As the front gate was lost to the alliance of Mitsuko and Zheng Jiang, the rest of the forces fell back further into the settlement. Archers trying to pepper the soldiers from far away, however due to their inefficient training they weren't accurate enough to get a good kill ratio. As the alliance's soldiers pushed them further and further away from the keep Mitsuko walked through the front gate with Zheng Jiang followed close behind, wielding her red sisters twin axes and LingQi with her halberds. Mitsuko examined the area as she set foot inside. Her serpent guard standing at attention while the frontline soldiers fought on. She nodded in satisfaction as she saw the troops pressing further on. She glances to her right where the screams were closest where Luna was demolishing her former allies.

'Hmm, looks like someone is having a good time over there.' She stated before she and Zheng Jiang was approached by a soldier under Mitsuko who quickly went on one knee and bowed their head respectfully.

'My lady our forces have pushed the enemy further, the central path is the shortest way towards the enemy palace. We'll be able to breach the path towards the main palace shortly and intercept the other forces in a pincer attack.'

'Excellent work. We'll make our way there immediately.' The soldier bowed in understanding before rushing their way back to the front lines, unsheathing their sword. Mitsuko glanced back towards Zheng Jiang.

'You ready?'

'Absolutely, lets claim that opportunists head!' Zheng Jiang responded with determination and the fire of vengeance burning in her eyes, Mitsuko smirked before they took on a stroll before they stopped for a moment.

'Hey LingQi.'

'Yes my lady?'

'Would you mind check on whats going on over there, something tells me it isn't one of ours and I'd prefer us to have minimal losses.' Mitsuko points towards the commotion that Luna is causing to the right of their position.

'At once my lady.' LingQi started to make their way towards the commotion only for her to be stopped by Mitsuko as she instinctively grabbed LingQi's wrist. Surprised at this she stammered her speech as she wanted to explain herself as LingQi looked at her in her eyes.

'I- erm I…I don't know why I'm doing this but…i…just wanted to say…be careful' LingQi smiled warmly at Mitsuko and it helped put her at ease as her grip became more loose than it was.

'I will, I promise.' She said before sprinted off towards the battle.

'She can take care of herself you know.' Zheng Jiang stated as she looked towards the central path and started to walk along it. Mitsuko followed shortly behind.

'Of course I know that.'

'Then why did you hesitate letting her go?'

'I…as I said I don't know.'

'I do, its fear.'

'Fear?'

'Fear of letting her go and not coming back.'

'What? Nah I'm not…worried about that at all. I know what she's capable of.' Mitsuko replied.

'That doesn't mean the feeling will go away.'

'What are you getting at?' Zheng Jiang stopped and turned to face Mitsuko in the eye. Mitsuko was surprised to see the once vengeful eyes turned to sorrow as she spoke.

'Acknowledge that the fear exists and its there for a reason. Then work on it and don't let it consume you.' Zheng Jiang stated before she turned to face forward.

'Now come on, the enemy still have heads that need to be detached.' She sprinted forwards towards the enemy palace, Mitsuko thought about her words for a second before she sprinted aswell, keeping up with her ally.

Meanwhile LingQi joining the frontlines on the east flank made the enemy crumble and retreated further inside. As they pressed the attack they see the enemy split into two forming more of a column formation temporarily to avoid the thing in the middle. LingQi halted as soon as she spotted Luna in her new form. Unsure of what this new creature is as it grabbed an enemy by the back of the head and repeatedly slammed it into the ground. She glanced to her left to see Dodomeki standing there. She didn't know what was going on but she felt the situation was not as easy as it looks. Luna with her dark abyss eyes looked towards LingQi in reconciliation as if she remembered her. Luna sighed heavily, forming visible smoke through the very small gaps between her metallic long teeth in front of her face. The troops were eager to get into the fight but LingQi stopped them.

'Re-join the troops on the other paths, this one is mine.' The troops begrudgingly accepted their commands, acknowledging her as a superior officer and retreated back. Dodomeki leapt towards LingQi's side.

'I was wondering when you were going to show up.'

'Well, you did say you could handle that mystic on your own.'

'Heh, I'm surprised you believed me.' Dodomeki chuckled.

'Who said I did? I may have just wanted to watch. By the way, what is this thing, a friend of yours?

'Well only if you consider the mystic a friend.'

'Wait what!? That's the mystic!? What happened to her?' LingQi exclaimed loudly, she looked nothing like what Luna did at their last encounter.

'I don't know, it was going fine until she transformed into this.' Dodomeki answered as Luna started to menacingly walk towards the two, dragging the heavy mace across the ground, damaging the very stones and gravel in its path.

'Though I think this is fledgeling rage.'

'Fledgeling rage? I remember Gyuki saying something about that when he rescued me from that carriage.'

'Did he? Well let's just say it's not good for us.' As he finished his sentence they blinked and Luna disappeared for a quick second before appearing right in front of them swinging her Morningstar wildly towards LingQi who blocked the attack with one her right polearm in the nick of time, surprised at the sudden burst of speed from Luna. Dodomeki went in for a punch with his right arm at Luna's face as he sidestepped to the left. Luna quicky swings the Morningstar backwards with her right arm, knocking the metallic gauntlet away, making Dodomeki step forward a bit too far before swinging it back, hitting his helmet and knocking him down with enough force. This gave LingQi an opening to strike Luna horizontally with her halberd from her left arm, aiming for her neck. Though to her surprise Luna caught the blade with her hand. LingQi gasped in shock at this as she tried to push the blade and withdraw it but it was no good, the blade was caught and it was caught tightly. Luna raised her morning star high and swung it down. LingQi managed to block the attack, however the force of the swing was so strong it created a small shockwave around them and forced LingQi to one knee. LingQi couldn't believe this was the same mystic. She knew she was strong however…this was on a whole different level, was she always this strong and just hid it she wondered as Luna kept the deadlock in place forcing her down lower on her knees, overpowering her with her raw strength.

Luckily she was relieved when Dodomeki came back and kicked her in the stomach with enough force to push her back towards the settlements walls, smashing her back against it. LingQi struggled to get back on her feet at first before she stood up straight and got in her battle stance once again.

'I thought fledgeling rage was only a demon thing?'

'I thought so too but I don't how else to describe this situation.'

'Mystics don't normally do this right?'

'If they do it's the first time I seen it and I've been battling them for pretty much all of my life.'

'Well that's good to know, any recommendations on how to deal with her?'

'Yeah, don't get hit.' The two of them start to hear the heavy breathing of Luna once again as they hear the scraping of the Morningstar against the ground slowly coming towards them.

'Wow, thanks for your glorious insight.' LingQi sarcastically remarked

'Heh, don't mention it. But it is a good idea not to because we'll need to outlast her.'

'Outlast her?'

'Yeah…fledgelings when awoken for the first time have their abilities amplified temporarily hence why we had to have others to essentially fight them to outlast them. If we tire her out enough she should theoretically lose her abilities as she passes out.'

As he said this Luna roared as she rushed forward. She swung her mace at the two of them.

As Mitsuko and Zheng Jiang traversed the bloodstain roads down the centre path to make their way to the main palace the frontline finished slaying the enemies in their path. Many are slain as their corpses littered the path however a few try to move and escape, only for them to meet a swift end by a simple stab in their back or a stomp to their skull. The troops roared as they raised their weapons high in the air in victory before diamondback and Gyuki spotted Mitsuko and Zheng jiang, they immediately became silent and bowed their heads respectfully. Diamondback made his way towards the two leaders.

'My lady, the central path has been cleared and the main palace is just up those steps.'

'Excellent…I suppose the door was locked?' Mitsuko asked. Diamondback didn't know what she was talking about before he looked at the palace and realised the large hole that opened the palace.

'Erm…yeah?' He replied awkwardly, unsure on how to respond to that. Mitsuko chuckled at this and placed a serpent head on his shoulder as if she patted it with it, finding it amusing.

'Well it'll be a annoying to replace but I'm sure its doable. Split this force into two and circle surround the enemy on both flanks. You leading one and Gyuki leading the other.' Mitsuko ordered.

'yes my lady, should we accept surrender?' Diamondback asked. Mitsuko turned to Zheng Jiang.

'Well? Should we?' Zheng Jiang looked to the ground, she contemplated this however as she remembered the faces of Lu Zheng and Gai Li she tightened her fists before looking at Mitsuko.

'No kill them all.' She stated. Mitsuko smirked and nodded in agreement before she turned her head towards Diamondback.

'Well you heard the lady, kill to your hearts content.'

'As you command.' Diamondback went back to the frontlines and ordered them to do to split up and do as Mitsuko ordered. The force quickly dispersed.

'Heh, now that we don't have an audience why don't we pop in and say hello?'

'Yes…our moment is at hand. Don't worry Lu Zheng, Gai Li…you'll rest in peace soon I promise.' She whispered as she held her medallion of the tai brotherhood in her hand before she walked up those steps. Mitsuko followed closely. They ascended the stairs to the main palace, as they reached the top they saw the boulder that crashed through the entrance along with bloodstains leading to it. They each took one side and reconvened in front of it, to find Zhang Yan and Jinzha awaiting them. Jinzha was standing proudly with his double-bladed weapon, engraved with teal strange symbols on the blades while the handle in the centre was gold with a tiny ruby on both sides, he stood with his cloak unhooded revealing his luxurious blonde hair with a neat ponytail, while Zhang Yan facial hair was all ruffled and unruly, the same with the hair on his head. He held a sword in one hand with a bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. Both looking infuriated at the audacity of the two in front of them.

'So…you arrived, I must admit I did not expect you to attack so soon.' Jinzha stated as he pointed his weapon at Mitsuko who smirked in response.

'I think you did, you just didn't care.'

'What!? Are you saying you attacked cuz of him!?' Zhang Yan exclaimed looking at the mystic with disgust, how dare he backstab him like that.

'And what of it? The bandit queen is there for the taking, slay her and her army will be scattered.'

'Don't bet on it, we're here for vengeance and will not leave with out it.' Zheng Jiang growled. Zheng Jiang wore a lop sided smirk as a result.

'Well, if you want your vengeance that badly then come get me.' Zhang Yan stated as he started cackling while retreating further into the palace through a door behind him. Zheng Jiang looked at Mitsuko with a vengeful but somewhat worried look on her face, Mitsuko gave her a small nod confirming that she understood what she was asking. Zheng Jiang nodded back as she sprinted towards Zhang Yan leaving Mitsuko and Jinzha alone.

'You think you can beat me in one-on-one combat?'

'I know I can.' Mitsuko responded as they started to circle each other with her serpents hissing ferociously before they regurgitated their respective blades. She grinned from ear to ear, eager for the bloodshed to start and for him to make the first move.

'Tch, your arrogance will be your undoing, just as it always was before.'

'Is that so? What about your arrogance? Its stench is absolutely revolting. Proclaiming to be so called "gods" when you do fuck all for the world that you're supposed to be looking after.'

'I wouldn't expect one such as you to understand, we cannot intervene with the world the species of this world must find their own path.'

'Oh but forming an alliance with a bandit king and leading sieges and making monstrosities is ok then? Must be nice to wear those hypocritical crowns of arrogance.' Mitsuko rebutted.

'That is simply because you're here! You're the cause of all this, if you weren't around none of this would've happened. Your presence here Orochi is the reason of our involvement in the first place. You are an abomination that will lead this world to destruction!' Jinzha yelled, losing his composure to this blasted demon who will never understand him or his people, or what is at stake. It can't understand, its just a demon of destruction.

'Heh, maybe it deserves to be destroyed. I lived in the future, I know full well what comes out of it. The types of people that live there, the corruption, the greed, the hatred… I will not allow that world to continue to exist.'

'That is not your call to make.'

'But its yours? Fuck off with your pretentious crap. You must've saw them commit horrible atrocities for a variety of reasons, yet you allowed them to do as your place because it didn't affect you, now that I'm here suddenly you're interested? Sorry I don't buy it "god."' Mitsuko seethed in anger, his arrogance was getting underneath her skin, though once she realised this she took a few breaths to calm down. She couldn't afford to get blinded by rage, not here. Jinzha smirked arrogantly.

'There may be another reason why I must kill you its true, but that doesn't mean my words are false. Look at what you've done, look at the death and destruction you have sewn. I see the look of bloodlust and pleasure in your eyes. Even now I see you thinking about the ways you will try to mutilate me. Is this the way a demon, a monster, a vile creature obtains this so-called peace that you claim to desire!?' Mitsuko smiled sinisterly at this, that smile and look in her eyes, the very look that made Jinzha hesitate for just a moment came back. That feeling he felt back at her tent, the feeling of running away reared its ugly head again before he attempted to push it back down again.

'And what if it is? Does that terrify you…Jinzha?' Jinzha charged in, Mitsuko was surprised as his speed though she managed to block the attack as he jumped to land on overhead strike. She blocked with both her blades and eventually pushed Jinhza back. He landed on his feet with ease before sprinting towards her again. Mitsuko sent her scythe snake to lunge forward and attack diagonally upwards towards him. He leapt up out of the way and slashed Mitsuko downwards, though the blade was blocked by Mitsuko's larger flat blade. As soon as the blade was blocked, Jinhza struck the other side of the blade upwards towards her right thigh. Mitsuko sees this and blocks the attack, as soon as she blocked however another strike from the other side of the blade is aimed to her head. She stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blade, seeing the tip of it fly past her.

'He's fast I'll give him that.'

Mitsuko thought to herself as she retracted her other serpent arm with great speed, hoping for the scythe to cleave through his torso. Jinzha managed to block the strike as he turned around briefly to stop the attack in a deadlock, the sword holding the scythe back on its neck. Mitsuko used this opportunity to strike, using her sword serpent to be thrusted towards Jinhza's face. Jinzha raised his other blade high and deflect the attack, the deflection was met with such force that the serpent attacking was knocked to the ground. However as soon as he hit the blade he quickly raised it once again to chest height and thrusted towards Mitsuko's chest. Mitsuko had to think quickly for the serpent knocked wouldn't be able to block the attack in time. Mitsuko bent her back backwards and at the same time the scythe serpent pushed through with greater strength forcing the blade and Jinzha to twist their body. The snake coiled around them and attempted to entrap them with their body in one motion. However as soon as he was forced to turn Jinzha leapt up straight in the air and backflipped once he escaped.

Mitsuko chuckled as he watched Jinzha land. Part of Mitsuko was glad that she wasn't able to slay it quick, it would've been boring otherwise especially after all the gloating he did. At least he could backup his words somewhat. Though with just a blink of an eye Mitsuko lost him, it was like she disappeared until she heard the faint sound of air being cut. She twisted her body and blocked the oncoming upwards slash as she laid her eyes on Jinzha finishing a sliding manoeuvre with his left leg extended as far as it could go with the right leg crouched. As Mitsuko deflected the attack with her sword snake, Jinzha used the momentum to perform an overhead strike aiming for Mitsuko's head. The scythe serpent blocked the attack in time, the sword now cradled in the neck of the crescent blade before Jinzha leapt back. Mitsuko attempted to counterattack and sent his serpents forward however no luck as Jinzha deflected both attacks before he landed on his feet aware from Mitsuko. Jinzha got into a battle-ready stance as Mitsuko laughed demonically before she did the same.

'Not bad serpent, not bad. But victory will be mine in the end.'

'Haha, is that so? Then come and claim it!'

A/n: Hey everybody DMZ, first off I want to apologise for my absolute lateness with this chapter. I did want to get this out earlier however things had to take priority such as my full time job. I'm already starting work on the next one now so you shouldn't have to wait nearly as long and I can get back to a fortnightly schedule as planned.