Forbidden Magic

Forbidden Magic describes not a specific spell, but rather an entire type of magic, a school almost universally outlawed by Vita-Touched. Though there have been many groups of Vita-Touched throughout the ages, with their own dislikes and taboos, this school of magic is not just disliked but despised by almost all of them. It isn't just a method which they are opposed to, but rather something intricate to this school of magic: the very mechanism with which it functions is considered to be dark. And not just a little dark, but deeply, impossibly dark.
To affect someone directly is not an easy task. Every living being produces Vita, and keeps it within their body, only expelling Vita if their store is full. This internal Vita, their Vita Core, keeps them safe; it protects them, not only from Vita-based attacks, but also from regular injuries, and even from illness. In a galaxy with plenty of Vita to use, where nothing is draining it like the Progenitors did during the First Age, this makes all beings a lot sturdier than they were before.
This is what makes Forbidden Magic such an evil, despicable me. Because it completely sidesteps this natural protection, and instead targets the Vita Core itself. It does not attack a person indirectly, via their environment, but attacks their very self. Their mind, their actual body. They touch someone's being, force their Vita to reshape, change it. This is, by almost all Vita-Touched cultures, therefore deeply frowned upon, something dark and dreaded. There is no good way to use Forbidden Magic; it is forbidden for a reason.

Effect

Spells in this school of magic are all designed to directly impact another person. Other spells may impact another person, but it never directly impacts them: a spell to push someone moves the air around them, a spell which lights someone on fire lights either their clothing or the air around them on fire, and so forth. But Forbidden Magic affects another living being directly, in a way their own internal Vita normally stops.

Side/Secondary Effects

Due to its nature, using Forbidden Magic is not without risks. There is always a risk of it rebounding if not performed correctly, or if the intended target manages to protect themselves. If this happens, the effect of the spell will instead (partly) affect the user, rather than the intended victim.
Additionally, performing Forbidden Magic requires the user to overpower their victim, forcing the victim's internal Vita into a form it shouldn't have. This comes with physical and mental fatigue, worsening depending on how well the victim manages to fight back, and doubly so if the victim is another Vita-Touched.

Manifestation

Like with all forms of Vita magic, Forbidden Magic has no real manifestation. Because it directly affects the target's internal Vita, it can't be noticed outside of the effect it has, both on the user and the victim. Should they put up enough of a struggle, the strain will likely become visible on them, but the magic itself remains invisible. Even if the user succeeds and the magic takes effect, it remains unseen, bar the effect, if said effect is on the outside, rather than internal.

Source

Like all magic in the universe, Forbidden Magic makes use of Vita, a type of energy produced by all living things. It also only affects Vita, directly attacking the life force of another living being.

Discovery

Like all forms of magic, Forbidden Magic has been discovered a thousand times over, by countless cultures and peoples. It is found, forbidden, discarded, and sometimes intentionally forgotten, just so it can later be rediscovered, and the cycle can begin anew. It is used in plenty of stories, legends, and fairy tales alike, always an evil, dark thing. Most modern cultures believe in talking about it, to ensure people know it, and know to stay away from it, but this hasn't always been the case. As many stories exist about Forbidden Magic now, it is likely than at least equally many have been lost to the tooth of time, and the fire of people's fear of the dark.

Vita effects

by DarkNymfa

Comparison diagram between regular Vita use and Forbidden Magic. Normal Vita use always leads to it manifesting in some form, and then impacting the target's body. Forbidden Magic, however, directly affects their core and thus has no manifestation.

Made with app.diagram.net.

Material Components

Vita

Gestures & Ritual

Varies per spell, though typically it only involves the mind.

Related School

Forbidden Magic

Related Element

Vita

Level

Advanced or higher

Applied Restriction

Forbidden Magic is, well, forbidden. It is taboo in almost all cultures, and incredibly dark.