Demon Cell

Demon cells are a medicine developed by Alcyon Corporation. They resemble small spherical translucent pills which glow a faint blue in low light. When ingested by a compatible human, they artificially increase the user's mist capacity in order to awaken a mare.

Overview

Demon cells were invented around 30 years ago by Alcyon Corporation's scientists. They contain concentrated mist, specially treated to activate in the presence of a human soul. When ingested by a compatible human, this mist is released into the soul at a slow, steady rate, forcibly increasing the soul's mist capacity. This process can last up to half an hour and is apparently moderately painful, but it does not cause lasting physical harm.

Once a mare awakens, the pill reacts to the mutation in the user's soul and its protective outer coating dissolves. Any mist remaining in the pill is then burned away by the physical matter in the user's body. This ensures that the soul is not innundated with excess mist, preventing unpredictable and unpleasant side effects. For the same reason, if a demon cell is ingested by a person who already has a mare, it has no effect.

Only about 10% of humans are compatible with demon cells. For the others, their souls lack the flexibility to safely handle the process, and thus ingesting a demon cell would be extremely dangerous. In the worst cases, instant death or possession by a new spontaneously-generated demon may result. However, it seems that it is possible for incompatible people to become compatible after experiencing events that change their souls, such as possession.

Availability

Demon cells are exclusively manufactured by Alcyon Corporation, solely for use on its own employees. The details of how they work and how they are manufactured are cautiously guarded as company secrets, only known to a few. According to official company statements, this is because they have too much destructive potential in the wrong hands to be released to the general public.

During job interviews for Alcyon Corporation, a specialized machine is used to measure demon cell compatibility. The results are taken into account during the decision process. After hiring, compatible employees may choose whether or not to go through the process. Although technically optional, the vast majority of compatible employees choose to take the demon cell, as many high-paying positions are only available to those with powers.