Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night
Chapter 218: Elysium vs Gravestone Part II

The battle had begun. Tahoe had become a staging ground between two of the major human forces west of the Rocky Mountains. Considering the strategic relevance of Tahoe, it made since that these two settlements, each of which had made a name for themselves across the region, would be fighting over it.

On one side, you had the Crusaders of Elysium lined up in formation. Their general, while winning many battles against the undead. Had limited experience when dealing with an army of awakened like himself.

Hell, it was unusual in this vast wasteland of a world for any human faction to have enough awakened to field an actual army. And because of this, the battle for Tahoe was a first for Carolus. But the same could be said for Zane.

There was just one difference. Zane had some experience using his troops in formations against the undead. Something that the Crusaders of Elysium did not have. And because of this, his Horde swiftly and expertly moved into a formation.

The Ghoulish Auxiliaries took the front lines, using their tower shields, to cover themselves in an act of protection against the projectiles fired from the Elysian Archers and Casters. The lack of experience operating as a large army proved to be a flaw in Carolus' battle plan.

Considering these Crusaders were more accustomed to fighting in small unit tactics, they did not know how to properly coordinate with one another. With the casters firing their spells at will, and the archers doing the same.

Though the archers could quickly follow up with another shot, the casters suffered from cooldowns, cooldowns which varied per individual skill. Because of this, various flashes of light flew towards the Army of shielded ghouls at different speeds.

Some caused damage to individuals, others were area of effect based. Regardless, the Ghouls endured the storm, and when those among their ranks fell by the wayside, the gaps were replaced by the others beside them.

Carolus was bewildered when he saw the enemy formation advance with little contact being made. After all, it was only those units in the rear who dared to return fire. And they did so not with expert precision but rather with 100% area of effect spells.

Whether it was the Ghoulish Acolytes, each of which specialized in elemental magic of some kind and had an AoE spell to call upon. Or the Ghoulish Crossbowmen who fired volleys of bolts towards the enemies.

Though the exchange of spells were more numerous from the Elysian Crusaders, AoE skills were much rarer to come across upon becoming awakened than their Single Target counterparts. One would generally have to advance their skill further if they wished to acquire such abilities.

But it was absurd to replace that the few hundred casters among Gravestone's army each had AoE skills that had a wide range of effect. Because of this, the Ghoulish Casters were able to make up for their inadequate numbers.

And seeing that he was beginning to lose the advantage in terms of ranged capabilities, with the front lines of his mismanaged formations taking the brunt of the damage. Carolus ordered a full charge against the enemy.

"What are you all waiting for? Kill them all!"

And with that, the Elysian Crusaders dropped their formations and rushed towards the Ghoulish Cohorts that composed of Zane's front lines.

---

The losses which Zane's horde suffered were substantial. In the onset of battle, Zane saw the numbers of Undead in his horde trickle quite rapidly. And even though his casters got the better of the Enemy in the initial exchanges, the front lines had lost hundreds of soldiers before they could even clash with Elysium's formations.

But Zane couldn't worry about this, instead he was focused on another matter. He led the girls through the woods towards their opponent. Who stood on a hilltop overlooking the battlefield? Killing the enemy general was Zane's primary goal.

Besides, he could rely on the Guerillas from Gravestone to circle around and attack the enemy's archers and casters on his behalf. Once they had tied up Elysian's ranged troops, his Ghoulish Acolytes and Archers would be free to pick apart the melee combatants among the enemy Crusaders.

And thus after traversing quite some time through hilly and wooded terrain. Zane and the girls finally arrived at their destination. With a silent nod of his head, Zane confirmed the order to encircle the enemy general.

Lily and Zane were the quickest among their party, but neither of them moved. Instead they pulled out their bows and aimed towards their opponent's vitals. Lily taking the heart, while Zane took the skull.

They fired their shots at the same time. But as if Carolus had a sixth sense, he quickly turned around and blocked the two arrows with his tower shield. Gazing into the forest to see who dared to attack him.

"An ambush? Come out and fight me, you cowards!"

With this challenge issued, Elena and Madison quickly revealed themselves, walking out of the woods with a certain gait that displayed thuggish intent. Upon seeing it was two beautiful women who had dared to attack him, Carolus chuckled before making a particularly lewd comment towards them.

"Oh? And here I thought I would be facing off against a couple of scruffy looking dudes. Yet, it appears that fortune favors me! When I'm done with the two of you, you will be begging to service me!"

Elena scowled when she heard this, and raised her Katana into a high guard, while Madison herself took a fighting stance with her shield forward and brace. The two of them quickly encircled the enemy general as the man kept his own guard raised.

The system did not alert one to what level another awakened survivor was, nor what their identities were. But he had a feeling these two ladies were not as easy to beat as he had so proudly boasted moments before.

No, if his instincts were correct, and they normally were. Then his attackers were both around level twenty, or perhaps a level or two higher. If that was the case, then he a level 20 awakened would be having a very difficult time dealing with these two attackers.

Carolus did not even think that there were another two opponents lying in wait for him just beyond the boundary of his sight. If he had, he may have attempted to flee his encirclement rather than fight.