Ara
Harsh impacts rang across the lake as Ara and Ranell dueled atop the swaying wood of her mentor's home. "I think you could've taken that giant if it came down to it."
"That's what I-" Another clash pushed Ara back, "was saying."
Ara had rolled a three, and was wielding her ego for the first time, a long white double-sided spear. The moonlight shone on its blades which created a bright image as Ara spun it around.
"Don't get cocky, Ara." Ranell undercut Ara's spear, sending it flying. "There are beings just outside of Tur's boundary that even I can't handle."
"Ego beasts?"
"Worse. Ego demons."
Ara picked up her weapon, which compressed back into its five-sided form. "I've never heard of such a thing."
"That tracks." Ranell shook her head. "Right outside your home and you haven't even heard of one."
"What are you talking about?"
"This is the last thing you need to know before I feel safe letting you track the deserter down." The winged ray surfaced, and Ranell pulled Ara onto it again as they left her home. "When an ego wielder is in a desperate situation, their emotions take over. They fuel your ego's power, and in some cases it's a good way to overcome in a battle."
"That sounds awesome."
Ranell chuckled. "It is, but sometimes it goes too far, and you aren't able to overcome your emotions. That's when an ego demon is born."
"Have you ever seen one?"
"No, thankfully. They are equal to a Spire, and in some cases stronger. A demon answers only to the wishes of the emotion that its tied to, and that gives them unimaginable power. If you ever see one, your only hope is to cater to its desires, for it will be too powerful to run from in most cases."
"So it's not the ego that becomes a demon, but yourself?"
"Yes. The ego and the user become one in the worst way." Ranell looked in Ara's eyes as they neared the edge of the lake. "Don't let your pride get the better of you. Especially since right now, you are weak."
Ara dropped her head in shame. 'Not for long.' The two of them stepped onto land.
"Hello, ladies." The booming voice of the Spire made Ara jump. He had suddenly appeared right in front of them, just as the winged ray vanished into the water. "I need to speak to you, Ranell."
"Of course, Spire." Ranell hesitated for a moment, sending a glance to Ara. "Get going Ara, he can't have traveled far."
The Spire didn't say a word to her as she passed him. Ara had revered him as a child, but after the forging something didn't feel right about him.
Tur was bustling with people as Ara re-entered the city. She had always looked at the light coming from the city every night, wondering about her future, and now she was a part of it. 'These are my people.'
The people of Tur were dancing, as if there was a parade.
"Free, free as the wind."
"Set adrift towards the sky."
"Free, body and mind"
Ara felt something inside her shift as she joined the crowd. Spinning and jumping through the streets, they pushed through the city as more and more followed behind with each repetition of their chant.
Eventually Ara had to leave them behind, but she could still hear their shouts as she found the gates that she had entered only yesterday.
"Look who it is." A voice from above.
A set of dry whistles followed from another man, the same two who were cracking jokes at their arrival.
"Did you finally wake up and figure out this place sucks?"
Ara clenched her ego, ready to put these assholes in their place.
"Man, I wish I had been marked by Jerl instead, then I could join in on the fun."
"What do you mean?" Ara said.
"Why do you think they're celebrating? Jerl died and everyone who he marked was set free."
Ara looked back to the city and remembered the feeling of freedom surrounding her in that moment. She couldn't believe that a spark's death would cause such joy from the citizens of Tur.
"Lucky girl. I bet you only had to be a slave for a day."
'Slave?' Ara was getting increasingly confused.
"Don't act so surprised. I've heard tales of what Jerl asks of his slaves on their first night. No wonder you're leaving the city."
Ara rolled her ego, and five bright strands manifested an engraved double sided spear. "That is a spark you're talking about. The protectors of Tur."
The two quickly opened the gate, and didn't say anything more.
Ara walked through, but kept out her spear.
"How did that bitch become a spark?" Ara heard a whisper behind her, and a glance told her that they were staring as she walked away.
Ara spun her spear, angling the moonlight to reflect onto their faces.
"MY EYES." Screams echoed behind Ara, but she didn't care about those who were willing to slander her greatest wish.