The Relic: Lilith's Rib
The artifact known as Lilith's Rib is a physical piece of the ancient past. Its origin lies in the time when the demons were first being created. Lilith, in a state of intense infatuation with Arkhagos, sought a way to declare her absolute devotion. In a twisted act of love, she removed her own rib bone and gifted it to him.
Unbeknownst to her, this gift granted Arkhagos a terrifying level of dominion. Because the bone represented her total surrender, the rib—and the devotion attached to it—gave Arkhagos the power to control Lilith herself. Through her, he gained the ability to command higher-level demons, while the rib also maintained authority over the lower-level entities.
Though Arkhagos's own strength was already enough to rule the Underworld, the rib became a specialized tool of dominion. Beyond its power to summon demons, the rib possesses the horrifying ability to transform any human into a demon at the wielder's discretion.
The Mechanics of Demonic Possession
While demons possess the inherent ability to inhabit human forms, the nature of these unions is split into two distinct variants, determined by the intent of the demon and the consent of the human vessel.
Positive Possession
Positive Possession is exemplified by the union between Hakuna and the demon Psycha. This state is achieved when the possession is born from uncharacteristically pure intentions by the demon and is accepted with the host's consent.
~ The Gift of Vitality: The host is granted immense power and the ability to wield Daemonium. Crucially, it grants the host Eternal Youth, slowing the aging process to a near-halt.
~ The Shared Mind: The vessel gains access to the demon's subconscious fighting experience, which has been honed over millennia. They also inherit the demon's knowledge of magic and a vast library of complex spells.
Negative Possession
Negative Possession, such as the union between Rorisang and the demon Sparta, is far more destructive. While it still requires the vessel's consent, it is born from malevolence and a desire to achieve evil goals.
~ The Parasitic Trade: The host still gains immense power, Daemonium access, and the demon's combat experience. However, because the union is based on malevolence, it does not grant Eternal Youth.
~ The Discarding: Once the demon has achieved its goals, it strips the vessel of all power. It leaves behind a shadow of malevolence that actively eats away at the host's soul.
~ The Severing: The vessel eventually suffers a painful death, but more significantly, they lose their Talent. They are forever severed from their core ability, becoming a hollow shell before the end.
The Curse of Lilith
Because Lilith's Rib holds dominion over Lilith and her children, it grants the wielder a unique "kill switch" over any possessed vessel. This is known as the Curse of Lilith.
The wielder of the rib can place a vessel's demon into a state of Spiritual Stasis. This effectively strips the host of the demon's power, rendering them a baseline human in the middle of a conflict. Once placed in stasis, the demon is locked in a void and cannot provide strength, experience, or magic to the host.
Breaking the Stasis
The Curse of Lilith is nearly absolute. There are only three ways to free a demon from this paralysis:
1. The Wielder's Release: The person holding the rib chooses to end the stasis.
2. Destruction of the Rib: If the physical artifact is destroyed, the curse is broken.
3. A Miracle: One must possess a power strong enough to surpass Lilith, the Mother of Demons. Such a feat is beyond conventional strength and is considered a miracle.