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 of bullets, arrows, and magical projectiles fell upon

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, struggling to change

ground in front of them in a loose

instantly turned to ash. Roan was holding them back, for now, but his reserves of

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

fell from the sky,

was already heading for the distant

that had somehow survived the ranged attacks. Even Crow

the Nightmare Creatures, killing them instantly. His accuracy was scarily perfect... months of fighting in Antarctica

would have been

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

distractions, Sunny concentrated on the task

had arranged for an improvised minefield to be set up in

to everyone's surprise, nothing went

ahead. That was

road was 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 roof of

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

Knight glanced at him

Sunny grinned.

really are a sight for sore eyes. Say,

warrior stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. A calm voice resounded from behind the

not too bad yourself,

his shield

please concentrate? We did the best we could, but it will still

...And it was, indeed.

in the end, the caravan still made

and approached a colossal, seemingly impregnable alloy wall, Sunny couldn't help

city possessed robust defenses... but not nearly as

at 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.

most of the abominations utterly torn apart. Teams of engineers moved among them, gathering soul

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

it was

the siege capital, though, which the caravan was currently swiftly

let out a quiet sigh and suddenly staggered, as if robbed of