"You're kidding me, right?" but his face said he wasn't.
The mask was a dark, woody red with sharp features: a long nose, a scowling expression, exaggerated eyebrows, and a curling mustache. It was made entirely of wood, and carved with intricate detail.
The mask emanated a strange energy, ominous yet alluring. There was something familiar about it, too. I was sure I'd seen it before… or at least a version of it. Was it—
"A tengu mask," the god said as he glided closer, handing me the wooden artifact.
I hesitantly accepted it, feeling the weight of it in my hands. I stared at it for a long while before looking up at the god again with an unamused expression across my face.
"Seriously… a mask?"
"Well, it's a divine mask. It has power," he said boastfully, the temperature in the room dropping just the tiniest bit. "I made it myself."
But I didn't give a shit about who made it. My eyes had lit up at, "Power?"
"Yes, power," he nodded.
"Will it make me… strong?"
"Incredibly so."
My heart swelled with excitement. This was it—my main character era. The domination arc, with yours truly doing the dominating. A goddamn divine mask! Every one knew inexplicable objects held the most power in the reading material I had a healthy relationship with.
A freaking plot device.
I didn't even know what powers it granted yet, but I already felt unstoppable.
"But… be careful though," he added casually. "It might sorta maybe possess you."
And there it is. Fuck me, I guess. Can't have nice things can I?
The mask left my hands so fast it might as well have had rocket boosters, flying toward the other side of the room, ready to crash into the wall. The god without skipping a beat caught it midair, pissing me all the way off.
"Why the hell did you give it to me then?!" I snapped.
Look, I had no problem admitting how power-hungry I was at the moment. But possession? That was basically selling my soul. No way in hell, buddy.
The god blinked a couple times, confused as to why I wasn't okay with being freaking possessed.
Then, in a moment of clarity, his eyes seemed to widen as if he understood. Nodding thoughtfully.
He opened his mouth, maybe to say something reassuring about this whole situation.
Then in a cheerful, reassuring tone, he said. "Oh, no, it won't possess you right away."
So he didn't understand.
"I don't want it to possess me at all!" My voice cracked a bit. This was getting old.
"Oh… well, if you're really careful—"
"You're basically cursing me, man." My tone shifted, surprising even myself with how hard I was taking this. A tinge of sadness crept in. "I just wanted one good thing to come out of this. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm getting a second chance at life, but… this whole thing feels so daunting. And I… I'm scared…"
Shit. Why did I let my guts spill like that?
I felt tense, keeping my eyes down, streaks of warm tears streaming down my face making me feel like a brat for complaining about a gift of all things.
I didn't like the way crying made me feel much, but it was like this body had a propensity for it. And I was subjected to the release of emotions.
This body was already being a nuisance. Like it didn't understand tact at all.
I could feel his eyes studying me for what felt like a long time before he spoke with a sigh.
"The mask won't actively try to possess you," he explained. "Its passive power protects the wearer's identity, improves their luck to some extent, and enhances physical abilities, making you as swift and nimble as the creature it hails from."
He handed it back to me, not even letting me protest, resting his hand atop mine. A sense of bliss and calm seeped into me, making me more attentive as he continued.
"Unlocking its full power, however, will require you to use Aetherflow."
"Aetherflow?" I echoed.
"Yes. It's the energy that encompasses and flows through all things in this reality. Unlike your previous world, the people here have learned to harness it. You can too."
I felt a chill run through me as the words sunk in.
"This body has already had some extensive practice, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you."
I caressed the wooden mask. Its surface was smooth and cool under my fingertips. As ominous as it was, I wasn't revolted by it, so to say. In fact, it looked kinda bad ass.
"And unlocking its full power?" I asked, looking him in the eyes.
"When you do, the mask will speak to you. It will tempt and taunt you. Do not listen to its whispers."
He offered me a reassuring smile.
"Think of it as a test. Resist its attempts to manipulate you, and its powers will be yours to command."
"What kind of powers?" A bit of excitement had returned to me.
"Oh, you'll see," he said vaguely. Definitely not ominous at all.
Looking at the mask, I felt more at ease holding it now. The passive powers alone, concealing my identity, increasing my luck, and enhancing my agility, seemed useful enough.
And honestly, I had no plans to dive into anything dangerous. What was I, stupid?
If there was no system to make me overpowered, then I'd settle for a mundane, quiet life. Like, who would risk possession for a stupid reason like becoming OP? Definitely not me.
My eyes scanned the ornate room. Judging by the décor, this body probably belonged to someone rich. Some sneaky power and a bunch of money? Not too shabby of a setup. All in all, it wasn't terrible.
As I was gathering myself, the god thought he could just sneak off. But his shimmering gave him away. Golden light enveloped his form as space around him rippled. My eyes snapped in his direction.
"I really gotta go this time." He said, expecting that I'd just let him go.
I snatched his ankle, my ankle. When was it so dainty? Not important.
"Wait!" I said. "Before you go, give me a quick rundown of this body. Pretty please."
I put on my best puppy-dog eyes. Something else my mother had taught me.
The shimmering light dimmed slightly as the ripples steadied, then stilled. At least he didn't sigh this time.
"Oh," the god scratched his head, thinking. "Your name is Magnolia."
"Magnolia?" I repeated with a grimace, but he ignored me with an eye roll. Rude.
"You're a noble lady, seventeen years of age—"
"Seventeen?!" I clutched my head, the mask forgotten on my lap. "Not again," I groaned.
"Are you okay?" he asked cautiously.
"Of—of course… why wouldn't I be?" I said through gritted teeth. This wasn't Earth, I had to remind myself.
No. No, it wasn't.
The worst year of my short life can't be replayed here. Won't be. In fact, I might even make it the best goddamn year. And besides—
"Um, is eighteen when you officially become an adult here as well?" I asked.
He simply nodded.
"I just have to wait till I'm eighteen," I said cheerfully. "Then I'll have my freedom again. Simple as pie, right?"
His expression shifted to something unreadable, like he knew something I didn't.
"Right?" I pressed, irritation mounting.
"Well…" He rubbed his arm awkwardly. "It sorta, kinda doesn't work like that here."
"What?"
"I tried my best to find a world where you'd have minimal adjustment issues, and this was the best option. But, um, noble ladies here… kinda have to get married. And the original Magnolia, you, has a debut in like a week."
"What?!"
"You don't have to get married!" he said quickly, trying to placate me. "You can stay in your father's home."
Then, avoiding my gaze, he added,
"…But you'd still be, um, his property… and probably ostracized by society…and if you're unlucky he might just marry you off by force."
I didn't curse this time.
Instead, I plopped back on the bed, buried my face in a pillow, and unleashed a muffled scream of pure frustration. When I was done, I gracefully sat up again, a placid smile on my face.
"Just kill me already."
"What?" The god looked taken aback. "I—I can't."
"Oh, but you can." My smile didn't waver. "You're a god, aren't you?"
"There are rules, Sofia."
I tilted my head, trying to wrap my mind around everything.
"Let's see. You snatched my soul from its proper channel, then dumped me into this body. Pretty sure that's two rules you've already broken. What's one more?"
"One more could mean the end of us both," he said, the air feeling thick. "I'm sorry, but I can't interfere in your life any more than I already have. I've taken a big risk as it is. We're lucky the others haven't noticed."
"But—"
"No buts. I've given you a new life. The family isn't half bad, and you're well-off as a noble. I hope things go well for you. I'll visit when I can, but we can't push it. Do you understand?"
"…Yes." I relented. I could tell maybe I pushed a bit too hard. Plus I could tell he was serious and that freaked me the fuck out.
"Good." He gave me a gentle smile as space began to ripple again. "I'll see you when I can, okay?"
"Shit," I suddenly remembered. "I don't even know your name. What is it?"
"That… isn't something I'm allowed to say."
"Wha—"
"Bye."
The ripples folded in on themselves, swallowing him whole, and he disappeared, leaving no trace of his presence.
I stared at the empty space in stunned silence, the mask tengu mask heavy in my hands, before muttering under my breath.
"That bitch."