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.

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

abominations turned around and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks informed the

tail of the horde could reorient itself, however, a rain of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in

ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves

the more powerful abominations could weather the damage and slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply leap over it... one was already trying, for

though, a javelin fell from the sky,

for the distant entrance to

moving ahead of the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged

another. Each pierced an especially vulnerable 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

would have

was his friend doing right now? Probably

Sunny concentrated on the task at

caravan was already climbing the steep slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set up in the way of any potential pursuers, so their retreat had a good chance of happening without a

everyone's

roof of the Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian, Defiled Witness, a few

and very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from

Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former

glanced at him and

Sunny grinned.

You really are a sight for sore eyes. Say,

then shook his head. A calm voice

too bad

that, he dismissed his shield and

did the best we could, but

...And it was, indeed.

caravan still made

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

the city possessed robust defenses... but not nearly

meters tall, surrounding the whole siege capital. Its many bastions housed devastating railguns, which seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were placed along the wall's length, some aiming at the ground, some

most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among them, gathering soul shards and

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 effort, resources, and ingenuity that had gone into building these awe-inspiring

Scott looked... like it was too

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

the city wall fell on him, he let