Jane took a deep breath before trying again. Grasping the bull mask on Corbyn’s face, she pulled and pulled, using the wall behind him to provide more force with one leg as her arms violently shook. Still, the mask never so much as shifted. Corbyn oddly never budged during her multiple attempts. He just stood as still as a statue.
“I told you,” the masked Barbarian said. “It won’t come off. I’m the owner and I can’t even take it off.”
“That damn thing… freaks me out,” Jane said, trying to breathe between her words.
Corbyn growled. “Stop saying that. It’s just a mask! I’m not some monster!”
Jane recoiled at her brother’s words, taking several steps back. She knew he was right, but his voice sounded like he was possessed. He was built like a bear, too. In a way he was a monster. But she was not about to say that out loud. Corbyn was known to get angry pretty easily, but since he put the mask on it was far easier for him to get riled up. Jane did not like that.
Corbyn took a deep breath. It sounded like a fire being stoked with the rumble in his chest. “I’m sorry, Jane. I know you’re just trying to help. But ever since I put it on… I don’t know. The smallest thing can set me off. Like a skill activating without me even wanting it to. I'm just... so hungry.”
“That’s not that different from before,” Landon said, sitting on the couch in the apartment.
Jane glared at him. Landon only smirked and shrugged.
“We still don’t know the full extent of all of the masks,” Octavius said. He was sitting beside Landon, intently staring at the three other masks on the small table in front of them. Since they cleared out the final boss room, they finally obtained the fourth mask. It was a falcon, according to Jane’s parchment, and by having the fourth one each of the others suddenly changed.
When they discovered the wolf mask, all three masks changed to purple rarity. Now having all four, they changed again, but this time became orange. Seeing them give off a faint orange glow completely blew Octavius away. Between their group they previously only had one purple rarity item - Landon’s mobility boots - and now they had not one, but four items of the highest possible rarity a Climber could have.
Their negatives heavily tipped the scales back towards being too risky to use, however. At least according to Octavius. Landon still wanted to use them but Jane sided with himself on waiting to discuss them. After reading their new descriptions, Octavius was more afraid than ever.
Mask of the Wolf - A wooden mask carved from a powerfully magical and unknown source in the shape of a wolf. Improves the wearer’s overall passive dexterity, speed, reflexes, and mental processing by a major amount. The wearer has improved eyesight and can see in complete darkness. All skills improve by one stage and have a reduced cost by a small amount. The wearer’s movements become sharpened and use less energy by a moderate amount.
*When under dim light or darkness, all mask effects are increased by a moderate amount.
*You may spend a small amount of mana to create magical claws on your hands and/or feet that extend up to three inches. This effect can be created over material such as gloves or shoes.
*Cursed: Sunlight sensitivity - direct exposure to sunlight will physically harm the wearer. If exposed too long, may result in permanent effects that can not be healed by magical means.
Additional cursed effect: ???
This item is a soulbound item. Once donned, it cannot be used by another.
This item is 1/4 of the God Beasts set. Collect all masks to unlock its true power.
Mask of the Lion - A wooden mask carved from a powerfully magical and unknown source in the shape of a lion. Improves the wearer’s overall mana regeneration and magical strength, and reduces spell cast time all by a major amount. The wearer has true sight, which allows them to see in darkness, magical effects with an inherent understanding of their function, and invisibility effects, all within a sphere of 120 feet. All skills improve by one stage and have a reduced cost by a small amount. The wearer’s mind is sharpened and all mental processing and spell cast times are reduced by a moderate amount.
*When under the effect of a beneficial ability, all mask effects are increased by a moderate amount.
*You may spend a moderate amount of mana to create a flexible, magical barrier that can be reshaped and moved up to ten feet away. This barrier is moderately resistant to physical and magical damage and lasts up to fifteen minutes or until dismissed or destroyed.
*Cursed: Magical blindness - when not wearing this mask, the wearer’s eyesight is reduced by a major amount.
Additional cursed effect: ???
This item is a soulbound item. Once donned, it cannot be used by another.
This item is 1/4 of the God Beasts set. Collect all masks to unlock its true power.
Mask of the Bull - A wooden mask carved from a powerfully magical and unknown source in the shape of a bull. Improves the wearer’s overall strength, endurance, toughness, and power by a major amount. The wearer is able to be healed and recover mana by absorbing other’s energies, whether through mana, life, blood, or other means. All skills improve by one stage and have a reduced cost by a small amount. The wearer’s body is improved with their skin toughening and being resistant to all damage by a moderate amount.
*When enraged, all mask effects are increased by a moderate amount.
*You may spend a moderate amount of mana to coat your body in a thick hide that provides an additional moderate amount of protection from both physical and magical sources in addition to the other benefits from this mask. This effect lasts for fifteen minutes or until dismissed.
*Cursed: Hunger - you possess an unnatural hunger. If your hunger is not satiated, your life will be consumed instead. Not satisfying your hunger may result in permanent effects that can not be healed by magical means.
Additional cursed effect: ???
This item is a soulbound item. Once donned, it cannot be used by another.
This item is 1/4 of the God Beasts set. Collect all masks to unlock its true power.
Mask of the Falcon - A wooden mask carved from a powerfully magical and unknown source in the shape of a falcon. Improves the wearer’s overall mana capacity, and magical strength, and reduces spell cast time all by a major amount. The wearer has improved magical capabilities and all magical damage dealt is converted to healing energies that replenishes your physical self as well as mana. All skills improve by one stage and all mental processing and spell cast times are reduced by a moderate amount.
*For one minute after damaging an enemy, all mask effects are increased by a moderate amount.
*You may spend a moderate amount of mana to create magical, ethereal wings on your back that will allow you to fly. The wings can be created over material such as clothing. This effect lasts for two hours or until dismissed.
*Cursed: Corrupted lifeforce - you can not be healed by items, including potions, elixirs, remedies, and traditional medicine.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Additional cursed effect: ???
This item is a soulbound item. Once donned, it cannot be used by another.
This item is 1/4 of the God Beasts set. Collect all masks to unlock its true power.
“I still don’t understand how four masks can be part of a set,” Octavius said, setting his parchment back down. “I’m sure it has to do with each of them being worn by different people, but it doesn’t make sense. What other set do you know out there does that?”
“It’s part of what makes them so special and powerful,” Landon said. He still held the wolf mask in his hands, staring it at with an extreme infatuation. “And think, we’re perfect! There are four masks and four of us! We have to wear them!”
“Don’t be so rash,” Jane said. “Do you not see the curses listed those? And there’s still a curse we don’t even know about, yet. Do you think that outweighs the benefits?”
“Are you blind?” Landon said. “Sure there are some drawbacks, but look at the benefits! I’ve never even heard of orange rarity items having as many benefits, and they’re supposed to be the best!”
“I’m not blind, but I would be if I put that mask on,” Octavius muttered.
Landon shot him a look that could kill and Octavius nervously avoided his gaze.
Jane was only halfway listening as she was still eyeing her brother worriedly. He was pacing the room, his footsteps thumping the floor as though he weighed as much as a horse. She was concerned. Her problem wasn’t necessarily with the masks being good or bad. Her main problem was that Corbyn wasn’t able to take his off. Was that the other, hidden curse that was associated with all of the items? The inability to be taken off once donned? If that was the case, he was doomed the moment he did.
Even though he saved her life because of the power the mask gave him. If he didn’t use it, she would likely be dead. Maybe even Vi and Landon, too. And he was her brother. They’ve always been together, no matter what. They came to Alestead as one, looking to be a part of a group but knowing they would always be together.
She wouldn’t abandon him so easily. And if the roles were reversed, she would have equipped the mask, too.
A thought suddenly occurred to her. If Corbyn couldn’t take it off, but they had all of the masks in their possession, maybe there was a way to be able to remove it, after all.
“What I’m saying, is that I think there’s an easy solution,” Landon said.
Jane paid more attention to the other two men arguing. Though it was more of Landon berating Vi, per usual. “And what solution are you referring to?”
Landon held up the wolf mask and pointed to Corbyn. “The solution of getting Corbyn’s mask off! Haven’t you been listening?”
Jane wanted to say no, of course not, that she didn’t have time to listen to a self righteous prick prattle on, but that would likely cause more issues than it would prevent. Instead she sighed and slowly nodded. “I’m sorry. No. I was thinking about how to help Corbyn.”
“As am I, but Octavius is too worried about his own skin.”
“I am not!” Octavius replied. “I’m worried about all of us!”
“Enough,” Jane said. “Like dealing with children.” She took a deep breath. “Landon, what is your solution?”
Landon smiled a wicked smile. “Easy. We all put on a mask.”
Jane barked a laugh. Vi nodded in agreement. “Exactly how I feel,” he said, agreeing with Jane’s response.
“I wasn’t disagreeing,” Jane said. “I laughed because I thought the same thing.”
Landon’s smile grew wider while Octavius’s jaw dropped.
“Now hold on a minute,” Octavius started. “We still don’t know exactly what they will do!”
A green light flashed in the room as Landon began convulsing. Jane and Octavius stepped away from him as he grunted from the magical effect taking over his body. Corbyn stood nearby, as still as before. The wolf mask rested on Landon’s face, and it glowed a nearly sickening green underneath, completely obscuring his head.
“Gods,” Octavius breathed, unable to look away.
Landon’s body relaxed and he stood in the middle of the room. He looked leaner but more muscular. He looked at his hands and body through the mask, and then started to laugh. It wasn’t much different than his regular voice, but still muffled like Corbyn’s.
“No, Octavius,” Landon said. “Not just any gods. The God Beasts. And their power is everything.”
Corbyn walked over beside Landon and they studied each other. Jane watched in fascination. It was like they knew of one another but were seeing each other for the first time. Did the masks carry some sense of the God Beasts themselves and transfer that to the person? Was that fully still her brother under there? Or was there some newfound respect now that they each wore a mask? There were just so many unknowns.
“Landon?” Jane asked. “Are you alright?”
“I’m excellent!” Landon replied. He moved his hands in front of his body in some familiar martial techniques. They blurred in the air, moving so fast that they were hardly noticeable.
Landon laughed again.
“Try to take off the mask,” Jane said.
Landon looked at her. “Now would I do that?”
Jane kept his gaze, unafraid. “Because we need to see if either of you can remove it.”
“I still can’t,” Corbyn said. “Though my hunger lessened. Like Landon putting on his mask made mine... relieved? I don't know how to explain it.”
“Oh, great,” Octavius said. “Now you’re referring to them as people?”
“Not a person, no. But there’s definitely some spirit inside. It’s stronger, now. I could sense it before but now it feels more friendly.”
Octavius felt a pull to the lion mask sitting on the table. He understood what Corbyn meant about a sense of the mask. Now that he said it, the lion mask felt even more irresistible. It was not pleasant. Octavius knew that he did not want that mask on his face even though a part of him did. A part that was growing.
Jane walked up to Corbyn and put a hand on his neck. “Do you feel more… you? More than before?”
Corbyn nodded. “I do. It’s hard to describe, but I do feel more myself.”
Jane smiled. She hoped he was smiling back at her underneath. Instead, Corbyn put his large hand on her face and caressed her.
That was enough for her.
Jane walked over to the falcon mask and studied it. She couldn’t explain why there was a tug at the back of her mind with the wooden item, but it was pronounced. Almost visceral. She knew it was supposed to be hers. She slowly lifted the mask to her face and put it on.
A nearly overwhelming power flooded her mind and body, as though she was filled with Octavius’s strongest healing magic and her own damaging spell combined. She didn’t fight it, though. She let it wash over her like a piping hot shower. Purple light filled her vision and mind before returning to normal. Her body then felt more refined. Not as drastic as Corbyn or Landon, but it was obvious. She felt strong. And good. But the most noticeable was that her mind felt sharp and ready, like a predator’s gaze eyeing its prey.
No. Like a falcon locked onto a field mouse, ready to strike any second. Like her mind was processing a dozen different scenarios and possible alternatives, all possible and clear with her fully in control of each of them.
It was power. And she relished it.
Octavius stared at his teammates, his supposed friends, in shock. They gave in to power so easily. He wasn’t there for that. He just wanted some success and money for his family. He didn’t care to have all the power, the glory. That was Landon’s dream. But seeing Jane with her brother, and knowing he couldn’t take the mask off, he knew she was going to risk herself for his sake. He did save her life but putting on the bull mask without thinking of his own consequences.
And, though Octavius hated to admit it, Corbyn had saved his own life, too. There was no way he was going to be able to fend off the bird monsters on his own while still trying to keep Jane or himself alive. That was a selfless act. Though it was still very risky.
Looking at the three Climbers wearing the wooden masks, Octavius thought they looked ridiculous. But he also had to admit they had a definite sense of power to them. It was unmistakable. Jane’s wasn’t as obvious, but he could feel her magic and it was far stronger than before. Like her skin radiated electricity.
Part of him wanted it. But another part of him was afraid of it. A now smaller part.
Still, he knew there was a way to take off the masks. And Landon was likely right. It was probably when they were all wearing them. The lion mask’s curse involved not wearing the mask, so he knew it was possible. But it was also terrifying to think his vision would be affected. Even though it was the only mask that called to him, and the benefits aligned with him perfectly, he was afraid.
The others walked closer to him, and Octavius took a step back. Would they hurt him and force him to put on the mask? He wouldn’t be able to stop them. Those thoughts scared him almost as much.
Landon held out the lion mask and Octavius felt a strange sense of relief.
“Take it,” Landon said. “Put it on. Together, we’ll change everything.”
“I don’t want to change everything,” Octavius said. He glanced at the mask.
“Think of your family,” Jane said. “Like I thought of mine. What would you trade to give them enough wealth to last lifetimes?”
Octavius now held the lion mask in his hands. She wasn’t wrong. And the mask felt so strong in his hands. So much power at his fingertips.
“Whatever it takes,” Landon said. “Make your family proud.”
Octavius felt the wood on his skin as he placed it on his face, and then blue light poured through his vision and mind as power overtook him.
When Octavius placed the mask on his face, the others had similar instances of additional magic overtake their bodies. Colors flooded them again - red under Corbyn's mask, green under Landon's, and purple under Jane's. As though a select part of each of the wooden items were waiting for them all to be worn. All to be reunited.
They all passed out on the floor and lay unmoving.
The masks remained.