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.

any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught

deceived 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,

from 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

lightning wall. Others

a javelin fell from the sky, piercing the

Rhino was already heading for the distant entrance to the

caravan's Echoes were moving ahead of the vehicles, tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was

especially vulnerable spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly.

have been

Sunny sighed. What was his friend doing right now? Probably staring at the

concentrated on the task at

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

to everyone's surprise, nothing

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 months ago. Very little

soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder and effortlessly jumped to

Sunny recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former partner and one of the captains of the Irregulars - by his steady bearing and

at

Sunny grinned.

You really are a sight for sore eyes. Say, have you always been so

a moment, then shook his head. A calm voice resounded from behind

too bad

his shield

we could, but it will still be

...And it was, indeed.

still made it safely to the gates

mighty fortifications of the siege capital and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny

the city possessed robust defenses... but not

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

most of the abominations utterly torn

into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of

like it was too

the siege capital, though, which the

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