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In case this is the last anyone hears from me, I'm keeping this journal to document my studies of these strange masks that have been popping up recently. I've been walking along the endless city for a few hours now. I just stumbled across one hanging on the wall of one of the stores. It looks similar to an old, stereotypical theater mask, but it's painted a beautiful color of gold. The — what's their name — MTG? I have no idea. Whatever their name is, they say these things are dangerous, but they refuse to tell me about it when I ask. I'm taking matters into my own hands. I'm gonna approach the mask and see what happens. I'll write back once I'm in.
I touched it. It feels like a normal mask. I'm starting to think all the fuss about these things is in vain. Why was I so afraid of a theater mask? I think I should document the mask in detail. The mask is gold and shiny, and looks like it's designed for the whole face. It's made of plastic, but the plastic feels strangely fancy. You know what, I'll just draw a sketch on the next page.
Well, it's no Van Gogh, but it gets the point across pretty well, I'd say. I'm getting more intrigued by the second. Every time I look up at it, it seems to almost whisper to me. I kept hearing my inner voice telling me to take it off the wall. I think I'm going to do it, only because I want to see what happens. The NTG LTG whoever they are keep telling everyone not to put these things on, but since when has anyone ever listened to them? I'm gonna grab it off the wall. I'll write here if anything happens.
It's calling to me. It's staring at me. I stared at the endless pits where its eyes should be, and I heard it whispering in my mind. I heard it telling me to embrace it. It kept saying to put it on. I almost did, until I snapped out of the trance. I threw it across the room, which stopped the whispers. I still have a desire in the back of my mind to wear it, but my instincts are telling me to run. I don't want to wear it, and I'm shaking in nervousness. I have no idea why, though. It's just a stupid mask. I probably just need some Almond Water. I think I remember something saying that it should be used when interacting with these things. Let me take a quick sip and see if that fixes it.
I'm holding it again. The whispers stopped, but I still have an overwhelming urge to put it on. Maybe I should just put it on. I am quite curious. I came here for the purpose of science, so it probably makes the most sense to just suck it up and wear it. I can always just take it off, right? Screw it, I'm going to do it. I'm holding it in my left hand as I write with my right. I can feel my left hand levitating, lifting towards my face. This mask wants me to do it, but I've heard rumors about what these things can do. Maybe I should just give it what it wants. Well, in the name of science, here I go.
I put it on. It feels… outstanding. I can talk to the mask now. It's entered my mind. Why was I so worried? I feel so strengthened. I feel enlightened. I feel powerful. I was so afraid of this thing at first, but now I feel nothing but comfort. This mask is who I am now. It says its name is Evangeline. She's quite nice, and keeps telling me how I've just made the best decision of my life. She's telling me to look at the shadows. It wants me to go deeper into the darkness. I'm gonna do it.
I'm not in the building anymore. I walked into the shadows of the dark store, and the gateways of the shadows were opened to me. I fell through one, and came back through another. It was incredible. Evangeline told me it was called Buio Volto. It was a very cool experience. I am outside now, so I think I'll take this opportunity to enjoy some sun with my new friend and new life.
I killed someone. Oh boy. I saw a man walking across the street, and was overcome with bloodlust. Oh gosh, it's spilling all over the paper now. Hold on, let me clean this up.
Now that I've cleaned this mess up, I will continue. I saw the man just walking down the sidewalk, and was overcome by the sudden bloodlust. I asked Evangeline for help, and she told me to fight it. I wanted to kill him so bad, but my previous self was telling me not to. That's not who I am anymore, so I caved out of stubbornness. I grabbed a rock and smashed his skull until he stopped moving. It felt somewhat satisfying, but Evangeline wasn't very proud of me.
She said in order to love the mask, I must learn to control the negative bloodlust. I'm just gonna leave this guy here, someone else can deal with it.
Oh wow, I completely forgot about this journal. It's been a few days since my first killing, and I've never been better. I had one of those neg tmg whatever their name is, come up to me and try to take off my mask. How dare they? They started trying to tell me that the mask wasn't who I am. Those naive fools have no idea what they're talking about. The mask and I are one. I've spent the past few days roaming the city, embracing my new and improved self. Fear is truly the most powerful weapon. When you learn to overcome it, like me, your true self will be revealed. After all, as Evie told me, to mask is to reveal.
Oh, that reminds me. Yesterday I stumbled across another masked individual. They told me I found a Volto Mask; a rare type. Apparently, they are known as The Masked Maidens. They understand who I am. They understand the power and beauty of the masks. They understand what I've become. They learned to embrace the voice of the mask. They see the corruption in groups like the… darn it I forgot their name again MTG, and want to dismantle it. They talked about the horrid experiments done on them, and how they, even now, treat them as less than people. After seeing my newfound happiness, The Masked Maidens offered me a place in their group, and want me to become one of them. I accepted their offer, willing to join the cause.
I started keeping this journal for self-experimental purposes, but the Maidens told me they were interested in my documentation. They said they wanted to keep it as a testimony of how great the masks are, and use it to convince others into joining the cause. I think I'm going to enjoy it here. Anyone who reads this, I offer you the same option. If you find a mask, put it on. Then, the truth will finally be revealed.
Lucy Fox is now a member of the Volto-wearers of the Masked Maidens. She has learned to embrace our lifestyle and ideologies. If you read this, hear the testimony of Lucy. She learned to mask, and so could you. Always remember…
To mask is to reveal…