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.

a spacious room on one of the underground levels. There,

studying the projected image of the night sky. His face was painted ghostly green by the ethereal tapestry of the swirling aurora. Saint

a while — at least in her human

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

Winter Beast back was taking a toll on the Transcendent of the White Feather

and her amber eyes

at the sound of

Ascended Dale, Sunless… welcome.

under the handsome man's eyes. Roan was acting uncharacteristically subdued,

Jet waved a

no one. What

Roan smiled slightly.

the best. There is not much time

front of them. On it, the map of the

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

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

Winter cursed.

figured as much, after the

Master Roan slowly nodded.

our priority to eliminate the Tyrant. The Devouring Cloud will descend on Falcon Scott today.

Irregulars glanced at each other. After a

know that the

scowled slightly, but before he could answer,

will lure it

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

hell would you

deeply, then

We have to eradicate other threats before he comes. If they attack together… you can imagine the devastation. The window of opportunity grows narrower with each day, so we

Irregulars, studied them for a few moments, and

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

Sunny smiled darkly.

to isolate the Tyrant? What if the three of us fail to kill

Tyris gazed at him for a while, her amber eyes

"Don't fail."

Shaking her head, she patted Sunny on the shoulder and walked toward

I like that plan. Let's

***