While Lee was undergoing it wasn’t stopping him from still sinking to the bottom.

  Lee instantly felt his surroundings change as his body sank deeper into the shadows. Around him, the icy, gloomy depths of the ocean give way to a spacious, luminous world. He found himself in a situation that defied all reason. A world that appears to exist beyond the realm of time and space.

  He hadn't seen anything like this spot before. Surreal islands that floated soaring in the air, each one covered in bright foliage and luminescent plants that gave off a mellow, mystical glow, comprised the surrounding landscape. The sky overhead was a kaleidoscopic tapestry of colours that changed and shifted as though it were alive. Lee experienced a peculiar mix of awe and dread because of the atmosphere's cryptic force.

  Lee was exploring the structure encountering towering destructive buildings. As he was adventuring he saw a lot of carved skulls which were very specified as they were radiantly green.

  Drawn by an irresistible he was dragged into a chamber.

  “What is happening to me!” He spoke.

  Lee wandered through the chamber as his mind raced with confusion. It was now that a green flamed mask became visible and led him somewhere which he followed. He was being guided looking at the spooky walls. “I can’t do this”

  As Lee was about to stop he discovered himself looking at someone at first glance who resembled zero to slim looks of a human. Lee couldn’t even conclude about what he was looking at was never seen before.

  Despite having a humanoid look, the creature's form appeared to flicker and change, as if it were made of tumbling shadows. Its voice echoed in Lee's head, and its eyes shone with an unfathomable illumination.

  “Welcome Lee Beckton, I am The One. I am the one that guides you of your Skull Mask powers” The entity said.

  Lee’s heart was beating rapidly.

  “The One, What is this place? What am I becoming, am I dead?"

  “No, you’re not dead, this is the skull realm perceived on your personality. This realm is in between the living and the dead that bright mask that you woke up from is currently drawing energy from here to the mask to you.

  “So, you’re saying the mask that woke up my unconscious body is the reason why I am alive? If so how am I here now?” Lee questioned

  “It is way too complicated but in simple terms, your soul was brought here in the living world everything is frozen.”

  “That sounds overpowering, let me ask you were also something else you’re saying about that mask is it something that gives me power?” Lee responded

  Then The One said, "Indeed," "The Skull Realm is a realm that stretches transcend the boundaries of your reality, and the Skull Mask is a vessel to carry its energies. You could access the essence of life and death, light and darkness, with it.

  Lee was thinking about the consequences of this power and asked a question saying:

  “Was I chosen?”

  The One chuckled in amusement.

  “Chosen, you weren’t chosen for anything it was out of pure randomness. But there is a catch to it mostly benefits those who have evil within or a human that fully exploits that peaks too early.

  “So, I am evil is that what you’re saying?” Lee queried

  “Nope, but it is ready to be unleashed. All that trauma you have suffered from has been building for years becoming a reason for you to succumb to evil but for those years you have tried to hold it back, that's why I said within.”

  “What do you know about…my past?” Lee demanded

  “You see Lee, the moment that masked shined upon you it can see the past events that have occurred to you from your birth. It sounds like we are invading your privacy but it can’t be helped.” Said The One

  “That's exactly what it is!” Lee angered

  The skull realm became tensed feeling the rage of Lee.

  “So just tell me what exactly this skull mask is?”

  “You want me to explain?”

  “YES, I DO WANT YOU TO EXPLAIN!”

  “Alright I shall start” The One said

  There was a moment of silence.

  The One began to explain “Long began your time, there was a time when the Skull Realm was heavily associated with the Earth. People such as humans were in our highest interest when it came to the mask and gave them powers that are above most. But it wouldn’t last long as most of them that had the power killed each other.”

  Lee listened intently.

  Continuing “Once the Skull Mask saw you and understood you it will suck you in where right now you will end up here where you will learn about what power you will have based on the character you’re currently portrayed. That’s how it works when you wake up from here you will have a completely different persona looks and everything and that side of you will embrace the cold evilness inside of you.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “I wonder how I’ll turn out?”

  “That just depends on you..” Said The One

  “I have another question you elaborated humans so I am going to take a guest… Is there more than one of these masks currently?”

  The One who took time to answer Lee’s important question

  “Yes… but not by many you’re one currently and there is someone who got there years before you but barely uses it.” The One answered.

  “Can you tell me who this person is?”

  “Nope I can’t, it’s forbidden if you want to find the other user you must find him yourself. Do you have any other questions?” The One asked inquired.

  “I don’t know, surprisingly I’m taking this very well. Is it the books that I used to read or is it the lack of care I have in my life? Why did I stop boxing I wonder how far I would make it if I didn’t decide to be in the criminal world.”

  Lee tightened his hand now that he had a target in mind.

  “ALL I GOT TO SAY NOW IS THAT I ACCEPT THIS POWER!”

  “Very well, remember the effects. Do as you please with it.” The One said

  And so, Lee accepted the power.

  Lee's comatose body resumed its steady plummet into the icy water depths. But as time went on, a noticeable difference started to manifest. It appeared as though the very fabric of reality was being rewoven around him as the water began to tremble with an alien intensity.

  The filaments of green light erupted from the turbulent seas, wrapping themselves around Lee's outline. His features were given an alluring sheen by the unsettling radiance. Lee's body started to move and change as the cords continued to work their magic, his physical form yielding to the Skull Realm's call.

  He appeared to be surrounded by an envelope of light as the water itself appeared to separate. The change was evident within this brief haven. Lee's physique grew a little longer, his muscles becoming more chiselled and defined. His body's lines grew more angular, showcasing his power and agility.

  His apparel has also undergone an alteration. Around him, a dark trench coat with a hood materialised, with the cloth pouring like a torrent of darkness. His legs were clothed in tight combat trousers that allowed him to exercise movement while also conveying a sense of martial mastery. His feet began to take the shape of tactical boots, ready for action on any kind of surface.

  But the Skull Mask, the focal point of his change, carried the most alluring presence. As the mask stretched into a devious smiling face that criticised heroism and morality.

  Lee looked to be standing in the water after it was over. As soon as he opened them, his persona exuded a tight, angry aura that changed the colour of the water and even touched the sky, taking on the appearance of his persona. Standing on top of the water, Lee slowly began to emerge from it.

  As this was the result of his waking the... Skull Mask, stared up at the sky. Admiring the colours that represent his eyes.

  Lee was checking out his new look. “I LIVE!” His flammable aura spread throughout the seas.

  Unsettling had completely replaced Lee's previous tone.

  The shades of the sky and oceans reverted to their original tints.

  His hometown of Havel City awaited his homecoming. Lee's mind wandered to his history, his decisions, and the route he had taken. The city served as both his haven and the scene of his previous wrongdoings.

  He started to walk more quickly since he was becoming annoyed with how slowly he was going and eventually returned to the Havel City docks with swift, magical speed.

  “THAT’S MUCH BETTER!” LEE GIGGLED.

  Before him, the Havel City skyline emerged, a mixture of soaring skyscrapers and dimly illuminated streets. Lee's eyes darted from one structure to the next, his previous regrets blending with his present resolve. His determination to get revenge on those who had injured the defenceless was what caused his rage to flare up like a fire.

  Lee's aura got even stronger as he made his way to the centre of the city. His presence appeared to ricochet across the streets, reflecting his devotion. He took a deep breath and lifted his hands, causing the environment around him to glow green. His rage gave the Skull Mask's power a tangible force as it flooded into his veins.

  In search of any indications of misconduct, his gaze swept the streets. Shadows appeared to be whispering things in the night, exposing the sinister side of the metropolis. Every injustice just made Lee's rage grow stronger. His deliberate movements brought him to a run-down structure where thriving criminal activities were located.

  Lee didn't say a thing as he started to move. As he attacked those who had done the wrongs, his movements were indistinguishable. Each hit was delivered with tremendous power because of the Skull Mask's strength. His vengeance seemed to shake the very air, and his enemies were no match for his sudden might.

  Lee was ruthless with every strike he landed which was breaking the bones of the people he highly despised. He continued his relentless attacks from harmless criminals until…

  He quickly finds himself being shot at from all sides. which tore off significant portions of his flesh believed he was dead, but they were mistaken. His body's damaged areas that were blasted to pieces by arm weaponry were immediately recovered.

  They put down their weapons, much to their amazement.

  “WHAT THE HECK IS THIS GUY!”

  “WEAK, FEEL THIS PAIN” Lee pointed

  As Lee's stare locked on them, their gasps of amazement quickly transformed into wailing of fear. Their deepest anxieties were brought to light by the intensity of his gaze, which was like a spotlight of panic. His ability to induce horror began to take root, and the very air appeared to grow tense with terror. As each of them was forced to face their deepest nightmares and anxieties, chaos accelerated through the group like wildfire.

  The thieves fell to their knees one by one, their faces contorted with fear. Some grasped their heads, unable to withstand the barrage of terrifying sights that Lee's influence was causing them to experience. Others just fell to the ground, their bodies exhausted by the intense anxiety that had overcome them.

  The malignant energy emanating from Lee as he stood in the centre of the carnage had been fuelled by the terror he had created. The Skull Mask enhanced the impact, making him look more like an impending doom than a man as his lips twisted into a menacing smile. The persistent attack there had weakened the offenders' wills, leaving them at his mercy.

  Lee had decided to release the hold of the fear induction… It didn't last very long because he put it back on them for good. In his new state, Lee couldn't help but laugh at their fears simply leaving them in despair.

  At midnight, Lee did a lot of bad things in a short amount of time, and he kept going till daybreak.

  His nightly escapades had left the warehouse damaged and bruised, which was obvious. The violence that had taken place was evident in the broken boxes, broken glass, and the lingering pandemonium. Because of the strain, Lee's body hurt, serving as a reminder of the forceful strength he had used and the toll it had taken on him.

  His movements were slow as he struggled to put the events of the previous night together as he forced himself up from the hard, chilly floor. He had been overcome by the power of the Skull Mask, which had caused a flood of rage and retaliation to erupt, leaving a path of devastation in its wake. It was as though a more sinister part of him a side that delighted in disorder had been unleashed.

  Looking at broken reflections, Lee was in his normal attire.

  “What a turn of events.”

  He walked out of the warehouse to the bright sun and he saw a group of homeless people staring at him.

  “What,” Lee said awkwardly.,

  A wiry man with a scruffy beard among the homeless warily walked up to Lee. You are the subject of their conversation, aren't you? Is the person wearing a skull mask?

  “Yeah it was him until he became a human, that trench coat with the flames was some serious stuff,” said a young child.

  “It seems you all got the idea of what I am, I beg of not to say one word about what I am…please,” Lee said pleading but in an intimidating tone.

  “Trust me, we’re not saying a single thing you have our word on that”

  “Good”

  People were watching their newspapers and televisions intently as he strolled through the streets. He had a premonition that it would be because of things he had done that nobody knew about. Observing a newsstand in the area with the title "Mysterious Deaths and Injuries. The publications hinted at the disarray that mostly targets people with criminal histories or engaging in illicit activity.

  Lee was startled by his behaviour.

  The city's skyline towered in front of him, displaying both its splendour and its shortcomings.

  He turned and left the crowd. As he leaves, he turns to gaze at the glass buildings and automobile reflections that reveal his identity, which Lee is seeing for the first time.

  He turns to face his mirror and says, "So that's what the other half of me is.

  He then came to a remembrance… Winston Wright

  “Oh, for a minute, you slipped my man you slithering bastard. You’re going to pay for his death mark my words your head will be mine.” Lee ferociously said

  Lee now began his mission of revenge.