Fantasies depict heroes facing perilous beasts and life-threatening situations, but among the most dangerous situations that drive their actions is the inner conflict, the battle of the spirit.

The Allure of the Inner Demon

Fantasies often throw readers alongside the hero in dangerous situations. It could be anything from battling out demons to escaping near-death experiences. However, the readers are captivated by the internal fire that burns alongside the external threats. These inner conflicts create complex, relatable heroes who grapple with the same anxieties and flaws we face in our lives.

A hero who is simply invincible, devoid of doubt, can make them one-dimensional. Inner conflict adds more depth to the characters, making their actions and motivations believable. Consider Shane Hallawa's character, Teresa Amadei, the protagonist of "The Stylite." Teresa, apart from battling the Daemoklos throughout the story, also suffers from inner turmoil with the voices of her deceased mother, Juliana. Juliana, interestingly, both expresses her own thoughts and voices Teresa's thoughts, such that they all follow her as she journeys to the city of Alexantine and faces Daemoklans along the way. Not only does Juliana lament Teresa's general path in life, particularly that she takes more after her father, Peter, who was murdered when Teresa was little, but her voice continually needles Teresa that she is ultimately putting herself in danger for nothing: the world and humanity never change, so one must just be part of it. Teresa must face not only outer demons, but the inner demons of her own doubts and insecurities. The resentment she holds toward Juliana must become forgiveness. Teresa must overcome herself so she can overcome the Daemoklos.

The Hero's Internal Journey

Although modern fantasies do depict epic showdowns and exotic quests to far-out lands, what really makes the story captivating is the hero's internal journey. These internal struggles occur parallel to the storyline, through which we get an idea of the hero's fears, anxieties, and unresolved issues. Overcoming them becomes just as crucial as conquering external threats to achieve true victory.

Consider fantasy adventures like the Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien, where Frodo Baggins not only goes on a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, but must confront his fears, his doubts, the longing for home, as well as the Ring's temptations, to accomplish the journey to Mordor and destroy it within the fires of Mt. Doom.

Final Note

Modern fantasy thrives on the captivating dance between external spectacle and internal struggle. By grappling with inner demons, heroes become more than just warriors. They become examples for others that "the world" can be overcome to enter a higher state of consciousness and inner peace.

"The Stylite" by Shane Hallawa exemplifies modern fantasy depicting internal struggles. If you want to read more on this gripping tale of the fight between good and evil, consider buying a copy today.