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,

saw the descending column of

fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs of electricity suddenly

barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding

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

fell from

Rhino was already heading for the distant entrance to the mountain

vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving

the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily perfect... months of fighting in Antarctica had really honed his once

would have

doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and

all distractions, Sunny concentrated

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

to everyone's surprise,

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

mountain road 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 Rhino, landing just a few steps away

helmet, but Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's

glanced at

Sunny grinned.

sight for sore eyes. Say, have you always

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

too bad yourself,

shield and

best we could, but it

...And it was, indeed.

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

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

left, the city possessed robust defenses... but not

least seventy 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 staring into the dark sky.

corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams

city itself had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort, resources,

Scott looked... like it was too

massive gates of the siege capital, though, which the

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