a large boulder and effortlessly jumped to the roof of the Rhino, landing just

visor of a closed helmet, but Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and one of the captains of

at

Sunny grinned.

really are a sight for sore

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

not too bad yourself,

shield and summoned a

please concentrate? We did the best we

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made

a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't help but stare at it

left, the city possessed robust defenses... but not

devastating railguns, which seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of

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

First Army was gathered here, and the city itself had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny

Scott looked... like it was too large to

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

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