The realm of Ninjago. An interesting place, to be sure. People often sought to settle down here, or seek their fortune in the newly developing city. Still, despite the speed of progress...people needed help.
Viridis walked toward the requested meeting point, an empty road outside the still unfinished Ninjago City. Not many people knew she was an oni, as humans were still weary of her kind. She supposed this human heard of her through rumors, and decided to see if they were true.
"Why have you requested to speak with me?" Viridis frowned, watching the human before her.
Lee was nervous. He'd heard about this woman from one of the elders in his village. He took his hat off, bowing once out of respect.
Was she really an Oni?
"M-My name is Lee, Lee Tung. Someone told me about you hanging around this road late at night. Some elders in my village think you're a ghost because of how soon you leave the roads." He laughed, though the laughter quickly died when he saw she wasn't smiling. "Some of the legends about Oni say they possess the ability to c-cast spells and-"
She crossed her arms, eyeing him carefully. "-and you want my help, yes?"
"Y-Yes, please Miss. I'm uh..I'm not sure what you can do for me, but…" Lee took a breath to try and steady his nerves. "Y'see a crew of us are helpin' to build the city down yonder-"
Viridis raised an eyebrow. "Call me Viridis. Do you mean Ninjago City? It's not done yet, but what do you wish of me? How am I to help?" She could cast spells, sure. She was one of the more advanced in magics of her clan. Viridis was unsure how of how she could help. "I'm sure you wish for the city to be finished before or on the deadline you humans have set for yourself, yes? I wander into the construction in the late hours of the night, surely you can't be that far off from finishing from what I've seen."
"You'd think so, but we're about three months behind. Couple of our guys died from heart attacks. Guessin' they overworked themselves." Lee placed his hat over his chest, remembering his fallen coworkers.
"What would you have me do, then? I'm sure you're aware I'll require something in return." Viridis raised an eyebrow. After all, she wouldn't give something for nothing.
Lee is clearly worried about what she could want in return, but as long as he lives through it, everything would be fine, right? "Well I was thinkin' that maybe there was some way to...decrease my need for sleep, or food or somethin' like that." He shook his head. "We need to get this city finished, 'expand the land' as the boss says."
Viridis was puzzled, such a request would be tricky. He was human, after all. Hopefully she wouldn't accidentally kill him. "Suppressing one's need for sleep and food, so you can work more often. I suppose it can be done, though I will ask for something of greater value."
Greater value? Lee felt worry fill him like a lead weight. He was suddenly stuck in place, unable to move. What did she mean? "You won't trick me, right? What do you want in return?"
Viridis shook her head. "I am no going to trick you, no." She walked closer to Lee, looking him over. "What do I want in return? Such an interesting question. How old are you, Lee? Do you have any children? A wife?"
"I'm thirty-six years old, and I've got a ten year old little girl at home. Please, don't take her from me. She's too young to be taken from this life, Viridis." He watched her cautiously, afraid to say something wrong. "Lila ain't never done nothin' wrong in her life, and with her mother passin' just last year, things have been hard at home. I'm workin' this job to keep food on our table and a roof over our heads. Her Ma used to sell her pastries in the town market. We don't have that second income any more." Lee shook his head. "Boss says this job will pay off real big when it's all finished, aside from the weekly wage we get."
She listened to Lee trying to plead for his child, and held up her hand to silence him. "I won't take your child. Children deserve to grow up safe and healthy." Viridis considered the options of what her terms would be. "How about this. In ten years time, when Lila is an adult-and I will make sure that she is well established on her own in this world, I will cancel the effects of the spell. Sadly, this means you will die."
Die.
Lee was going to die, at age forty-six. He took a moment to steady his nerves. Whatever big payouts would come from this job, at least he wouldn't die hungry. His daughter would still be taken care of after he died, if he still took steady jobs.
Fate would be altered. Cut and sewn back together with a new path.
Viridis placed a hand on Lee's shoulder. "Are you ready? This may hurt." She knew very well that Oni magic was rather toxic to humans, so she would need to be careful. "I'll need you to stay still."
Lee silently nodded, watching her face. Perhaps it would be less painful if he focused on her.
There was a brief silence before Viridis began to focus, markings starting to appear on her face. "I am glad you are certain. I refuse to make deals with the unwilling." Her eyes filled with a soft lilac glow, and she tightened her grip on Lee's shoulder as her facial markings began to glow as well.
Then-with a sudden shock-the spell hits.
Lee was wrong. Oh god was he wrong about it being less painful if he focused on something.
Lee coughs as a purple substance drips from his mouth, making his eyes water. His lungs begin to burn, as though he were inhaling water. "Hhh-" His mind races, thoughts swimming about. Would he live through this? Is this what it felt like to drown? Another wheeze leaves him as the pain increases.
Viridis doesn't speak. She must stay focused, or the spell would fail.
Lee couldn't even scream. The pain coursing through his body had stolen his voice for the time being. He began to shiver, slowly shutting his eyes. This was for a better life. Not just for him, but for his daughter too. He could accept the pain if it meant everything would turn out alright. Soon, the pain made him collapse.
She was quick to catch him, since she had finished the spell. Viridis almost admired this human's resilient nature. She had felt his body relax halfway through the spell.
"Lee." Viridus gently shook him. "Lee, it is over." Worry filled her for a brief moment. Had she killed him? She hesitated, reaching forward so she could attempt to feel for a pulse.
"Mrrnh…" Lee flinched, letting out a cough as he tried to breathe properly. "Hurts…" He shifted uncomfortably in her grip, still in pain.
Viridis pulled her hand back, carefully standing Lee up. "It will hurt for a little while. Would you like for me to help you get home? You will need to rest, at least for tonight." She wasn't entirely heartless, he did have a child to get back home to after all.
Lee held his head, mumbling under his breath. He seemed to wobble a bit, staggering with each step.
"Pardon?" She frowned and tried to help him stand still. "I couldn't quite understand that."
He chuckled, looking up at her and giving her a tired smile. "I wouldn't want you to get caught by the villagers. Most of 'em don't take too kindly to Oni." Lee shook his head, leaning against her. "You're not at all like the legends-"
Viridis chuckled. "Well, I suppose some of us decided to stay in this realm and be civil." She shook her head. "Now, will you let me walk you home?"
Lee sighed and slumped against her, finally relenting. "Alright, alright. Listen...just get me home safe and then you hightail it outta there. People in my village got some oni bones carved into cutlery and cups, and wouldn't want that to happen to you. It ain't right. Ya got a right to live just as much as humans and dragons do."
Viridis chuckled softly as she put his arm over her shoulders and began to lead him down the road. "You're too kind for your own good, Lee."
