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.

of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an

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,

however, a rain of strange metal roads fell from the sky, piercing the ground in front

Nightmare Creatures that tried to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of essence were probably

the lightning wall. Others could simply leap

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

already heading for the distant entrance

the ranged attacks.

sending one arrow 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 Antarctica had really honed his once rudimentary archery

would have been

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

away all distractions, Sunny concentrated on the task

way to leave the valley. Naeve had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set up in the

to everyone's

That was the place

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

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

at him and nodded

Sunny grinned.

for sore eyes. Say, have you

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

too

shield and summoned a powerful

We did the best we could, but it will

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made it safely to the

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

city possessed robust defenses...

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

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

had been converted into a fortress on such

Scott looked... like it was too large to

gates of the siege capital, though, which the

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