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

Sunny nodded somberly.

room on one of the underground levels. There, two people were

standing in front of a false window, studying the projected image of the night sky. His face was painted ghostly green by the ethereal tapestry of the swirling aurora. Saint Tyris was motionless, sitting in an imposing chair with her

while — at least in

armor was bent and broken, white steel marred by dried blood. Her hair, which had once fallen down like a cascade of pale gold, now looked lifeless and bleak. Her dazzlingly beautiful

taking a toll on

was still aloof and stern, however, and her amber eyes burned with the

the sound of

Ascended Winter, Ascended Dale,

circles under the handsome man's eyes. Roan was acting uncharacteristically subdued, his usual charisma gone. That did not bode

waved

one. What did you want to

Roan smiled slightly.

the best. There is not much time

the false window and stopped beside Sky Tide, then gestured at the holographic projection in front of them. On

wings, lean body with six segmented legs, a tail that ended with a long, jagged stinger… and three long necks, each ending in a harrowing

new Tyrant. A Fallen one, but still a dire threat

Winter cursed.

We figured as much, after

Master Roan slowly nodded.

Cloud will descend on Falcon Scott today. You will be the blade to strike its

glanced at each other. After a

that

slightly, but before he could answer, Saint Tyris suddenly

will

silent, looking at her incredulously. Sky Tide met their gazes with a calm expression, her face as motionless

would

deeply,

opportunity grows narrower with

Irregulars, studied them for a few

will contain the swarm. Roan will bring the Tyrant down. The three of you will make

Sunny smiled darkly.

if Winter fails to hold back the swarm? What if Roan fails to isolate the Tyrant? What if the three of us fail

while, her amber eyes both beautiful

"Don't fail."

head, she patted Sunny on the shoulder and walked toward the projection

I like that plan. Let's discuss the

***