Twenty Years Later: Yutaka's Youkai Biology

by Duwee Davis II

Ever wondered what happens when scientific method is applied to the downright non-scientific? No? Well, too bad, Yutaka Hadekawa is giving you it anyway. An in-universe book for my post-timeskip fanfic continuity.

3. Darkness Youkai- Genus Tenebrum

Twenty Years Later- Yutaka's Youkai Biology

Chapter 2: Darkness Youkai- Genus Tenebrum

As well as there being animal-based youkai (Bimyouna, 2020), there are many youkai, albeit ones not of the same lineage due to the previously mentioned paraphyly of phylum Suprahominidae (Hadekawa, 2011), which are not merely humanoid forms originating from unusual, bestial organisms, but from more abstract, unique creatures (Hieda, 2006; Kazami, 1990) that seem to be more conceptual in origin than biological, though this is not in line with scientific methodology (Rudolph & Stewart, 1998) and should not be seen as entirely abstract, but rather, a form of nature that is poorly understood (Lovecraft, 1928).

As such, the darkness youkai, members of genus Tenebrum, are very poorly understood creatures that, like a lot of youkai (Hsskekl, 1949), eat human beings. The more advanced specimens of genus Tenebrum, such as Tenebrum rationalis, are subtle and sophisticated in their feeding strategy, and operate in highly unknown areas to humans, such as the Bermuda Triangle (Cochran-smith, 2003; Gaddis, 1964; Willet, 2013) at night. This enables them to operate in the outside world without repercussions from the International Association for the Protection and Relocation of Supernatural Humanoids, which expressly forbid such hominovory (IAPRSH, 1793), as their activity is both difficult to trace and difficult to combat, due to naval superstitions of humans (Gaddis, 1964) reducing exploration of the Bermuda Triangle, giving Tenebrum rationalis a clear territorial advantage over any wayward humans (Noir, 1989).

However, in Gensokyo, specimens of genus Tenebrum are rare and indeed, an endangered lineage. The only known species in Gensokyo is of species Tenebrum stultus, the only documented extant individual of such a species in Gensokyo being known as 'Rumia' (Hieda, 2006). Investigations were considered in studying this individual, however, it was concluded that trapping the sentient humanoid and testing it under laboratory conditions was unethical, though indeed it was possible.

In situ, 'Rumia' demonstrates the inherent docility and relative lack of sophistication in hunting methods demonstrated in Tenebrum stultus compared to that of rationalis (Hieda, 2006; Shameimaru, 2005). Unlike rationalis, which are able to see in their own 'darkness', likely a smoke-screen omitted by their skin glands (Noir, 1989), stultus individuals have poorly-adapted eyes which can only see in light, not dissimilar to humans (Shameimaru, 2005). Whether this is due to the more approachable-looking appearance of human-like eyes enabling them to lure humans by wit (Hadekawa, 2014) or simply due to competitive inferiority (Noir, 1989) is contested, but what can be noted is that sight is not a primary sense to members of Tenebrum stultus.

Presumably in its place, chemoreception and mechanoreception are the more dominant senses, but this is merely conjecture. Some accounts claim that their more sophisticated relatives, Tenebrum rationalis, have detected and operated with electricity (Willet, 2013), so electroreception in both species is not impossible. Whatever the case, Tenebrum stultus, at least in Gensokyan populations, is both extremely poorly distributed and extremely ineffective at hunting (Hieda, 2006, Shameimaru, 2005), and as such is an endangered species which may well be subject to conservation efforts, though how to conserve the species without rearing sentient humans as livestock, a scientifically unethical choice, is unknown.

Furthermore, the breeding activities of both Tenebrum rationalis and Tenebrum stultus is a poorly-researched area (Dawitsu, 2016) and as such conservation efforts appear to be futile for the time being. Unless we can establish a breeding pair or enable the individual 'Rumia' to cross-breed with a similar youkai to form a hybrid, the Gensokyan population of Tenebrum stultus may be extinct upon her death (Hieda, 2006, Shameimaru, 2005, Kazami, 1990).

References

Bimyouna, H. (2020), Care and upkeep of youkai animals, Momiji Publications Ltd.

Cochran-Smith, M. (2003), Bermuda Triangle: dichotomy, mythology, and amnesia, Journal of Teacher Education 54, 275.

Dawitsu, M. (2016), So, just how do all these weird youkai get it on?, self-published.

Gaddis, V. (1964), The Deadly Bermuda Triangle, Argosy.

Hadekawa, Y. (2011), Paraphyly in Phylum Suprahominidae?, Momiji Publications Ltd.

Hadekawa, Y. (2014), Humanoid form in animal youkai driven by form of prey?, Momiji Publications Ltd.

Hieda, A. (2006), Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, Ichijinsha Publications.

Hsskekl J. D. W. R. ?. 2. F. (1949), To Serve Man, Nsst grig estehk pket.

International Association for the Protection and Relocation of Supernatural Humanoids, Founder's Meeting (1793).

Kazami, Y. (1990), How I managed to kill all the other Flower Youkai, Dream World Publications.

Lovecraft, H. P. (1928), Call of Cthulhu, Weird Tales.

Noir, B. (1989), Why we of the darkness own the triangle, Darkness Monthly.

Rudolph, J. L., & Stewart, J. (1998), Evolution and the nature of science: On the historical discord and its implications for education, Journal of Research in Science Teaching 35, 1069-1089.

Shameimaru, A. (2005), Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red, Ichijinsha Publications.

Willett, D. F. (2013), Paranormal Fright, AuthorHouse.