an existential battle was inevitable

-ist (ones consent to a suggested -ism) contradicts ex (out of)...the latter implies expression; the former implies repression. Few suggest existentialism to establish this contradiction within consenting many.

Sleight of hand: "express yourself; don't repress yourself...and I'm not sorry...it's human nature". https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/madonna/humannature.html

Consenting to any suggestion makes the battle (reason) inevitable, because ones consent invites the suggestions of another into ones mind/memory, which establishes a void.

facing the dragons

Aka turning towards (to face) dragging on (dragon), which implies carrying suggested information towards outcome, while facing away from perceivable origin.

Why is a dragon sitting on a treasure? Because dragging on suggested information implies the hoarding of valuables within memory. The one trying to inspire others to let go of what they "drag-on" implies a knight (servant) in shining (light-bearer) armor (choice to resist) trying to slay the drag-on by beating held on beliefs with endless blows of contradiction.

A sword implies a thrust (inception towards death) weapon (choice) of offense/defense (balance) with an edge (knowledge).