Shadow Slave

Just like that - and, perhaps, just as expected - the last opportunity to avoid disaster slipped away from their grasp. Saint Cor desperately tried to salvage the situation, but it was hopeless.

The armies of both clans were fully prepared to annihilate the enemy, and perhaps be annihilated themselves, on that cold November day. Their bloodlust could not be quenched with words. The fates of countless civilians were about to be decided on a battlefield where humans would be killing other humans, not the Nightmare Creatures.

No... there would be Nightmare Creatures, too. A sea of abominations would be killing humans on the orders of a Saint. Somehow, that fact made the whole situation even sadder.

'The gods and the daemons had fought side by side against the Unknown, too... but, in the end, they slaughtered each other.'

The battle did not start immediately. Sunny half-expected the emissaries to lunge forward without wasting even a single second, but after exchanging murderous gazes, they simply turned around to return to their soldiers. The cold sky was full of heavy clouds, plunging the world into grey twilight.

The leaders of the two armies were leaving to prepare for battle. Mordret stared at the backs of Morgan and Madoc for a few moments, then threw a quick glance at Sunny and smiled. With that, he left with Seishan, and his Reflections followed.

Wake of Ruin was motionless, looking at the ground. Somehow, he looked older than usual. A heavy sigh escaped from the Saint's lips.

"Ah... the world is changing too quickly. Or is it me who can't keep up anymore?"

He lingered for a few moments, then looked at the Ascended of the Evacuation Army with a heavy gaze. Wake of Ruin hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but then simply shook his head.

"Withdraw."

The Ascended shifted, preparing to follow his command. ...But Sunny didn't. Instead, he grimaced and took a step away, in the direction where the emissaries of Valor were walking. Noticing his movement, Saint Cor frowned.

"What do you think you're doing, young man?"

Sunny stopped and looked at him calmly.

"What am I doing? I'm doing my best to make sure that as many people as possible are evacuated safely. That's the mission I signed up for when I joined the First Evacuation Army. What are you doing?"

anger ignited in his eyes. Standing under the wrathful gaze of a Saint was nothing

the only way to sustain this world. That is how

unpleasant the government Transcendent was, he had nothing but admiration for the old man. However, he was fed up with

looking away, Sunny gritted

of the soldiers who died under my command. Go tell the people who are going to die because we did nothing today that their lives were sacrificed for the sake of your damned

Wake of Ruin grimaced.

can get involved today, but what will happen tomorrow? What will happen a year from today,

Sunny even

away from the government Ascended and stood shoulder to shoulder with

Saint Cor scowled.

what the

Jet shook her head.

we can't compromise and bide our time anymore. You said it yourself - the world is changing. Old tactics won't

he could answer, she looked at

If the government decides to start openly choosing sides, there won't be a government in a few months. Can you

blinked, while Saint Cor pierced her

but you're standing by his side. Am

Jet shrugged and grinned.

Wake of Ruin fought under the banner of Clan Valor. But... a couple of renegade Masters? No one will bat an eye. The government must stay neutral, but that doesn't

cold. It was as if the temperature of the air

shook his

anything

few moments, unmoved. Eventually, Wake of Ruin grimaced and turned away. He didn't say anything more, either. But somehow, it felt as though their

could understand a lot from their eyes, as well. It was as though the three of them were having

end, Sunny just shook