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.

could react,

around and saw the descending column of vehicles.

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

turned to ash. Roan was holding

lightning wall. Others could simply leap over it... one

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

for the distant entrance to the

somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving down to

after another. Each pierced an especially vulnerable spot on the bodies of the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was

would have been

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

Sunny concentrated on the task

the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised

everyone's surprise, nothing

was standing on the roof 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.

he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from behind a large boulder

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

Knight glanced at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

sight for sore eyes. Say, have you

moment, then shook his

not too bad yourself,

that, he dismissed his shield and summoned

concentrate? We did the best we could, but it

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made

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 it

possessed robust defenses... but not

scavenged from decommissioned battleships. Thousands of turrets were placed along the wall's length, some aiming at the ground, some staring

the city was littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among them,

fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort, resources, and ingenuity that had gone into building

looked... like it was too large to

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

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