Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

Zane's curiosity regarding the city in the trees and the humans who lived within them quickly faded. In fact, he suddenly found himself growing much more tired. Which was unusual, as his body did not feel fatigue or drowsiness under normal circumstances.

The only reason he ever slept was because of habit, and to pass the time. Yet, he had suddenly felt it was difficult to keep his eyes open. And just when he was about to lose consciousness he felt a sudden jolt in the back of his mind. As if he had been forcefully stimulated by some outside force.

When Zane opened his eyes, he saw Allie's hand moving towards him, causing him to roll out of the way. After recovering his senses, he realized the woman had dropped her previously friendly façade, and looked at Zane as if something was incredibly wrong. Which she gave voice to immediately after.

"That's strange… I know I put more than enough into those nuts to knock out a Tier III Horde King. How did a fucking whelp like you manage to stay awake?"

Seeing as how Zane had never come across a human being, other than the women he was close to who were aware of the Horde Kings and their existence. Zane instinctively knew exactly what Allie really was and was quick to give voice to his thoughts while slowly backing away from her.

"You… You're the local Horde King? How? Why are you living here with humans?"

Allie sighed, and rolled her neck around, as if to crack it, before advancing towards Zane. She was quick to comment on Zane's bewilderment, as if he were a hypocrite.

"What? Did you seriously think you were the only Horde King who chose to dwell with the living? These bastards are smart, I'll give them that. I can't even send my Tier V servants into this place. What with those fucking bonfires they keep lit 24/7. Didn't you see the smoke exuding beyond the city when you entered?

This world is changing, and I don't think Mother is wholly responsible for it. I mean why would she create something like that herb they light flame to keep the Undead away? For any of our kind below the level of Horde King, it would be lethal to inhale it.

But for us, it has no effect. Still, Serena really is a massive bitch. She told us that you were headed east. And yet here you are, stepping foot in my domain a few hours after escaping from the others. I must say, I was surprised to see you here, but excited nonetheless."

Zane did not honestly know how he was going to get out of this mess. Allie was obviously a Tier IV horde king, and she could keep him here with ease. Or she could tear him apart without him being able to do the slightest thing about it.

Because of this, Zane's mind was racing with ways to escape from her. That is until she surprised him with her actions. The Tier IV Horde King pushed Zane against the wall, and held him there with an expression on her face that made it seem like she wanted to eat his flesh.

That is, until she suddenly let go, and grabbed hold of her head as if she were in great pain. Falling to her knees as she entered a temporarily incapacitated state. All while screaming her thoughts aloud.

"That stupid fucking bitch! What has she done?"

Allie was not the only one affected. Zane could clearly hear the screaming in the back of his mind. As the world's many Horde Kings erupted into a state of chaos. Something had happened. Something which was causing the Horde Kings to turn on one another in a fierce shouting match.

But Zane was less affected by Allie, because unlike her, he had the mean to cease communication with the other Horde Kings. Instead, connecting to the separate hive mind that existed between him and his servants.

Zane immediately severed the connection and used this opportunity to escape. He quickly ran out of the bungalow which Allie was staying in and mustered his fell speed to zoom off into the horizon. But Allie did not stay incapacitated for long. She managed to gather her full strength to chase after Zane who was no doubt her highest priority at the moment.

---

In Necropolis, a massive explosion had taken place at Lilith's Tower. It was a sudden and swift attack. And had she been a moment slower, Lilith's head would be in Ophelia's hands right now. But instead, she escaped with mere surface wounds across her face.

Blood flowed from her forehead to her chin as she launched a counterattack against the second most powerful Horde King in the world. All the while cursing her out for betrayal.

"You fucking bitch! Do you have any idea what you have done? This will mean war!"

Ophelia's voice, despite having the pitch of a child's was filled with excitement over the prospect. As she spoke to Lilith as if she were stupid for saying such a thing.

"Indeed, it will, won't it be glorious!?! You non-believers have been permitted to exist in our ranks long enough. But no longer! I have been granted the privilege of taking your head, Lilith. Perhaps Balthazar will give me head pats after I do so! This is the end for you, big sister!'

After saying this, Ophelia swooped in faster than Lilith could react, aiming directly for the woman's heart. She tried to rip it out of Lilith's chest. But with a flash of blinding, blood red light, Ophelia found herself halted. Incapable of moving a millimeter forward as Lilith's voice, filled with indignant rage commanded Ophelia to do the unthinkable.

"Neck yourself bitch!"

Ophelia's eyes twitched, as if she were struggling to resist the command she had been given. But Lilith's power was strong. Stronger than Ophelia had thought it would be. Her own hands slowly made their way towards her small and thin neck. Grasping around it, they began to apply pressure. So much so it was almost as if the girl was trying to decapitate herself.

Ophelia's eyes began to bulge as her claws dug deeper into her throat. That is until she finally broke away from Lilith's influence, quickly taking a leap backwards as she gathered her breath. Panting with pure, unbridled rage in her eyes as she called out to Lilith.

"You! You have been hiding your strength! To think you were capable of charming me! It's truly infuriating!"

There was a smug tone in Lilith's voice as she called out to Ophelia, letting her know that her allies had been alerted to her and Balthazar's treachery. And that civil war had officially begun.

"If I were you, I would retreat back to Asia where you belong, bitch! Because now that your assassination attempt has failed, there will be war. And I figure you will want to properly prepare for such an eventuality! Or would you like to try to take my head again?

Due to your sudden strike, I was not able to fully prepare my charm, and cast it in haste. Let's see if you're capable of surviving the next one!"

Intimidated by Lilith's shocking display of power. Ophelia was uncertain if she was capable of mustering the strength to break free of Lilith's charm a second time, even if she was bluffing about the previous one being half assed.

Because of this, Ophelia took off back towards the coast. Leaving behind a single statement, as fled from the scene of her crimes.

"This isn't over, Lilith! The next time I see you, I will not leave until I have your head!"

Lilith, of course scoffed, with a smug look on her face she called out to Ophelia, challenging her to do so at her leisure.

"You know where I live! You're welcome to come find me any time, bitch!"

After saying this, Ophelia disappeared, having seemingly vanished beyond the horizon. Judging by the chatter that was taking place in the back of Lilith's mind. The other Horde Kings were going insane, arguing among themselves over which side they would take in the upcoming civil war.

After all, everyone knew Ophelia would not make a move without Balthazar's command. And if that were the case, then the attempted hit on Lilith came from the most powerful among their ranks.

Yet she had survived, and Balthazar had proven that his religious extremist was so severe that he was willing to threaten the peace in order to eliminate those who did not conform to his beliefs.

As a result, many of those who were uncertain if Balthazar would turn on them for not being nearly as zealous as he was began to flock to the moderates cause. Even if they themselves viewed the moderates with some form of disgust. After all, survival was more important than ideological cohesion, and if their survival would be in question, should they throw in their lot with Balthazar.

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