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 remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles fell upon them, tearing

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

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 rods, creating

through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan

the lightning wall. Others could simply leap over it...

though, a javelin fell from the sky,

the distant entrance to

moving ahead of the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was

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

have

now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and

Sunny concentrated on

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

to everyone's surprise, nothing went

was the place where he had slain the Gate

heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large

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

at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

a sight for sore eyes. Say,

at him for a moment, then shook his head. A

not too bad yourself,

dismissed his shield

concentrate? We did the best we could,

...And it was, indeed.

end, the caravan still made it

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

left, the city possessed robust defenses...

which seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were

of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among them,

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

looked... like it was too large

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

wall fell on him, he let