Shade

Shade (also known as Soul Residue or Black Smoke) is energy that is given off from and radiates from Shadows and Remnants. It is what also fuels the abilities of both entities. 
== Background ==
Shade is a type of energy that is comes from the souls of humans, more specifically, those that have been "awakened" either in the form of Shadows or Remnants. It is invisible to normal humans, but can be seen by the aforementioned awakened souls. Strangely, Verzerrt can also perceive Shade. 
Despite it being most visible from awakened entities, it's theorized that every human possesses some amount of Shade, it just exists in a different form. It's believed that it is this very energy that Deathforms feed on and absorb, explaining how their power increases with every kill. It seems that they are specific conditions that must be met for them to absorb this energy, as they can't absorb the energy of a victim who didn't die from either their hands or the cause of death they represent. It's possible that the specific absorption conditions are what allows the flow of energy to be directed to the intended target. 
While only a select few undergo an awakening naturally that gives them the ability to utilize their own Shade, it can be forcefully activated via transfiguration from Verzerrt who are skilled enough to do so (Stag being the best example), though the techniques seem to be limited and uniform. The exact trigger behind an awakening is believed to be extreme trauma, causing what is known as an Eclipse when the soul releases a massive burst of Shade energy and their techniques and abilities awaken. 
Shade is most often referred to as Black Smoke due to it's appearance resembling so. In it's basic form as residue, it simply appears as featureless dark smoke, but when used by specific individuals or creatures, it can be a variety of colors (red, purple, green, etc) along with the black smoke.
Each individual who undergoes an Eclipse has their own unique technique that tends to be their most powerful tool, and can be expanded upon and even temporarily loaned to others with enough experience, known as Inherited Shadow. Despite that, there are still countless abilities that all of those who are able to use Shade can perform, which are known as Basic and Advanced Shadow Morph Techniques. The latter is extremly varied, ranging from basic offense to defensive buffs to even summoning and reality warping. However, the more complicated the technique, the more difficult it is to perform and properly manage the energy expenditure. 
== Shadow Morph Techniques ==
Shadow Morph Techniques refers to attacks and abilities that can be performed by any individual capable of using Shade. They are separated into Basic and Advanced depending on their functionally, utility, and skill requirement. They are also Elusive Techniques which are abilities known only to a few that typically offer greater power in exchange for a greater cost, and can be possibly damaging to the user if not careful.
== Inherited Shadow ==
Inherited Shadow refers to the unique technique of an individual that can't be used by anyone else, but can be lend or shared to another Shade user via Transfer or Unified Essence (both difficult to perform Techniques). They tend to be the most powerful or adaptable ability in an awakened soul's arsenal.
== Repressor ==
A Repressor is someone born with an immense or immeasurable amount of Shade energy who usually has not undergone an Eclipse yet. In spite of not undergoing an Eclipse, their energy is so immense that they radiate it wherever they go and it can be seen by those who can perceive Shade and even be felt as a sort of ominous presence by those who can't perceive Shade. Repressors are considered dangerous to let roam on their own as their potential Eclipse could be felt nearly all across an entire country, and attract all sorts of unwanted attention.
Due to their amount of Shade energy, a Repressor is usually a very negative or antisocial person who often stands out because of this. Repressors like other Shade users typically go through traumatic events, but what causes their Eclipse seems to be more random or specific. As such, there is no telling when they might awakened.
Repressors after awakening then get categorized by the preexisting ranking system and are no longer referred to as such. An awakened Repressor is guaranteed to be a Level VII or higher, and can quickly become more powerful even if they don't have much control. 
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