Sulphuric_Glue's Sandbox

Malevolent Spirits

Item #: SCP-4XXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-4XXX is to be contained in an isolated classified location in Nunavut territory in Canada, with no human inhabitants in a 1.6 km (1 mile) radius. This radius must be fenced off, guarded, and patrolled at least once every 3 days with drones and human personnel. All civilians who enter this zone are to be ejected and administered amnestics.
All instances of SCP-4XXX-2, -3 and -4 are to be captured and contained in a separate location. If this is not possible, or if an instance poses an immediate threat to civilians, termination of the instances is acceptable.

Description: SCP-4XXX is a book 721 pages long, comprised of the same 103 page text repeated in Latin, Etruscan, Koine Greek, Coptic, Middle Aramaic, Middle Persian and Old English. Its cover is featureless black leather. The book was written some time between 600 and 620 AD, but it states it is a rewritten version of a text first authored in 230 BC. The book is in perfect condition despite its age.

SCP-4XXX was contained in 1927 following an investigation about numerous murders apparently involving "demons" in Lincoln, UK. The media were instructed to tell the public that the murders were committed by a small band of creatively disguised serial killers who had been imprisoned.

SCP-4XXX explains in detail what its properties are. Within a radius of approximately 1 mile or 1.6 km, any human that dies will have their "soul" extracted by SCP-4XXX to join the "Great Spirit", labelled SCP-4XXX-1. SCP-4XXX describes the Great Spirit as:

"…An infinitely old amalgamation of an infinite number of souls, taken from an infinite number of universes. It is separate from our linear perception of time, being present at all moments simultaneously."

"The experience of joining the Great Spirit… is not unlike that of Heaven."

SCP-4XXX describes that the process of extracting "souls" is not perfect, and an error in this process can result in the creation of a "Malevolent Spirit". SCP-4XXX explains that this may be due to the person having "unfinished business", or being corrupted by another "Malevolent Spirit". According to SCP-4XXX, "Malevolent Spirits" can take three forms; The Bitter, The Vengeful, and The Deranged.

+ SCP-4XXX-2 - The Bitter

SCP-4XXX-2 is what SCP-4XXX labels "The Bitter". SCP-4XXX describes "The Bitter" as:

"…Characterised by their hatred of the living, of all things that are good, and especially of themselves."

SCP-4XXX-2 is a seemingly malnourished humanoid with white translucent skin, showing black blood vessels underneath and lacking body hair. The hair on its head is black, thin, and reaches the shoulders. In place of fingernails it has black claws an average of 5 cm long. It lacks eyeballs but is apparently still able to see, including in environments with low or no light. From its eye sockets continually flows a thick black liquid that is highly alkaline.

SCP-4XXX explains that "The Bitter" come from those who were depressed in life or who committed suicide, and that they can "find peace" by "convincing them to love themselves". No instance of SCP-4XXX-2 has responded to complex communication, rendering this process impossible until a valid method is found.

An SCP-4XXX-2 instance will attack any human and most other living animals that come close to it, but will remain docile if left alone. The majority of SCP-4XXX-2 instances that were left alone for extended periods of time began to self-harm.

SCP-4XXX-2 instances can be terminated through conventional means, although they have been shown to fully recover from extreme trauma in as little as 48 hours. SCP-4XXX-2's body must be completely destroyed to ensure termination. Sufficient explosives will achieve this effect.

+ SCP-4XXX-3 - The Vengeful

SCP-4XXX-3 is what SCP-4XXX labels "The Vengeful". SCP-4XXX describes "The Vengeful" as:

"…Characterised by their infinite rage, often towards a single person or group of people but sometimes to all humans."

SCP-4XXX-3 is a muscular humanoid lacking skin. The hair on its head is shoulder length, blond and continuously on fire. Its eyeballs are also continuously flaming, but like SCP-4XXX-2, it is able to see even in environments with low or no light.

SCP-4XXX explains that "The Vengeful" come from those who were "severely wronged" in life, and they can "find peace" by "wreaking havoc on those who hurt them".

Note: D-Class Personnel are likely to manifest as SCP-4XXX-3 and attack Foundation staff.

An SCP-4XXX-3 instance will seek out and attempt to terminate the people it perceives to have wronged it in life. It seemingly always knows exactly where they are, even when the target is on the other side of the planet. SCP-4XXX-3 instances must be contained in high security cells as they will constantly seek to breach containment in order to find their target. SCP-4XXX-3 instances will avoid harming other people unless they try to stop SCP-4XXX-3 getting to its target.

SCP-4XXX-3 instances can be terminated through conventional means, although although they are impervious to fire and have been shown to fully recover from extreme trauma in as little as 24 hours. SCP-4XXX-3's body must be completely destroyed to ensure termination. Sufficient explosives will achieve this effect.

+ SCP-4XXX-4 - The Deranged

SCP-4XXX-4 is what SCP-4XXX labels "The Deranged". SCP-4XXX describes "The Deranged" as:

"…Characterised by their utter lack of empathy and the twisted pleasure they take from making others suffer."

SCP-4XXX-4 is a humanoid with malformed limbs and black oily and wrinkled skin. The hair on its head is short, thin and white, and it lacks body hair. Its eyeballs lack pupils and irides, but like SCP-4XXX-2 and -3, it is able to see even in environments with low or no light. In place of fingernails it has twisted black claws an average of 4 cm long, and its teeth are decayed and crooked.

SCP-4XXX explains that "The Deranged" come from a "corrupted soul", either due to sadism and psychopathy in life or due to the influence of an instance of SCP-4XXX-4. SCP-4XXX states that "The Deranged" can "never find peace" and "actively try to corrupt others so they can join The Deranged in death".

An SCP-4XXX-4 instance will attempt to terminate any human it sees, and if it has the time (i.e. it is not being attacked by another) it will extensively torture and typically also rape its victims before termination. SCP-4XXX does not describe this; these effects were discovered through experimentation with D-Class Personnel. In the majority of cases the victims will turn into instances of SCP-4XXX-4 if they are within range of SCP-4XXX.

SCP-4XXX-4 instances cannot be terminated through conventional means, as in all experiments they have been able to recover from excessive damage from melee weapons, small arms and explosives. However, they may be incapacitated for up to 24 hours. As of February 2019 the only reliable methods known for terminating SCP-4XXX-4 are incineration above 1670 degrees celsius (the melting point of the bones) and dissolving the body in acid.

Given the time and location SCP-4XXX was recovered in, it is hypothesised that the notorious London serial killer "Jack the Ripper" was an instance of SCP-4XXX-4. This has not been proven and should not be accepted as fact by Foundation personnel.