#To truly enjoy Masked one must embrace the incomprehensible.

[artblock-tm]

ok, out of sheer curiosity, just how powerful are the masked characters?

this has been on my mind for a couple days now and i really need to know

I never define magic on a linear scale since it fluctuates, but that generally won't affect the ranking of how strong they are.

So! The ranking is based on magic power levels, from weakest to strongest. And since some characters have a dramatic power level change in the fic, those will be ranked too.

First off are the kiddos. Physically, they're the strongest, they have incredible knowledge of time magic, and they can respawn, but their magic ability comes out to a flat out zero. So they're at the bottom of the list.

Then we have Levi! All ghosts, including Dwellers, have a small amount of magic to exist as a ghost. So he places above the kids.

Next is post-Ichor-in-the-mask Jaide. She's still powerful! But just not as powerful as other ghosts, so that's why she's ranked so low.

On the same level are Snatcher and Moonjumper. They have the same magic level, but there's a huge dependency on who would win in a fight when it comes to what strategies they use, how they're feeling, etc. Snatcher's assertiveness can often bring him to victory over Moonjumper.

And then, with over double their power level, is Prince. He's ranked pretty high in terms of how much magic he has, but he's relatively weak magically. He barely knows about his own magic, and therefore has little control over it. He's very powerful, but lower on the list just because so many people are levels above him.

After him is Vanessa. As royalty, she was powerful, and that only escalated when she became a ghost. After all, she did manage to cover a whole city with ice, and curse the rest of the kingdom...

Next is pre-soul-feast Outlander. He's MILES above Vanessa. I cannot emphasize how powerful devils and demons are here.

Bonus since they've appeared in a oneshot! No one expects the Badgeseller! They don't often use their magic except for making badges. They don't fully feel comfortable using their magic, considering it's not theirs.

Ichor-in-the-mask Jaide comes next. Her relatively weak natural magic power plus Ichor's sheer power while dormant makes her one of the most formidable characters for the majority of the fic. She wins the bronze medal for this one.

Coming in screaming with the silver medal is post-soul-feast Outlander. Souls are relatively weak when it comes to demonic magic, but boy has he stacked up. Thank goodness he got his ass rapidly shredded in the fic, because a true demonstration of his magic ability would be terrifying.

And, at the top of the list, with little surprise, is Ichor. They have incomprehensible magical power. Outlander is a step up from most, but Ichor is several times more powerful.

Welp! That wraps it up for the Masked characters' power levels! Or at least the ones that appear in the fic...

[opalesenses]

Erik’s Theory of Happiness — Chapter 1

Prelude 

I just have to say um...WOW? I did not expect to come back to such nice compliments and love on my story. I’m so grateful and humbled towards everyone who read, reblogged, liked, and commented. Every single one of you? Stunning! Y’all have truly instilled more writing confidence into me.

a/n: Finally our real story begins, and whew... chille talk about battle in the center of the mind. lil Ms Alice could never not with all that baggage this boy has lmao! Pain, reconciliation, and healing—rainstorms before the rainbow.  

Characters: Erik Killmonger x black!OC (later chapters), more important original characters introduced later as well (two actually show up briefly in this part 😊)

warnings: the hunt for symbolism begins, and some metaphors

synopsis: Erik has been having strange dreams since his childhood, dreams filled with unusual creatures and eccentric characters. Upon returning to Wonderland as an adult and learning everything has gotten worse, Erik must travel through his own mind to discover the truth about who he truly is and save Wonderland in order to restore peace.

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Chapter I: Nightmarish Revoir

Having lived in feebly in misery,

The dead are knocking on the door, aren’t they?

The little master can’t look away,

What a disgusting story.

— Outer Science

It is said Time builds friendship with no man—always floating, always progressing, and always unraveling. Perhaps, if somebody informed Erik of his complicated relationship with Time earlier, he would have ensured more generous dedication toward absorbing the moments life had once blessed him with.

Father Time maintained no favors, leaving Erik—another misguided soul—entangled in a void of infinitude. He was nothing more than a pawn at the mercy of his chess master caught between a sadistic game he never once volunteered for and could never forfeit.

Multitudes of clocks, measurements of his misfortunes, descended one after another; filling the long, cerulean corridors Erik meandered through. He carried himself along the luminous stream dripping from mullioned window before him. Rays of brightness reflected off the exposed dials like glistening chandeliers. They swayed endlessly, showcasing nothing but mockery at his sluggish pace; a collision of ticking hands and deafening sounds of eternity. Each tick became another oncoming wave threatening to submerge him further into a deep sea.

Erik hesitantly continued down the arched, glass doorway ahead that induced him into a steady trance. He could never smother this feeling, no matter how times he’s visited this particular dimension. Somehow intertwined but unaware of his beginnings. Always aware of his emotions, yet blind towards his experiences.

“Come now, Erik. It’s only a dream.”

A dream.

If only everything was merely a sweet illusion he could easily dismiss.

As much as he yearned, Erik harbored no such power. His prayers for better hallucinations, nonsensical as it sounded, proved futile. He was drowning in this dark vacancy—his own subconscious incarceration.

The clocks looming above continued humming their dreadful tune, droning closer to unleashing Judgement Day upon the wandering lamb as he confronts his sins. Before he reached the doorway, a disembodied voice fractured his thoughts, ceasing every movement. Turn back, Erik. These manifestations you needlessly approach beyond the threshold will only lead you more astray. Please, you are not ready!

Recognition flooded Erik’s senses. It’s a melancholic melody he’s heard on many occasions. Counseling him, blinding him. Temptation curled in his toes as he slowly turned his head to face the quivering figure awaiting him. He captured a glimpse of indigo dyed orbs shimmering with renewed hope at his submission, possessing layers of sorrow buried beneath a veil, making everything appear matte.

Erik’s face contorted and he immediately returns to his previous stance, “Why you here, Odessa?” The frustration lapsed from his lips. “You know I ain’t just runnin’ back empty handed, especially since I didn’t end up here by choice anyway.”

“You���ve arrived against your choice? Then where have you been all this time, Erik?” Odessa gradually stepped forward, tears welling her eyes. “Stay, leaving offers no protection,” she nearly collapsed on his back, cementing her feet onto the ground as she embraced him tightly.

The warmth almost prompts Erik to fulfill a new promise of abandonment toward everything unrelated to her presence. Move forward, Erik. Don’t look back. The light displays delusions just as they equally make the darkness their throne as well. Heaviness ignited an ache dwelling in his stomach. How long has he been gone?

“No, Odessa. I’m...I’m sorry, but... I can’t,” Erik pressed, remorse laced between every word.

“Is this something you absolutely must pursue?” The edginess in her voice made him crawl towards indifference.

Erik slowly settled his hands on Odessa’s trembling ones, still facing forward. The option of greeting oblivion began to feel enticing the more his back absorbed her distress. “This is something I gotta face.”

She abruptly slipped her hands from his touch, seeing past the mask of those words. Odessa delayed her response, entering a silence louder than the blaring of the clocks. “Asherah…” She absently implied, “...is trying to reach out to you, right?”

Erik turned sharply and glowered, confusion flourishing his features. “The hell you talking about?”

“It seems you can’t remember. I presume that is a good thing,” Odessa quipped causing Erik’s stare to harden. He observed her eyes, which were darting back and forth, shining in the sunlight. There was something else in them, something looming. They harbored secrets, the same way a pot nursed layers of deep soil. “Must you always leave us?”

Erik becomes compelled to approach her and chastise for needless cryptic answers once again but a newfound ache began swirling in his stomach, demanding his urgency toward something more incomprehensible than himself.

“Yeah, well, sometimes you gotta leave and start somewhere.” He callously concluded before stepping forward into his calling. A foreign feeling implored he discard everything and run back into the arms of Odessa, but alas, some necessities required sacrifices.

Sunlight quickly diminished as he ventured further into the unknown world, darkness seeping throughout his vision. However Erik’s eyes soon greeted a new light, more dismal and faint. The awaiting sight before him unfolded across an ornate blanket of white chrysanthemums. His footsteps grew heavier. Murmured prayers and hushed voices touched his ears. Seated before an open chestnut coffin was a young woman, wearing a red dress and matching flowers blooming between her hair. With hands clasped and head solemnly bowed, she recited a devotional from her lips—

May my words reach you through these empty halls. Oh, Virtuoso!

May my suffering be ceased by your merciful hands

To dismantle my fate, I beg you

To cleanse my sinful being, I implore you

For I am guilty of swallowing the sun

As I commit to your desires, I shall offer you my final drop of blood

Oh, Virtuoso! My body must burn for my sins,

For you, I desire glory

For myself, a humble demise

And for the lone soul standing behind me, I wish nothing but reconciliation and sweet farewells

For we...cannot be separated

Upon her revelation she paused, slowly lifting her head and revealing her face. Crimson eyes. Those crimson eyes swimming with the heaviness of one thousand untold stories. Wilting under her gaze, Erik’s mouth agapes as he surrendered himself by falling onto his knees.

I am thou, thou art me.

Together, they both uttered softly from their lips,

Amen.

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Oh, my? Oh, my? Thoughts? Hope y’all enjoyed the mystery yet to unfold! Thanks for reading! xo Definitely more to come babes! 

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