Artist:Darkness OST - Song:Darkness - Word Count: 1790
The next few seconds were like an eternity of silence in the monster's mind. It waited patiently, having extended its offer and waiting to hear of this mad girl's response. What hung in the balance here was very special, a chance to take one giant step for the both of them toward their dark and demented futures. Two chaotic, boundless and destructive beings that had no reason to trust one another and could very well break into a battle of destructive proportions that dwarfed the damage already left in the wake of Demonica's rampage...But all the Hollow needed to hear were a few simple words, words that would twist the direction of this brief encounter into one of hostility, or a demented unholy union the world of the damned, the living, and the inverse would suffer from. Tangible breath spilled from the beast's mouths, toxic smoke spilling from them with every breath they took. The myriad of tendrils floated in place, only shifting through the air slowly in anticipation. The dead eyes of the monster's current host only got dimmer and dimmer, as if the strings keeping it alive were being severed in preparation for something else, a scheme of a much more grand design that made this vessel nothing more than an obsolete pawn. It didn't offer a reply to their comment, instead just watching them, waiting for those words to spill from their mouth, the answer that would seal their future in a matter of seconds. And after an eternity of waiting in their warped mind?
He had his answer. The corpse and the jaws of every single serpent that made up the sea of tendrils broke out in a smile. The four snake-like constructs opened their jaws in union, speaking in a distorted, static-like tone in perfect sync
"
Y̭̹̹͚̳͓̺o̼͘u̴͇̼̭̤ ͎͍h̶͇̟͖̤av̴̠̯̮̞̫̭̹e ̺no͝ ͖̣̯͚̻͡i̧̬̟̺d̞͍͉̮͉͖e̸̲̠̩͎̱̜̗a̦̪͎ ̺̜̪̞ho̶͍̼ͅw̸̖̯̹͕̲ ̦͍͢r̢͔i̫͇̙͎̥g̛͉̦h͜t̞̜́ y̖̮͉̫̯̱̤͟ǫ͉̹̻u̹̠̹̯̝ à̤͙̤̝̳̗r͔̠e̞!̲͉"
Devouring him was exactly what was about to happen.
As Demonica's power began to flourish? Her energy building around her and creating an unstable veil that broke the very landscape to cinder, ash, and molten rock, a much more unstable power began to manifest. The seal holding in the majority of the Hollow's power began to crack, wisps of dark miasma spilled from every part of their host's body. Evil, malice, and suffocating predatory instinct surged through this dark power as it eclipsed them! The darkness flooded around them, connecting together and creating a dome of pitch darkness around the two. The entire outside world was obscured from view, unable to observe the twisted process about to take place under the cover of darkness. Powerful gales ripped the ground apart outside of this small chamber, blowing way the broken remains and any remaining onlookers that were lucky enough to survive the slaughter. The inside of this creation was just as dark as the walls themselves, not a scrap of light existing within it! At least, not for a few moments.
This darkness inside was shattered by crimson lightning flickering to life around Ruvik! The electricity crackled and flared, creating a flashing veil of red that flickered almost blindingly in the confines of the dome. More tendrils and wisps of dark energy spilled from the zombified host, their body losing more color and appearing closer and closer to a deceased husk! With every ounce of power that escaped it, the closer the puppet was to returning to death! The insides of this place became more and more crowded, additional serpents of ethereal power crawling along the walls and the floor. They swarmed around Demonica in a perfect circle, moving faster and faster, closing in as more of that warped, hellish energy flooded and compacted inside the dome. The electricity became more intense, bursting to life around every tendril and casting the interior in a dull crimson glow.
"
N̞̘̹͉̳̲͟O̳͈̫̱̖̠̬W̘̻͉͈͙͓̕ ͕͉͇͎̞̹́T̴̙̼̥̗̣̤̮A͇K̡̗E̝ ̘̝̜͠ͅI͉̮̩̪͖ͅT͝!̩"
The voice resonated from every angle as if the world itself was speaking to Demonica now.
All of the corrupting energy around her began to turn, the serpent's eyes all facing her and the destructive energy around her. This would serve as a far more powerful vessel and contract than any other before them. Everyone else before this was fodder in comparison, a warm up before the parasite's true potential could be unleashed and intertwined with another monster's to create something truly horrifying. Were this anyone else there might have been a sense of dread, a feeling that a mistake was made and things were going to take a turn for the worst. But Demonica wasn't a simple mortal, far from it. They were another abomination of creation, a destructive force of nature that couldn't be bound as easily by mortal frailty.
The darkness lunged forward, all of the tendrils, vectors, snakes, and constructs all becoming a single mass of dark energy that surged forth in a single wave from every direction. It was overwhelmingly potent, containing almost every drop of power Ruvik had at once as the majority of its body flowed towards the girl. The lightning crackled more violently than ever, the dome of shadows cracking and contorting from the immense pressure inside. If Demonica made no effort to fight against it? The mass of shadows would surge into her from every orifice. It crept down her throat, through her ears, through the pours in their skin, merging itself not just with her body, but their very soul! She would feel boundless pressure on her body the instant the merger began, her breathing would cease and their form would go completely still! Increasingly potent amounts of corrupt energy merged with their being, the sparks of Crimson no longer manifesting along the tendrils, but around Demonica's body directly!
Deep down the girl would feel something change, like a fundamental fragment of their very soul was being consumed and then replaced with something much more powerful and demented than even their own madness. Alongside the binding process, a contract would be made between them, one that would bind the two together far more closely than any ties of blood or water. A fragment of their very souls was exchanged, part of the Hollow's essence becoming one with the Demon as part of her essence became one with him. Even if they were to separate, it was a bond that wouldn't waver until one of them took active efforts to do away with it.
The energy continued to push into the girl, her power increasing drastically as their strengths became one! The ground ruptured, miles upon miles of land being consumed by a storm of destruction created by their unifying strengths! The dome could no longer contain it! It shattered like glass, the bits of shadows that created it combing with the rest of the miasma and flooding into the new vessel's body as well. The lightning in the sky turned red, the darkness that had been unleashed warping and contorting the very reality around them and threatening to snap it to pieces from their newfound presence alone! Physical marks of their union began to take hold as well.
Slowly, scale-like armor would manifest in Demonica's flesh. It didn't coat it, but was fused into her flesh! The natural blade-like nature of her skin carried over into this new reinforced flesh, empowered by it and becoming more dangerous than ever! A new layer of orange muscle tissue became visible alongside this new flesh, an additional layer to draw strength and power from that had the durability of steel. These changes moved around the girl's entire body, a facemask growing over their chin and covering their mouth as well, though they'd still be able to speak clearly. By the end of it, Demonica's entire being would be a walking suit of flexible weightless armor and reinforced muscle. The last traces of the twisted Hollow's influence combined with this coating of green scale-like flesh, merging with the Demon's body and finishing the merger between them.
Three of the four segments that made up Ruvik's existence had become one with Demonica, only a single, drastically weakened fragment left behind in the Shinigami's body. The former puppet's flesh was broken and torn, blood spilling from almost every appendage just from the pressure of the explosive show in front of them. Though they still clung to life with what darkness remained, they were clearly drastically weaker than before, less lively and lacking much of the dangerous aura they previously carried...
But Demonica?
She would feel like a god compared to moments before. Sparks of crimson crackled around them, every aspect of what they were magnified greatly! They had an entirely new league of energy to control. Their every muscle reacted faster, stronger, and could tolerate more pressure. Their every ability and technique was stronger, more efficient and warped with the essence of the Hollow's malice. They'd even find any wounds they acquired, if any, regenerating and healing at a tremendously quick rate. It was like everything about them was a better version of what they were before
The tendrils that remained began to recede into the Shinigami's body, concealing Ruvik's power inside it and giving them the same look of powerlessness as before...Meanwhile, Demonica surged with the Hollow's strength, free to use it to their heart's content so long as the creature allowed it. For the moment, the two were one, the creature's voice echoing in the girl's very mind and soul.
"
..It is done...How does it feel?"
It questioned, speaking directly to the Demon's mind. It's voice was much more clear than when it spoke openly. He'd hear her thoughts without the two even needing to speak. Every memory and aspect of who Demonica was surged into the consciousness of the parasite. They gained an understanding of her powers, history, and desires almost as closely as the woman herself throughout their explosive merger. The storm of destruction forged by the flashy process began to die down with its conclusion...But that power was there to stay. The armor-like flesh glowed with corruption, a thick miasma of darkness flowing around the girl gently.
The weaker body inhabited by the last fragment of the Hollow took a step back, drawing a line through the air with their fingertips. They were no longer needed here. Space and time were ripped apart at the creature's leisure, a black Garganta forming where their finger crossed in a matter of seconds. Not long after, the nearly undead former host walked into the darkness of the hollow gateway. As soon as they stepped through it, the rift closed, taking them somewhere else for another task Ruvik needed to attend to. It wasn't safe to keep them here while Demonica had so much power now anyway.
"
...Go ahead and test yourself. I'm sure you'll be impressed..."
Abilities used/Active
- Infection:
The matter of hosts is both simple and complex. While it can be done without the target's consent, doing so under an agreement is much more favorable. If a host is unwillingly taken over, it can -only- be done if they are drastically damaged or immensely weaker than the parasite itself. (They must also give OOC consent to the event.) Not only is it extremely painful for the submissive party, but uncomfortable for the parasite. It takes time, at least three posts if anyone else is present in the area. It leaves the Hollow vulnerable while switching from one host to another. The highest form of benefit from the bonding will not manifest initially either and maintaining control with souls of a stronger willpower is a constant struggle. Memory will not absorbed and powers are not obtained until ten posts have passed. This occurs by the body of the parasite flooding into the host and fusing together with their soul. The entirety of what the parasite is and its power is hidden at that point until its ability manifests outside the hosts soul. Even advanced sensory techniques of the highest level will only sense the host directly and not the demon inside their spirit. When even the slightest power of the creature is used though, the guise is eradicated and the true nature and location of the beast is easily detected.
Now, if the person in question -is- willing to the arrangement, things go by a lot smoother. The event is painless with the creature entering their body and happens instantaneously. It becomes a lot more symbiotic as the two can cooperate and share control as needed for the best optimization. At this time, the highest power of the two will immediately become their overall power. This means that if the host is 3-1 and the Parasite is 0-3, the host could now operate at the level of a 0-3. When both the parasite and host and substantially powerful, something more deadly occurs. An overall bonus is gained above what either were individually! Say the host was a 1-1 and the parasite a 1-2, the combined strength of the pair would ascend to the text echelon of might at a full 0-5! When the tier gap is greater than 3 sub-levels. ( Such as 1-1 and 1-4) the increase will only be a minor move up. ( 1-1 --> 1-1+ or 1-1+ --> 0-5) Once the gap is equal to an entire level, no increase is gained at all. That does make the combination worthless though.
The parasite will immediately gain access to all of the host's natural , racial, and unique powers and forms. Even more deadly is access and permanent addition, all of the host's memory. Over the years, this ability has given the creature a wealth of knowledge equal to a thousand life times from the minds of others. This is so advanced that it can even surpass the hosts's own recollection by tapping into forgotten, brainwashed, or otherwise changed and blocked out memories locked in the back of the mind. This allows it to utilize the powers of the host just as well, if not better than they can! All skills, bar mental ones (WIllpower, focus, etc) and all general skills except weapon skill, will be raised to the level of the host when using their body. This goes on to improve future hosts by giving the parasite a better grasp on racial techniques than the body itself if a former host had such talents! ( For example, if a host with a master in kido is taken over, then the parasite moves to a shinigami with an adept in kido, the parasite can use the body to perform kido at master-level like the former host. For starting purposes, no such effect will occur until obtained via PC) This extends to unique racial techniques as well. Like the former example, if the parasite were to inhabit a host that can use customized kido especially for their own cause, those same kido could be used in the body of any other shinigami the creature inhabits due to fully understanding everything the original host did during the union. Lastly, the union enables a form of heightened combat effectiveness through the parasites influence. When effects are used to influence the host, such as stuns, mental freezing, or other effects that will hinder them or stop them in their tracks; the parasite can force control over the body to move through what the mind won't allow! This is vital, as it can be used to overcome fatal situations caused by pain, mental regression, and even illusions.
But why agree to such a union? On top of the potential bonus in power and an additional mental aid in battle, the parasite can offer the host access to the few of its own unique powers at any time to aid them in their own personal quests. Any ability the parasite has can be permitted for the host to access as if they were the owner. The parasite can even force unique effects on the host for their survival if need be. This includes causing the body to regenerate and infusing their natural powers with malevolent energy to augment them, which will be gone into further at a later section. In a manner unique to the fiend, it can even prevent the host body from dying to fatal wounds! If the host body were to suffer something such as decapitation or having important organs removed or damaged, it can use its own essence to force the body sustained until the lost material can be re-attached or regenerated respectively. Unfortunately this process is very draining and can't be done if the parasite is also exhausted. Doing so multiple times will lead to the body breaking down and eventual death. Lastly, the host will gain access to an overall increase in their strength, speed, and durability along with connections to a potential string of other allies in the web of the parasite, making for benefits even after the parasite has left the body, if it does. The parasite can even partially manifest itself through tendrils and the four serpents that represent it to aid the host in battle and bring even more terrifying power to the equation!
Perks are not without downsides. In this union the creature is still a parasite. It feeds off the host and their power. Over the long term this can cause the host to become more easily exhausted and ill more frequently. Around that time is when the parasite is most dangerous. These effects can be warded off by souls of exceptional willpower or strength, but in most cases the most deadly power of the creature to the host comes out more often. It can be done at any point, but when weakened is when it is the easiest. The parasite can fully take control of the hosts body and deny them completely access, or allow some minor amount of it depending on its will. The forceful push of the parasite can be done in order to survive, or just enact its malevolent will. This feat is based on a battle of willpower. The stronger force will win in the end and gain control. If the host is defeated in this manner multiple times, it becomes possible for the creature to gain -complete and unrestricted control- of their body and power. (This also requires OOC permission and can be negated at any point if an agreement is reached for a certain time.) Additional spirits can help prevent this of the host is unwilling. Shinigami are difficult to fully control because of this, and Vizards are an even more challenging soul to dominated. It isn't impossible, but require more time, a larger point of weakness, and more effort to maintain full control. During this state, it is also possible to consume the host entirely from the inside out. (Again, only with ooc consent, especially since it is an actual kill.) When this occurs, the body of the host rapidly breaks down and decays, the fiend consuming their soul in a much more efficient way than a normal Hollow. This is the main contribution to a ridiculous level of growth in power in such a short amount of time. When successful,. the creature will gain all of the hosts raw power and access to their powers. This includes the ascended levels of them through forms, but does not grant the form itself. Natural and racial powers are not gained via this method. Characters that already have an odd relationship with another creature, such as a symbiotic or parasitic life-form offering them strength to sustain them, Quincy, or pure/mostly machines are completely immune to any form of influence, control, or even bonding to the nameless fiend.
Upon attaining enough power and essence through these mediums, the parasite will eventually develop a full body of its own, and at that time transform into an Arrancar. The time of that is unknown, as will be the effects of the change. Due to the parasitic nature it has had for its entire existence, the effects couldn't be predicted as easily as the average Arrancar. When that time finally comes, it believes it will gain a new power entirely; one that is perfect to fit a perfect body it would make for itself. This is all speculation though.
- Darkness Armor:
Darkness Armor: The Darkness Armor is the next evolution of the Darkness Cloak attuned to a more offensive purpose. Where the Cloak offered a versatile defense that flowed freely, the Armor is more compact with benefits toward a more aggressive and offensive styles. The Armor, like the cloak is a manifestation of the Parasite's will mixed with the spiritual power of a Hollow and the host's own power. This forms from the host's skin. Liquid will rapidly pour out from the body flesh, coating the subject almost entirely in a green material. This materials quickly fuses together with the subject's flesh, then hardens back into a solid piece of material. It has a very stretchy and light-weight make up that ensures it doesn't reduce maneuverability, while also being very dense. The material gives the user a very unique look a kin to mutated dark-green flesh with bits of orange muscle scattered throughout the armor.It covers them entirely and fits perfectly to the curvature of their body, only leaving the hair and eyes uncovered. Over the lower-haf of the face a mask will form with the same greyish green texture as the rest of the body will now take.
The Darkness Armor can not be molded, changed, or manipulated like the cloak. It can't be condensed to an extremely defensive point, but makes up for that by being far stronger overall. The armor has durability equal to a master-level hierro, protecting the wearer from any attack be it minor or large-scale. The material has great resistance against things that center on piercing and against blunt force. When struck, the armor will absorb the force of an attack and disperse the energy over a large portion of its entirety, making it difficult to severely damage. It also offers great resistance to less mundane forms of attack like poison. Liquids, gases, and most spiritual powers will find it nearly impossible to reach the subject without breaking through the armor first. Though it is fused with the skin, it will not absorb chemicals or toxins on contact.
That rounds out the defensive properties of the armor, but its true use comes from its offensive. The Armor does not just fuse with the skin, but digs deeper into the body and strengthens the muscles and spiritual construction of the one effected by it. This drastically increases physical output. In Ruvik's case, it combines with the normal physical augmentation to give an even greater boost in raw might. Strength is increased to be three times as effective as it normally is by this method, where as a host's speed is .quadrupled! This will often make the host appear to blur from how fast they are and even contend with soul-dash level speeds for short bursts of time while active. For one exceptionally fast already, after-images may even form as they move. Lastly, it even has an effect on energy projection while this suit is in effect. When releasing energy from the body such as a cero, kido, or personal techniques, the armor infuses bits of dark power into the projection and increases their potency by 25%. This makes any form of energy used by the subject 1.25x as effective. It isn't as drastic as some things centered on that goal, but can still turn the tide of battle over time or be the deciding factor in close confrontations.
Additionally, like the cloak, this can be created through anyone that is linked with a Soul Contract. However, the effectiveness is reduced compared to one directly inhabited by the parasite. Th defensive coating will only be on par with advanced-level hierro. The physical enhancements are drastically decreased, though still effective. Instead, the effected will have one and a half times their normal strength, as well as twice their normal speed. It is no where near enough to operate at the same pace as the normal armor however. The increase to overall effectiveness with energy is also lowered to toughly ten percent. Along with effectiveness, the armor of contracted souls can vary cosmetically. Whether it be color distinction or slight changes in the texture, most souls will have a slightly different look to the ability. However, they will retain a likeness to one another and have the presence of muscle-like protrusions from their flesh. The armor is attuned to the flesh of the one effected by it, so it does not repair itself. However, if one can regenerate their own flesh, the armor will also be restored along with it.
Since the armor is composed of the same material as the Darkness Cloak, the two can never be used at the same time. In Ruvik's case, his normal ability to physically augment the host is also restricted. The armor is potent in many ways, but also taxing for those reasons. Any form of regeneration accessed with this ability in play will cost 1.5x as much energy as normal to restore the material along with their own being. This is not optional once they have been damaged with the armor in place. It must be restored before it can be deactivated unless the one inside it is knocked out ot killed. Energy is also drained from any kind of technique effected by the armor's augmentations equal to the amount of power they gained from its influence. Most notably is the effect it has with sunlight and holy energy. Like the Darkness Cloak, this is very vulnerable to the sun and divinity. Its effectiveness isn't as compromised, only being reduced by 25% while in direct sunlight or being struck by holy affinity, and as low as fifty percent when being assaulted by sunlight and holy energy together. It also comes with immense pain though. As the armor is directly linked tio the host body these two flaws will directly burn the subject. This burning, while not fatal without excessive exposure, is exceedingly painful. Flesh melts away over time and even the core of their being will feel pained unless the Darkness Armor is dispelled. The rate these damages occur depends on the power and scale of the source in question. Concentrations of photons or immense amounts of holy energy will be more effective than rays of standard sunlight.
- Malevolence:
Malevolence: Malevolence is the term used by the Hollow for its second most potent power. The creatures gains strength from the vile and malevolent emotions in the world. The killing intent of others and the hatred people have for one another. These emotions, thoughts, and actions all fuel the creature with greater strength and power than it already has! The darker a dimension it inhabits is, the more powerful it becomes because of the average intent of the realms people. This increases the fiends already monstrous strength, its speed, ability, and energy vastly by unknown intervals that constantly shift. This augmentation is influence by the entire world on a small scale, but people directly in interaction with the parasite influence it much more. It can draw power from the hatred and killing intent of the very foes it fights! Even the malice of the host can be drawn in to increase its overall ability. It is even worse when the source of their hatred and malice is the Hollow itself. That directed evil, a feeling of spite that can only be sedated by the creature's death offers the most power of all! Though these buffs are all undefined due to how radically they change and differ, the bonus is immense , and make the parasite one of the most deadly threats to those that oppose it and desire its end. It can range anywhere from a a minor increase of 1.1x to as large as multiplying the fiend's overall ability five fold in peak conditions!
Malevolence can be used for diverse purposes. It isn't just a raw power upgrade, but an energy that can be forged from the world around it. It takes the form of crimson sparks. It will mix together with the darkness cloak as an aura during battle in especially vile areas or against opposition desiring the creatures death. These sparks can be infused into any technique the parasite is associated with, such as the host's powers and any other the fiend can come across. These sparks bolster the offensive power of any skill. Minor changes often occur due to the corrupt energy. These things are minor, but showcase a shift in desire for something more destructive. A barrier may grow spikes that cut open any that touch it, or a blast of energy will become more explosive and have a minor change in color. Nothing too substantial, but the will of damnation is showcased in every ability altered by the crimson sparks. This electric energy can be unleashed on its own as a form of offensive. It can be shot into someone through contact, or release in a bolt of lightning that moves at incredible speed. The range is roughly half a mile, intended to strike a target at a large distance and moves at speed ten times greater than an actual strike of lightning, making evasion extremely difficult. When struck by either method, the electricity will burn the victim internally at a fast pace and even start to cook them! The pain is immense, and given prolonged contact or a continuous stream of lightning, the eyes will begin to boil and the lungs will cease to function. mIt takes only a post of continuous contact for the effect to reach that state, and given time could cook someone to death if they can't escape the effect. The unique thing about this lightning is that while harming a target, regeneration will be completely negated. Additionally the effected won't be able to use any healing effects for the duration of the post they are struck. This only lasts for the post itself, but given continuous strikes can seriously hinder those that overly rely in healing factors.
The last effect of malevolence is a form of sixth sense based on the concept. Whenever someone has vile intent toward the parasite or host, the parasite can sense it and feel through it with ease. This can even sense people that it doesn't even know exist if they are near and have this intent. It is an ultimate sense that can see through any disguise, acting, or illusion so long as the subject in question has that dark intent present. It helps see through surprise attacks and works in an instant. Sudden changes from a lack there of, to being effected by this can predict and help evade sudden assaults before the muscles in the body even move to act out their new malevolent will. It puts the subject in question on an invisible radar, allowing perfect tracking. Clones can be distinguished due to a lack of free will of their own in most cases to feel malice. The range of the ability is roughly two miles around the parasite and is very precise. Unfortunately it can not sense out raw attacks like beams or underground surges of stone rising up to strike. It can only sense the person directly and how intense their will for deception, destruction, and harm is.
Those free of ill intent are entirely immune to every aspect of this sensor, and should their intent be pure; can bypass most things related to malevolence entirely. Though the evil of the world will still fuel it to some degree, the opposition is the primary factor and heavily influences the effects in play
- Shadow Division:
Shadow Division: The parasite can split up its body into multiple segments at any time it desires. This is done by dividing the four heads that construct it and putting them in charge of their own mass of energy. Each form has all of the powers of the original and can each operate in tune with their own host. The downside to this is that doing so lowers the creature's power substantially. While at full strength or having three heads in place, no decrease in power is present. While two heads are linked together , the creature will function at 1 sub-tier lower than normal. ( 1-1 would be 1-2.) and while only a single head controls the body, it will be reduced by two sub-tiers. (1-1 to 1-3). While useful in many situations, it is dangerous to do so. Should any of the split forms be eradicated, they will not be able to join back together and instead the remaining body must regrow the lost material. This takes time, nearly 24 hours per lost body. This can nit be healed in the duration of a thread and may even last to threads that follow for a short time, especially if two or more parts of its being are damage during the split. Though they are separate, the constructs of the parasite can communicate at light speed through telepathy, practically sharing a hive-mind that can work in a synergistic manner.
- Soul Contract:
Soul Contract: Perhaps the second most potent ability at the parasite's disposal. The Soul Contract is the second best thing to fully infesting a person's body and claiming their strength as its own. The process is a simple one, but very effective and diverse in what occurs. To incur a soul contract, the creature simply need ask them if they accept a contract that will be told at the time of through any medium. The terms are usually vague, promising power and aid in fulfilling some kind of vendetta or revenge against another in return for a favor or two in the future. If they accept, then the creature can make the deal official by any means it desires. There isn't a specific ritual to it and could be made painfully over-the-top, or as simple as a touch on the forehead. They need not even be close to one another for this to take effect. However, there is a way to force the contract on to another, but it is much harder to do. The first is that the subject in question be drastically weakened. If they are near the creature's level or even decently powerful, they would need to be in a state of great emotional distress or decreased willpower. The second medium is if they simply are drastically weaker than the parasite. In which case the contract can be forced upon them.
Now, what does this contract do exactly? As in the name, it is a contract of the soul. Unlike traditional demon cliches, this isn't an ownership of the one in question, but a deep link put in place between the soul of the parasite and the subject in question. There is no limit to how many people can be linked this way, but it can also be broken should the subject desire it and have the willpower to do so. Power isn't even needed to break the bind, only willpower. The contract has benefits for both parties that make it a less-than-easy choice to simply request the contract be removed or force it off themselves. Starting with immediate effects. The contract will put a seal somewhere on the subjects body. This seal will be pitch black in color and has the mold of a serpent's head.. While this is in place, the effected will gain an enormous rush of energy and even the parasite's regeneration immediately after the contract begins. This only lasts for the thread in question, but is still useful. The second and more long-lasting change is in the subject's intent. The seal brings out the darkest parts of who they are, be it greed, lust, or just wrath and hatred. These aspects are amplified multiple times over, turning minor flaws into the biggest parts of who a person is so long as the contract is in place.
This seal will allow the parasite to give the subject in question immense power, No matter how weak they were before, this can raise them up to a level just one tier lower than the parasite itself. If someone is already at that level or above, a bonus is still obtained. The limt will change to instead offering only a half-tier bonus ( 1-1 -> 1-1+ etc). Like all other things, the parasite controls how much power it offers and can alter the tier anywhere from their base level to the maximum on a thought. Additionally as a bonus, the creature can allow someone access to the darkness cloak ability with the same benefit it has while using it. However, unlike the host, that is the only ability it can offer through this medium, and a seldom one. Only the most useful of contracted combatants will be allowed to use it. A bonus of such power is life changing for some, but it isn't without flaws. Naturally the parasite has benefits from the ordeal as well.
The first is an always active effect that slowly drains the soul of the one effected. This is so ridiculously slow that it can't be noticed for an exceedingly long amount of time. This is a medium for the creature to gain energy from other creatures aside the host and even gain the essence of races it can't normally infest, such as Quincy. The process is very slow though, not having much effect until weeks have passed with the seal active. At that point the subject may begin to feel minor illness that fades away in a few hours, only coming back every few weeks for short bursts of time. Only after multiple months does it become worse and last for longer periods. This can never kill someone, but eventually can build to serious migraines and other pains. The more power they gain compared to their original tier, the more these effects manifest and plague them throughout a month.
The creature also has extensive control over the contracted subjects. A number of simple powers can be accessed relating to those in question. The first is summoning, a basic technique that can take away someone under the conscription from the area they are in and bring the person directly before the parasite and their current host. This takes the form of a mass of dark energy manifesting around the target and consuming them to nothingness; rebuilding their body under the guise of another energy mass directly before the creature. The opposite can also be done. Through the contracted, the parasite can warp its own body to the same location as any that are linked to its soul. At the time the host will also be brought along by the extension of the parasite's will. These methods both take a full post to complete, making it unwise during battle where a distraction isn't available.
The second means of control is sensory. At any time the parasite can telepathically communicate with any contracted soul whether they want to or not. At this time the creature can read their thoughts and project its own at light speed. Aside being nifty communication, this telepathy has controlling properties. The words and commands spoken over this medium have an alluring effect that makes the subject desire to follow them. This is not control, but an extremely effective passive suggestion, One can easily ignore, or alter the orders given enough willpower, but since most subjects are treated as friends and associates, it isn't as easy as disregarding an enemy. It has the same effect as a request being given by a close friend. Sure, anyone could turn it down. They're not being forced to obey. They just want to. The second effect is sensory intake. At any time the parasite can tap into the senses of those affiliated with the contract and hear what they hear, see what they see, so on and so forth. It is like looking at a video through the eyes and ears of the subject and makes for useful tactical application. That is as far as it goes
The last effect of the contract is the most useful for the parasite,. While in place, the creature can use any powers that the contracted can utilize in all but their peak state, unless the person only has one state; in which case all powers will be available. This will only apply to personal ability, not racial skills or natural talents. For example, if a fire bender were to be contracted under this ability and they had access to their bankai, the parasite, and thus the host could utilize all powers and techniques available to the subject from their base form and shikai. The techniques follow the same guidelines and barriers as the original user, but do not require the same medium. Rather than a sword, the parasite could bend flames through its body, or the host's physical appendages. Any power generated via this medium is composed of malevolent energy and altered so that it can not harm the parasite or its host. This, combined with the initial benefits of its parasitic nature give it one of the widest potential arsenal of techniques in existence! Due to this, it hasn't come to develop many skills of its own, leading to a fatal issue down the road. Should all the contracted subjects break free or die off, or even the host killed, the parasite has extreme difficulty managing on its own accord alone. This dependency keeps it in check, needing to keep some subjects appeased to stay in power.
These contracts can be broken in three ways. The first is to overcome the will of the parasite and free yourself through excessive effort and energy expenditure. The second is if the terms of the contract are violated. The contract, though often vague is important. The terms must be fulfilled on the Hollow's end to remain active. Once those terms are shattered, the contract is removed. However the rules toward it are very literal, so if a technicality permits something, there are no drawbacks to it. the last medium is to kill the parasite itself, which will remove all influence it has on the world and the souls that reside in it.
Since Demonica is 0-3++ and Ruvik is 0-3, combined tier is 0-2++.