Sparrow
What comes with being a Hero? Are we destined, chosen? Or do we just stumble into the role? I arrived at the Spire a hopeful woman, bent on changing the world, saving it with nothing but my charm and skill. I could never have been more wrong. The thirteen other hopefuls by my side walked slowly as the Spire guards led us down the walkway where we were met by Lucien. I don't think I have ever felt as much hate as I did at that moment. Seeing his smug face made me remember the night he killed my sister. Oh how I wanted to rip his heart out and feed it to balverines! A death too kind. But I held my ground, listened to his empty words and promises. He fed us lies and the others bought it like so many other recruits before us.
It was after that speech as the guard took us to our quarters that we saw what it really meant to be transcribed into the Spire guards. Slavery. I almost gagged at the sight of them, the poor men and women, starved nearly to death, stuffed into small cells with only a piss pot and a single sheet for a bed. They were treated like vermin, beaten at any possible opportunity, their cries echoing in the vast emptiness. The sooner I found this Garth, the better.
But the task proved more difficult than I had anticipated. As the Spire's whispers filled my mind, they drowned out Theresa's voice, my only comfort in this dark place. As days dragged into weeks, I thought I would lose my mind. And that's when he summoned me. The Commandant. I didn't know what to expect as I walked into his chamber. But it certainly was not what I saw. The being that stood before me was not human. At least, not anymore. Rocky spikes protruded from his body, his eyes glowed a malevolent white and the sword he held at his side... I had only seen it once before. At the Shadow Temple, displayed as a prize to those who sacrifice enough innocent beings. How glad I was to slay those murderers. And this Commandant was going to be next.
If only it wasn't for the collar they placed around my neck. I thought I was going to die as it drained life out of me. Such unimaginable agony! No word could describe it. And he just watched! But I won't give in. I won't lose who I am! For the good of all I am willing to sacrifice myself. That is what Heroes do.