Sorek’s biggest fear is failure
to protect those he loves and views as his responsibility. If he wants
something, he goes after it, and he doesn’t really care who or what stands in
the way; he is willing to do anything – even become a monster – to stop
monsters. As long as his goal is accomplished and his people are free, he doesn’t
care whether he lives or dies. He doesn’t fear combat, pain, torture, rejection,
or conflict. But he has failed to save people before. He’s seen loved ones
murdered. His actions – his call to arms – have led countless people to their
deaths. He fears that he will fail again, that he isn’t good enough or strong
enough for the task before him. He hides behind humor and a surly attitude.
Siserah is what writers often call
the “big bad” (aka, the primary antagonist). Yet he and Sorek are very similar.
Siserah’s driving fear is failing to protect his beloved people (expressed
through the fear of losing control). He views the townspeople as his responsibility,
and like Sorek, he’s willing to do anything and everything for them. Unfortunately,
his version of “anything” crosses numerous moral lines. While he comes off as an
evil control freak, his heart is actually in the right place. In his mind,
control = peace, and peace = protection; therefore, control = protection. Topple
Siserah’s carefully constructed control, and you will eventually topple
Siserah.
Masrekah is probably the most
emotionally fearful of all of the characters. Like Sorek, he doesn’t fear
death, pain, or combat. What he does fear is rejection. While Sorek stubbornly pursues
his desires, Mas hangs back and calculates whether pursuing his is worth the
risk. More than anything else, though, Mas fears himself. He knows what he’s
been, what he’s done. He can’t look at his hands without seeing blood, can’t seek
happiness without thinking of the thousands of reasons why he doesn’t deserve it.
He views himself as a monster, and he’s quite sure everyone else does/will as
well. So he hides behind an icy pretense, manipulating those around him when it
suits his purposes, and never letting anyone close.
Rab starts out fearing men and failing
to protect Ari. She willingly puts herself in harm’s way to take care of her
sister, but she lives haunted by the fear that someday, something will happen that
she can’t stop or save Ari from. (This happens.) Her fear of men manifests
itself first with Sorek, then Mas. Her deeper fears are opening up to people
and allowing herself to be fought for and protected. She fears weakness (looking
weak, being weak, people thinking she is weak) and believes needing protection
or help is a sign of weakness. She fears she has no purpose apart from being her
sister’s protector. She is afraid of pain and death, though she typically stands
strong in the face of both. When deeply afraid, she either shuts it down by
sheer will, or lashes out. She suffers panic attacks for a while.
Ari starts out afraid of her
mother and of getting in trouble. She lives with the threat of punishment and explosive
attack constantly hanging over her head. After the inn, she fears everyone,
expects the worst from every person she meets. She especially fears men and physical
contact, and lashes out to keep everyone away from her. Even once she starts
healing, she remains terrified of being captured/trapped again, and is willing
to do anything to avoid that fate. She deals with claustrophobia (fear of confined
spaces) and nyctophobia (fear of darkness), as well
as a host of other things related to the horror she endured. She also
fears people viewing her as disgusting or ruined, which is how she views
herself. She presents herself as hardened and untouchable because that is how
she wishes she could be.
And this is just what I know
right now. Haha!
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