Two weeks had passed since that day, since then Zhang Yan had kept to himself in his palace while he sent his advisors and officers to keep the men under control. After the volley of the dead unleashed by Mitsuko's forces the morale of the mountain king diminished immediately especially since a good portion of the defenders are normal civilians who were thrust into this position, not hardened warriors. Every now and again a catapult fired a huge boulder into the city, sometimes crushing a person or two, sometimes just crushing buildings into oblivion. The men don't see how they can get out of this, if they think of surrendering Zhang Yan would kill them but if they don't Mitsuko will kill them. Who's to say she will even spare them? That's what other senior officers said at least anyway, but they must fight…for their families…though how could you fight against one such as her they thought secretly to themselves. Luna and Jinzha were on the walls, Jinzha was upright and pacing around thinking what to do while Luna sat on one of the embrasures in a more casual manner. She found herself able to relax more, rather than being stiff like before, like some sort of shackles on her were released.

'Grr, this serpent why is she stalling things out?' Jinzha growled, annoyed at this siege more than anything. Not understanding why Mitsuko hasn't breached through the walls yet, she has the tools to do so! The old Orochi would've done this and he would've been crowned the yellow emperor by now.

'I don't know, but it could be another fear tactic or simply starving us out?' Luna answered. Though Jinzha shook his head.

'No, that can't be. Orochi has never been one for dragging things out. The longer she stalls this offense, the more chance other mystics may appear we cannot allow that to happen.'

'Maybe that's the problem.'

'What?' Jinzha asked, looking confused at his subordinate.

'Well, if she's this different from the previous incarntions maybe you should treat her like a different entity entirely.' Luna replied. Jinzha thought about this for a moment, she did have a point. If she is this different, she may have a different personality and thus could be goaded. Yes, if he could just provoke an attack on her, this stalling could be proof she doesn't think she's ready. If she's provoked into attacking, it could turn into his advantage.

'You may have a point Luna…You fought with these demons before, did you come across anything unusual as you fought them?'

'My lord?'

'If Orochi has indeed changed, her followers may also have changed. You fought on the frontlines this cycle against them, what do you believe?' Luna looked at the ground, she was a bit surprised to take her comment as seriously but secretly she relished this feeling of superiority. Her own lord not having the knowledge necessary. She could lie, she could tell the truth, she could bend the truth to fit her agenda. But she stopped herself before going too far. She questioned why she felt this way now of all times…but it was less about being shocked or repulsed by the idea but more…fascination especially nowadays.

'Luna?' Jinzha asked. Noticing Luna hasn't answered her at all, this was not like her, however the last couple of months hasn't been easy and did notice a gradual change in her over time. He chalked it up to stress since this cycle was not like the previous ones, however that did not dissuade fears over his subordinate.

'Oh, my apologies my lord. Now that you mention it, there was something off about them.'

'How so?'

'Well…like these soldiers here they are following orders, however these demons and her human soldiers…they follow her not out of fear but out of loyalty.'

'Loyalty? To that serpent? The demons were always loyal.'

'Yes but this was different. Its difficult to explain without fighting one for yourself. When I was fighting one…I managed to injure it before I said something, something about the serpent dying and it…got enraged. But not like a wild animal but…more like it actually cared and wanted to defend her at all costs. I never saw anything like that from a demon.' Luna struggled to explain it, she tried to hide her fascination in her voice as it could be mistranslated as tolerating them especially to someone like Jinzha.

Jinzha looked to the ground before quickly looking up in the clear cloudless sky. Unsure what to make of what he just heard. Could a demon fight so ferociously like that? For…protection rather than destruction? He doubted it very much. Though with this new Orochi who could know for certain? If this is indeed the case, why now? Or was this always the case and we've only just noticed this now. No of course not, he shook that thought out of his head immediately. There's no way they could've missed something like that, it could just be a ploy, a ploy to throw us off. Yeah, that's it. He saw the eyes of Mitsuko, that malice, that sadistic enjoyment of torment she was inflicting. That hatred, there's no way a creature like that would fight for protection or that anyone in their right mind would bend the knee to someone like her without some sort of outside influence.

'I see…well even if that is the case, it doesn't change our objective but it something to take into consideration for my visit.'

'My lord?'

'If this serpent has indeed changed there's a possibility, she may be goaded into attacking this place. I don't have any subordinates bar with you anymore…so I will go into the main camp and provoke her myself personally.' Jinzha stated. Luna was noticeably surprised by this.

'My lord, with all due respect, that isn't one of your strengths. And besides who is to say that she will just not surround and slay you?'

'You doubt my abilities?' Jinzha glanced at her, that glance brought Luna back to a state of tension as she immediately bowed her head in respect.

'Of course, not lord JInzha.'

'Good. However, you're right this sort of thing isn't my forte however if she insists on stalling I have to try something. And as you said, I have to treat her as a separate entity…I would be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued by this new Orochi. I will inform lord Zhang Yan and disguise it as a reconnaissance/sabotage mission. If she's stalling this out, there must be a practical reason for it. Attacking now could give us the edge. Remain here Luna and keep an eye on the camp, kill anyone that gets into range.' Jinzha stated.

'Of course, my lord.' She bowed her head and started to walk away before she called out to him.

'My lord…if you want to go through with this…you should consider bringing up the warrior woman. The one with the dual polearms.'

'Her? Why?'

'I fought her twice. When I did, she was…different from the other humans. I believe she values the serpent and I don't believe it's one way.'

'Hmm, noted thanks for the heads up.' Jinzha stated as he walked away. Leaving Luna alone, she couldn't hide her grin from her face any longer.

'So he's that scared of mystic involvement that he's willing to do something like this? Well this cycle is full of interesting surprises. How exciting. But…on the off chance he assassinates her while she's resting then it'll be back to the same old story…what can I do about that?' Luna thought to herself as she leant against the wall while sitting on the embrasures looking to the outside fields. She laid her eyes on the camp for a while seeing enemy soldiers walking around when suddenly she smirked when she got an idea.

That night Jinzha stealthily made his way down the wall and into the camp, hiding in the grass and away from prying eyes of the guards as he moved up. He informed Zhang Yan of the sabotage mission to try and get rid of the catapults, to his surprise Zhang Yan quickly approved of the mission. He was sitting upon his throne, visibly agitated as he tapped his fingers and scraped them against the thrones arm rests. Anxious of what is to come, he didn't expect this of all things to happen or to feel like this at all. He tried to tell himself, she's just a creature that can be killed. Those eyes though…those eyes unexpectedly haunted his dreams. Bags formed under his eyes as a result of various sleepless nights. He was angry and frustrated at this as he told himself it was nothing to worry about. When Jinzha informed him of this mission he quickly said yes, wanting to get rid of somethings. His siege engines are almost complete. If he could get rid of them and fired her forces with his weapons that'll make her think twice! Her and that infernal bandit queen! The mountains…no the world will be his soon enough!

Jinzha stealthily evaded the guards and the main camp, he saw the largest tent all pitched up and figured that is where Mitsuko is residing. He quickly pussyfooted towards the open tent. He didn't make his way to the catapults as he didn't care about Zhang Yan or his delusions of grandeur, he had his eye on the bigger picture. The picture being the mystic realm needing a suitable emperor and he believed himself the one able to do that. He infiltrated the tent only to find Mitsuko there. Though there appears to be a table with chairs by them, on the table are two silver chalices. Mitsuko is holding one with her right serpent jaw while the other is next to the open chair. It seemed as though Mitsuko was expecting him. He certainly wasn't expecting this of all things.

'Ahh you're finally here, I saved you a seat. Please take it.' Mitsuko outstretched her left serpent arm towards the empty seat, unsure of what to do Jinzha obliged. As he sat down he examined Mitsuko as close as he could, the serpent arms, the malicious eyes, the armour donned on her that was a modification of its old one. He eyed the chalice to see that it is filled with…wine?

'Relax, I know you think I'm venomous but trust me I didn't poison it.' Mitsuko non chalantly responded as she took a drink out of her chalice. Eyeing up the chalice, Jinzha eventually took a hold of the chalice and gave it a sip. If it was only a small sip that was ingested the poison wouldn't take much of an effect on him, if at all. However to his surprise there was no trace of any poison there. He placed the drink down to see Mitsuko leaning back against her chair casually, the left serpent jaw still keeping a hold of the drink to one side. She wore a lopsided grin on her face before she spoke up.

'Well?'

'Its not bad, not great either.' Jinzha stated. Mitsuko chuckled at this. Jinzha couldn't help but feel a slight shiver going down his spine at this for some reason.

'Well that's a shame, we don't have a local winery outside so you'll just have to make do.'

'Quite…Orochi.'

'Oh please, call me Mitsuko. We're gonna try and kill each other not setup a business partnership.' Mitsuko…so that's what she was calling herself this cycle. And…was that a joke?

'I suppose so…Orochi. Why aren't you attacking?' He replied with a serious expression on his face.

'Straight to business I see? Well you struck me as that sort of person unfortunately. Well to answer that, why not? Don't you want to be prepared when you attack someone? Ahh that's right you don't. You just attack and hope for the best, by the way how did that work out for you?' Mitsuko smirked as she drunk from the chalice once again. Jinzha swallowed hard, this blasted serpent is trying to goad him!? Heh, well too bad it won't work. He can play this game if he wanted to. He took a sip and smirked aswell.

'I simply underestimated your forces. A mistake that will not happen again.' He responded, keeping his cool on the surface, however having such a conversation with this creature of all things…unnerved him which he did not expect.

'On that we agree, because I won't give you another chance to.' Mitsuko threatened. Jinzha is surprised by Mitsuko's…eloquence and casual nature while behind that is a creature that wants nothing more than destruction and bloodshed. While Jinzha wants nothing more than to cut her head off now, she may easily call the entire camp over, even he will have a difficult time against an army.

'I suppose not. But either way, I'm surprised you didn't attack after your little fear ploy of launching their dead. You really have them spooked.'

'If you're trying to provoke me into attacking you're not doing the greatest job. You're too stiff and blunt about it. You have to relax more.' Mitsuko chuckled as she took another sip, seeing the furrowing of JInzha's brow despite his calm exterior amused her. How dare she give her advice of all things, and to do so…so casually as well. He felt himself starting to furious with her though he also noticed his heart rate increased slightly, his head started to get warmer as the tips of his fingers starting to grow cold as he looked into the eyes of his opponent. He found himself struggling to keep his breaths steady, what was this feeling…was this what fear was? But that's impossible right? He saw death all the time, he saw Orochi besiege and killed people all the time. Death was something he saw plenty of…yet this woman. Despite his hatred of her he couldn't shake this feeling…this small part of him that wants to run away.

'I'll take that advice for the future, I'm just concerned if you stall for too much longer some of your officers may be missing.' Mitsuko raised an eyebrow at him, threatening her officers was not something she tolerated. That change of emotion in her eyes gave him something to work with. He knew he was onto something.

'You didn't seem to strike me as that sort of person mr…do you have a name or should I call you mr mystic?'

'Jinzha.'

'Very well Jinzha, I figured you were one of those honourable sorts. Not a coward.'

'I'm far from a coward serpent but I know how to win a war.'

'Really? Because you've been doing a terrible job at it so far, especially given the state of your forces. Afraid and lost, terrified of what's to come.'

'Please, you know it was that human king Zhang Yan, I don't care about these humans but you on the other hand are what concerns me.'

'Aww how touching, unfortunately you're not my type.'

'and would your "type" have anything to do with your human followers? That warrior woman perhaps?' Jinzha saw Mitsuko's eyes flare up in rage for a brief moment, he smirked as he drunk from his chalice. Believing he's gotten somewhere.

'Her name is LingQi and that is none of your concern.' Mitsuko knows he's trying to play her and yet she couldn't help herself from raising her voice.

'Quite, well who's to say you won't find her head on this very table soon enough?' Mitsuko only chuckled at this which confused Jinzha.

'Do you believe she would be that easy to take out? I have every faith in her combat prowess she wouldn't go out as easily as you believe.' She responded, hiding the venom she wanted to display in her voice. This conversation was more like a battle of wits, the one to lose their composure first loses.

'No but she would go down regardless. Besides, we both know what kind of creature you are.'

'And what would that be?'

'One of destruction. Despite your change in demeanour and looks, you're still the serpent Orochi. I can tell by looking in your eyes you would like nothing more than to breach those walls, kill everyone in it and after a final showdown you rip my head off and relish in your bloodshed and destruction you caused.'

'You can't pretend to be above that when you have that same desire towards me. '

'Quite, but I have a reason.'

'And I don't?'

'Orochi didn't.'

'I'm not Orochi as I told you before. But you are right, I wouldn't mind tearing you limb from limb.' Mitsuko admitted, the demonic gaze met with the stoic look of Jinzha which was unexpected from her.

'You're still a demon and I'm essentially a demon killer. What's gotten you so hesitant? Afraid perhaps? I would be too.' Jinzha replied, taking another sip from his chalice, unexpectedly taking her advice of relaxing more while still being on guard.

'You're calling me a coward?...Heh, you're kind of right about that.' That visibly shocked him, he didn't expect her to comply to that insult. Mitsuko looked to the chalice as she spoke.

'Oh I was a coward all right. I heard and watched the one I loved suffer and I could do nothing. Even when…they died I felt like nothing I could do, I just went in my safe space and mourned. I avoided everything, I lived with pain while doing nothing about it while the killers got away without consequence. I even attempted my own life, feeling unable to do anything as a result. I felt weak and powerless in a world ravaged by greed, apathy and corruption. However,' She looked up with a demonic grin on her face, looking directly at Jinzha. Her human eye slowly transformed into the demonic slit shaped pupil.

'Once I came to this world…I realised something. I'm not weak or powerless. I felt alive for the first time in ages, the first time I killed people…oh it was so long ago, it was an act of self-defence although I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it! The adrenaline, the bloodshed, the melody of their screams of anguish! The relief of the weight of my shoulders was immense. I relished all of it, yet even so I realised I have an objective. To change that bleak future. You like your other mystic friends may try to kill me for sport if you wish…but you will be standing in my way and I no longer have any hesitation or fear with taking lives. I am no longer afraid. I am no longer a coward. You will die and I will be satiated by your screams of torment as I look into your dying eyes, full of regret and fear! And then the next day will come and I will forget all about you like you were nothing.' Jinzha attempted to drink the rest of his chalice without being fazed however he found his hand to slightly shake as some wine hits his chin before drinking the rest. He quickly wiped it away as soon as he finished downing the chalice before he locked eyes with Mitsuko. He felt his heartbeat skyrocket, a shivering sensation crawling up on his back and arms as he listened to every word she uttered. She never gotten visibly angry, she never stuttered, she never shown remorse for her actions despite knowing their wrong. Jinzha was right in his assumptions, she is different from the other Orochi incarnations…too right for his liking.

This woman…this serpent…this…Mitsuko was something dangerous and it would be in everyone's best interest if she was gone. He didn't expect her to have the capability of loving someone, if she's telling the truth of course but he didn't know that for certain. Though maybe that's part of the reason why she's so different. If she were a human he would just pity her. Although that's not the case, she's a menace to everything in the human realm and mystic realm and must be eliminated at all costs. Despite this though…that feeling of wanting to run away did increase, he wondered what this feeling was. It was weird feeling, one that he despised as well as feel guilty for. What was wrong with him? Is this a new power of the serpent that she developed…or was this what the humans called…fear? He suddenly stood up and tucked the chair in the table.

'I see, well thank you for this conversation…It was enlightening. I will return to the castle where I await your attack, though I will say one thing.' Jinzha put a hand on the table and leant forward and met with Mitsuko's gaze one last time.

'If you want to change the future then join your former lover and die. This world and its future would benefit greatly if you ceased to exist.' With that Jinzha fled the tent not breaking eye contact until he was out of there, daring Mitsuko to attack. Mitsuko did not say anything until he escaped her sight, one of her serpent arms hissed venomously. Mitsuko glanced to her right.

'Well, what did you think of him?' She questioned. The side of the tent rises up as Pang Tong and LingQi emerges from it.

'Your instincts were right, he was clearly out of his comfort zone. But you have to admire his willingness to try something new.' Pang Tong chuckled while LingQi looked annoyed.

'Are you sure it was the right thing to let him go? We could've rid ourselves of him in advance.' LingQi replied as she tightened the grip of her cross halberds. She couldn't explain it but when Jinzha talked about Mitsuko like that at the end she's reminded to that fateful night where for the first time she heard Mitsuko's heart. She felt furious towards him and it took a lot to restrain herself to hear that Mitsuko deserved such a fate.

'Yeah, something tells me that would've been the wrong call. Lets trash up his place rather than ours if we want fun.' Mitsuko responded. She thought about his words, she was angry about them. Though she remembered how she felt before, if those words were uttered to her after the attempt to take her own life…would she have gone through with it again? She was distracted when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up to see LingQi looking concerned at her, it was…strangely comforting to her.

'Are you ok?' She whispered. Mitsuko glances back at the chalice and found that the serpent bent the chalice completely. Whoops. She didn't notice that. She smiled softly and put her free serpent hand on hers.

'Don't worry, I'm alright. Really.' LingQi was relieved, she feared Mitsuko would've taken those words harder. Before long however she smirked mischievously.

'That's good, I feared the alcohol would've dampened your senses.'

'Wow you're really going there?'

'I mean am I wrong?' LingQi stated innocently but Mitsuko knew that wasn't the case.

'Yes, yes you are.' Mitsuko stood and looked upon her mischievous gaze and her cheeky smirk.

'Then should I remind you what happened the first time we shared a drink? Or the time when our ally held that celebration?'

'Ahem, if I may interject?' Pang Tong coughed, silencing both women out of embarrassment.

'My apologies, I wanted to point out it is interesting how this Jinzha seemed to be most adamant in getting us to attack the settlement that he would be willing to do something like this clearly out of his comfort.'

'Indeed, any ideas?'

'Hmm it may be possible there's another force arriving and he believes it could be more allies on the way.'

'But our scouts haven't informed us of anything.'

'Indeed. It could be the case that it's a force only he was able to spot as they were keeping to the shadows. Or it could be something to do with you lady Mitsuko. Perhaps he is afraid that other of these mystics would…in a way take his prize. Though he doesn't seem to strike me as that sort.' Pang Tong explained.

'So what do you advise? We stall the siege?'

'On the contrary, we should probably attack as soon as possible. We do not know if they are allies or not. Either way, it would be safer to occupy the city than stay out in the open. Plus, they would not expect an attack so quickly, especially in the dawn of night.'

'I see, LingQi, how long would it take to get the soldiers ready?'

'Within the hour lady Mitsuko.' LingQi responded. Mitsuko nodded in approval.

'Excellent. Commence the bombardment as quick as possible. Gyuki will assault the gate soon after once the soldiers are ready to assault the city. If Jinzha wants an offense that badly then who am I to deny him such a gift?' Mitsuko stretched out one of her serpent heads who hissed softly, seemingly reaching out to the wall that she can see outside her tent. She saw the walls through the serpents open mouth before she closed the jaw like she was making a fist as she grinned demonically.

'Hehe, time to unleash our demons of war!'

A/N: So I don't know if I'm going to get another chapter in by Christmas but in case I don't, hope you all are keeping safe. Hopefully my new routine may help with more regular chapters. But I suppose we'll have to see what comes new year. Well happy holidays to all of you, hope you all get what you want and see you probably next year.