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.

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

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

the 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

first few Nightmare Creatures that tried to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them

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

land, though, a javelin fell from the

Rhino was already heading for the distant entrance to

somehow survived the ranged

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 of fighting in

would have

doing right now? Probably staring at

concentrated on

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

everyone's surprise, nothing

in the mountains, Sunny was standing on the roof of the Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where

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 Rhino,

closed helmet, but Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and

Knight glanced at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

are a sight for sore eyes. Say, have you

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

not too bad yourself,

dismissed his shield and summoned a

would you please concentrate? We did the best we could, but it will

...And it was, indeed.

caravan still made it safely

approached a

they had left, the city possessed robust defenses...

devastating railguns, which seemed like they had been scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were placed along the wall's length, some aiming

corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn

itself had been converted into a fortress on such a

like it was

whole attention was concentrated on the massive gates of the siege

soon as the shadows of the city wall fell on him, he let out