Mitsuko smirked before lunging in at LingQi as she extended her arms and wildly swung her left snake head with the blade at LingQi. She blocked the attack with both of her glaives and leaned in to make sure she keeps herself steady. As she grits her teeth as currently involved in a test of strength with the snake, Mitsuko's other snake arm with her crescent blade drops down towards LingQi, aiming for the centre of her skull. LingQi spotted this and pushed the blade away with all her might and successfully rolls out of the way as the crescent blade pierced the earth. The scythe snake head hissed aggressively as it removed the scythe and hovered in the air as Mitsuko sprinted closer before using the snake to slash at LingQi. She managed to parry and deflect the attacks as she stepped back further away, trying to create some distance. Just as she wondered where the other snake went she heard it zooming behind her. She ducked down for a moment making Mitsuko's two blades clash against each other. The two snakes stagger in the air for a moment before shaking their heads, both facing LingQi with a sadistic glare.
They both hiss before charging in for another chance. LingQi was already in battle stance as she prepared herself for the onslaught of attacks unleashed by the snakes. The one with the blade preferred to use a flurry of thrusting attacks while the other one goes in for the occasional slash though it doesn't attack too often. LingQi while keeping most of her attention on the one that's attacking wildly has the occasional glance when she can at the other snake who slithers in the air next to her as she keeps taking several steps back. The sword snake thrusts in several places of LingQi's body, hoping to pick her apart however LingQi was skilled to block all the strikes. Suddenly she hears the scythe snake coming around for a strike aiming for the back of her neck. She turned around and used her left glaive to block the attack. The top blade made contact with the tip of the polearm, just before the snake's mouth. Though she still doesn't stop blocking the relentless onslaught of the blade snake with one of them, she manages to keep up with it though it is much more difficult to do so.
After a couple of more deflections the blades meet in deadlock. Both of LingQi's glaives were caught in a deadlock. She looked in front of her to see Mitsuko demonically smirking at her quite away from herself. She made the snakes move slowly to LingQi's front, trying to break away from the deadlock. Though LingQi's blades followed Mitsuko's and kept in contact, though she feels the immense strength coming from her. Slowly they made their way to LingQi's front as Mitsuko started to overpower her, her weapons edging closer to her face though LingQi kept holding on. Mitsuko smirk grew wider as she pushed her away, knocking her off her feet and crashing into the tree. She winced as she slid down and closed her eyes for a split second. As she opened them she saw the tip of the crescent blade flying towards with such speed she could barely roll out of the way successfully. The scythe became lodged in the tree. The snake head struggled to remove itself from the tree as LingQi spotted Mitsuko still grinning demonically. Fuelled by anger and hatred she sprints towards her seeing an opportunity to cut her down. Mitsuko demonically laughed as she started to retract herself to the lodged snake head, flying towards LingQi. LingQi stopped in her tracks and sees the long snake being retracted to. She attempted to try and cut the body though her attempt was foiled by the sword meeting her glaives just in time before the side of that snake's side of the body slams into her. Carrying her when she became face to face with Mitsuko.
'See how powerful I am now? I told you, strength is all that matters in this world. I don't need you now!' She yells as she stops next to the tree, launching LingQi into the edge of the forest. She crashed and rolled on the floor before quickly rolling back onto her feet. She quickly got back into her battle stance as Mitsuko roared as she forcefully pulls the lodged blade through the bark of the tree. As she pulled it she swung wildly at LingQi, carving and splintering several tree trunks before reaching LingQi's position who rushes towards Mitsuko, dodging the crescent blade. When she got close enough she leaps forward and spinning 360 degrees while striking her blades downward for momentum. Mitsuko managed to block the strike with her sword snake. LingQi continued her offensive as she sees the other snake has not yet been retracted to her. LingQi kept slashing away at Mitsuko who kept back stepping and deflecting the attacks from her glaives still. LingQi still sees Mitsuko's joyful demonic smile but her words kept echoing inside her head.
'Strength is all that matters in this world!' She knew she shouldn't care about what Mitsuko had to say…however she can't help but feel those words felt…wrong for Mitsuko to utter. From her father she had no problems with it, but Mitsuko…no it didn't fit her. What is she thinking, she's currently trying to take her head, she shouldn't care about what feels natural to hear and what doesn't…so why does she? As she's thinking of this Mitsuko thrusts her sword right into LingQi's face. She manages to block it the attack by crossing her two glaive blades together to meet the sword. It still grinded against the metal until the snake jaw meets it, the blade was an inch away from LingQi's face before it stopped.
'Tch, lucky.' Mitsuko stated before grinning as she pulled back the scythe arm towards LingQi who struggled to escape from the sword as Mitsuko attempted to pin her in place with her strength. Ling painstakingly started to make the blade ascent until it was above her head, when it was she quickly pushed it upwards and rolled out of the way to avoid the crescent blade. As she stood back up LingQi went on the offensive as she rolled towards Mitsuko. As she was blocking with her sword snake, she retracted the scythe snake towards her and blocked and deflected more effectively. Nevertheless, LingQi continued her relentless onslaught on Mitsuko. LingQi struck overhead with her right weapon, Mitsuko instinctively used both of her weapons to block the attack. Giving LingQi an opportunity to horizontally slash Mitsuko aiming for her abdomen. She barely hopped backwards narrowly avoiding the glaive. She pushed the glaive higher in the air and diagonally slashed downwards with her crescent blade. LingQi blocked it with her left glaive, hitting it at the neck of the blade. Mitsuko immediately swings her sword to her left, going for LingQi's neck. LingQi managed to deflect the sword downwards as she struck it down in the nick of time. She swung her right glaive aiming for her head with her bottom blade. Mitsuko leaned backwards, disengaged her crescent blade and narrowly dodging the glaive. As she straightened her back she attacked back overhead with both of her weapons. LingQi used both of her weapons to block the attack.
They engaged in a deadlock as rain started to pour down from the sky. They grit their teeth with determination though Mitsuko visibly seems to enjoy it more than LingQi. Their faces inches apart from each other as they both try to overpower each other.
'Does the rain bring back memories LingQi? Remember the flood attack?'
'Not a day goes by when I don't think about that day. I never thought you'd stoop so low to backstab him.' LingQi replied. She saw Mitsuko start to get furious but then she grinned.
'Well I suppose that's what you get for trying to get friendly with a monster like me! We're always crafty individuals who don't need anyone but themselves. Luckily, he won't really be missed. Heh, neither will you, I'll make sure of it!' Mitsuko responded as her snake hiss slightly. LingQi was starting to get infuriated with Mitsuko before she took a good luck at her eyes, behind the malice there was something there. She couldn't tell what, but she knew it wasn't a hostile emotion. She glanced at the eyes of the snakes who…seem to be…sad? Like they don't wish for this to happen. In her startled state Mitsuko broke the deadlock, forcing both her glaives to separate giving Mitsuko a window of opportunity to strike her down as she raises her crescent blade high to drop it down. LingQi couldn't raise her weapons fast enough to block it. She could only close her eyes as she attempted desperately to block. For a few moments only, the sound of the downpour if the rain could be heard. No clashing of blades, no yells if hatred or anger. LingQi opened her eyes wondering what's going on. She was shocked to see the tip of the blade millimetres away from her skull between the eyes. She stole a glance at Mitsuko who gritted her teeth and getting visibly angry. Her slit shaped eyes were full of hatred yet...she wasn't looking at LingQi. So what she angry about? is it because the attack was stopped against her will? The snake could only whine slightly before LingQi felt a sudden ache in her chest. What was this feeling, for some reason seeing Mitsuko like this just...hurt her. By all accounts it shouldn't. She should be full of hatred and using this opportunity to slay her...yet she just couldn't do it. Why? She deflected the stationary blade and retreated further into the forest. Leaving Mitsuko alone for a moment before she roared viciously.
'For fucks sake! She was right fucking there! Why couldn't I finish her? C'mon I prepared myself. Demons don't goddamn hesitate! I didn't for anyone else!' Mitsuko frustratingly yelled at herself, her eyes turned blood red as she felt the anger coming to the forefront.
'I don't know but you have to get a grip. If you don't she'll kill you and then where will you be? Dead and buried like the failure you are.' Akari chuckled provokingly next to Mitsuko, though a second later that laugh was silenced as Mitsuko thrusted her sword in the middle of Akari's face, pinning it against the wall looking shocked.
'I fucking know!' She shouts out loud as she removed her blade, allowing the Akari's corpse to slide down the tree. Mitsuko began to mutter to herself.
'Goddamnit Mitsuko, c'mon stop being a dumbass. You got this, you just need to stop giving such a goddamn shit. Because if you don't kill her she'll kill you and that's fucking terrible.' She thought to herself before she smacks her snakes against the tree trunks with force.
'Fucking. Get. It. Together!' She screamed at herself with each hit of the snake against a tree. The snake could only growl as both heads as well as Mitsuko look forward, trying to locate LingQi. Meanwhile LingQi needed a moment to collect herself. By all accounts when Mitsuko hesitated to kill her she should've gone in for the kill. Though when she saw Mitsuko struggling…she just…couldn't. LingQi sighed, she thought with her trying to slay her she would be ready to kill her…and yet here she is trying to make herself ready to do it. As LingQi took a breath to recuperate Mitsuko denied this as the crescent blade appeared in front of her and went towards LingQi's neck. She blocked it using the top blades of her glaives though the crescent blade kept pushing towards the blade pinning LingQi in place. Mitsuko appears to the side and growled slightly at her. Anger present in her eyes.
'Gotcha! I'll take your head now if you don't mind.' Mitsuko's sinisterly smirks at LingQi as she struggled to escape. Mitsuko positions her sword snake behind the tree while also aiming for the back of LingQi's skull. Mitsuko grins happily as she prepares herself to thrust the sword. LingQi meanwhile pushed back Mitsuko's blade as much as she can though Mitsuko kept her pinned firmly. LingQi gritted her teeth and summoned all the strength she had to push the scythe back just enough so LingQi could slide down the tree trunk, forcing Mitsuko to use her moment to bash crescent blade against the trunk while the sword penetrates the bark, splinters fly around. LingQi goes in for an overhead strike though Mitsuko deflected the attack wildly with the back of her scythe while yelling. She pulled the sword from the tree, causing it drop to the ground with a thunderous thud followed very closely by metal clashing into each other with force. LingQi blocked the attack with her glaive. Mitsuko pushed the blade away as LingQi leapt backwards as Mitsuko horizontally slashes her. As LingQi lands on her feet she sees Mitsuko get visibly frustrated.
'Godfuckingdamnit! Why can't you just fucking die?' Mitsuko yelled out loud as she slammed her heads onto the ground. LingQi couldn't help but feel bad for her but when she saw her heads start to get visibly upset she can't help but feel sorry for them. Wait, what is she talking about? She needs to kill her and needs to do it now! This is what she's supposed to do.
'Because I refuse to die before you do.' LingQi responded before lunging in.
'Fuck you! I'm not dying to you of all people! I'll put your head on a pike!' Mitsuko roared as she sprinted towards LingQi. Their blades clash yet again for the first of many times.
'LingQi was training atop a small hill, it was quiet and away from the main forces. In order to be useful to her father she needs to get stronger, though she couldn't concentrate with many pairs of eyes potentially watching her, so she trained at night. All of a sudden, she was interrupted by a voice.
'Hey, what ar-' instinctively LingQi turned around and tries to strike the source of the voice down, fearing it was an enemy. When the attack she saw it was that woman...Mitsuko she remembered saving. She quickly apologised for the attack. Though Mitsuko brushed it off, saying she should've announced her presence earlier. Through conversation LingQi found herself laughing, it felt like a lifetime ago when she last did so. Even though she seemed a bit abnormal she liked Mitsuko and hoped they would meet again.'
The two warriors kept swinging, slicing and thrusting numerous times, yet the other's blades kept deflecting and clashing with each other again.
'I think that deserves a toast.' LingQi stated as she holds out her chalice of wine to Mitsuko outside of the palace on a bridge hovering over a pond. Mitsuko held hers out as well and both drank it. Mitsuko realised that her chalice had wine in it and quickly began coughing due to the aftertaste as LingQi couldn't help to laugh at Mitsuko's inexperience of alcohol.
And again.
Mitsuko after one of her nightmares leaned on the wall between the embrasures. She looked out to the moon and sighed a breath of relief, feeling comfort in the night. The moon illuminating parts of the land distracted her from the footsteps of LingQi who quickly grabbed Mitsuko's side which made her jump in surprise.
'Again with that, could you just not!?' Mitsuko stated as LingQi couldn't stop herself from giggling, Mitsuko herself attempted to stifle her own laughter after the situation.
And again.
'After that day I vowed I would never again become such a burden to him so that he wouldn't abandon me. Just like-just like.' LingQi felt the sadness she buried deep inside her that threatened to spill out and made her feel weak. But instead of being chastised like she was used to by her father Mitsuko quickly enveloped her in a tight hug. She was startled at first though a few seconds later she hugged her back, she couldn't remember a time when she felt like this. Wanted. Accepted. Safe. Though when she pulled back she saw Mitsuko's blank eyes, all she could think of was just to help her.
And again.
Mitsuko felt her world shatter when LingQi said she's leaving. She heard the explanation of the need of reinforcements so she's off to marry a shithead noble. She just couldn't believe it. Was she that naive that she thought she could stay with her? Why did she have to leave? She'd be better here anyway. Though when she saw the red hand mark on her face and heard her father struck her for being "disobedient" her anger began to flare up. Mitsuko instinctively embraced her, after exchanging a promise to continue to be strong and well she could only watch as LingQi embarked on the carriage and rode away. Her hatred began to rise and that was when she decided now was the time to kill Lu Bu, she demonically smiled as the thought of his death filled her with glee.
After the last clash of their blades, both warriors staggered backwards as they remembered the time they spent in each other's presence, reminisced on how they felt at that time like it was yesterday, yet here they are. Trying to slay each other for their own reasons. They both gasped for air desperately as they both became exhausted. However, Mitsuko despite her exhaustion got infuriated with herself for her failure and start lashing out.
'C'mon. Why!? Why can't I kill you!? Why don't you just die! Why …am I such a goddamn fuckup! I can't even kill someone I care about when I fucking want to! Damnit Mitsuko, snap out of it. Now is the time to prove you're not a failure.' Mitsuko rambled and yelled to herself, she doesn't understand why. She shouldn't care. She should've killed her by now. Who cares what happened before? Mitsuko's left eye changed colour again, this time to a navy blue. She blamed herself for her shortcomings as she slams her snakes again onto the ground.
'Mitsuko stop.' LingQi calls out to her. Mitsuko stopped herself and growled as she saw LingQi and immediately went to strike her. Mitsuko pushed herself with wild strikes, LingQi blocked and deflected her flurry of attacks while stepping backwards. LingQi started to feel the hatred she bears with each strike, though it seems that its not aimed right at LingQi. Though that didn't stop her for going for her head as she desperately tries to cut her down. Mitsuko panted heavily as she feels her body about to give up on itself. She brings the crescent blade down upon LingQi, the snake hisses violently as it approaches her skull. LingQi blocks the attack as she crossed both her glaives to catch the blade. Mitsuko grins sadistically as she swings the left snake head with the sword aiming for her head.
'Got you!' She exclaimed however LingQi mustered all her strength she had left to push the scythe upwards, forcing Mitsuko to stagger back enough for the blade to narrowly miss her neck. LingQi goes in for a thrust attack aiming for Mitsuko's face. LingQi spotted Mitsuko's expression on her face as she realised she's going to die, just now realising her eyes are now navy blue as opposed to the red she noticed before. Mitsuko felt time go slower as she sees the blade inch ever so closer.
'Shit I can't block the attack! Is this really it? Is this how I die? In the middle of nowhere!? Damnit! I…I suppose I am just a failure, aren't I? Well it only makes sense she kills me. Who was I fooling? Me? Strong? Heh, what a laugh, hell I can hear the classmates laughing at me right now. Well Zang Ba, Wu Zi…Akari…here's your vengeance. I just hope the pain stops quickly.'
'I'm sorry.' Mitsuko whispered as she closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the inevitable to appear. For a moment the only thing that could be heard is the downpour of rain dropping onto the ground, soaking the forest. Mitsuko panted heavily before she realised there's nothing and she still felt alive. She hesitantly opened one eye, she was startled by the edge of LingQi's vertical glaive, narrowly missing Mitsuko's eye. She found herself back touching the trunk of a tree, so she can't move back. She glances to her snake heads who hiss softly with a worried expression on their faces as they look at Mitsuko. Their weapons were swallowed back in their bodies. She knew if she tried anything all LingQi needed to do was lean forward and she got her. Mitsuko wondered why she hasn't killed her yet.
'Mitsuko please indulge me of something.' LingQi demanded breathlessly.
'What's that?' She asked. Even though she knew the question that was coming her way.
'Just…why? Tell me why you did it? Was it power? Land? Ambition?' LingQi just wanted to know this answer.
'Does it matter?' Mitsuko sighed defeatedly as she dropped her snakes on the ground who hissed with shock.
'It matters to me.' LingQi responded.
'I just…want to know why.' Mitsuko heard the pain in LingQi's voice and sighed. There was no point in trying to hide it anymore.
'Because he hurt you.' LingQi widened her eyes as she slowly withdrew her blade much to Mitsuko's surprise.
'Wh-what?'
'When I saw that red mark across your face I just…lost it. I didn't really much care for him anyway. After what he did, I really hated him with a passion. A father shouldn't do what he did to you in anyway. You shouldn't have had to suffer through that. At that point I knew a person like this, no matter who they were didn't deserve to live. Though it was only until after I got him was when I realised what I did. I don't regret killing him as he deserved it for treating you like dirt…however I didn't take your feelings into consideration. And I'm sorry for that.' Mitsuko apologised as she felt her body just give way backwards. As she hit her back on the tree she slowly slid down. She never felt her heart beat this fast before. Her panting doesn't seem to slow down as she remained breathless.
'Well, there you go. Now c'mon. Hurry up and get my head.' Mitsuko beckoned.'
'You're not going to fight back?' LingQi questioned. She didn't expect it to turn out like this.
'What's the goddamn point? I lost. You got me. I'm just a failure. I tried to be a good friend, I failed at that. I failed at being a good leader, I just let both Zang Ba and Wu Zi just die. Hell, I failed at being a monster who kills the people she cared about willingly. It seems the only time I can do that is when I be an idiot or a coward. I thought I could kill you before you killed me, then I could forget. Or at the very least not care anymore.' Mitsuko admitted. She completely gave up but when she looks up she noticed LingQi hasn't drawn her blade at her yet. She was confused before she chuckled.
'Oh, ok I get it. You want me to stand up for the final blow don't you? Honour and all that. You're going to have to give me a bit of time here.' Mitsuko stated as used her snake arms to wrap around the tree trunk to help her stand. The snakes could only look at Mitsuko and hiss softly. They both glanced at LingQi and then back at Mitsuko as she struggled to stand. LingQi went to help her but Mitsuko refused.
'Don't you patronise me. I know I'm weak, I know that but I can at the very least stand up. So stand back, I got it.' Mitsuko ordered as LingQi hesitantly obeyed. Mitsuko let go of the tree and stands up right.
'Ok there we go. I'm standing, I'm weak and powerless like I was before. Now's the perfect chance to cut my head off and kill me. Its…what a good ol murderer like me deserves.' Mitsuko felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness as she felt her eyes start to tear up. She took a step forward towards LingQi though her body started to give way again.
'Weak to the end eh? Well what else did I expect of me?'
LingQi couldn't take it anymore. She threw away her glaives to the side and caught Mitsuko as she fell towards her and embraced her as she crouched down. She couldn't watch Mitsuko like this no matter who she killed. She tried to steel herself to slay her. She just couldn't, she realised she couldn't kill her. No matter how much the loss of her father was. Mitsuko was flabbergasted by this as she struggled to comprehend this.
'Mitsuko. I-I'm still angry at you.' LingQi admitted.
'I though-.'
'However.' LingQi interrupted her as she puts her hand on Mitsuko's shoulder and pushed her back slightly, keeping her steady as she looks into her slit shaped eyes.
'Even though he's gone. You're still here. If I slay you here and now it won't bring him back to life anyway, though I don't think I would want to. Losing him was difficult because I thought I was alone. I was blinded by that sorrow as I couldn't see you, standing besides me like you did before. I already lost my father, I can deal with that. But losing you would be too much for me to bear. I didn't realise this until now but…you saved me.' Mitsuko widened her eyes in shock. Did she really say that? Her of all people?
'You saved me from a lonely life. Something which I fear, you make me feel accepted. Even though you brought me anger and sorrow now, you made me laugh and gave me joy, something I haven't felt for a long while. I never thought I could feel like that again.' LingQi places her hands softly on Mitsuko's tear stained cheeks. She couldn't help but think that tears didn't belong on her face.
'Mitsuko, I know you're hurting. I don't know what it is that ails you but please…allow me to help. You don't need to fight your battles alone, you don't need to bear your burdens on your own now. You're not alone anymore.' LingQi reassured Mitsuko with a bright smile. Mitsuko couldn't help but shed tears at her speech, she couldn't believe that's what she thought about her. Maybe she succeeded in something worthwhile after all.
'You do realise that you're saying this to a demon lady with snakes for arms, right? You sure its ok to help a monster like me?' Mitsuko chuckled slightly, as did LingQi.
'Perhaps not, though that doesn't matter to me. I suppose to some people, failing to uphold my vow of vengeance makes me a monster as well.' LingQi stated before she stood up.
'Can I request to learn more about this monster in front of me? Can I learn what makes her suffer so I can be of assistance when I can?' LingQi requested as she extended her right hand to Mitsuko.
'Heh, are you sure? I don't think you'll understand and it'll take quite a while for me to tell it.' Mitsuko explained.
'I have time to listen. And in terms of understanding I can only promise to comprehend to the best of my ability.' LingQi smiled at Mitsuko who gave a slight chuckle again as she accepted the hand with her left snake arm which closed its jaw firmly but making sure to not cause any harm to LingQi who instinctively grabbed its tongue. Nothing seemed to happen though when Mitsuko stood up and let go, she found her wrist covered in saliva. Mitsuko immediately apologised.
'I'm so sorry I didn't realise that would happen. I still don't know much about these guys.' Mitsuko glanced at the snakes who look guilty.
'Please don't worry about it.' LingQi reassured Mitsuko who sighed.
'Well if I am going to tell you about myself I think we need to get to another place. Especially with the dripping rain.' Mitsuko stated as she noticed the raindrops dripping down from several hundred of leaves at any one second though the main downpour of rain seems to have finished.
'Then let's go to the lake.' LingQi recommended.
'That sounds like a plan.' Mitsuko sighed, she got nervous about telling her about Akari and everything but…she knew she had to tell her now. Who knows, it could help herself deal with it.
'Well then let's go. Once we reach there I'll tell you everything.' Mitsuko stated as they both started to exit the forest.
A/N: Hey guys DMZ here, just a couple of things to round this chapter up. First, aren't I a generous god for giving you a chapter of this length? Haha. I kid of course. Also if you're one of those that like to listen to music while reading these chapters then may I recommend listening to the DW8 XL OST 'vanish.' Now onto the more serious stuff. This is a bit of a trigger warning that the next chapter will be a bit more darker and will reference stuff like homophobia, bullying and suicide. I know announcing something like this is odd given how the previous fight scenes ended up however I do know different things…trigger people. I'm not trying to meme I just want to make sure everyone is ok when reading my work as I know some people would like a heads up with things like this. I'll mark the places where it'll be safe for everyone to read next chapter and when it won't be safe so you can skip if you want. Of course it could just be pure garbage so this will mean absolutely nothing and I will only succeed in making myself look like a fool…well its better to be safe than sorry. I'll probably post another authors note at the beginning of the next chapter just in case but I'm not too sure. But that's all for now, do let me know if this chapter was good, how to improve my fight choreography and the like so I can become a better writer for you all. Its almost 3am for me at the time of writing this because I am just a madman. So until next time, sayonara.