Youkai

Often fantasized as the result of a Human who has been reborn as "sin itself", Cerian demons are actually creatures who live off the planet's energy. Because of this, their Elemental Magic varies in purity. Those who have the highest magic concentration are said to be unbeatable on the battlefield; especially those with healing factors that function off of their respective Magic Elements.

When they're not in their natural Monster/animal-like state, Demons of Ceres often take a human-like appearance in order to try to avoid detection. This varies across species, however, as there are some which can be as large as a tower, and then some that can be small as a gnat. Those that have more human-like forms are said to be the strongest (as magic is required to hide their extra features and auras).

Often behaving somewhat elitist, demons can prove to be very adaptable if they're given the right treatment (ie. Firm punishment or reprimand). Able to analyze and observe the world by the age of 3 due to advanced mental growth, demons can often prove to be very helpful team-battlers. They usually take an occupation like mercenary or explorer to tame their curiosity and/or lusts, although it isn't uncommon to see them take on teaching roles (often as Mentors to younger groups of demons). Most demons are seen as adults by 10 years old because of the (old) rate they're killed at, though they'll only be mentally mature at that point.

Most full-blooded demons have an "organ" that's known as a Core. It looks like a large crystal or mineral stone, and often corresponds to their dominant Element (ie. The Ruby is the Core of a Flame demon, etc). It also tends to pulse in a healthy body, and will emit different auras and heat depending on the type of demon it's in. If this Core is removed or destroyed in any way, the body of a demon fades away, and the demon dies. While it's possible to revive this Core via siphoning magic into it, this will often result in multiple complications if it succeeds. There isn't much information about what will happen if a soul junctions to the wrong kind of Core...

More recently, it's been revealed that Cores can be removed from a demon's body without causing death. However, this has to be desired or else done for an important reason, as it takes off all restraints of a demon's power. While this makes it easier for them to gain True Forms, and to become Titans in battle, this also weakens them in that they can all be taken out in one hit when their Cores are gone. While their Cores are out of their bodies, if they're killed, their bodies will retain a physical form until they're burnt or otherwise disposed of. The energy from that corpse will then return to the Core. It's possible to revive a demon if this happens.

Because of their wide variety of Elements, forms and mythology, Demons come in all shapes and sizes, and are even able to crossbreed with Humans, Mystics and (rarely) Monsters from Ceres. Although they are aesthetically similar to the inhabitants of Vulcan and Mode (sister planets in their realm), it seems they aren't able to physically reproduce. Demons can also be born as hermaphrodites, though they are only very common in insect species.

As demons have a "third sex" on their planet (ie. Genderless to those that aren't familiar with their anatomy), they have developed an alternative way of reproduction aside from the physical norm. Gathering up a good portion of their magic, a pair (or more) of demons can create what's known as a Magic Seed, which can then be junctioned onto the heart, body or soul of a demon. While it is possible to take a developing Magic Seed and junction it onto another, the results are often deformative for the babies. These Seeds can take a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of a year to fully mature. Once it's completed, it will unjunction from the host's body and form itself a new body (usually that of an infant). Because of the parasitic nature of these Seeds, there's a 1/5 chance that the junctioned parent will fade away due to the strain placed on their soul. This chance is raised to 1/3 in half-humans and halfbreeds, which is why most do not accept Magic Seeds.

Cerian demons run a strict class system, going from (highest to lowest) Creator, Progenitor (of which only 1 will ever be alive at any time), Guard (figures that supply all magic schools on Ceres), Guardian/Knight (those who work under the Guards, and are the strongest mentally/physically of all Elemental demons, Guards aside), Lord (demons that exist to balance the Elements out amongst themselves and the lower classes), Noble (Lords without duties, albeit weak ones), Guide (the ones who help demons follow the best path in life), Apprentice (above average demons who may train under those of higher ranks), Charge (those that are under the protection of another) and Muse (regular demons who may be able to influence or inspire others; they are often halfbreeds and healers). The higher up the system a demon is, the purer concentration of magic they have in their bodies and blood, and the more powerful they'll be (usually). Guardians and higher are able to assume Elemental Forms when they've mastered their arts. Almost all demons, and even some Monsters, will be able to shapeshift into more animal or human-like forms (Monsters are limited to human-like alternate forms, of course). Particularly strong demons can also adopt True Forms, though only in the proper environment.

Mystics, humans and even Spirits (Anima equivalent to Soul-based demons) also have class systems, although it's much more simplified (and fair/unfair) in their societies. Half-demons are usually regarded as being a rank lower than their parents in either society.

Demons of Ceres also have the unique ability to take on alternate forms, one of which is their True Demon forms. Unfortunately for them, the magic required for this form often means a matching elemental environment is necessary to even maintain the form. Once in this form, demons will often go all-out in battles, and may even begin to go berserk because of an elemental overload. Most Lords and higher-ranked demons also have Elemental Forms (ex. Kage and his Ice Spirit Form reduces him to a heatless version of himself. This causes his bones to turn into ice, his metabolism slows down, and he becomes impervious to ice/cold-based attacks). These tend to rely on the strength of a demon's magic, and can be easily maintained in similar conditions. Demons, though they rarely become ill, will fall out of these forms when unwell.

The halfbreeds of this species (especially the half-human ones) often have the most potential out of all Cerian species, especially in the magic department. Most halfbreeds don't have Cores, or have shortened lifespans compared to their demonic brethren.

Demons also have blue blood (as do Mystics), whereas Humans have red blood, and halfbreeds/half-humans purple. A demon that has red blood is said to be exceptionally powerful... They may have the blood of 3 or more species in them, or it may be due to their Elemental Forms.

When compared to the demons of Mode or Vulcan, Cerians get the short end of the defensive stick and are quite frail in comparison to the Modean's brute strength, and the Vulcanean's incredible stamina. Nevertheless, Cerian demons tend to be unrivaled (in their realm, anyway) in the arts of magic.

Demons tend to be monogamous, but will occasionally take on a second, or even a third partner if they feel strongly enough for the individual(s). While a demon may give their Mate Mark freely, however many people they can link to depends heavily on the strength of their soul. However, even if one is able to hold many relationships, it's nearly unheard of to bind souls with more than 2 or 3 separate individuals. A demon's protectiveness will spread to however many individuals they're linked to. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll love their Mates in the same way.

Most demons are pansexual, partially due to the third sex on Ceres. A random fun fact that makes them differ quite a bit from the humans they try to emulate is their possession (at least in male cases) of a baculum. It's thanks to this, plus the stamina of the species' as a whole, that once mating season begins, it's very difficult to eradicate any demonic race afterwards. An unusual feature of any gender that can bear Seeds is that after birthing the maximum amount of Seeds they possibly can multiple times ends up increasing their Seed limit, essentially meaning they can create even more children if they're very active (or very fortunate). Usually, a demon needs to give birth to a full litter three times in a row before this adaptation can occur. While it's rare for the Seed limit to increase, it's a helpful little evolutionary trait for species that are having a hard time reproducing (or for particularly amorous or child-loving groups).

It's recently come to light that the addition of pouches to the Cerian gene pool is now allowing both genderless and male demons to bear Seeds as female demons do. This has only increased their adaptability, and has made the species as a whole one of the most diverse of Ceres. This also means they're able to reproduce with virtually any creature than uses energy and similar things to create children. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that demons are now the most common species on Ceres.

A demon from Ceres, Mode, Vulcan or even a soul from the Dream World will forget their entire lives if they visit any of the sister planets within Kaskuri's realm. While the cause for this odd change in memory behavior cannot be explained, these effects also hold true if the demon that visited Vulcan, for example, returns to their home planet. Essentially, they live different lives depending on where they go. This memory clause is especially important for the dead souls that are taken to the Dream World in order to live peaceful afterlives. Oddly enough, going from any of these planets to the Overworld doesn't provide the same effect; it seems exclusive to Kaskuri's realm and the demons of the four planets.