As the two ladies strolled along the Vasterlanggatan, the church bells above them rang out and filled the cool Nordic air with their melodic chimes. Katelyn leisurely went from storefront to storefront while window shopping through the bustling tourist area. As she wandered down the streets, she spotted several familiar American chains like 7-Eleven, Ben & Jerry's, and even TGI Fridays amidst the graffiti-marked buildings. Despite being thousands of miles away from the US, these glimpses of home offered her a sense of comfort in this unfamiliar land.
Meanwhile, Emma trailed one step behind with her head bowed towards the street and wearing a glazed expression. She was stubbornly fixated by the aura of light that seeped through her American friend's purse.
"Was it a flashlight? A glow stick? Or something else...?" She wondered to herself as she tried to list all the possible things that could glow and fit in the size of a purse.
"And why was it coloured green?" Almost immediately upon recalling the color, she felt a chill run down her spine and goosebumps sweep along her arms. It reminded her of a similar hue she had seen years ago when her family ventured north to witness the northern lights. She briefly closed her eyes as she acknowledged that the glow just didn't sit right with her...
Emma's train of thought soon derailed after accidentally bumping into Katelyn who had now stopped in front of a store and was peering inside. She quickly apologized and tailed her friend as they entered a Viking themed store called the "Handfaste". It was filled with wooden carvings, accessories, and other trinkets that were etched with stereotypical "ancient" runes.
"It is almost like I am at work again..." Emma mumbled to herself while rolling her eyes.
Katelyn, on the other hand, was captivated by the store's wares not because she was that into nordic history but because of the collection of memorabilia that kinda matched the style of her own relics. Without hesitation, she darted towards a wall adorned with carved art featuring animals, weapons, and an assortment of a dozen wooden and metal face masks.
She reached her hand up towards a smiling mahogany-tinted mask and felt its smooth texture graze the tips of her fingers. Upon contact, Katelyn sensed a certain hollowness to it—not due to lack of craftsmanship, but rather a subtle absence of a commanding presence that she was used to in her mask. As she slotted her fingers into its mouth, a wicked grin spread across her face as she wondered if the store happened to carry a particular type of mask in stock... maybe more like hers. Katelyn could only imagine the sheer chaos and assortment of fun she would have with the power of multiple masks at her disposal. She could selfishly use both chaotic masks together to become a new being surpassing her "standard" goddess self.
But what would she become? She was already able to bend reality to her will... what else would she be able to do?
Katelyn glanced back over her shoulder and looked towards Emma who was standing on her tippy toes and looking though a box of trinkets. Despite having just met her new Swedish friend, she couldn't help but entertain the idea of a little experimentation. If she had more than one pair of masks, she could find a way to have Emma don a pair while leaving one chaotic one for her to wield. The result would unleash two masked goddesses upon the world, capable of partying, becoming a tag team of superheroes, or even ruling the world. Or, if she was feeling daring, they could spend some time alone together and bend more than just reality to their whims...
Just thinking about all the possibilities made her feel flustered and amassed a modest amount of tanginess down under. Alas, since she was still in public, she resigned herself to softly bite down on her bottom lip and turned to face away from her friend. As she did so, Katelyn subconsciously readjusted the strap of her now lightweight purse and continued down an aisle, feeling her sister mask gently scrape against the inside.
Just a few meters away from her friend, Emma found herself thoroughly impressed by the store's selection of goods. Unlike the neighboring tourist shops that sold cheap mass-produced items, this store seemed to offer genuine and locally-sourced handmade crafts. It brought back memories of the exhibits she had seen at The Royal Palace, prompting her to make a mental note to bring her friend there tomorrow. With that, she strolled down the aisle that Katelyn was in moments ago and turned to face the same wall that hung a bakers dozen of masks ranging from wooden to bronze. As she scanned the wall, one mask stood out that was a mix of both wooden and rusted metal. Upon closer inspection, its hull was a sensuous blend of textures and ridges that seemed aged by the caress of time. Its carved eyes held an arresting gaze as if they were windows to forgotten tales and untold strength. The sinuous lines of its cheeks and forehead gave rise to an enigmatic smile; a mesmerizing fusion of mystery and allure. And to top it off, traces of its paint, faded yet still spirited, embellished the mask's features and added a touch of vividness to its dignified countenance. While the mask in question wasn't as decorated or elaborate as the other masks on the wall, something within her knew this was particularly special. It was almost as if she could hear a presence call for her; or rather chant her name.
Emma reached her hand towards the mask, and to her surprise, felt a subtle warmth emanate from its velvety patina exterior. Her fingers traced the intricate grooves and carvings from the nose bridge down to its jaw. She grasped its chin and pulled it forward into her hands and cradled it before flipping it over to see its interior. As she turned it over, a soft glow of light spilled through its worn cracks, enveloping her palms with a comforting warmth. She brought her hands up to eye-level, and in that moment, Katelyn's muffled voice seemed to whisper in her ear.
"Who'd be the prince?"
She took a step back, her eyes scanning the empty aisle around her. She was alone, yet the whispers seemed to linger in the air that gradually transformed into spirited fanfare that evoked memories of royal ceremonies at the palace. Intrigued, she turned her attention back to the mask, and as if in response, the whispers grew louder, enveloping her senses. Her hands instinctively rose towards her face, drawn in by the enchanting ambiance. The crescendo of sounds intensified until her irises caught a final streak of sparkling light; the same mesmerizing hue she had seen earlier that night emanating from her friend's purse...
At the front of the store, Katelyn completed her purchase that consisted of a shirt for her little brother and a silver-plated necklace adorned with a dangling green rune. As she grabbed her mom's credit card from the cashier, she suddenly felt the ground beneath her tremble and the store lights shut off. She darted her head back and forth in the darkness to pinpoint the cause of the ruckus until she heard a deep crash of thunder and streaks of lightening coming from the back of the store. Katelyn recognized the tell-tale signs immediately and swiftly delved back into her purse; finding only one sister mask nestled within.
"Oh god..." Katelyn groaned as she felt a gust of wind knock her onto the floor.
Though the mask beckoned with a slow allure, its bondage onto Emma seemed to occur all at once. The once harmless mask surged forward, flinging itself onto her face with a ravenous hunger for a new host. Its wooden ridges transformed into a cascade of tendrils that firmly gripped anything in its reach. It grabbed her cheeks and thoroughly kneaded itself atop her clear skin until they felt sore and raw. It mashed against her facial features and tried to fit its form over her lips, nose, and eyes. It curled through her locks until it totally engulfed her blonde hair within its embrace. And amidst these distinct movements against her head, they ultimately converged into a singular mass and securing itself upon her skull.
Beneath the magical vines, a frightened Emma desperately wanted to scream for help but found herself quickly restrained by the mask; leaving her with only the ability to gasp for air. In a last ditch attempt, she used her remaining strength to tug against her now-covered jaw and try to pull the mask away from herself. Despite her efforts, the mask held fast, refusing to yield to her will. Emma could hear the wobble of rubber ring in her now covered ears as hope seemed to slip away. She let out a final groan and released her grip, causing the mask to snap back onto her head with a hefty force and sending her entire form into a violent twister.
Within the eye of her storm, Emma's consciousness slipped away as the mask carried out its final act of her transformation. The powerful gusts acted like a blender, swirling and molding the wriggling fibers of the mask's exterior until her face emerged with a smooth, yet malleable, light green complexion. Every centimeter of her face, from her fluttering eyelashes to her plump lips, was now covered in the mask's neon flesh. As the currents continued to envelop her, they tore through her clothes starting from her top and working down to her modest panties; leaving her already ripped jeans in tatters. The mask sought the space it needed to manifest her ideal form and fulfilling her deepest desires. Instead of augmenting her physique to be more athletic, it instead accentuated her elegant curves, slimmed her waist, and elongated her well-defined calves and thighs to transform her into a vision of beauty, femininity, and regal grace.
Back outside the vortex, Katelyn could feel the gale force winds of her friend's transformation approach closer and close until she briefly saw the unclothed form of her friend eject herself through the store's exit and zipped through the now dark streets of Stockholm towards the water front. She quickly picked herself up and jammed her paid wares into her purse before running out of the store.
"How the hell did she get my mask?" Katelyn thought to herself as she chased the trail of dust that kicked up from her now masked friend.
The emerald spiral raced down the empty streets and perched itself atop a statue of a king beside the waterfront near The Royal Palace. There on the statue stood a new nordic princess that exuded an air of majesty and elegance that perfectly complemented her transformed identity.
Emma's ballet flats were now replaced with a pair of sparkling iridescent Louboutin leather pumps that graced the arches of her soles. Each step brought forth a dazzling display of colors as the shimmering surface caught the light and reflected it in a mesmerizing dance of hues. The supple leather, as smooth as silk, seemed to mold effortlessly to her feet, hugging them, in a sensuous embrace. These pumps were more than footwear, they were a work of art that left onlookers captivated and spellbound... and the woman wearing them felt like a true goddess on a pedestal of beauty and style.
Her red top and blue jeans had melted away and left her in a long white dress adorned with a mesmerizing array of glittering sequins. The exquisite fabric caressed her new form, accentuating every curve and contour with grace and elegance. Each sequin sparkled like stars in the night sky, creating a celestial dance of light with every subtle movement. With each step, the dress flowed with an air of enchantment, leaving a trail of magic and allure in its wake, as if she was a celestial being gracing the mortal world with her presence.
Up above, the teen's voluminous blonde hair cascaded like a golden waterfall, flowing in luscious waves down her back and shoulders. Each strand glowed with the sheen of spun silk, catching the light and emanating a radiant and healthy allure. Perched atop her regal head was a powerful crown with a brilliance that was mesmerizing to behold. Adorned with an array of precious gemstones, the crown caught the light in a captivating dance of colors, reflecting a kaleidoscope of brilliance. The intricate details of the crown spoke of its grandeur and craftsmanship, each carefully crafted element contributing to its imposing presence.
To top off her clean and polished look, the most striking feature of the new Emma was her freshly minted green face; a sight that could only be described as ethereal. Her skin, flawless like porcelain, radiated with a soft, inner glow filled with the power of the gods. A delicate blush adorned her cheeks, bestowing upon her a hued blush and delicate complexion. Her eyes, like two deep pools of sapphire blue, sparkled with intelligence, wisdom, and a hint of mystery, drawing in the gaze of all who beheld them. Her lips were soft and inviting, making her smile even more enchanting. Her beauty was not just skin deep, but emanated from within, making her truly enchanting to all who had the privilege of beholding her.
As the masked princess turned to face The Royal Palace, a little twinkle seemed to gleam from the corner of her eye. Emma had longed for an opportunity to escape her ordinary life and immerse herself in the world of the rich and famous. And with the mask now on her face, she was determined to seize the throne, using any means necessary to claim her rightful place.
As she gracefully leapt off the statue and floated towards the palace's rotunda, a mischievous plan began to take shape in her mind. She envisioned hosting an lively soiree, complete with drinks, dashing knights in shining armor, and a little fun that would pleasure her like no mere mortal could withstand.
If you'd like to see more stories in the future, please consider supporting with a cup of coffee for some late night writing at: bit ly/manifestbound
Supporters will have access to special chapters from Season 1 of the series, ability to vote on new stories, and progress updates on upcoming chapters and new stories.