Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

The years had been kind to Gravestone, perhaps because it was silently protected by Death herself. Her very existence in the domain acting as a deterrent to the undead, which lurked just beyond its borders.

To say that its reconstruction efforts under the reign of Olivia had been a great success were an understatement to say the least. Gone was the modern city that had once been across the landscape. Carson city had been thoroughly scrapped.

Instead, replaced by a fusion of future and fantasy. Skyscrapers had been constructed using the undead labor force Zane had left behind. While large walls made from an unknown metal protected the city within, which was more advanced than any city on earth.

While much of the world had resorted to returning to an almost neo medieval style of living. Olivia had created a city with a boundless supply of energy, running entirely on electricity, and no forms of fossil fuels like the old world.

Industrial centers existed throughout the city, making use of the undead labor force left behind by Zane to create complex technology, while the city itself made use of advanced weapons to defend itself, all of which were automated to some degree.

It was not entirely known how Gravestone had emerged from the apocalypse with a progression in technology rather than a regression by the world. But if Zane had returned to his home, he would know instantly that his mother was responsible.

No doubt sick of living in some recovered ruin, she had gifted Olivia many, many, many benefits that humanity otherwise was either not able to access elsewhere, or had simply not unlocked yet. Because of this, the city building feature in Olivia's command was much greater than elsewhere.

In fact, the city of Gravestone had been renamed to Bastion, as survivors flocked to its gates, searching for a peaceful place to stay. Although under Angelica's ever-watchful eye, those ill-suited to a peaceful and civilized existence were rejected at the gates.

Meanwhile, Olivia, and the girls had risen to new heights. They themselves had progressed closer to any other living human being to level 50. And had manufactured equipment that would put Zane's raggedy old gear to shame.

Elena now made use of a futuristic warsuit, that had a built in exoskeleton which enhanced her already superhuman physicality, and protected her from enemies well above her own paygrade. Her sword has transitioned from an old school Katana to a cyberpunk esque sword gun.

Capable of cutting the opponent with a super-heated edge, while firing a single shot from a built in rail gun. Its effects were lethal to anything below a Tier II Horde King. While still being able to pack a whollop against a mighty Tier II Horde King.

She and Lily now acted as the City's protectors. With Lily keeping an ever watchful vigil across its vicinity, and calling upon Elena to assist her whenever danger approached. But this seldom occurred, as the Undead were to busy fighting amongst each other outside the safety of Bastion. Paying no attention to the rather substantial developments the last human settlement in Northern Nevada had undergone over the course of the last two years.

After a long day, with all of the girls going about their daily business. With Lily providing food in her spare time, while also keeping an eye on the city's surroundings, Elena policing the streets, Angelica healing the sick and wounded, Madison ensuring the city's barrier was intact, and finally Olivia providing energy to Bastion. The five of them reconvened back in the safety of their bunker, which had since been reinforced with materials found in the post-apocalyptic world and further expanded upon.

There they found maya sitting in the Mess Hall as she normally was, enjoying a snack while waiting for their return. Maya had evidently not aged a day within the past two years. Which while unusual, left no concern among the women who looked after her.

They had most definitely begun to suspect that something was out of the norm with the little girl, but at the same time, knew that if she had ever meant them any harm they likely would have died in their sleep a long time ago.

Thus, Olivia and the others continued to treat maya as if she was their daughter. Once they had all showered and gotten into more comfortable clothing. The women gathered in the mess hall and began to make a meal, and crack open a few cold ones, as they all discussed what they were thinking.

"It's been over two years since Zane left, and his messages stopped coming a while ago, do you think he is alright?"

Naturally, Madison was the one to ask such a question without any regard towards how the others might feel towards it. Elena, being as stubborn and prideful as ever was quick to reject that anything bad had happened to Zane, and instead voiced her hope that he would return soon.

"He is on a journey to gain more power. It is only natural that he would travel to some faraway land in pursuit of his goals. Who knows, maybe there I a range limit on the system's messaging feature? I'm sure wherever he is, he is fine, and more powerful than any of us! Although it would be nice if he returned soon. I wonder what he will say when he finally sees all that we have done here!"

This was most definitely a welcome thought among them all. To see Zane's look of astonishment when he finally returned home only to witness how far their society had progressed since his departure. They had built a true home for humanity, or at least those among them who were not wicked towards their fellow man.

A bastion in the apocalyptic world for which the seeds of human civilization could spread. Hence the departure of the name Gravestone, which sounded as if the city was the end of the line. It was a change that none of the girls wanted to make, but was almost unanimously agreed on by the others who lived in the city, forcing them to make the change or risk strikes and potential riots.

As for Olivia, she was quick to mention something in regards to Zane's eventual return.

"We have made great progress these last two years, but we're still not strong enough to stand against the might of the undead should they throw themselves at us in full force. We will need to work harder for our sakes and for Zane's so that when he finally returns we are not a burden to him!"

This drive to stay in line with Zane's progression was what compelled Gravestone, or Bastion, as it was now known to have the highest average level of humans in the world. With the average citizen of Bastion being around level 40. The highest of them being the five girls who were rapidly approaching level 50.

It was also a sentiment that all of the girls were in agreement with as they continued to drink beer and eat the meal they had cooked together. With Maya silently eying them the entire time. Rolling her eyes as she did so.

After all, Zane was a significantly higher level than the lot of them, and would only continue to increase that gap as he journeyed through China in search of a way to return to the North America.

In fact, by the time he returned to North America it was entirely possible he would be Tier III. By then, Gravestone would be in good hands as the number of Tier IV and Tier V undead in the world were very limited, and those monsters seldom left their own domains.

If one were to do so, it would have to be for a matter of grave importance. Sure, Zane's immediate location was a concern for Balthazar's faction. And Lilith still held a deep personal grudge against him for running away from her.

But that wasn't enough to mobilize the Tier IV and V Horde Kings of the world who were currently reserving their strength for the endgame of their civil war. With monsters of such strength, the slightest mistake could resolve the conflict between the two. And could leave the entire area of their duel barren for the next millennium.

If choosing to fight, they would need a sufficient reason to do so, and someone like Zane was not currently enough of a threat to force their hands. Hence why Maya simply acted as if the girls were delusional for thinking they could ever catch up to Zane.

As by the time he returned, they would likely be a full 25 levels behind him. But perhaps they would surprise her. After all, she had done many favors for the five women without them even being the slightest bit aware. And if her mood was good enough would continue to do so in the future.

At the end of the day, what really mattered was that this was where Zane considered his home to be, and he had asked his mother to watch out for these girls, a promise she would never break.