Á Bao A Qu

Á Bao A Qu
As depicted in The Secret Saturdays.
Naming
Binomen	N/A
Morphology
Body type	Amorphous
Intelligence
Sentience	Sentient
Sapience	Sapient (most likely)
Aggressivity	Harmless
Ecology
Habitat	Vijay Stambha, India
Diet	DD
Locomotion	Sliding
Status	DD
Behind the Scenes
Universe	Book of Imaginary Beings The Secret Saturdays
Created by	Jorge Luis Borges

The Á Bao A Qu is an amorphous creature reported to dwell at the base of the stairs of the Vijaya Stambha; the mystical Tower of Victory in Chittorgarh, India.

Biology

This luminescent, translucent, and partially corporeal mass is light blue in coloration and can only move when visitors are climbing the staircase, following them close behind with its tentacles and becoming more and more definite and solid the more the person advances, physically and spiritually.

The Á Bao A Qu can only assume its final form if the person reaches the top of the tower by obtaining Nirvana. It is reported that this has only happened once in recorded history. Otherwise, the Á Bao A Qu merely fades away as the person climbs down, unable to achieve completion, and returns to its incomplete and dormant state awaiting for the next visitor.

In its normal state, the Á Bao A Qu is mostly invisible; its tentacles becoming clear only about the midpoint of the staircase. It doesn't seem to have eyes, but can see with its whole body, and its skin has a pleasant texture similar to the skin of a peach.

Notes

• Contrary to some belief, the Á Bao A Qu is neither a cryptid not a legendary species. It was created by Jorge Luis Borges for his Book of Imaginary Beings (1957), although Borges originally claimed to have read about it in Richard Burton's introduction to the Arabian Nights. In latter editions, this was changed to C. C. Iturvuru's On Malay Witchcraft (1937).
• In The Secret Saturdays, its color was depicted as orange rather than blue. It also holds the distinction of being one of the very few creatures featured in the franchise which is neither a real cryptid nor an original creation.