Death Fire

Death Fire (also known as Death Fire King) is an enemy in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. Instead of attacking directly, he enters the bodies of creatures long dead and infuses them with new life, taking control over their actions. This spirit appears to be related to common Ghosts or Ectoplasms, and appears to occupy a higher place among these creatures' hierarchy, thus gaining the rank of "king".

Death Fire appears at the end of the Haunted Ship of Fools, where he awaits floating over an altar until Trevor arrives; he then enters two nearby caskets to take possession of the bodies inside: two Mummies and the Cyclops. Once all of these monster have been defeated, Death Fire is expelled from their bodies and shatters into small pieces.

A stronger version, the Death Fire King, appears at the end of both the Morbid Mountains or the Rampart and Lookout Tower (depending on the route the player took). He attacks in the same way as his lower rank counterpart, with the addition of being able to possess one last, and much powerful creature: Leviathan.

Trivia

 * This enemy is not actually mentioned in the Dracula's Curse bestiary. His name was taken from the Japanese Akumajō Densetsu guide and should be considered non-canonical.