Demon

Demons are Mythics that are superficially similar to humans in shape and features, one of the only types of Mythic to fit that description (the other being Angels). But Demons are taller and hardier than the average human, and originate from enormous caverns towards the center of the Earth as opposed to being born on the surface. As they have to exist within the same space as the core of the planet, a Demon's body is almost entirely made out of magic. The only physical piece of their form is a collection of soot-like particles that can withstand the immense pressure and heat of the world below. These particles can be seen by ordinary humans, resulting in superstitions of "possessed" humans acting strangely or "dark forces" pursuing people through streets at night.   In reality, Demons are not capable of possession, and they are not (inherently) evil. Above ground, Demons are most well-known for being the companions of Blood Witches, as with Lei and Maxwell, because their powers originate from much the same place; blood, suffering, and the expression of pain. As Demons themselves have no blood to make use of, they instead pursue techniques that bring out feelings of suffering in themselves and others. The most common of these are known as Pacts, where Demons will deliberately restrict their fondest memories and deepest desires to make their own abilities stronger. Beyond this terrifying magic, Demons are experts at close-range combat due to their Tales.   Every Demon has a Tale. As they grow older and become more powerful, their Tales grow in turn. Each Tale manifests in two forms— first, when not in use, it remains attached to their body as a tail, resembling the tail of an animal that represents their legacy. But when a Demon so wishes, they can reach behind their back and transform their Tale into a blade. The exact type and size of blade depends on the Demon, but each has an unbreakable edge and a unique ability that can only be used when the blade is "unsheathed." This comes at a cost: the blade of each Tale has its Demon's true name inscribed upon it, allowing an onlooker to understand the Demon's true past and identity. (A major taboo in Demon society.) This makes most Demonic battles tense, isolated duels that create a sense of intimacy between the two fighters. It is no wonder, then, that Demons usually only pursue relationships with other Demons that they have previously dueled.   In extremely rare cases, it is possible for a single Demon to have more than one Tale. The most powerful Demon in recorded history is the legendary Nine-Tailed Dragon, named for their possession of nine full Tales of exceptional power. Their legacy, however, has long since faded into myth.