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.

of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets,

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

sky, piercing the ground

pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were probably not going

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

javelin fell from the

heading for the distant entrance

survived 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 accuracy was scarily perfect... months

have been

little, Sunny sighed. What was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships

all distractions, Sunny concentrated on the

way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be

to everyone's surprise, nothing

Gate up ahead. That was the place where he had slain the Gate Guardian, Defiled Witness, a few months ago. Very little had changed in this

was suspiciously empty of enemies, and very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder and effortlessly jumped to the roof of the

Winter's former partner

glanced at him and

Sunny grinned.

sore eyes. Say, have you always been so

him for a moment, then shook his head.

too bad

that, he dismissed his shield and

you please concentrate? We did the best we could, but it will still be a bumpy

...And it was, indeed.

end, the caravan still made it safely to

fortifications of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly

possessed robust defenses... but not nearly as

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

countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart.

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

it was too large

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

the city wall fell on him, he let out a