Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

Madison's legs could no longer withstand the pressure that Death was giving her, and instantly fell onto her ass. Her voice was quivering as she revealed the truth behind why death withheld this information from Zane.

"You… You didn't tell Zane what Elysium really was… Because you wanted him to provoke the Horde Kings… You wanted him to leave us all behind and strike out on his own… Because you hate us!"

Death clapped slowly, while praising Madison the conclusion she had come to with such limited information. And in doing so, causing Olivia and the others to stare at her with astonishment as Death further elaborated on her intentions.

"Bravo… You really put that altogether with only a slight bit of information? My son really underestimates your intelligence, as do the others by your side. I mean don't get me wrong, you weren't entirely spot on. But you did manage to get most of that correct.

Still, you think I hate you all? That's a strong word, isn't it? You are failing to think of this from my perspective. Which I must admit is one of the worse traits that your species tends to have.

If you were in my shoes, would you hate the ants beneath your feet? A mild annoyance would be the more accurate term for my feelings towards you all. But it is still more than enough reason for me to coerce Zane into leaving you all behind."

Lily was just as aggrieved as the others. Sure she and Zane had only spent one night together. But that was enough for her to recognize the feelings that had long since lingered in her heart. And because of this, she was quick to lash out at the woman she now held responsible for Zane suddenly abandoning her.

"So, you are telling me that you risked Zane's life by sending him straight into Lilith's hands, solely because of your detest for us? You are a terrible mother! You should have been protecting him, not sending him into near certain death!"

Death scowled when she heard this. Lily didn't realize it, but she had attacked one of Death's sore points. And because of this, she rose to her feet and instantly appeared in front of Lily with a look of unbridled fury in her blood-red eyes.

This caused Lily to back up against the wall until she had nowhere to escape. Crying as she tried to shield herself from Death's vicious gaze. Ultimately, however, in the next second, Death disappeared, returning to her previous spot.

And with a beer in her hand, as she forced herself to remain calm for Zane's sake. Still, she could not help but express her anger towards Lily with a particularly bitter tone in her voice.

"You should mind your manners with me, girl. With a single thought on my end, your soul can be ripped from your body and end up in my possession! Do you honestly believe that I would seriously send my one and only son into the jaws of that little monster without some form of protection?

I would never deliberately put Zane in any danger! Least of all because of you little sluts! No, Zane was never at risk of any harm. I was watching over him the entire time, even if he didn't realize it.

Do you really think that boy in his current state could escape from Lilith on his own? No, he had a little help from his mother in that regard. Besides, I didn't coerce him to leave your side simply because of my disdain for you all. Although I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a part of my reasoning.

The truth of the matter is all of you were limiting his growth. You may be among the most powerful living survivors that humanity has to offer, but compared to Zane and the Horde Kings you are all severely lacking in nearly every regard.

None of you deserve to stand by his side as you have done these past few months. So when the opportunity came to get Zane to stand on his own two feet. I naturally took it. Still... You should all be honored that you managed to make yourselves useful in the end.

I mean, you are all the reason he now has a fire in his heart that burns brighter than a thousand suns. His newfound desire to gain as much strength and as quickly as possible is because he wants to protect you all!"

The group did not know how to feel about all of this. It was clear that Death, who claimed to be Zane's mother did not necessarily approve of all of them or their relationship with her son. And they were all reflecting on this aspect in silence.

Well, all except for Angelica who was the only one who had not spoken this entire time. She remained still, as if she were a statue carved from marble. This entire time, she had been uneasy whenever Maya was present. And now she knew why.

Death concealed her identity well. And any ordinary person would never have suspected her identity. But Angelica was different. As part of her powers, she had the ability to detect a person's true nature, and any lies they might tell.

And while this ability was mostly negated by Death's overwhelming power. Angelica still instinctively picked up on the fact that something was very wrong with Maya ever since first meeting her.

Now she knew why, and after fully realizing this, she sighed heavily, speaking in an unusually calm tone as she asked a simple question, one which caught Death's attention.

"If my understanding of Zane is correct, and he really knew what you were before leaving us all behind. Then there is a damn near certain chance that he asked you to watch over us before he left.

So, if my assumption is true, and you are actually still here to protect us, despite your feelings towards us all. Then what happens now? I mean, I can't imagine living peacefully with you under our roof now that we know you are Death…"

Death smiled at Angelica. She had known for some time now that Angelica had partially seen through her disguise, and because of this she closed the distance between the two of them instantly, like she had done with Lily.

But unlike with Lily who provoked Death by insinuating she was a bad mother, something that was most definitely her weak spot. Death merely smiled at Angelica while whispering in her ear.

"Now you all sleep. And when you wake up tomorrow morning, you won't remember any of this. Instead, I'll be the sweet, mute little Maya you have always known. But the good news is that you all will feel much better about Zane's departure, as if you have inexplicably attainted some kind of closure while you slept. Sweet dreams, little bug…."

After saying this, Death snapped her fingers, and the women were immediately knocked unconscious. But before their bodies could hit the floor they vanished entirely, reappearing a short ways away in the safety and comfort of their own individual beds.

Like Death had said, when they woke up the next morning, none of them would remember the fact that Maya was Death. Nor the conversation they had with her. Instead, they would magically overcome their depression, and work towards bettering themselves and Gravestone for the sake of Zane's distant return.

As for death herself. She would maintain her usual role as the silent guardian of Zane's women, no matter how much she may personally detest them all. Why would she do this? Because it is what Zane wanted. And at the end of the day, she would always put Zane's desires above her own petty feelings, assuming they didn't limit his own potential.