The universe was not governed by a single law, but by a complex web of invisible forces that intertwined, collided, and coexisted. While some worlds were governed by pure magic or spiritual energy, this one in particular was a crucible of different powers. Among these hidden currents, one of the darkest and most feared was Cursed Energy.

Born from the depths of the collective psyche of living beings, it was the manifestation of resentment, hatred, pain, and despair. Unlike other energies that could be cultivated or acquired, this one was an inevitable byproduct of existence, a persistent echo of the rawest emotions that accumulated and transformed into a tangible power. It floated through the air, clung to objects, and condensed in places of past tragedies, a force of malevolence invisible to the eyes of most, but that exerted an undeniable influence on the world.

This energy was not static but an active and dangerous force with two main ways of manifesting. The first, and most common, were technical curses. These were controlled phenomena, sometimes consciously invoked by those with the power to manipulate Cursed Energy to cause specific effects. They could be defensive barriers, pain spells, or rituals that altered reality on a small scale. They were a manipulation of a force that, if not contained, always sought to spiral out of control.

The second, and most terrifying, manifestation was that of sentient curses. When Cursed Energy accumulated in a place or for a specific cause over a prolonged period, it eventually condensed into an entity with its own will, fueled by the very feeling that gave it origin. These beings of pure malice could take on all sorts of forms, from grotesque humanoid figures to abstract creatures, and their abilities were intrinsically linked to the source of their curse.

The power of these creatures was so vast and varied that they were divided into three ranks to be classified. The lower-rank ones were the weakest and most common, often the result of minor grievances. The intermediate-rank ones were much more dangerous, born from more significant traumas and with a rudimentary but cunning intelligence. Finally, the higher-rank ones were walking catastrophes; beings of immeasurable power, formed from massive calamities or feelings of absolute despair. These monsters were the personification of terror, and their sole purpose was to feed on despair, creating a vicious cycle of fear and power that threatened to devour the world.

In addition to this, Cursed Energy not only flowed through the world but also had a transformative effect on everything it touched, whether inanimate objects or living beings. When an object was bathed in this energy for a prolonged period, it would eventually condense it and become a sentient curse, acquiring life and a malevolent will of its own.

However, the effect on living beings was radically different and much more complex. Humans, animals, and even vegetation, when saturated with this energy, did not become curses but rather completely new and distinct beings, known as demons. This process was called demonization, an extraordinarily rare phenomenon. The reason for its low frequency lay in spiritual energy, a force that every living being generated passively. This energy acted as a natural antibody, protecting the body and soul from the malignant transformation.

There are two known methods to achieve demonization. The first, and simplest, was the result of profound exhaustion. If a living being temporarily exhausted its spiritual energy while being consumed by negative emotions, its body and mind could be invaded and transformed by Cursed Energy.

The second method was much more complex and dangerous, requiring a genetic basis. Certain individuals, without knowing it, could carry latent demonic genes. In these cases, the activation of these genes could only occur through a compatible infusion of Cursed Energy. This process was extremely risky and of low efficiency, due to the high risk of incompatibility.

An example of this method was manifested in a particular union: a normal human who had relations with a woman with inactive demonic genes. If, during the act, she unconsciously released Cursed Energy and it proved compatible with him, his genes would be activated.

The transformation varied from turning the victim into succubi or beings like vampires, creatures thirsty for their partner's blood, on which they would feed from that moment on. If the compatibility was not perfect, the process would simply kill them. But if the result was successful, an eternal and unbreakable bond would form between them. The vampire would develop a terrifying possessiveness, marking their partner's blood in a way that others of their race could immediately recognize, thus knowing that the human "belongs" to them for all eternity.

It is because of all this that Cursed Energy was, and still is today, considered by most to be the most unstable and dangerous of all forces. It was not a mere current of power, but a reflection of the darkest and most perverse side of existence, an echo of the intrinsic evil in all living beings. Its volatile nature made it a double-edged sword that constantly threatened to consume its own user. Handling it was a monumental challenge, a dance on the edge of the abyss that only a daring few dared to attempt. The risk of losing one's sanity, of being devoured by the hatred and despair it fed on, was a constant threat.

Due to its inherent dangerousness and the sinister reputation surrounding it, its use was not popular among practitioners of the spiritual arts. Exorcists, shrine maidens, and other guardians of balance often avoided it, preferring to resort to purer and more controllable sources of power. Cursed Energy was associated with corruption, downfall, and perdition, making it a taboo for those who sought to protect the world.

However, its power was impossible to deny. Despite all the warnings and dangers, its incredible strength and versatility made it a tempting and, at times, necessary tool. Its ability to create far-reaching technical curses and to combat sentient curses on their own ground made it a viable option for those who found themselves cornered. Thus, despite the risk and stigma, Cursed Energy continued to be a force in play, a dark power that was still used by those willing to pay the price for its mastery. Its use was a constant reminder that, even in a world full of wonders, evil and danger always lurked in the shadows.

Despite all the records and the long history of its use, Cursed Energy remained a force full of mysteries. There were immense gaps in the knowledge of how to exploit its true potential, and existing methods often only scratched the surface of what was possible. However, a disturbing pattern had been observed in the most extreme cases of its manifestation: the energy reacted very positively to unbridled madness.

It was theorized that those who managed to unleash this uncontrollable force were not those who resisted, but those who embraced the maelstrom of madness that threatened to consume them. By letting go of their inhibitions and completely accepting the dark emotions and malevolence, these individuals achieved an unprecedented connection with Cursed Energy. Instead of fighting against it, they became an extension of its chaos, allowing it to flow through them without restrictions.

However, this risky and potent practice had a terrible price. Every person who had embraced madness to access the power of Cursed Energy had, without exception, become a true lunatic. Throughout history, these uncontrollable beings have represented one of the greatest threats to the world, causing havoc and destruction on a massive scale. For this reason, the decision was made to cease this practice, considering it too dangerous to be exploited. The true potential of Cursed Energy became a taboo, a power hidden behind the veil of madness, forbidden for the good of all.

Because of all the above, the world had already sealed a tacit agreement: certain thresholds of power should not be crossed. However, in a disturbing room, oblivious to laws and history, a new destiny was being forged. The only witnesses, unable to speak or even move, were mere spectators of a historical moment, an event that defied all logic and record.

There, a "human" and one of the most unique curses ever created were achieving a symbiosis, merging their existences in an unprecedented process. It was not a simple possession or demonization, but the perfect union of two entities that gave rise to something completely new. The ceremonial silence of the room, heavy and solemn, made way for the birth of a new existence, a being that broke with known classifications and stood as living proof that Cursed Energy still held secrets that not even the most unbridled madness had managed to unravel.

Her appearance had undergone a paradoxical metamorphosis. Curiously, her face seemed to have become younger, as if it had regressed in time to the innocence of childhood. However, her body told a different story: it had become more voluptuous and developed than before, a physical maturity that contrasted with her youthful face. Her nails had sharpened into claws, and the sclera of her eyes had turned a deep black, an endless void that highlighted the color of her irises. Around her hair, a crown of straw had formed, completing the strange amalgamation.

"Yawn~! Mmmm...?"

However, despite all these changes, the most disconcerting thing was her expression. A confused innocence was drawn on her face, an air of purity that felt completely out of place amid the mystical atmosphere and the monstrous transformation. She was a being of contradictions, a chaotic birth that, somehow, retained a vestige of original innocence.

"mommy~"

And for the first time, this new being spoke, marking her existence while calling for her mother...

".... This is really interesting"

.... All while Echidna watched from a distance.