Curses

Curses are mysterious supernatural abilities gifted to species on Earth from the gods above, known primarily for taking the user's life slowly and causing extreme pain upon getting one. With only one exception, a person can only have 1 Curse and survive, two would cause their bodies to collapse on itself due to the pressure. Curses often manifest as crests forming along the user's palm, but others can form on other parts of their body, or engraved into their DNA, causing their hair color or eye color to change.

Each Curse grants the user a specific ability for whoever curses themselves, from the most goofiest powers possible–like being able to dislocate your bones, to indescribable powers–like being able to manipulate reality as you see fit, or controlling time. Each Curse is unique, as there is no other in the world like it.

Curses are classified into 4 groups, Karada (体), Shizen (自然), Seiryoku (勢力), and Zandaka (残高). Karada Curses are Curses that grant the user supernatural abilities relating to their body, such as super strength or super intelligence. Shizen Curses are Curses that grant the user supernatural abilities relating to nature, such as electricity or water. Seiryoku Curses grant the user abilities relating to the natural forces of the Universe, such as Gravity, Time, Space, and more. Zandaka Curses grant the user abilities relating to balance, such as the Sun Curse and the Moon Curse.

## Overview

Curses, within the context of this mystical and intriguing world, represent enigmatic and supernatural abilities bestowed upon the inhabitants of Earth by celestial beings or divine forces. They are renowned for their unique nature, both in terms of their powers and the consequences they entail. One fundamental and unforgiving rule governs the domain of curses: each individual may harness only a single curse and, in doing so, must be prepared to endure the slow but inexorable toll it takes on their life, accompanied by the agony of its acquisition. Attempting to wield more than one curse is a perilous endeavor, as the overwhelming pressure it exerts would lead to the disintegration of the user's physical form.

The physical manifestation of curses often bears the unmistakable mark of a crest, with the user's palm being a common site of emergence. However, these mystic symbols can also take root on other parts of the user's body or be woven into their very genetic makeup, leading to striking alterations like changes in hair or eye color. The nature of curses themselves is characterized by their profound diversity. Each curse endows its possessor with a distinct and often peculiar power, spanning a broad spectrum of abilities. These range from the whimsical and unusual, such as the capacity to dislocate one's own bones, to the truly extraordinary, allowing for reality manipulation or control over the very fabric of time itself.

One of the defining features of curses is their unmistakable individuality. Indeed, no two curses in the world are alike; each carries its own distinct essence, imbuing the user with their own unique capabilities. Despite the universality of curses, the specific powers they confer can vary dramatically. Moreover, the means by which individuals come to acquire a curse is itself a mysterious process. Sometimes, it may be the result of a deliberate choice, where individuals willingly invite a curse into their lives. In other cases, a curse might choose its host without warning, forever altering the course of their existence. While curses have the potential to grant incredible abilities, they also bring with them a heavy burden, ultimately demanding a high price from those who dare to wield their extraordinary powers.

The intricacies of these mystical phenomena extend beyond their mere presence and abilities. Curses are categorized into four distinct groups, each defining the nature of the powers they grant. The first group, known as "Karada Curses," empowers its users with abilities intrinsically linked to their bodies. This can range from superhuman strength to unparalleled intelligence. The "Shizen Curses," constituting the second group, grant control over the forces of nature, encompassing dominion over elements like electricity and water. The third category, "Seiryoku Curses," entitles its possessors to manipulate the fundamental forces of the universe, including gravity, time, and space. Finally, "Zandaka Curses," the fourth group, bestow powers related to balance, exemplified by curses like the Sun Curse and the Moon Curse. Each of these groupings carries its own unique set of abilities, making curses a fascinating and intricate aspect of this supernatural world.

To acquire a curse, individuals might actively seek one, making a deliberate choice to embrace the unique powers and profound costs they entail. Alternatively, curses can also choose their hosts, descending upon unsuspecting individuals and forever altering the course of their existence. The very process of gaining a curse is steeped in mystique, as these enigmatic phenomena bestow extraordinary abilities but demand a heavy toll in return. As a result, the world where curses reside is one of incredible diversity, teeming with individuals wielding a wide array of unique powers and marked by the ever-present burden of a curse's relentless toll on the lives of its bearers.

## Identification

❝*There are at least 100 Curses out there, how do you think we know so much about them? Of course, a book!❞*

- Imani Amina explaining curses to Aurinko Kevyt.

There is only one way to identify what curse someone has acquired, using the Curse Encyclopedia (*呪い事典*, *Noroi jiten),* a large book in selected libraries used to identify curses. In all of the 200 Curse Encyclopedias' around the world, they never refer to the Sun Curse as the Yang curse, same with the Moon Curse never being referred as the Yin Curse, according to DR.Dossenia Frumentius

### Types of Curses

Curses are differentiated and classified into 4 classes, based on the trend in their behavior and the trend in their abilities.

#### Karada Curses

Karada Curses, the most basic class of curses, are characterized by their direct influence on the user's physical body. These curses typically grant enhanced physical attributes, such as superhuman strength, speed, or intelligence. While they may not possess the same level of versatility or complexity as curses in other classes, Karada Curses can still be formidable in the hands of a skilled user. These abilities are often straightforward and easy to understand, making them more accessible to novice curse bearers. However, Karada Curses' limitations become evident as their users face opponents with curses of higher classes, which often provide more diverse and potent abilities. Nonetheless, those who wield Karada Curses can achieve remarkable feats by pushing their physical capabilities beyond the limits of ordinary humans.

#### Shizen Curses

Shizen Curses belong to a unique class of curses that enable users to manipulate and control the forces of nature. Unlike the more straightforward Karada Curses, Shizen Curses tap into the elements themselves, granting users the ability to harness natural phenomena like electricity, fire, water, or even the wind. These curses often embody the raw power of the environment, allowing their bearers to wield elemental forces with incredible precision. The users of Shizen Curses can command the elements to create powerful attacks, manipulate their surroundings, or even alter the weather. However, their potency typically depends on the user's mastery of the curse and their connection to the specific element they control.

The versatility of Shizen Curses makes them formidable in various situations, but their effectiveness can vary greatly based on the curse bearer's skill and creativity. Some individuals with Shizen Curses may excel at incendiary attacks, setting foes ablaze with flames at will, while others might harness the power of water to create defensive barriers or flood entire areas. The unique connection between curse bearers and their chosen element adds an extra layer of complexity and diversity to this class of curses.

However, Shizen Curses are not without their challenges. The user's emotional state, environmental factors, and even the availability of their chosen element can impact the effectiveness of these curses. Additionally, skilled curse bearers with Shizen Curses may find themselves at a significant advantage over less experienced opponents, as they can wield the natural forces of the world to their advantage, creating an exciting dynamic in the world of curses.

#### Seiryoku Curses

Seiryoku Curses are a fascinating category of curses that enable their bearers to manipulate fundamental forces that govern the universe. While they may be considered weaker than the Zandaka Curses, they are by no means lacking in terms of potency. Seiryoku Curses grant their users control over the essential aspects of reality, such as gravity, time, and space. With such abilities, curse bearers can perform a variety of remarkable feats, although the extent of their powers often depends on their mastery of the curse.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Seiryoku Curses is the way in which they interact with the fundamental fabric of existence. Users can manipulate gravitational forces to create areas of intense pressure or weightlessness, potentially affecting both the environment and their adversaries. They may also have the power to manipulate time, whether by accelerating or slowing it down, and thus gain a significant advantage in combat. In addition, control over space allows for teleportation, the creation of pocket dimensions, and even the ability to alter the physical dimensions of objects or individuals.

The true strength of Seiryoku Curses lies in the creative and strategic use of these abilities. Curse bearers who can think outside the box and adapt to the ever-changing circumstances can prove to be formidable opponents. Yet, the weaknesses of Seiryoku Curses should not be underestimated, as their effectiveness can be influenced by factors like the curse bearer's emotional state, focus, and mental stability. While they may be less potent than Zandaka Curses, Seiryoku Curses still offer unique and versatile powers that can significantly impact the world in which they exist.

#### Zandaka Curses

Zandaka Curses represent the most potent and formidable class of curses within this mystical world, and they are also the rarest, with only two known to exist. The unique power of these curses lies in their ability to control the fundamental balance of cosmic forces, and as a result, they hold the distinction of being the most powerful among the four curse categories.

The first of these extraordinary curses is the Sun Curse, also known as the "Yang Curse." The Sun Curse empowers its bearer with control over the radiant energy of the sun itself. This formidable ability grants the user dominance over the essence of light, heat, and energy, allowing them to manipulate and utilize these forces with astonishing proficiency. Curse bearers of the Sun Curse can generate blinding rays of light, unleash scorching beams of heat, and harness the boundless energy of the sun for a wide range of applications. Whether it be through incendiary attacks, blinding radiance, or intense thermal manipulation, the Sun Curse's capabilities are nearly limitless.

The counterpart to the Sun Curse is the Moon Curse, also referred to as the "Yin Curse." This enigmatic curse imparts control over the mystic energies associated with the moon. Its bearers can influence the tranquil forces of night, darkness, and reflection, utilizing these attributes to craft an arsenal of formidable abilities. Users of the Moon Curse have the capacity to shroud themselves in shadows, move with the grace and stealth of the night, and employ the power of reflection for a myriad of applications. This grants them an unparalleled advantage when it comes to deception, subterfuge, and strategic combat.

Both the Sun Curse and the Moon Curse, while incredibly potent, come with the same heavy price of all curses. They slowly sap the life force of their bearers, and the agony of their acquisition is no less severe. The uniqueness of these curses is not just in their individual strengths but in their perfect balance. The interplay between the Sun and Moon Curses creates a dynamic that symbolizes the delicate equilibrium of cosmic forces, making their bearers among the most formidable and enigmatic figures in this mystical realm.