Distortion (世界の歪み Sekai no Yugami , lit. "Distortion of the World") is a phenomenon produced when humans are excessively devoured for Power of Existence.
Background[]
When Crimson Denizens steal Power of Existence from this world, something that once existed becomes nonexistent, producing a "Distortion" in the entire world, which includes this world and the Crimson Realm.[1] If this Distortion is small it will eventually disappear, but when Denizens excessively devour Power of Existence, Distortions will not fully disappear and will accumulate. It is feared that the accumulation of Distortions would destroy the balance of the world and would be harmful for both this world and the Crimson Realm,[2] and it is said that its expansion will cause the Great Calamity.[1] Denizens most often steal Power of Existence from the world by devouring humans. Those sensitive to Power of Existence, such as the Flame Haze, can feel the presence of Distortions. Both Flame Haze and Crimson Denizens create Torches to reduce the speed and impact of Distortions formed from the devouring of humans, Flame Haze to protect the world's balance and Denizens to avoid being detected.
Areas that gather a great amount of Distortions eventually come to be referred as Maelstrom of Warfare, such as Misaki City. When Asiz utilized the City Devourer to convert the city of Osterode into Power of Existence, he created a massive Distortion which attracted the attention of the Flame Haze all around the world.
The Flame Haze try to counter the Distortions by Tuning them, and task individuals called Tuners with this task, such as Khamsin Nbh'w.
However, what causes the Distortion is not missing Power of Existence as believed by the majority of the Flame Haze, but the conversion of this existence into an unstable state, a truth known to The Four Gods of Earth. And the location of this Distortion is not in the Human world, nor the Crimson Realm, but in the realm between these two: the Rift Between Both Worlds. Eventually, should the Distortions continue to increase in number, a storm that would engulf both this world and the Crimson Realm would be created.
The Reiji Maigo taps into these Distortions to replenish the Power of Existence of the bearer. Later, Snake of the Festival with the help of Dantalion uses the Treasure Tool to tap into all the Distortions at once so he could amass the Power of Existence that was needed for the creation of Xanadu.