The Witch's Deal

As Mileena got deeper into the forest, she removed the raggedy robe she had taken from the woman and tossed it to the ground. "They would be fools to chase me in here." She muttered to herself and continued to trudge through the dark woodland. Mileena could see small glimpses of sunlight peeking through the thick tree canopy and knew that she only had a few hours of day left before the true dangers of the forest would awaken.

She continued through the forest as howls screeched out in the fog and distant laughter could be heard in every direction. Mileena considered finding a somewhat safe place to camp for the night, but determined that her best bet was to stay on the move. She could feel something watching her in every direction, but every time she looked, there was nothing. After a while, a strange, delightful scent began to waft her way and Mileena couldn't help but follow the sweet aroma. Eventually she came upon a rickety wooden cabin. A faint light could be seen flickering behind the curtained window.

Mileena could tell she had found the source of the scent and walked to the door. She reached for the door, but before she could even touch the knob, the door opened on its own. She knew entering the cabin was foolish, but something about that aroma made her desperately want to seek it out so she entered and the door slammed shut behind her.

"Come. Have a nice dessert with me." A feminine voice called out from another room. Mileena cautiously moved through the cabin and when she entered the room she saw a beautiful woman clad in black standing in front of an oven. She had brown skin and long, curly black hair. The woman who looked to be in her mid forties smiled at her and gestured to a chair at a dining table, "Have a seat, dear. The pie will be ready soon." Mileena did as she was told and sat at the table.

After a moment, the woman pulled a pumpkin pie from the oven and set it at the table. The smell was heavenly and made Mileena's mouth water under her mask. The woman then cut the pie and placed a slice on a plate which she set in front of Mileena. She then cut herself a piece and sat down across from her guest. "Don't worry about it being too hot. I promise you it won't be." The green woman winked.

Mileena knew this woman was a witch and that her only way of surviving this encounter would be to obey, but to eat the pie she would have to remove her mask and as much as she acted like she enjoyed her frightful appearance, she was still self-conscious about it. With unease, Mileena lowered her masked and the witch smiled joyously, "What a beautiful creature." She said before taking a bite of pie.

Mileena was unsure if the witch was mocking her or genuinely thought she was beautiful, but she went along with it, knowing how powerful a witch could be. She began eating the pie and it was the best thing she had ever tasted. Soon she had scarfed it down without even realizing and the witch laughed, "I'm so glad you like my pie. It's not everyday I get to treat visitors, and certainly never ones as pretty as you." She finished her piece of pie and stood up from the table, "Come with me. There's something I want to show you." The witch guided Mileena to a room draped in purple, pink, and blue fabrics. At the center of the room was a crystal ball atop a table covered in a black sheet that shimmered like a starry night sky. "Think of what you desire and look into the crystal ball." The witch commanded.

Mileena did what she was told and a vision formed in the crystal ball. Mileena saw herself sitting on her father's throne with her sister Kitana kneeling beside the throne, her nude body chained and collared as she looked at Mileena with submissive eyes. The vision faded and the witch smiled widely, "Yes. I knew you had an important destiny. I felt it when you entered my forest. I can aid you in achieving this future....for a price."

With an annoyed sigh, Mileena responded, "And what exactly would be the price of your aid?"

"Nothing too expensive. Not for the future ruler of Outworld." She grinned, "There is a sorcerer by the name of Quan Chi. I want him removed from the board, so to speak. Not killed as **** is of no consequence to someone so powerful. He must be trapped in a place where his magic will be of no use." She magically produced a collar made of metal as dark as midnight on a moonless night and handed it to Mileena, "Shackle this around his neck and he will be transported to the Void, a place of endless nothingness where his powers will be for naught."

"And what aid do I get for this task?" Mileena asked with increasing curiosity.

The witch waved her hand over the crystal ball and an image appeared of a black woman clad in green traversing sandy dunes with a staff in hand.

"Jade." Mileena hissed.

"She is searching for something. A place of great power that will give her the upper hand in the war for Outworld's future. I will send you to the desert she occupies and from there, you can dominate the first of your many adversaries."

Mileena watched beautiful woman in the crystal ball as she pondered the bargain. She could see beads of sweat drip down Jade's chocolate skin into her cleavage and she knew she had to have her. "Deal."

The witch cackled, "Good. Good." She waved her hand and Mileena disappeared in puff of smoke, instantly transported to the golden desert.