Hello! I have a couple of questions for you!
1. Do you know any fire demons (other than hiei)?
2. Have you and/or hiei researched them? Do they have their own language/lexicon like the koorime do? Are they as extremely isolated as the koorime?
3. Do you think the Jaou Ensatsu Kokuryuuha is a specific attack for the fire demons? Or can anybody use it?
Also do demons worship goods/deities like humans do or are there specific rituals for their worship? Like how humans have shrines for inari.
Sorry if this was a lot in one go.
1. Hm, let's see... A fair number of the ones I've met are dead, since I encountered many of them in battle. Most I don't know much about, simply being low level demons biting off more than they could chew, hoping to challenge the King of Thieves and make off with some loot to boast about. There were a few noteworthy ones, though. Ones formidable enough to leave burns on me and some of my stronger weapons. Ugh, the amount of youki it takes to heal those plants...
But as for fire demons I actually knew rather than just fought- I had allied with a few over time, back when I led groups rather than stealing solo or with a partner. They were all quite skilled, though there was one that had tried to steal from me and take off... I'll just say they didn't succeed in that endeavor. A few others had perished during heists (particularly in ones that were led by Yomi without my permission...), but the rest very well could still be alive to this day, for all I know. I didn't keep contact with most allies of mine after disbanding groups.
More recently, well... there was Zeru, who's now dead as well. Then there's this Nekomata demon that attempted to prey on Kuwabara not too long ago, though their power isn't your typical fire, it's moreso flames they create out of souls they've consumed... Ah, but don't worry, the situation turned out fine! They're actually kind of an ally now, haha. Never before have I had so many enemies become friends or allies than during my time in the Ningenkai... It's quite strange, but not unpleasant.
2. Hiei has never cared to find out about anything regarding his lineage, aside from various techniques he can use in battle. I would give him some information about the race, but since he's disinterested, I've only told of a few tidbits on occasion- like how his habit of taking naps in the sun is likely due to being a fire demon (I also joked about it making him similar to cats, haha).
I've never researched them, though curiousity does give me the urge to do some searching specifically into who Hiei could be related to, but I respect his wishes to refrain from diving into that. What I do know about the race is details I've simply garnered over time. They're not isolationists, though there are some fire demons that are more secluded than others, particularly ones that live in volcanic regions. Those ones often have hardened bodies made of rock, scales, or the like that's resistant or immune to extreme heat and lava to survive. It's not the same as the Koorime, though, as some still venture out often, and there can also be other types of demons that live in those environments as well. It's not uncommon to encounter fire demons while traveling the Makai, while encountering a Koorime is practically unheard of.
I don't believe they have a specific language, but then again, there is quite a wide range of demon types under the general label of "fire demon." Much like animal demons dont have a general language, nor do all ice demons, but the specific Youko and Koorime races do. There very well could be a specific race of fire demon that has- or had- its own lexicon, but I have yet to encounter such.
3. As far as I'm aware, there hasn't been any precedent for an elemental dragon being used by someone with powers not of that element, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible. If it can be done though, it likely needs extreme amounts of work and time put into training to be able to achieve such a feat, since it doesn't align with their energy type.
In the case of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame, I highly doubt it could be done- at least not without immediately being consumed by it. It's one of the most dangerous, if not the most dangerous of the dragons. Hiei's the only one known to have been able to master and tame it inside himself, so with unmatching energy complications added in, it'd only make an already nearly-impossible-to-control technique even more difficult.
4. It's not as common as with humans, but there is still quite a few demons who worship gods. Actually, many gods are demons who've grown so powerful that they've ascended to godhood. Those tend to be the main ones worshipped in the Makai, along with a few demons aiming for godhood and have built up enough of a following that's already started worshipping them- whether that be by choice or force. Honestly... at one point I did have a slight desire in becoming a god myself, but I soon realized I just have a worship kínk. 😅
I didn't have a lot of respect for gods and definitely didnt worship any in the past (even now I only respect some), so I've never engaged in any rituals, but I've certainly... witnessed a few in passing. Not all are gruesome, of course, but as you can probably guess, demons don't hold the same taboos about sacrificial rituals that humans do. It entirely depends on the god if they're done, though- some don't accept such acts, and will punish their followers if they perform them in their honor. I'm not the most familiar with all the different types of religious practices that demons do, but some do resemble those of humans- gatherings, shrines, offerings, praying, and so on. I believe some even do youki offerings, which just sounds parasitic if you ask me. I may not have been the kindest leader in the past, but at least I wasn't a leech leaving my followers weakened and dependent upon my protection.
Also it's no worries! I don't mind answering a bunch of questions- I do prefer questions separated so the posts don't get so long, but it's not a big deal. I just know some people tend to turn away from long walls of text, and well... I know I can get quite long-winded when it comes to divulging information (well sometimes, depending on the topic and recipient). Hiei's said that I just like to hear myself talk, which is amusing coming from him considering he's admitted to really enjoying my voice. 🤭
