This is the deadliest risk associated with Soul Control magic. If the structure of the soul is not sufficiently preserved, it may simply fall apart, ceasing to carry out any of its roles and drifting apart like any loose collection of energy.

All that energy has to go somewhere, and the first place it flows naturally is through the Energy Channels. The first part of the soul to go is the Life Force, as it forms the outermost area; it travels so quickly and in such large amounts that the Neutral Energy forming the energy channels cannot contain it, causing these channels to rupture.

The life force itself isn't particularly harmful, as it is cool to the touch and does not cause any direct damage on contact with the body's internal organs. Once it has begun flowing freely into the body, however, it is followed by the pure Soul Cores. Their intense heat, normally contained by the life force, begins its destructive march and causes internal magical burns all over the body, radiating out from the heart. Eventually the pure energy escapes through the skin, causing external burns as well.

Most victims fall unconscious from the pain within seconds, and even those that survive the burns -- such as through preemptive healing magic -- cannot continue without a soul.