Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

Lilith sat in the background of her city, which was under assault by Balthazar and his forces. Or at least those he managed to bring with him across the Pacific. There was, after all, a need to maintain a presence in his own territory if not simply to ensure that the pesky human survivors in Asia did not take advantage of the crisis for their own gain.

But Lilith was different from Balthazar. And he was starting to learn this. After a year of fostering various human farms, and watching the exploits of the awakened. She had learned some limited understanding of basic tactics which they employed, and how effective they could be in large-scale battles.

Observing the Battle of Tahoe was indeed a huge boon. And how Zane had managed to emerge victorious despite having inferior numbers against the Crusaders of Elysium. It inspired her to make use of such things on her own. Even if her understanding of strategy and tactics was severely limited compared to Zane.

This innovation, and forward thinking, when compared to the stagnation of the Fanatics was what would ultimately set her apart from the likes of Ophelia and Balthazar. Whether it was fostering humans in farms for the purpose of her own growth.

Or adapting their own techniques for the use of her Horde, Lilith time and gain would take any opportunity to improve herself, and her power, even if it meant breaking several taboos among the Horde Kings.

Because of this, Lilith was able to rest comfortably while drinking from a chalice filled with blood. All the while Balthazar was standing on the coast line watching his forces struggle to secure a proper beach head.

He could not fathom how Lilith was defeating him in a game of numbers when his horde was larger. But as he gazed upon the scene he slowly began to connect the dots. Lilith had strategically embedded more powerful undead among her ranks to lead smaller units, and those undead worked together to tear apart the disposable waves that Balthazar threw at them.

The usual tactic was a war of attrition. This was how the Undead had bested humanity, and it was because of this that the likes of Balthazar felt no need to evolve further than that. But his simple tactics were not working this time.

His losses which his Horde had sustained had painted the beach red with the blood of his Horde. While any gaps that may have been broken through among Lilith's ranks were quickly plugged by reinforcements. It was deeply frustrating to Balthazar who considered himself the most powerful among the Horde Kings.

At this rate, his invasion force would need to be replenished, meaning he would lose over one million undead in a single attack. A force that should have, in any other circumstance broken through an enemy's lines. No matter who he was up against.

Of course, the moment Balthazar realized that Lilith was using human tactics, he quickly screamed his frustration aloud. His rampaging voice echoing across the entire city as he did so.

"Lilith, you fucking Heretic! You have dared to use the tactics of our enemy against me? Do you have no shame as a Horde King?"

Lilith scoffed when she heard this. She was consuming a heart of a level 20 awakened. Which gave her a slight boost to her powers. After all, Valeria had the means to rapidly raise the levels of her subordinates. And upon learning how valuable awakened hearts were Lilith commanded the so-called goddess to foster powerful awakened for her to consume regularly.

This had been the greatest boon to her strength. Which allowed her to overpower Ophelia, who in the past would have been a nightmare to do deal with. Even Balthazar was currently tasting the fruits of Lilith's labor.

And it was with this in mind she wore a smug smirk while responding to Balthazar in an equally conceited tone. Her voice reverberating throughout Necropolis and its borders just as her enemy had done moments before.

"Hmph, your religious dogma will be your undoing Balthazar. You are so orthodox in your foolish beliefs that you fail to understand the most beautiful thing about humanity. It's ability to adapt and overcome every circumstance they as a species find themselves in.

This adaptability is something I have personally added to my daily inspiration, and it is because of that you now find yourselves falling short in my domain. If this was a year ago, when we first gained our powers, I would have no choice but to bow to your will.

But while you spend your days resting on your laurels, I have done everything I can to overcome you and Ophelia. And I am not the only one in this regard. My allies have done the same. Though you and your ilk may outnumber us, you will find that to defeat us will be the end of the Undead race as a whole.

So you better just run back to Tokyo and continue to manage your cult without interfering our business. Or I swear your victory over humanity will be your defeat here and now!"

Balthazar would not admit defeat so easily. Instead, he began to send another wave at Lilith in response to her provocation. Knowing damn well that was her real intention. She wanted to bleed his horde dry here in Necropolis.

But could she really do such a thing? He commanded the largest Horde in the World. No matter how many bodies he had to throw at the problem he would emerge victorious. There was no doubt about this in Balthazar's mind, and so he raged at Lilith, and showed her all the fury he could muster, both verbally and in an act of force.

"We will see how long you can hide in that tower of yours! Sooner or later you will be kneeling before me, apologizing for your heresy! But it will be too late by then. Our mother will be dealing with you and your sins!"

Lilith could only smirk once more, she no longer responded. Instead, she continued with her objective of defeating every wave of bodies that Balthazar sent at her.