A Torch (トーチ Tōchi) is a replacement of a human who has had their Power of Existence devoured by a Crimson Denizen, and is created by using remnants of that person's existence. They serve to act as stopgaps to soften the impact of Distortions on the world caused by the devouring of Power of Existence.[1] Torches are most often created by Denizens when devouring humans, so that traces of their consumption of Power of Existence won't be found and they won't be hunted and detected.[2] Flame Haze may also create Torches if needed to soften Distortions. There are some entities that wish to create Torches for personal methods, such as Friagne, who wanted to use City Devourer by using many Torches.
A Torch with a Treasure Tool inside of it is regarded as a Mystes.
Process
There are five steps in the process of creating a torch and its purpose:
- When a human's Power of Existence is fully devoured by a Denizen, the resulting effect is the same as if the human were to have never existed. This would cause a large amount of Distortion to the world and the subsequent shock to the world's balance would be great.
- Flame Haze sense the Presence and signs of Distortions in order to track Denizens.
- As a countermeasure for step 2, Denizens choose not to consume all of the Power of Existence of the human, leaving just a little bit. They use an Unrestricted Spell on the human's remaining Power of Existence, causing the consumed person to keep their ties to this world for the time being. This creates a Torch, which temporarily acts as a substitute existence. Due to being created from the remnants of the human's Power of Existence, the Torch retains the memories and sense of self of the deceased person and can resume daily life for a limited time.[1][3]
- As its remaining power is consumed,[3] the Torch slowly loses its sense of self and its ties to this world. This helps reduce the speed and impact of their disappearance and the subsequent Distortions that would be created.
- The Flame Haze are unable to immediately detect the Distortion created, allowing the Denizen to move to a different location.
After being created, a Torch runs on its remaining Power of Existence and returns to life as normal. A Torch slowly becomes more and more disconnected from the rest of the world as its Flame dies out, gradually losing its relationships, sense of place, and sense of presence. It finally quietly disappears when it can no longer be perceived by others. As this is a loss of existence itself, once the Torch disappears, the human it was replacing is rendered to have never existed.[3] The human is completely forgotten and people with knowledge of the Crimson Realm will be the only ones to remember the person's existence.
Flame Haze are able to take over Torches by forcing themselves into the Torch's existence, after which surrounding people recognize them as the original human. Shana had previously forced herself into the existences of Junko Ōgami and Yukari Hirai.
Noted Torches
- Junko Ōgami
- Yūji Sakai
- Tenmoku Ikko
- Johann
- Yukari Hirai
- Lamies
- "Mystes of Papagena" (the girl Mare was parasitizing)
- "Grotesque Chakrams User"
Trivia
- When asked if a Torch can turn back into a human again, Friagne answers by comparing it to a flower: The plucked flower no longer produces seeds; it simply withers away.[4]
- Even if Flame Haze or Crimson Denizens were to share Power of Existence to them, they only become "healthy" Torches and are still fated to disappear eventually.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shakugan no Shana Guide Book Nyūmon-hen page 14
- ↑ Dengeki G's Festival! Vol.8 Page 17
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Shakugan no Shana Guide Book Nyūmon-hen page 15
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Shakugan no Shana no Subete page 126