Shadow Slave

Sunny did not recall falling asleep, but he was woken up by someone banging on the hatch of the Rhino. Sitting up, he looked around and realized that he must have passed out while studying the weave of the Midnight Shard. The austere tachi was still laying on the holographic table, glinting as if to mock him.

He had almost solved the problem. That elusive element of the weave was almost isolated, but to...

As someone banged on the hatch once again, making the massive APC shake a little, Sunny flinched, rubbed his face, and went to the hatch.

"Coming! Who the hell…"

He opened the hatch and froze, swallowing the rest of his irritated shout.

"Oh, ah… Master Jet. Good… morning?"

She glanced at him with amusement.

"Technically, it's evening. Go wipe the drool off your face and come out, Sunny. We've been summoned to attend a meeting."

He frowned, then threw an angry look at the gloomy shadow, which was hiding in the darkness not too far away. The bastard was supposed to warn him if anything approached, protecting Sunny from a sudden attack… or from embarrassing himself, in theory.

The shadow shrugged innocently and looked away.

Shaking his head, Sunny returned inside and quickly washed his face. A couple of minutes later, he left the APC and closed the hatch behind him. Since Soul Reaper mentioned that he had to come out, they were most likely heading for the complex that the local branch of the First Army Command used as headquarters. It was only a short distance from the barracks.

Indeed, Jet walked in that direction, with Sunny following as he looked around with sleepy eyes. A few moments later, he asked:

"...What is the meeting about?"

She shrugged.

"We'll find out. All I know is that White Feather wants to see us."

'White Feather, huh…'

The two of them made their way to the army headquarters, but then walked past it, approaching a heavily fortified compound instead. Winter and Dale were already waiting for them near the gates, looking as ragged and fatigued as Sunny.

He greeted them.

"I heard you retook Breach C yesterday? Must have been a tough fight."

Dale simply shrugged.

"Not really. We still hold both sections of the wall above the breach, so all I had to do was persuade the abominations to stay put until the garrison forces shredded them with ranged weapons."

He remained silent for moment, and then added:

would have been much worse if they were better climbers,

Sunny nodded somberly.

they entered the compound and were led to a spacious room on one of the underground levels. There, two people

ghostly green by the ethereal tapestry of the swirling aurora. Saint Tyris was motionless, sitting in an imposing chair with her back

Sky Tide in a while — at least in her human form. She

once fallen down like a cascade of pale gold, now looked lifeless and bleak. Her

holding the Winter Beast back was taking a toll on the Transcendent of the

however, and her amber eyes

Roan turned at the sound

Ascended Jet, Ascended Winter, Ascended Dale, Sunless… welcome. Sorry for

noticed black circles under the handsome man's eyes. Roan was acting uncharacteristically subdued, his usual charisma gone.

Jet waved

waits for no one. What did you want

Roan smiled slightly.

to business… well, it is for the best. There is not much

then gestured at the holographic projection in front of them. On it, the

long, jagged stinger… and three long necks, each ending in a harrowing circular maw. The abominations looked like

Cloud has produced a new Tyrant. A Fallen one, but still a dire threat to the survival of the city. The creature

Winter cursed.

much, after the

Master Roan slowly nodded.

is our priority to eliminate the Tyrant. The Devouring Cloud will descend on Falcon Scott today. You will be the blade to strike

glanced at each other. After a short pause,

you know that the

but before he could

our clan will lure

looking at her incredulously. Sky Tide met their gazes with a

the hell would

Tide inhaled deeply, then

comes. If they attack together… you can imagine the devastation. The window of opportunity grows narrower with each day,

at the Irregulars, studied them for a

the swarm. Roan will bring the Tyrant down. The three of you will make sure that the creature never takes

Sunny smiled darkly.

if Winter fails to hold back the swarm? What if Roan fails to isolate the Tyrant?

gazed at him for a while, her amber eyes both beautiful and cold. Then,

"Don't fail."

she patted Sunny on the shoulder and walked toward

like that plan.

***