Wisps: Recollection (Ninjago X Reader)

77. Saving You

Hope.

'It's always that stupid, tiny thing.'

How can one possess it when everything is out of control?

"...did that... did that even happen? What Wu said? Did I see them? Was that me? Or was I just... was it another confusing..."

When the very next day and night cycle, you're still in this situation?

'...am I losing it?'

Even as your mind grapples for it?

You had it, back on that night when everything was against you. You were alone. You ARE dying alone.

You were burning. Cooking inside yourself. It was that place all over again, oozing out a hazy evaporation. The lost city of Hono Mizu. Volcanic rock and lava. Except this was from a measly infection. The voice wasn't helping you. You will rot.

Even without my influences, you've seen it, felt it. I shaped you to be. Deceitful. A liar. A traitor. A warrior. It won't be long before they dispose of you. Leave your cumbersome weight... Unless you are with us. Use the violent, maddening red, and my consuming destruction–

'I don't have to keep being...'

But it's easier, isn't it? Your parched, cracking lips exhaled, dragging a hacked, ruined retort. You can't even scrounge up enough strength to say anything— you are dying.

"...if I have to hear you one more time." Shoving your burning head to your situation, a spirit passed by. You saw that same one in the cells. "H-hello?"

Let's take control. Together.

Surroundings jump at you, the world jumbled and sliding out from you.

I am the string keeping you alive.

It's as if all your wounds had reopened deeper.

"That one is dying." Forlorn looking at you, you weakly waved. You tried to focus on the teal... almost green light of it. It's the stronger spirit of the camp. Less faded and louder than the older poor souls. Very recent in being welcomed by death. Angry in meeting as well, "Seems so, you're closer to the edge if you can see me–"

"Harsh."

"You hear me? Oh, that really ain't good for ya. Not good at all..." He went on, with a twisted grimace as he felt his back, "Shoulda just... shoulda gut that liar and just..." His face didn't match his words. Not one sadden bit. "Right. Haha. Iron for a reason. Everything goes as he says." You'd say that was obvious if your throat and tongue didn't rasp so coarsely. That man had rally a company of dragon hunters... "And I can tell... No so-called Oni would be in this position. As much as he paints you as such. Or believe now. I can see it. Got those same eyes with Firstbourne." Heavy eyes hurt trying to lift up to the ghost. He saw the questions swarming. Or the flies in your cell. "Don't have to know all my standings. But I was one of the ones that would go with... the Iron Baron and sort skirmishes. Whether it was here in this camp or not, those seeing what he is... and desperate enough to attempt to overthrow him–"

"You'd... kill them?"

"...Yes. It went in my favor. He and I knew... that no one wants to fight to the death. Faith most of all. I didn't want her to work in this. She's... not privy to this."

"Faith?" You barely mouthed that name, the ghost focusing back on you.

"All you need to know is that the ol' Baron's 'fraid of the truth. He's lied about Oni remaining since he came into power. You can use that. So he worries you may be one." Chains rattled, muzzled roars go ever in mourning in this open fortress. "You and I really don't gotta lotta time–"