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.

down into the valley. Before any of the remaining Nightmare Creatures could react, an onslaught of bullets,

the deceived horde sensed that something was wrong. Scores of abominations turned around and saw the descending column of vehicles. Their howls and shrieks

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

few Nightmare Creatures that tried to pass through the barrier were instantly turned to ash. Roan

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

a javelin fell from the sky, piercing the

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 helping, diving down

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

have been

doing right now? Probably staring at the anchored battleships and waiting for his turn to

away all distractions, Sunny concentrated

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,

to everyone's surprise,

roof of the Rhino and staring at the familiar Gate up ahead. That was the place where

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

recognized Ascended Dale - Winter's former

glanced at him

Sunny grinned.

for sore eyes. Say, have you always

then shook his head. A calm

too bad yourself,

dismissed his shield and summoned

did the best we could, but

...And it was, indeed.

the end, the caravan still made it safely to the

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

when they had left, the city possessed robust defenses... but not nearly as

they had been scavenged from decommissioned

was littered with countless corpses, most of the abominations utterly torn

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 ingenuity that had gone into

like it

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

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