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:

have been much worse if

Sunny nodded somberly.

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

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 back

while — at least in her

hair, which had once fallen down like a cascade of pale

Beast back was taking a toll

her amber eyes

Roan turned at the sound of the

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

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

Jet waved

waits for no one. What did you

Roan smiled slightly.

well, it is for the best. There is not much time

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

ending in a harrowing circular maw. The

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

Winter cursed.

figured as much,

Master Roan slowly nodded.

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

glanced at each other. After a short pause, Jet

do you know that the

before he could answer, Saint

clan will lure it

their gazes with a calm expression,

the hell would you do

inhaled deeply, then turned

with each day,

them for a few moments,

you will make sure that the creature never takes flight again. That is

Sunny smiled darkly.

the swarm? What if Roan fails to isolate the Tyrant? What if

Tyris gazed at him for a while, her amber eyes both beautiful

"Don't fail."

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

like that plan.

***