Curse

For the Magic with a similar name, see Curse Magic.

Curses (呪法 Juhō) are the main form of combat utilized by Demons, most notably the Demons of Tartaros.

History

According to Mard Geer, hundreds of years ago, The One Magic developed into many different kinds of Magic, however during that period of development and expansion, E.N.D. discovered a different route that Magic could take and thus created Curses. With its power rooted in the negative emotions set forth by humans (such as greed, envy and hatred), many Demons that utilize Curses call it the ultimate power, most notably Mard Geer, who goes as far as to say that Magic has no future and that Curses are the superior ability that rule over all others.^[1]

Overview

Whilst similar to Magic in several regards, Curses are more foul in nature^[2] (a notion supported by the fact that Curses are run off of negative emotions)^[3] and are superior in the regard that they, and those who utilize them, are unaffected by Magic-canceling/nullifying objects, such as Face.^[4] Also, like Magic, Curses come in a wide variety, such as Jackal's Curse involving explosions,^[5] Tempester's revolving around natural disasters,^[6] Franmalth's involving absorption and application of his absorbed material,^[7][8] Kyôka's involving altering physical sensitivity^[9] and empowerment,^[10] Ezel's involving the usage of arms as a blades,^[11] and Seilah's involving command and control.^[12]

Usage

According to Jackal, Curses are not to be confused with Magic and are used by those at Tartaros, wherein the kind that they use are considered to be of the highest tier.^[2] While like Magic in the sense it can used for a variety of purposes, due to having negative emotions as it’s source, most of its techniques are considered far dangerous and amoral, primarily used to bring harm and misery to others.^{[13] [14]} Seemingly, users are able to use items to utilise Curses, similar to Magic Items.^[15]

Curse Power

Curses run on Curse Power (呪力 Juryoku),^[16] an energy that in and of itself is the manifestation of powerful, negative human emotions, how the process is done is unclear, yet somehow cultivated into energy and stored within the body as fuel to cast Cursed spells and techniques.^[3]

Similar to Magic Power, Curse users can store their Curse Power within their bodies and employ it to cast various techniques. The amount of power they can have is limited, overuse of their power will render them drained of strength and stamina should they exhaust most of their Curse Power.^[17]

Curse Power has been described as a creepy and ominous power by Mages when it emanates from the Curse user.^[18] Etherious specifically can increases the level of their Curse Power upon transforming into their Etherious Form, the state where they're at their strongest and utilize more powerful Curse techniques.^[19]

Curse Power can also be used in conjunction with Ethernano-based attacks, supposedly boosting its offensive potency, the Mage's Magic gains a darker aura mixed with their Magic Power.^[20]

Hand Signs

Similar to Magic, there are a few Cursed techniques that requires a certain hand sign, motion or gesture in order to perform and cast it,^[21] even just pointing and snapping at a target from a distance, as well as used to mentally control the movement of a Curse ability.^[22]

Side Effects

Curse Power may also be tied to the user's life force, as over use of one's power to the point where it's nearly deprived causes the user exhaustion and low on stamina. Complete depletion of one's Curse power may potentially cause the death to the user.^[23]

Cursed Combat

Curses by their very nature are dark and malefic, therefore its main use excels in offensive combat more so than Magic, causing great, destruction, pain and suffering to the point of maniacal torture when employed. While Curses can augment one's Melee Combat, more often most Cursed abilities primarily focus on harming as well as weakening the targets to gain a better edge in a fight, such as poisoning,^[24] painfully restricting one's movements,^[25] damage upon contact,^[26] manipulating people, even corpses^[27] and causing mayhem to anyone in the crossfire in general.^[28]

Cursed Pressure

Curse users can also exert their Curse Power in the form of an aura enveloping their bodies. Having high levels of Curse Power causes the highest levels of pressure. A notable usage of this is used to release a strong bursts of power to push back opponents, as well as instil fear and intimidation onto a target. Etherious notably release a large amount of power when entering their Etherious Form where their power reaches its peak.^[19][29][18]

While the color of the aura varies between users,^[30] more often their aura takes on a black hue,^[31] or at least a darker shade of color.^[32]

Curse Sense

It’s possible for certain individuals, especially those who are skilled in sensory are able to detect one’s Cursed Power or Pressure. As Mard Geer was aware of the battle between Seilah and Mirajane Strauss from a complete different area as the two unleashed their strongest forms.^[33] The Dragon Slayers facing Mard Geer were able sense the Demon's Cursed power as he prepares for this assault.^[18] Curse user's who specialize in both Magic and Curses can be difficult to gauge for Mages who are more so trained and in sensing Magic Power.^[34]

Curse Transfer

Curse users are able to transfer their Curse Power to one another, thus, increasing the power of the one receiving the transfer to. The transfer is shown to be done via physical contact such as holding each others hands.^[35]

Through a contract with Mard Geer, the bodies of some of his allies are constantly being supplied with faint amounts of Curse Power. This can also increase a Demon's natural healing ability.^[36]

Cursed Items

Cursed Items are tools infused with Cursed Power. A Curse user can employ their signature Curses through the item in question to cast a variety of spells and techniques, being notably effective in combat especially against Mages. This however is rarely used with Keyes being the sole example to utilize his Curse via his Khakkhara staff.^[37][38]

Exorcism

Curses can be rendered ineffective through exorcism abilities that purges the Cursed Energy. Devil Slayers, are also known as Exorcist Mages who use their Devil Slayer Magic to nullify Cursed techniques. Devil Slayers also exhibit a degree of immunity towards Curses.^[39]

Magic and spells with holy attribute can also have a dispelling effect on Cursed techniques, negating it to a certain extent.^[40]

Curses

Absorption Curse	Alegria	Bomb Curse
Calamity Curse	Demon Eyes	Enhancement
First Seal	Judgment of Malefic Star	Macro
Memento Mori	Necromancer	Second Seal
Slippery Curse	Tenchi Kaimei	Tenga Goken
Third Seal	Thorn Curse

Trivia

• Due to Hakune’s prior knowledge of Curses, it’s possible that Curses also exist in Elentear.^[41]

References