True Ego

## My Very Own Evolution

Within the Obelisk, there are several artifacts and events that, while exceedingly rare, can unlock one's True Ego.

A True Ego is the manifestation of the user's calling in life in the form of mutations. An example would be if one is a chef, their True Ego might give them dozens of extra limbs with cooking utensils.

True Ego forms are often skillful fighters, and can annihilate most average humans in a one-on-one fight.

The most common method to unlock an Ego is a Wind Stone. Caused by the same anomalous gust of wind as the Wind Kiss, albeit on an extremely rarer chance, Wind Stones are formed when the Wind dries a very specific mixture ratio of human tears and blood. It is said when these liquids dry, they will calcify into a stone that can then be crushed. The user will then attain their True Ego form.

True Egos can grow more powerful under intense pressure. As their Stress Level rises, their attacks become faster, stronger, and their defenses grow tougher. If a True Ego reaches their maximum Stress Level, which varies between Egos, their attacks become very powerful and swift, but their defenses plummet in a last-ditch effort.

## Possible Egos [HEAVY SPOILERS]

The actions undertaken in the Obelisk can result in many different characters being confronted in their True Ego form.

### Keter-level Climbers

All Keter-level Climbers can be fought in their True Ego form (aside from Greene, who does not manifest a True Ego form throughout the story) The Egos are:

#### "The Ultimate Warrior" Yamamoto Akio

Akio is covered in a hard substance like armor plates, and sprouts cannons from his back. His hands morph into blades, and, despite his new size, he is able to move with extreme agility.

#### "Immortal" Hans Weiss

Hans remains largely the same, other than looking younger and fitter. He recovers from all forms of damage and can only be injured if all of his body is hurt at once.

#### "Nihilo" Kieran

Kieran grows hard, gemlike scales across most of her body, all of which are black, though they glittery like a night sky in the darkness. One swipe from the sharp, retractable blades that sprout from her arms and legs can remove any organic matter from existence.

#### "Perfect" Linia Bonheur

[MAJOR SPOILERS]

Linia Bonheur manifests her True Ego in a unique way, by merging with the Artifact above all Artifacts, "Perfection". In her baseline form, she simply grows a pair of large, angelic wings, and Perfection seems to orbit her head, near where her Wind Kiss is on her forehead. However, as her Stress Level rises, she grows additional pairs of wings, up to eight wings total. As she takes injuries and adapts to the fight, her limbs can change into necessary weapons, such as a large shield. Her icepick also changes into a large scythe.

### Other Climbers

#### Blake Baines

[MAJOR SPOILERS]

One of the three hostile forms Blake Baines can take, based on the actions of the party, is a True Ego mutation on top of her Red Moss form. Her lower body keeps its form, but her arms grow fur and claws. She develops a second pair of limbs on the small of her back, which have blades on them, and the hair on her head turns white. Additionally, her eyes glow, and her face slightly elongates into a snout with rows of sharp teeth.