Sometime later as the moon shone brightly in the sky, LingQi packed up her things and started to sneak out of the camp, staying as quiet as possible as to not alert anyone. The rest of the forces are either sleeping or on scout duty which gives LingQi a clear way to exit the camp without being spotted. As she thinks she exited the camp, she glances behind her. Her mind briefly returns to Mitsuko. She knew she shouldn't care, she was the reason she was alone after all, by all accounts she should just despise her and claim her head. Yet…when it comes to that, some part of her just…can't ever imagine doing anything like that to her. If she lingers too much on that thought she found herself struggling to breathe, repulsed by herself. Yet she knew she can't just stay here, the betrayal Mitsuko performed is just…too much for her heart to handle at the moment. She places a hand on her chest as she breathed in and exhaled. As she looked away and readied herself to leave, she heard a familiar chuckle.

'Are you sure you wish to leave things like this with Lady Mitsuko?' LingQi turned around to see Pang Tong leaning against a tree with his hat tilted down. LingQi turns away while sighing.

'You know full well I can't stay here. Not anymore. How can I after what she did?' She asked. Pang Tong stopped leaning and put his hand on his chin covered by his mask.

'Hmm, that's a toughie alright. Have you considered talking to her about it?' Pang Tong enquired.

'Of course, that's how I came to this realisation in the first place.'

'Did you really talk or was it a case of just yelling at each other?'

'Tch.' LingQi looked away, not wanting to admit that he was right about that. Still, its not like talking would make much difference anyway. Its not like it bring her father back to life anyway, so there was no point. Pang Tong sighed as he rubbed he stretched his back.

'Well, either way its not like I can stop you anyway. I just hope you don't come to regret it later on.'

'Are you threatening me?' LingQi glared daggers in Pang Tong who put his hands up as his right one held his large fan.

'Oh heavens no, I just don't wish you to regret anything as major as this is all, especially when potentially it could be resolved easily.' Pang Tong explained.

'Tch, don't try to act all innocent, you were all involved and you hid the fact from me. You're all just as guilty!' She declared angrily leading to Pang Tong to chuckle…which made her mad.

'Oh of course we are, of that there is no question. Perhaps we should've did things differently but at the time we thought that was the best way to proceed, my apologies for the deception lady LingQi.' Pang Tong bowed respectfully at LingQi who turned around, her back now to him.

'So where will you go then? Its not like you have a lot of options.' Pang Tong pointed out.

'I'm not sure, this is the first time I've ever actually been really alone. Its…terrifying truth be told.' LingQi admitted as she had trouble just taking that first step away. Her heartbeat skyrockets but she wonders why it was just so difficult to leave. Why can't she just go just like that.

'My lady…do you hate us that much?' Pang Tong questioned seriously. LingQi turned her whole body to face him. She went to answer before she stopped herself to think about this.

'Its just that, if you don't hate us that much it is unusual for you to throw yourself at something that terrifies you to get away. Unless you have something to prove.'

'What would I have to prove? And to whom?' She queried, unsure of the point he's making. Pang Tong shrugged his shoulders in response.

'No idea.' He chuckled as LingQi sighs.

'If you're not willing to explain your ramblings then keep them to yourself.' LingQi raised her voice slightly before sighing.

'Look…I'm not blind. I know my father wasn't the most pleasant individual to work with, nor did he make the best decisions…but he was still my father. He was the one who raised me, he prevented me from being alone. Now that he's gone…and now that I know its Mitsuko who is to blame. She took him away, what else do I have?'

'What do you think Mitsuko has?' Pang Tong questioned. LingQi stayed silent as she kept her back facing Pang Tong.

'Hehe gotcha, I'm going to help you realise your chains are broken yet.'

'Think about it, what did Mitsuko really have since you knew her? A home? Family? She really had nothing from what I understand. When your father invited her into your ranks I don't think my lady had any ill will towards your father then and was in fact grateful back then. I don't think it would be easy for Mitsuko to turn her back on him. Though I am only assuming of course.' Pang Tong explained.

'Stop it! Stop trying to defend her!' LingQi screams as she pointed one of her glaives at Pang Tong who seem unfazed by this.

'I know what you're trying to do, just stop it. Please.' LingQi pleaded.

'Even if that was the case, there's no way we can get back to the way it was before. There's just...no chance.' She looked to the ground.

'Is that your true feelings or your self inflicted justification?' Pang Tong questioned as LingQi turned away.

'Does it matter?' she bluntly responded

'I suppose not.' Pang Tong replied. 'Hmm. We can't afford her to leave, not now. But how can i get her to talk to lady Mitsuko now?' As lingQi was about to take her first step though she and Pang Tong heard rustling in the forest behind them. It got closer as LingQi wondered what it was, some kind of animal maybe? Suddenly as she turned around she saw Dodomeki jump in front of her and land in front of her, he didn't blink as he stares at her eyes.

'Good I got here just in time.' He stated as he breathed heavily out of exhaustion.

'What do you want demon? You got what you wanted. Why do you block my way now?' LingQi responded bluntly as she rolled her eyes at him. The last thing she wanted to see was this demon.

'Its about Lady Mitsuko.'

'What about her? Is she ok?' LingQi questioned almost instantly as she heard those words ushered by Dodomeki who seemed off.

'Physically she's fine…however I believe she requires your assistance.'

'Where is she?' LingQi asked eagerly.

'Near the other side from what I've heard I'll show you.' Dodomeki guided them both to the other side of the forest, they hide behind the edge of the forest to see Mitsuko sitting down near a lake where her two arms have gained mass and look more scaly than before. She was whispering to herself though they couldn't quite hear her. Seeing Mitsuko like this spurred something in LingQi, she doesn't know why but the urge to just…walk there and decapitate her. It just seemed natural to think that but yet she just couldn't. Though the more she sees her, the more that feeling comes to the forefront. She assumes it was just the vengeance, either way its not something she can just ignore.

'So how was it that you knew about this?' Pang Tong enquired.

'Lady Mitsuko summoned me to question me about what I said to you.' Dodomeki turned to LingQi.

'My lady you summoned me?' Dodomeki asked as he crouched on one knee behind her and bowed his head, her back facing her.

'I did. Answer me honestly Dodomeki. Did you tell LingQi about what had happened to her damn father?' Mitsuko questioned, her voice grew a bit darker than what Dodomeki had been accustomed to. He kept silence though as fear started to overwhelm him, his heart raced as he struggled to find the words he needed.

'Y-yes I did my lady. My apologies, it wasn't my intention to-'

'Don't worry, you're not in trouble. In fact I wanted to thank you.' Mitsuko turned around, Dodomeki saw her snake heads in detail as they slither in the air, Mitsuko's sadistic smile and her reptilian eyes, her pupils fully slit shaped, the left was a bright amythyst purple while the other was a bright blood red colour. Dodomeki saw the remnants of Lord Orochi in her eyes…although the more he looked at them, the more he saw something…familiar for some reason. Pain.

'Without you saying that I wouldn't have any idea that she would abandon me like that. I suppose that's my fault for believing in such a ridiculous thing right?' Despite her malicious grin and tone of voice Dodomeki couldn't help but notice something was off about Mitsuko. The more he stared at Mitsuko's eyes the more he realised that she embraced the demon that she was though she still was…missing something. And that thing that's missing is replaced by something Dodomeki strangely recognised with Mitsuko…pain. He didn't know where, he didn't know why but he knew he recognised that look in her eyes. That was when he knew…he had failed and had to swallow his pride.

'Well who needs her? I don't that's for sure! I don't need anyone who wants to backstab me! Though…maybe its what I deserve.' Mitsuko's voice softened slightly before returning to her malicious tone.

'Oh well! That's not my problem! I'm not that weak that ill keel over and accept death. I'll kill anyone who dares get in my way!'

'Shortly after that Mitsuko ordered me to scout around for any enemy scouts. Though I knew she couldn't go on like this in the long run, I've failed in my duty to protect her, which is why I came to you.' Dodomeki explained sadly, his voice sounded almost defeated. LingQi didn't know what to think, she looked at Mitsuko all alone, part of her really wanted to comfort her. But another part of her wanted nothing more than to just cut off her head where she sat. She figured this would just be the part of her that wanted vengeance for her father. She's vulnerable, the more she thought about it the more the idea of killing her seemed to be the most viable answer. Yet…something was preventing her from going all the way with it. She just couldn't fully embrace the idea.

'Oh well. You may as well go now Lady LingQi.' Pang Tong suggested.

'What? Do you expect me to get up and leave her like this?' She responded, astonished at Pang Tong's dismissal.

'Well…yes. You were all packed and ready to go. If you didn't care this shouldn't affect your decision. We'll deal with her.' Pang Tong chuckled. LingQi glared at him though this time Pang Tong saw something in those eyes, they seemed…milkier than he remembered. Alongside that they were also bearing blind hatred. Something that he found intriguing.

'Interesting.'

'I can't just walk away now, not after seeing this.'

'So what are you going to do then?' Dodomeki whispered. LingQi stayed silent, she didn't really know what she was going to do but she knew she had to do something regarding Mitsuko.

'I don't know…but I have to confront her. I don't feel like I have a choice, I can't just walk away now.' She started to walk out of the edge of the forest and into the open.

'Well in that case then I suppose we better leave you two on your own, give you a chance to clear the air so to speak. C'mon Dodomeki.' Pang Tong stated as he looked at him bewildered by his decision.

'What? You really think leaving them alone is a good idea?' Dodomeki asked. LingQi glared at the side of his head as Pang Tong glances back at him and gave him a chuckle.

'Do not fret, you can ask Gyuki to keep an eye on them if you really want, however though I advise you will need to come with me. I have a feeling we're needed elsewhere anyway.' Pang Tong advised as he walked further into the forest with Dodomeki giving LingQi one more glance as she walks out of the forest as he sighed. He really didn't want to regret this choice, though it wasn't like he could help Mitsuko now anyway. If there was anyone that can help her now its that woman. He failed. He begrudgingly followed Pang Tong deeper in the forest.

LingQi sneaked closer to Mitsuko without alarming her to try and see what she's talking about. However Mitsuko suddenly turns her head to see LingQi. Revealing her sadistic grin on her face with her reptilian eyes. Her snake heads revealed themselves shortly after and hisses at LingQi who was too stunned for words, what happened to Mitsuko? Is this what she was really like? Mitsuko quickly jumped up and faced LingQi as her snake arms slither in the air.

'Ahh there you are LingQi, I thought you already left.' Her voice was more darker and demonic as the snakes hiss quietly at her as LingQi stood her ground.

'I was going to, but then I heard you were here all alone.'

'So you came to kill me then is that it? Tch, I knew you would.' Her snakes start to hiss louder and more aggressively towards LingQi as they looked angry.

'Would you blame me if I did?' She asked. Mitsuko started to laugh.

'Not at all! Its just the nature of things isn't it? Its natural for you to hate me after I killed your dad.' Mitsuko smiled dastardly as LingQi sighed and looked down to the ground.

'So you did kill him, at least I heard you say it.' She steeled herself as she comes to terms with it.

'So what? I'd do it again if I could!' That got LingQi furious. Her anger consumed her as she heard those words echo in her ears.

'What!?' She shouted, she didn't even feel a shred of guilt about her betrayal!? Mitsuko…really was the worst wasn't she?

'You heard me! He deserved every minute of his agony, my only regret is I couldn't make it last longer.' Mitsuko's words oozed with venom as she walked closer to LingQi who kept the same distance between them as she moved back.

'Mitsuko, what exactly did he do to you to make him hate him so much!?' She yelled. Mitsuko's smile disappeared for a second before appearing again with a much more malice.

'He existed.'

'What kind of answer is that!? I know he wasn't the best person I'll be the first to admit it. But what you did…how you betrayed me…was unforgivable!' LingQi pointed one of her glaives at Mitsuko angry who started to chuckle, along with her snakes. Her desire to kill Mitsuko came to the forefront of LingQi's mind. Mitsuko wasn't her friend, she never was. She should kill her for vengeance, yes that makes sense right?

'Yes, yes it was. And do you think someone like me should care!? Someone who would lead the people they care about to their deaths?' Mitsuko asked. LingQi was surprised to hear that, she seemed stunned before at the mere mention of Zang Ba and Wu Zi. Now though, it feels like in a strange way she's facing off against Lu Bu himself. That…wretched man. Wait? What was that she just thought about him? No that can't be right! He was her father, what was she thinking? Damn Mitsuko, playing mind tricks on her. She shook her head aggressively and stared at her with a furious expression.

'You really are just like my father.' LingQi stated, hoping to get a rise out of Mitsuko but instead she laughs maniacally.

'I suppose I am aren't I? But that's what it takes to be strong! That's what matters the most in this world, goddamn strength! Strength to slay those that oppose you!' Mitsuko glances at her snake heads who nod and hiss aggressively at LingQi, their snakes stretch out as far as they can towards her.

'Is that what those things are? Strength?' She furrowed her brow as she examined them. Is this her true nature she asked herself as she tries to examine the way they move, knowing Mitsuko she'll use them to her advantage.

'Oh yeah they are. Truth be told I don't know how I got them, but I used these to kill your dad and I'm going to kill you with them the same way. Don't worry I'll make sure to bury you in the same grave so you don't feel lonely.' Mitsuko cackled as her snakes protruded their weapons. The left snakes regurgitate the long wide blade as the right one regurgitates the crescent blade that sticks to the side. Both being covered with saliva as Mitsuko got into her battle-ready stance with her wide sadistic grin on her face as LingQi got into hers.

'Hmph. I'm my father's daughter remember. I'll be sure to make sure you don't even get a grave to be buried in. You'll just have your carcass devoured, no one will even remember who you are!' LingQi threatened as she pointed the glaive at Mitsuko who cackled.

'Then be sure to give me one hell of a fight to remember you by then! I remember your dad's face when I cut him down to size! I'll be sure to memorise your face when I do the same to you!.' LingQi gritted her teeth and gripped her weapons tightly. All of a sudden though Mitsuko vanished, surprising LingQi. However she heard something behind him and quickly blocked a downwards attack from Mitsuko's blade with one of her glaives. LingQi got a closer look at Mitsuko who revealed her newly formed serrated teeth and her sadistic, demonic eyes who were met with the eyes of a woman who was infuriated and hated the other now.

'Haha! I'm going to enjoy painting you red! Entertain me then, LingQi!' Mitsuko exclaimed as she swung her other snake arm aiming for LingQi's neck who pushed herself away from Mitsuko before rushing back in to strike.