Magic

Magic-use is something that has become very rare in the world, as those possessing that power have almost vanished entirely from the planet's surface. In the youngest days of the planet when the Elders roamed free, the world's magic surrounded the Shiji-Long and the elders often manipulated those energies. Since nearly all of the Elders perished in the war, however, very little magic is used by the Earth's inhabitants. 

Despite the lack of magic users, Shiji-long still love magic and so they commonly collect artifacts that store magical power.  Magical artifacts can grant Shiji-Long specific powers. These can range from physical to elemental or even psychic powers. These artifacts are quite rare and are typically hidden in ancient places. Most of the items are remnants from the times before the great war.

The remaining elders can also bless items and Shiji-Long to grant them magical abilities. This ceremony is sacred to the Shiji-Long and it is only performed for very special individuals who have been deemed worthy.

Magic Types

There are a wide range of magical abilities, which stem from inside every living being - from it's 'shi,' or life-power. Some abilities are elementally based whereas some alter the Shiji-Long's body/state and others may even bend reality. There may be even more forms of magic that have not been discovered yet! 

Active vs Passive Magic

With the exception of Star Magic (listed below), all types of magic come in two varieties; Active Magic and Passive Magic. Passive magic manifests itself physically on the Shiji's body. The shiji may choose where the magic manifests and the strength/size of the manifestation but it will always come from the character's body somewhere. Some examples include characters whose manes turn into fire or whose fur emits mist/fog. Active magic, on the other hand, is more akin to elemental "bending." Shiji-Long with active magic can control elements outside of their body and can also produce that element from nothing. For mind magic, passive magic includes seeing the future or mind-reading while active magic includes the creation of illusions. It is possible for Shiji-Long to possessive both active and passive magic of the same type, as well as multiple different types of magic. 

Star Magic

Star magic is a specific type of magic that gets its power from the energy from the universe. This magic type does not behave like other elemental magic. It cannot control the elements, but rather works in different ways.

Star magic can be very powerful or very mild. It can range from conjuring beautiful stars and constellations, to destructive meteors. The magic is energy based. Either energy is produced or erased.

Examples for produced energy would be meteors, energy beams (think quasars) and burning spheres like stars.

Examples for erased energy would be gravitational pulls (think black hole) and implosions.

This magic is always passive and active. The users always have a swirl of glowing stars on or around their body. It is, like the active part, always colourful, shines and sparkles. The effect of the magic varies; can look like nebulas, shooting stars or even quasars, depending on how the magic is used. This magic is very powerful and it is said that whenever a Shiji uses this old magic, something moves in the universe.

Shadow magic

Zhousi’s shadow magic can manifest in two forms: passive or active.

Passive Shadow Magic

The Corrupted Shiji-Long are constantly shrouded in moving darkness. This eerie, smoke-like shadow clings to them, swirling around their body as they walk. It shifts and flickers unnaturally, never fully dispersing, making them look like creatures born from the void itself. This aura is causing malaise and discomfort for non corrupted beings.

Active Shadow Magic

When wielded actively, the magic allows the Corrupted Shiji-Long to perform devastating feats, including:

• Casting shadows – Creating unnatural darkness in areas where light should exist.
• Forming shadow energy – Can be shaped into weapons (like a shadow sword) or projectiles (like a fireball).
• Shadow travel – The ability to enter and hide within shadows, making them nearly impossible to track.
• Shadow manipulation – Moving, stretching, or altering shadows to deceive or attack.
• Light absorption – Dimming or even extinguishing sources of light.
• Cursing – Placing hexes that weaken or torment their targets.
• Life drain – Siphoning vitality from others to temporarily restore their own strength.
• Necromancy – Reanimating corpses, but only briefly, and only if the corpse still contains traces of lingering magic.

The Price of Power

While immensely powerful, this dark magic comes at a steep cost. Every use of it drains the life force of the Corrupted Shiji-Long. The more they push their abilities, the more they risk harming themselves. Overuse can lead to physical exhaustion, loss of control, or even irreversible damage to their own body. Zhousi’s magic is not a gift—it is a relentless hunger, demanding a price that only grows heavier with time.

These creatures may be fearsome warriors, but their power is a double-edged sword, forever binding them to the corruption that defines their existence.