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, an onslaught of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles fell upon them, tearing the

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, and a mass of them staggered,

of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front of them in a loose line. Then, blinding arcs

tried to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back,

damage and slip through the lightning wall. Others could simply leap

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

was already heading for the distant entrance to the

tearing apart those abominations that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow was helping, diving down to rip into the weaker enemies with

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

have

a little, Sunny sighed. What was his friend doing right now? Probably

Sunny concentrated on

climbing the steep slope, well on its way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an

everyone's surprise, nothing went

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

road was suspiciously empty of enemies, and very soon, he realized why. A man in heavy plate armor suddenly appeared from

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

at him and

Sunny grinned.

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

him for a moment, then shook his head. A

not too

he dismissed his shield and

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

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made it

Rhino drove past the mighty fortifications of the siege capital and approached a

had left, the city possessed robust

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,

countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of

might of the First Army was gathered here, and the city itself had been converted into a fortress on such a scale that Sunny struggled to imagine the amount of effort, resources, and

like it was too

attention was concentrated on the massive gates of the siege capital, though, which the caravan was currently swiftly

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