Shadow Slave

1029 The Fall of Falcon Scott (47)

The winds were howling as they crashed into the colossal bulwark of the city wall. The soldiers of the First Army were shivering on the battlements, staring into the hazy mist of the blizzard with grim expressions. These were the lucky ones — the less fortunate were far below, on the ground, ready to defend the breaches with their lives.

Because of the ugly rifts in the defensive barrier of the city, the logistics of the siege had become much harder. Today, it was especially so, since no one knew the direction from which the titan was going to attack.

Goliath could come from the south, marching across the ravaged landscape and shaking the earth with his every step. He could come from the north, emerging from below the dark waves to attack the port fortress first. For all Army Command knew, he could even crawl from under the ground… the scope of the titan's abilities was still a mystery.

That was why the defenders were dispersed along the whole perimeter of the wall instead of congregating at one or several of its sections.

However, Sunny and Jet, as well as their two cohorts of Irregulars, had found themselves in a familiar spot — right above the main entrance of the siege capital, not too far away from the Nightmare Gate that had torn through the wall not too long ago.

Sunny was sitting with his back against the alloy parapet, meditating. Soul Reaper was standing nearby, looking across the vast killing field, the landscape obscured by the veil of snow. Both were trying to ignore the whispers of the Call.

It was more than a bit annoying, to have to deal with it on top of the sickening anxiety of waiting for the start of the battle.

Sunny sighed, then looked up at Master Jet. His hair was getting in the way, so he brushed it aside. Before he could speak, she suddenly asked:

"Why don't you cut it?"

He coughed in embarrassment.

"Oh… the thing is, mundane scissors and autobarbers stopped working on me. I should probably just use a sharp Memory and cut it myself… yeah, that's what I'll do, one of these days…"

Jet looked away with a smile.

"I know a guy back in NQSC. He's very in demand, as one of the few Awakened hair stylists around. There are many Saints among his clientele, but if you want, I can get you a recommendation."

Sunny laughed.

"...Sure. When we're back in NQSC."

for a few

are you that we'll

Soul Reaper hesitated.

the plan, pretty sure. Bloodwave will step in if something goes wrong, too. It's

Sunny nodded.

"I think so…"

raising a hand. He grew quiet

looked into the darkness with

"Listen."

of the thousands of soldiers surrounding

Boom.

then, after a long and arduous pause,

Boom.

staring into the blizzard. Suddenly, he felt

"He's coming."

distance, the thunderous steps of the colossal giant were rolling over the world. Even though the soldiers could not see anything because of the raging snowstorm, the sound alone made them pale and grasp their weapons

Boom… boom…

Boom...

one assaulted them, almost

interference made it

the south.

pale-faced messenger saluted and disappeared from view, and then, there was nothing

were preparing for battle. Everyone around was doing the same, and from the impenetrable white haze beyond the wall, the steps of

Boom!

a torturous span

Boom!

his teeth, and on the battlement

Scott. No one could see him, but the heavy steps of the titan sounded like foreboding war drums. Soon, the ground started shaking with each of them. The tremors traveled through the alloy structure of the city wall,

of being crushed and broken by the giant's foot. Humans could not really recall pain, but remembering the feeling of being hurt was very easy, especially if one was

body remembered being