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.

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

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

ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs of electricity suddenly shot between

turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were

the more powerful abominations could weather the damage and slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply

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

for the distant entrance to the

survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow

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

would have been

What was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships

concentrated on

Roan's lightning barrier failed, the 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

to everyone's surprise,

ahead. That was the place where he had

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

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

glanced at

Sunny grinned.

sore

moment, then shook his head. A calm voice

not too bad

he dismissed his shield and summoned

did the best we could, but it will still be

...And it was, indeed.

end, the caravan still made it safely to the gates of

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

possessed

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 staring into the dark sky. Sunny could see lumbering MWPs patrolling the

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

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

looked... like it

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

soon as the shadows of the city wall fell on him, he let out a quiet sigh and