Big John, with a final, decisive look that signaled the end of all personal conversations, broke the silence. "Now that's out of the way, let's get back to business, shall we?" he said, his voice a low, steady rumble. He looked directly at Sheut and Adah.
"Sheut, you mentioned that the people called the primordial Phoenix a demon," Big John said, his earlier frustration completely forgotten. The new information had re-focused his sharp, tactical mind. He paused, collecting his thoughts. "Would the Phoenix actually be considered a demon? And if so, what does the word 'demon' mean to you and your people?"
"To you, 'demon' is a word for a creature of absolute evil," Sheut began, his voice a low, thoughtful murmur. "A force of corruption and malice, a being that exists only to cause suffering." He gestured vaguely towards the battlefield they had just left. "The things you fought... they are what you would call demons, and your perception is not wrong. They are corruptions, beings who have lost themselves to chaos. That is a kind of evil."
He paused, a flicker of something ancient and mournful passing through his dark eyes.
"But to my people," he continued, "the word 'demon' has a different meaning. The term 'demon' originates from the ancient word daemon, meaning 'dispenser, provider, god, god-like, or protective spirit.' The early mundane intelligent species transliterated this as daemon, which generations adopted as 'daemon' (and later 'demon') to describe a supernatural being or guiding spirit. In short, 'demon' denotes an unknown super factor. The primordial Phoenix, or Phenex as it was known, was a being that embodied both the canvas and the brush. It was a force of change, of creation through destruction."
The concept of demons as exclusively evil entities developed gradually, largely within monotheistic religions. In many ancient polytheistic and animistic cultures, the spiritual world was far more complex and morally ambiguous. Spirits, or divine beings often referred to as daimones, and were not inherently good or evil. They were simply powerful intermediaries between the gods and humanity
For instance, in Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, a demon could be a benevolent spirit, a divine guide, or a protective force. They were not seen as inherently malicious. Similarly, in many other ancient mythologies, spirits of nature or ancestors could be both helpful and vengeful, depending on whether they were respected and appeased. They were manifestations of a universe that was beautiful and terrifying, generous and cruel, all at once.
The fundamental shift occurred with the rise of monotheism. Well, mainly the big 3 religions of that era. The existence of a single, all-powerful, and all-good God created a need to categorize all other spiritual beings. They could not exist as morally neutral entities alongside a God who was the sole source of all good. As a result, these spirits were often unjustly demonized or cast as fallen beings who had rebelled against the divine order. This gave rise to the concept of all entities of the known and unknown being referred to as demons, who were portrayed as fallen angels in direct opposition to God. In some religions, the concept of Jinn, yokai, and devils exists.
This new moral framework simplified the spiritual world into a stark dichotomy of good versus evil. Demons became synonymous with malevolence, representing everything that was opposed to God and humanity. This rigid distinction has had a lasting impact on cultures ever since, influencing everything from theological doctrine to modern portrayals of demons in books, films, and video
He looked at Big John, at the man's broad shoulders and the quiet, thoughtful expression on his face. "So, to answer your question, King John. The Heretic Phoenix was called a demon not because it was evil, but because they didn't understand it. The people feared a power they could not contain.
"The beings you fight now are the corrupted ones," Sheut continued, his voice a low, steady murmur. "They are a testament to what happens when one tries to wield a power they do not understand, or when a soul is consumed by a chaotic force. Their nature is wild, destructive, and driven by base urges for bloodshed and ruin. They are not born of darkness, but are hollowed-out husks, malignant parasites who have lost all sense of self. Needless to say, their only motivation is to sow chaos, inflict suffering, and cause destruction."
He paused, a wry look on his face. "And so, they became the face of demons to your people, because, as the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease."
"Society, in its simplicity, craves a clear definition of good and evil," he explained. "They see the most violent and destructive among us, the ones who crave death and ruin, and label them as the whole. The ones who seek peace, who live in balance, who simply exist. We are ignored and treated as if we are them. We were once the silent majority, a truth too complicated for a world that needs a simple face for its fear. Unfortunately, a lot of my people decided to embrace the stereotypes."
"Well," Big John replied, his voice a low hum of acknowledgment, "they do say the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown."
Everyone in the carriage gave a collective nod. The truth in his words was undeniable.
"But it still doesn't make sense," Big John continued, leaning forward in his seat. "The beings we've fought were called demons. Yet, I've heard others speak of devils. Aren't devils and demons the same as well? Why are they separated?"
Sheut sighed, a long, weary sound. This world's understanding of his kind was even more fragmented than he had originally thought.
"The term 'demon' is a broad, catch-all title used to describe a great many things," he began. "It's a societal label born of fear, a simple word for anything otherworldly and powerful that you cannot control. A demon can be a god of a forgotten faith, a nature spirit, a cosmic entity, or as we've seen, a corrupted husk of a once-living being."
"Devils, however, are a specific species. They are not creatures of chaos and raw destruction like the corrupted ones. They are beings of order, of law, and of bargains. A devil's purpose is not to simply sow destruction but to acquire power and souls through contracts. They are cunning, patient, and methodical. Think of it this way. A corrupted demon is a raging fire that burns everything in its path, while a devil is a poison that slowly corrupts a person from the inside out."
He looked at Big John, his expression one of weary resignation. "They are separated because they are different. But in the grand scheme of things, to the average person, the distinction doesn't matter. Both are a face for their fear, and in the end, both are seen as creatures of evil."
Nodding, Big John then asked Sheut to further explain the devils.
"They reside in the nine hells," Sheut explained, the name itself resonating with ancient dread. "Their home plane is not a place of chaotic destruction like the corrupted ones, but a realm of perfect, sterile order and rigid law. Their only goal is to expand their influence and system of control, often by corrupting mortal souls and taking over other planes of existence."
Sheut, sensing that Big John's scholar heart was beating, continued. "Devils are not born. They are formed. They coalesce from a primordial goo, taking on a humanoid form. As for their hierarchy, no one truly knows its full extent. However, low-ranking devils are able to advance in two ways. The first is by gaining enough power on their own. And the second is by receiving infernal powers directly from higher-ranking devils."
"Receiving infernal power from others is by far the least favored option for promotion. Why, might you ask? Well, it's because a devil would then never be able to be more powerful than their benefactor. Nor would they ever be able to disobey them."
Adah's hand instinctively tightened around Sheut's. "So, they practically become a slave to the one who gave them power. No, "It's worse than just slavery, isn't it?" she said softly. "It's a complete loss of self. A person's ambition and drive, their desire to be more powerful, becomes the very thing that traps them forever. There's no escaping that kind of contract." she uttered, her voice filled with quiet understanding.
The collective nod that followed Adah's statement was a silent acknowledgment of the truth in her words. It wasn't just agreement. It was a profound acceptance of a universe far more nuanced and terrifying than they had ever imagined. The simplicity of their worldview, good versus evil, or hero versus monster. Had been shattered and replaced with a complex tapestry of motivations, histories, and power dynamics.