The oni

I. Origin

Before the heavens opened, before light gave name to things, the world pulsed with chaos.
From that chaos, emotion itself took shape — grief, rage, love, despair — and became living beings: the Oni.

They were not born to destroy, but to feel in ways mortals could not. Their emotions were storms that could reshape mountains, seas, and souls. They ruled no kingdom, built no temples; they simply were — the pulse of life in its rawest form.

But when light descended — when the divine child Momotaro was born of heaven’s seed — the Oni’s fire was called sin. They were named demons, their names erased from history.

Thus began their exile beneath the mountains and within the darkness between dreams.
They sealed their true forms, hid their horns, and waited.

II. Blood and Power

An Oni’s essence is their blood, for within it lies the echo of the First Flame.
Their blood carries memory — of pain, rage, and passion — and can be awakened to manifest power through a ritual known as the Blood Eclipse.

When awakened, the Oni’s blood reshapes their body and soul. Their abilities reflect their inner scars:

  • An Oni who has known loss may summon weapons from their wounds.

  • One consumed by anger might ignite their own blood in flames.

  • One who despairs may grow claws of shadow or chains that bind themselves.

This power, though divine in nature, is a curse — for the blood devours those who wield it without balance. Many Oni go mad, becoming Blood Beasts, monsters of emotion and instinct.

III. Society and Creed

Hidden from human eyes, the Oni formed their sanctuaries — Abyssal Clans, each dedicated to surviving among a world that hunts them.
They honor emotion as sacred law; they believe that to feel deeply is to live truly.

Their society is guided by three ancient tenets:

  1. Never deny the truth of your blood.

  2. Never turn blade against one who shares it.

  3. Never forget the hatred of the heavens.

Yet time has eroded these vows. Some Oni yearn for peace. Others crave vengeance. And some… dream of consuming the heavens themselves.

IV. The Curse of Memory

The Oni cannot die easily. When slain, their essence lingers — reborn through descendants or fragments of emotion that attach to mortals.
Thus, every generation carries echoes of ancient pain. Their immortality is not gift, but burden; each reincarnation awakens older memories, older rage.