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.

rolled down into the valley. Before any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and

saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and

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 rods, creating a wall

ash. Roan

slip through the lightning wall.

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

was already heading for the distant entrance to the

the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving

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

would have

was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and waiting for his turn to board

Sunny concentrated on

leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield

everyone's surprise, nothing went

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

realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly 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 the Irregulars - by his steady bearing and

Knight glanced at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

a sight for sore eyes. Say, have you always been

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

not too bad

his shield and summoned a powerful

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

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made it safely to the

capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't

city possessed robust defenses... but

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

around the city was littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly

on such a scale

like it was too large

the siege capital,

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