Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

Word no doubt reached Balthazar's ears of what Serena had said. And it was because of that the ruins which he resided in were somehow in an even more ruinous state than the last time Ophelia had visited.

Though she was perhaps the second most powerful Horde King in the world, she took the form of a gothic Lolita. And even clutched a small stuffed animal to her chest. She carried this thing everywhere with her. Even if it was stained with blood and grime, and was even damaged in many ways.

Ophelia was not the least bit surprised that Balthazar had silently expressed his rage in his own environment. Nor would she speak of such a matter. Instead, she stood there with a curious expression on her adorable little face as she watched and waited for the man to respond to her presence.

He was still quite obviously agitated as the words that were murmured between his rage were addressed not to Ophelia, but rather Lilith of all people.

"That treacherous little fucking whore. Does she really think I will let her get her hands on the heretic to do as she pleases? She has to be out of her god damned mind if she wants me to sit by the wait side and let her finish playing with him!

Who the hell does she think I am! I am mother's favorite! I am the first of her children! I am by far the most powerful! And yet she dares to challenge my authority!?! I'll skin her alive!"

Ophelia was naturally the voice of reason, as she sighed heavily before expressing her own view on the matter.

"I warned you about that vile woman… She's not a true believer…. She never has been. Lilith obeys you because she fears your power. Not because she respects the authority which mother has bestowed upon you!

It has always been this way. And no doubt because of this, she seeks to undermine you. And exploit the heretic for her own means! It has become abundantly clear that the other Horde Kings in North America are too close to her. Both in terms of geographical proximity and as a means of relationship.

The longer she is allowed to speak of her sinful ways, the more she will sway to her cause. These so-called moderates, they're heretics! They may not have committed offenses as grave as Zane has. But nevertheless, their lack of belief in our mother, and her will is heresy in and of itself! And because of this, they must be treated like heretics!

Big brother, you know what must be done… Lilith must be silenced before she can lead more of our siblings astray! Send me to deal with her! I promise you, I will have the bitch on her knees praying for our mother's forgiveness within a fortnight!"

Despite Ophelia's promise, and her ability to deliver, Balthazar was less concerned with Lilith, at least not nearly as much as Ophelia was. No, his eyes were fixated on Zane, he was a heretic among heretics.

Unlike Lilith who did not believe in death as a physical entity. Zane's heresy was far more dangerous. As he expressed a belief in death, and fully embraced her as his mother. But he had the gall, as a mere Tier I Horde King to say that he was Death's only true born child. That he was her favorite son, and that he alone knew her on a personal level!

The arrogance! The nerve of this man! He must die! He must die painfully and slowly! So mother demands it! This, of course, was utter nonsense.

But it was Balthazar's rationalization. It was because of Zane's heresy that his mother did not speak to him.

Unfortunately for Balthazar, the reality of the situation was that Death didn't really consider the Horde Kings her children, not in the same way she thought of Zane. Sure, she raised them from the dead, and spread the plague of death thus creating them.

In that way, all undead were her children, much in the way some Christians professed they were all the children of God because he supposedly created them.

But from a personal and familial standpoint, she had but one child: Zane. This was the misunderstanding that Balthazar had, as he himself came up with the idea among the Horde Kings that they were all Death's children.

It was because of this that he could not tolerate Zane's words. It wounded his ego. He was the only one among his siblings to ever gaze upon death and her glory. She had personally given him the Undead Virus, which allowed him to become reborn into something greater than human.

And he had been the one to initially spread the plague. By extension that meant he was senior among all the undead, and the Horde Kings among them who were at the top of the hierarchy. Yet, Zane claimed otherwise. He claimed he was the only true son of death. The literal Prince and heir to the throne.

Balthazar would never believe such a thing, even if Death told him to his face that he was not her child, and that just because he worshipped her, did not mean his beliefs that he had come up with on his own were remotely true.

It was after losing his mind over this attack to his pride. That Balthazar finally realized Ophelia was standing in front of him. Having said something or another. He was not entirely aware of what she had said. But he was quick to send her away, no longer wanting the brat's company. And he did this in the most destructive way possible.

"Yes, yes, carry on with whatever you were talking about. I have more important matters to attend to…"

Though Ophelia was certain that Balthazar had not actually heard her request. This was her one and only opportunity to personally pick a fight with Lilith, as Balthazar's more cautious nature would never otherwise grant her the permission to do so.

And because of this, she was going to pretend like she was not aware of this fact. And instead took Balthazar's misunderstanding for the gift that was.

"I will do just that. Please wait until my return Big Brother. I promise that I won't let you down! Oh, and don't be surprised if you can't get into contact with me after I leave here. My mission, after all will have to be conducted with the greatest of secrecy. I will see you soon!"

It was only after Ophelia dispersed into a black mist that Balthazar suddenly got the feeling that he might have just granted Ophelia permission to do something that he shouldn't have. But it was too late. Ophelia had rather slyly given him advance warning that he would not be able to contact her until the deed was done.

And just as he thought, any attempt to do so was immediately met with silence. When he realized he had been taken advantage of by the little brat, Balthazar once more entered a fit of rage that further destroyed the ruins he called his home.