It is also for this reason that Diabolus hate Hollows. When a Diabolus consumes a soul, it must consume everything. A Hollow however is a perversion of Soul, empty of the very thing that makes it valuable. When a Hollow devours a soul, it becomes apart of the Hollow until purified by a Zanpakutou, making the Hollow and the souls it's eaten useless to a Diabolus.
A Diaboli will likely go out of its way to kill a Hollow if one is found, and will summon allies if they are too weak to take it down themselves. While Diabolus may war and kill each other for power and souls, they almost always put their differences aside when it concerns the destruction of Hollows.
Faustian Bargain
Formerly known as the "Devils Pact", the Faustian Bargain is the means by which a Diabolus makes a contract with another creature. Contrary to popular belief, this contract does not have to be with a human, it can be with virtually any being capable of sentient thought. The nature of the contract is almost supernatural, and regardless of the knowledge and overall power of any one Diabolus, the magic of this contract allows them to grant virtually any wish so desired. However stronger Diabolus are able to make contracts with wider and greater realms of influence, such as influencing or even manipulating causality. It is unknown how they are able to provide for the wishes of their contractee's, though many speculate that Diabolus use the contractee as the "caster" for their Sortiarius; which is infamous for its reality warping capabilities. However the wording is the key, and many Diabolus will often find loop holes to exploit, and can be known to take the meaning of the worded contract literally unless otherwise specified. Clever mortals though have found means of escaping their contracts by wording it in just the right fashion, yet still reaping the rewards.
hierarchy
Bestia (野獣 (ビースト), Latin for "Beast", Japanese for "Monster"): These Diabolus are the lowest class, and are also the most common variety encountered. As the weakest of the Diabolus they do not yet epitomize a singular sin or vice, however as a result their powers are the most diverse with many possessing an assortment of abilities that may or may not be related.
- Appearance: Bestia are the most numerous of the Diabolus, differing in form from the small imp-like creatures to the large ogre-like monsters.
- Signature Skills: As the weakest caste of the Diabolus, Bestia almost always have unique abilities corresponding to their physical size, and shape, like augmented animal characteristics or abilities.
- Example Bestia: Boolg
Daemon (妖怪 (デイモン), Latin for "Demon", Japanese for "Demon"): Daemons are the second class of Diabolus, and in comparison to their weaker brethren the Bestia, are far more intelligent and powerful. Many Daemon are former Bestia who have realized and identified with a particular vice or sin, causing a spiritual transformation granting them a new form and powers that may or may not be related to their previous one. As such all Daemons are associated or epitomize a sin or vice that helps shape its form and powers. While not as common as Bestia, they are ones that often lead other Bestia and in some cases other Daemon. The most commonly encountered Daemon is the Succubus, of which the Optimates Arthfael is said to command legions of.
- Appearance: Daemons can appear just as wildly as Bestia, although their Epithet forms have wildly defining characteristics, and are generally very large towering over humans, with fearsome physical characteristics.
- Signature Skills: Unique Individual Powers & Abilities generally relating to an attribute, element or other speciality.
- Example Daemons:
- Rutilus Maculosus Lupus
- Flamen Puteulanus
- Dorothy Furlan da Liberi
- Mammon
A Daemon Witch is a unique type of Daemon who possess a unique powers even for Daemon. They appear in two varieties, the Black Witch and the White Witch. These infernal beings show a particular interest in preying upon human misery and the are most likely out of any Diabolus to establish "contracts" with another creature.
Arcus Daemon (大権悪魔 (アルチュデイモン), Latin for "Arch Demon", Japanese for "Supreme Devil"): The strongest and most powerful of the Diabolus, Arcus Daemons are beings whose vice has transformed or evolved into an almost abstract concept. Unlike the Daemons who epitomize a particular sin, Arcus Daemons are its literal spiritual manifestation, exemplifying that sin in its totality. Their powers are wide and over-reaching across a vast spectrum, each containing near immeasurable power. However they are also the rarest of a Diabolus, so rare in fact that only a dozen are said to exist at one time. Each Optimates is said to have three under their command, and are regarded as royalty amongst the Diabolus, each having armies the sizes of an entire countries population at their command.
- Appearance: Arcus Daemons are the most humanoid of Diabolus, while in their Epithet form and decidedly the most powerful of all the Diabolus save for the Optimates themselves. They can assume virtually any form they desire, though many prefer to take a hybrid demonic/human form.
- Signature Skills: Arcus Daemons are unique amongst the Diabolus, like a Daemon they too have unique individual powers and abilities, but one power in particular is broad and can often times be abstract. While a Daemon may possess the ability to manipulate density in regards to mass, an Arcus Daemons power would be quite broad, such as increasing the density of sinners in an area.
Optimates (魔王 (オプチマテス), Latin for "The Nobility", Japanese for "Devil Kings"): Beings of immense power, some wonder if they can be considered Diabolus themselves. They exist as a quartet, controlling one of four realms in hell where there reside as king or queen.
Relationships
Diabolus and Shinigami
Contrary to popular belief, Diabolus do not hate Shinigami, in fact many would prefer not to engage them in combat. Shinigami preserve the balance of souls, purifying Hollows, so that the released souls may be reincarnated, which in turn creates more Humans and more souls to be corrupted. There is also the fact that Diabolus hate Hollows with an unbridled fury, therefore Diabolus generally let Shinigami do his or her job rather than make an enemy.
However Shinigami can be consumed for its spiritual energy, nourishing the Diabolus though many prefer not to do so. The number of powerful Shinigami in comparison to the stronger Diabolus is as vast as an ocean, and in doing so, the would enable Hollows to gain a stronger foothold in the world. Diabolus would prefer otherwise. In short, if at all possible a Diabolus will not interfere with Shinigami so as long as they keep doing their jobs, though some Diabolus cannot resist tasting a few of the weaker ones every so often. While the majority of Diabolus are indifferent towards Shinigami, any individual Diabolus is free to form their own opinion of them.
Diabolus Relationships
Diabolus possess an almost alien mindset compared to the typical spiritual being such as Hollows or Shinigami, and it is through the extensive that there is any understanding at all between the affairs of a Diabolus. The focus of this research was the concept of love within a Diabolus mindset. However it should be known that the word itself does not exist within their language, having the same effective meaning as "enemy." Despite this, Diabolus do maintain relationships, even intimate ones with one another and other creatures. "Love" as it is known amongst Diabolus is split four ways, each representing a unique relationship that composes this human concept, with each type translated as best it can into human understanding.
- Venus (愛欲(ベヌス); Latin for "Sexual Indulgence", Japanese for "Lustful Passion"): The only "positive" form of emotion Diabolus have been known exhibit as a collective race, it is the one most like; human love and romance. Diabolus in this type of relationship have very powerful, and strong feelings of attraction for the other another, though it is often purely sexual in nature. This type of relationship is quite common amongst Diabolus, who are often dumbfounded by the human romanticization of it, and the lack of it in their own concepts of heaven. Sex between Diabolus is a pure enjoyable activity and unlike other races can last for days, weeks, months or even years at a time.
- Magister (師匠(マギステル); Latin for "Guardian", Japanese for "Master"): This type of relationship is a form of guardianship, in which one Diabolus acts as an overseer or guide to another. It is most like the concept of a human "parent" or guardian who watches over the other in the relationship, albeit it is not just a platonic relationship. It extends towards both parties, establishing a sort of spiritual link between them. Despite the appearance of this relationship it is considered a romance due to the nature of the guardianship, as Diabolus very rarely engage in this form, often requiring an immense amount of attraction, though not in a sexual context.
- Aemula (運命敵(アエムラ); Latin for "Rival", Japanese for "Destined Enemy"): Of all the types of relationships, Aemula is the one least understood by humans; in fact - its very existence opposes all emotions associated with love and romance. Aemula draws its base emotions from hate deeply intertwined with sexual desire, as opposed to compassion or love. Aemula is not as much a relationship as it is a very long conquest for supremacy, every part of their relationship being based on their clashing viewpoints, vehemence and battles, both those of willpower and those of an actual physical nature. Rutilus and Flamen are known to be each others respective Aemula; and have been so for many centuries. Sexual indulgence between two Aemulas is ascertained to be much different from that of its counterpart Venus; and human intercourse by extension. For Aemula, sex is more than simply pleasurable, it's a battle, both participants fighting tirelessly to dominate their partner in every way possible. Due to the brutality and violence of the act itself, injuries between the two participants are very common and indeed even encouraged. Should the day ever arrive where one failed to injure the other, it would mark the other as the clear "victor" of the relationship and Aemula would immediately be broken. Aemula's very rarely kill one another; as among Diabolus, such a relationship is held in high regard.
Powers
Diabolus have a multitude of powers at their disposal, most of which are unique to a specific Diabolus. The more powerful or higher caste a Diaboli is, the greater the power and scope of their abilities. Unlike Shinigami or Hollows, a Diabolus may not need to expend energy to use their abilities, and for this reason they are considered very dangerous by Shinigami and Hollows alike.
- Mutator Formarum (変身 (ムタトルフォルマルム), Japanese for "Metamorphosis", Latin for "He Who Changes"): This power allows a Diaboli to change their form. The transformation isn't perfect, any spiritually aware being can almost immediately sense the presence of a Diabolus within the vicinity, unless said Diabolus has some form of specialized magic designed to keep itself hidden. While the forms a Diaboli can assume are varied, there are restrictions dependent on individual skill and level. Generally all Diabolus are capable of assuming a humanoid form, as it offers the greatest flexibility and allows them to integrate themselves into human society. More skilled practitioners can assume various animal forms while others can take on more monstrous and equally dangerous forms. However, changing their shape doesn't confer proficiency in any one form. For this reason most Diabolus prefer to keep a small list of favored forms, since even if they do transform, they are not automatically proficient in its use.
- Favored Forms: The favored forms serve another purpose as well, namely that they once they have been assumed multiple times their spiritual core and signature adapt to this form and changes it from merely being a disguise to becoming that apart of the Diabolus in question. This form can be assumed at will and there is absolutely no danger for the Diabolus to be detected, as the form automatically changes the biological and bio-spiritual makeup to match that of that of a natural inhabitant of that plane or world. It defaults to the most humanoid one available. Furthermore, their favored forms also works as an Anchor to that world, and by extension they cannot be banished back to their plane of origin while assuming this natural form.
- Daemon Possessio (魔族獲得 (ダエモンポセシオ), Japanese for "Demonic Possession", Latin for "Spiritual Possession"): All Diabolus possess the ability to possess the body of a living creature, as they are dual-natured beings, where the body and soul are separate. Consequently this means that a Daemon is generally unable to use this power on other spiritual entities. The process is very painful for the recipient unless certain measures are taken, and long-term possession can leave a host physically and mentally scarred. Diabolus are able to circumvent this side effect if the host is willing, and agrees to the possession. They frequently use this as a means of interacting in the Human World, though a majority of their power is largely inaccessible to them, however the host in question is granted minor supernatural abilities. Furthermore a Diabolus may simply reside in the Inner World of the host withdrawing to this space to allow the mortal to retain full autonomy of their body.
- Somnium Fugo (夢大食漢 (ソムニウンフゴ), Japanese for "Dream Eater", Latin for "Dream Chaser"): Dreams are the projection of one's subconscious thoughts, and in some cases are strong enough to create a temporal demi-plane interconnected to the infinite realms in the universe. Diabolus are spiritual creatures that are naturally attuned to these inter-dimensional boundaries, and are able to temporarily bypass the Gates of Hell to enter a persons dreams. Typically this is done on those a Diaboli is already familiar with, using them to interact with their intended victims or even allies in the Human World. A Diabolus' skill with this ability is measured in the amount of control they are able to exert on this dream plane, though many prefer to use this ability solely for the purpose of contracting Faustian Bargains.
- Spatium Mótus (瞬間移動 (スパチウンモウツス), Japanese for "Teleportation", Latin for "Spatial Movement"): All Diabolus possess the ability to teleport at will. Like most of their powers it is inherent and instinctive to the more dull-witted Bestia-type Diabolus. This ability works by bending the space between two locations, using a shimmering but translucent barrier or what is known as the "teleportation gate" as an anchor. This technique is rather slow, its speed varying depending on the intended distance. It is believed that the Gates of Hell and even more likely the River Styx itself makes it all but impossible to travel between domains or escaping Hell itself. For all of its power, this technique suffers from a number of weaknesses: Firstly, Diabolus cannot teleport to a location they currently cannot see, have not already been to before or lack relevant details of the locale to form the necessary connection. Secondly those familiar with the teleportation of a Diaboli can discern when a Diaboli is preparing to teleport. Finally, the teleportation itself leaves a residual trail known as a "teleportation trace"; meaning any creature close enough could potentially follow the Diaboli even after its already left the location, assuming it hasn't closed. Due to the complexities of this technique it is rare that it is used in battle, as the average casting time requires roughly 10-20 seconds from its beginning to completion, depending on the strength of any given Diabolus.
Sortiarius (魔法(ソルチアリウス), Latin for "One Who Influences Fate", Japanense for "Magic") is how Diabolus use and manipulate spiritual energy to alter the spiritual and physical world around them. Unlike Kido which is based solely on the "language of magic" principle, which makes use of prayers, and incantations to shape their spiritual energy, the very nature of the Diabolus is a representation of concepts and principles on a magical universal scale. They employ complex rituals, and languages no mortal mouth is capable of uttering, invoking powers beyond this realm, plucking the strings of higher powers to their whim. Sortiarius is thus a form of magic that allows Diabolus to enact changes on the spiritual and physical world far beyond the capacity of a lone Kido. Despite this, there is a danger in its use: Unlike a Kido which is simply the transformation of own's spiritual energy, and thus more easily controlled, a Sortiarius can be extremely difficult. A single spell is often poetic in nature but its length could be as long as an entire book. Furthermore controlling it often requires Foci, symbols to act as bridges to concepts or to create bonds where magical energy may flow. The might of a complete Sortiarius spell is devastating, wide-reaching and very powerful, capable of inflicting change on a global scale.
Upon using Sortiarius the practitioner releases a chaotic flux of energies which strives to accomplish the purpose he or she has in mind, all the while draining energy directly from the caster as is required. The power of Sortiarius is also its biggest drawback; as while Sortiarius is in theory unrestricted, the caster may not necessarily be capable of paying the price for the spell; and thus they're essentially devoured by the influx of their own spiritual energy. Unlike Kidō, Sortiarius can never be controlled entirely and the effects of a spell is usually manifested differently each time it is cast, in order to adapt to the situation the spell will most commonly draw on additional energy to accomplish its task. Since the energy drained varies depending on the present circumstances, casters usually calculate the power of an opponent's defensive techniques and additions before casting a spell; as the Sortiarius spell will always draw on the necessary energy to breach an adversaries defense unless specifically commanded not to.
There are five different ways of casting Sortiarius:
- Thought: Unlike Kidō, Sortiarius can easily be cast through thought alone. Very few Diabolus actually do so however, given how a single stray thought at the wrong time could easily result in a spell ending in complete failure, or worse yet a backlash of tremendous proportion - the greatest of masters within Sortiarius however do use this nevertheless, although only for rather simple effects and never for anything of too large a scale.s.
- External Means: Sortiarius spells can be bound directly onto items or even living creatures through the use of several methods. In the case of items it is enough to simply inscribe the words and the necessary pentagrams, sigils, or crests upon a smooth surface along with providing a word of activation. Most Diabolus Sorcerers carry small spell-books in which they keep these bounded spells. When they need to cast a spell they simply rip out the respective page from the book and speak the word of activation; thereby casting the spell without any chance of backlash or failure, most scrolls are a one-time use and they commonly disintegrate after having been used. In the case of living creatures however it is required that they're tattooed with the spell sigils and crests in question and then the spell will activate when they want it to do so. These "living scrolls" never lose their powers and will draw on the energy of the subjects themselves, or others depending on how they're constructed to fuel the spell-work. The tattoos may be inscribed without consent: Many high-ranking Diabolus inscribe their slaves with powerful spells for easier access and have carefully constructed doctrines in order be capable of activating the spells at will, even if they're not inscribed on their own body.
- Magical Sigils: The most advanced of all Sortiarius casters possess the ability to construct magical sigils and crests conjured seemingly out of thin air as foci for their magic. These are about as foolproof as spell scrolls but they're much more extensive and can be used in order to bind several spells together - these sigils usually work in "triggers", with each effect it conjures expanding upon the effect manifested before it. These triggers can also be cancelled at will, allowing the user to safely halt the progression of Sortiarius if it looks like a spell might be too extensive for them to safely cast. The greatest users can devastate entire villages with hell-fire and brimstone without breaking a sweat as well as single-handedly destroy whole armies if necessary.
- Incantations: Sortiarius can, like Kidō, be cast trough the use of incantations; albeit the types of incantations differ in that while Kidō Masters recite their incantations as metaphors and prayers, Diabolus command their Sortiarius to accomplish the given task. Their incantations are also exactly what they want to happen, only slightly rearranged and spoken backwards. The better the wording, the greater the efficiency of the spell; and it is fully possible for a particularly intelligent Diabolus to cast spells of great power with little effort provided their wording is appropriate - similarly, a tactless Diabolus may get him or herself killed by commanding the spell to do something that is naturally outside of their capability range. The vast majority of Diabolus choose to cast spells in this way.
Epithet
Epithet (名付ける(エフィタツ); Latin for "Twin Name", Japanese for "To Declare (one's name)"): Diabolus are creatures born of chaos, each a unique entity unto themselves. And as masters of shape-shifting, they possess the ability to alter their form representing the physical manifestation of the evil that composes them. As such all Diabolus have a unique name or an Epithet, though it is not known at birth and generally must be learned similar to how Shinigami must learn the name of their Zanpakutou. Often an Epithet denotes their very dreams, desires, and characteristics, and are generally strings of words or small phrases. To initiate this transformation a Diabolus must announce their Epithet, a declaration, an acknowledgement of their very essence, knowledge and power given meaning and form through language.
The transformation resulting from the announcement of their Epithet for a Diaboli is very different from that of other Spiritual Creatures, in that it is in no way restricted; Diabolus are chaos incarnate, and their Epithet represent this inherent chaos. Upon announcing their Epithet, the physical abilities of a Diaboli: speed, strength, energy and durability, will change drastically. The transformation and the augmentations are wholly dependent on the current form assumed by the Diabolus, generally enhancing the abilities of said form. It is for this reason most Diabolus adopt a humanoid form as it is considered the most "balanced" and provides the greatest augments overall, such changes including bestial or demonic features befitting their new abilities. The transformation augments not only their physical abilities but the inherent and magical abilities of the Diaboli as well, granting improved versions of their techniques or completely new ones altogether.
A Diaboli who announces their Epithet whilst in an animal form however will usually take on a much more monstrous appearance, usually changing in size drastically as well; these forms usually focus on a wide spectrum of granted abilities many of which include what is commonly attributed to mythical creatures, and a Diabolus in their bestial Epithet form often reveal abilities such as fire-breathing, various forms of powerful attacks that effect large areas as well as almost invariably being granted incredible durability and strength to match their monstrous forms.
While the transformation itself does not change every time it is initiated, as implied, powerful Diabolus have been known to have their abilities adapt and change over the course of battle against their opponents, fitting with their chaotic nature, though such occurrences are very rare, possessed only by the strongest of Daemons and Arcus Daemons. Such adaptions include additional limbs, or the adjustment of specific attacks to counter those of the opponent, or even the reconstruction of various physical parts such as limbs to combat a threat. A Diabolus' Epithet is thus almost never identical to how it appeared previously, making them extremely unpredictable, and very deadly combatants.