Conjuring a seat for me to rest in and a cat bed for herself, Erebus gestured for me to relax before speaking, "So what is it you want to know about the demonic hierarchy?".
Mulling it over on what the most important factor is, I decided, "The residents of the Abyss realm, I'm curious about the demi-humans. I'm yet to see any residents of the Celestial realm apart from Azz and Seraphina and they both looked human, so I'm wondering if demi-humans are exclusive to demons".
Resting her head on her paws, Erebus pondered for a while before beginning her long-winded explanation, "That's a good reason, for one all gods are fairly similar to you mortals, demons on the other hand are different. Come here for a second child".
I walked over and she gestured for me to lower my head, placing her forehead against mine she whispered, "Imagine what a demon is in your world, that way I can decide on what to tell you and what names to use".
Closing my eyes, I imagined it all, demi-humans, vampires, giant slime monsters, goblins, ogres, orcs. Everything I could think of that people would describe as demonic. I even let dragons slip through, but to me they were demons.
After pulling her head away, Erebus settled back down, "I see, you have a slightly good grasp of some demons, likely due to them visiting your realm at one point in time. However, there's much, much more you need to know".
Again, Azz's saying popped into my head, 'the best lies are built on some truth'. It was exhilarating to hear these monsters that were only fantasy had been and were still real.
Waiting for me to take a seat before continuing, Erebus swapped into her demi-human form and conjured a seat for herself, "I'll start with the hierarchy. Hierarchy is very strict in the Abyss realm, the hierarchy is mainly based around power, so the stronger you are the more you're respected and the more your social status will rise. Despite being a dragon, there are still some parts of the Abyss realm and Celestial realm I do not know about due to my rank while I was still a demon".
"The lowest of the low, these kinds of demons are nothing but trash even to fellow demons, balls of whatever materials they consume that bounce around and die after a year. They can't be controlled so they are useless as cannon fodder, completely harmless as well and can be killed by a child with a stick. They mostly stick to wet terrain as the mud makes for good material for them. If they wonder too close to a higher ranked demon they are killed without hesitation, mainly for fun – you call these creatures, Slimes".
"Next slightly higher than them but not by much, is the rodents. They have intelligence and know to sense danger but are so weak they can't do anything about it. Some higher ranked demons keep them as pets. This bracket includes creatures like three tailed foxes, flightless birds, rats and fish. These animals mainly prey on each other as they stand no chance against high ranked demons, again they make their burrows and nests around wet terrain so they can pick off the balls of slime".
"Unintelligent but strong demons are next, from your world this would include things like goblins, orcs and ogres. Again, a lot of the time these beasts would be captured and used as foot soldiers under the command by a higher ranked demon using chains. They are useful as their strength can match that even of a trained soldier, they are mostly spotted in groups, however they can sense how outmatched they are when they are alone".
Biting my finger, I hadn't blinked since the explanation began. So, there's even higher ranks, just how powerful are the strongest demons.
Regaining her breath, Erebus carried on, "Next is low ranked demons, from your memories they are pretty spot on, your typical red-skinned, skinny, devious looks creatures. They are intelligent and slightly stronger than goblins, however compared to orcs and ogres, if they were to fight, they would lose easily. If not for their intelligence they would be ranked lower, again they are used as cannon fodder in battles".
"My rank is next, demi-humans as you call us, we are intelligent and our capacity for growth in strength is vast. I reached the levels of a general despite starting low on the totem pole. Due to our beast like ancestors, we can do many things such as use claws and have sharp teeth", Erebus pulled back the corner of her mouth revealing two fangs, "we do not have horns, mine come as a gift from an incredibly high ranked demon".
"Armed forces are slightly above us in terms of inherited strength, these demons are humanoid but with demon defining features, things such as green, blue and grey skin. They also possess slightly pointed ears and some even still have fur, eerily similar to demi-humans but not quite the same. They have inherited strength but beyond that, their capacity for growth is limited. They usually make up the bulk of armies".
"High ranked demons are up next, despite the name there are many of them, likely down to their selective breeding. They are servants to even higher ranked demons and they make up the elite soldiers in the army, they are innately strong and intelligent whilst also possessing good capacity for growth. Their downside would be that their control over abyssal power isn't exactly good. They can reinforce and use basic spells as you call them, but that's about it. So, they are highly lacking in the versatility department".
"I see", I mused, "Erebus, I call abyssal power, astrum, can you call it that? so I don't get confused please".
"Of course,", Erebus was practically panting but carried on.
"It's hard to distinguish the next pair as there really isn't a gap between them. Demon generals and vampires. As the name suggests demon generals command the armies, a lot of the time vampires are made into demon generals. However, there are some branch families that have produced demon generals consistently. Vampires serve the highest ranked demons with their unmatched loyalty and won't die unless their master dies. They have control over blood, but their physical strength is outrageous as well. They can choose to change to a younger master, however that would require a blood contract".
I was stunned, vampire loyalty makes sense, but she mentioned families and not just any families, branch families. Are these from the most powerful demon?
"Erebus who are the top ranked demons?",
With a grin and a hint of pride, Erebus leant forward, "The 7 archdemons, you know them well, Lucifer, Mammon, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Satan, Belphegor and Leviathan who is one of the dragons. These 7 demons split the Abyss realm into seven sects and rule over them like kings, they are also the leaders of the seven families. This helps in maintaining the prosperity of the realm, they aren't just rulers, they are immensely powerful, a single one of these demons could wipe out the Mortal race with a flick of their finger. Their physical strength can almost match a dragon. Their astrum control is close as well, and after living thousands of years they are incredibly intelligent. They are some of the only demons to ever come close to reaching the draconic ceiling in terms of power".
"I suppose dragons reign at the top but despite that, archdemons are pretty close. Hence why Leviathan opted to remain an archdemon, that's about it for ranks", Erebus let out a tired sigh before morphing back into her cat from and heading to sleep.
I was left completely alone with my thoughts after her rather drawn-out explanation. Honestly, I was tired just from listening to her speak, not to mention my brain was constantly forced to input new information. However, this was a section of the realms that I thought I absolutely needed to learn about.
I sat cross legged on the cold and wet floor, thinking over what she had told me. "Dragons …", I whispered to myself. They seem like they are completely untouchable even by demonic standards. That wasn't all that I couldn't wrap my head around though.
I was more in awe rather than shock about the information regarding the archdemons. These legendary figures that were spoken about even on Earth, actually existed! Although these legendary figures … were legendary for all of the wrong reasons.
But even still, it felt refreshing to better understand how Earths knowledge of these monsters was built. It was also good to know that it wasn't built on the base of completely and utter myth. Although, when it came to these kinds of creatures, my mind was immediately dragged elsewhere.
"Leviathan …", I bit my thumb, chewing away at the nail, "He sounds like an absolute powerhouse". How can one person, be both a dragon and an archdemon. Isn't that just blatantly cheating, nobody needs to be as powerful as that. I wonder if anybody throughout history will ever be able to match his power.
I was stunned into silence just thinking about it. Azz had told me Leviathan had control over all types of water, and with an archdemons power alongside that, well, I didn't even want to imagine what he was capable of. Although, I had become slightly interested in the idea of Leviathan, or if all the dragons could take on a humanoid form like Erebus.
I imagine Leviathan probably can, courtesy of him being a demon as well. However, Helios, Chronoscale and Hydra … well, they all seem to just be born as dragons who didn't inherit the power from anyone. Also, if what Erebus told me about her transforming into a dragon was true, wouldn't it be impossible for them to possess human forms.
I stretched out and lay down, cupping my hands behind my head. This was all too much for my little human brain to comprehend, being forced to adjust to this entire new environment and it's ideas that is. To describe the feeling as overwhelming wouldn't even begin to scratch the surface of what I was feeling right now.
I glanced over at the sleeping Erebus. I still have so many questions for her. Even after that explanation, I can't help but feel like I still need to know more to be able to properly understand these people. But then again, will I ever be able to properly understand them. I mean, we come from two completely different worlds, we've lived completely different lives and done completely different things.
A strange sensation of sadness boiled up my throat, "Just because I'm here, doesn't mean I'm one of them", I choked out. Choosing to ignore my emotions, I stretched for a flask of water, not acknowledging that I was actually terrified of being rejected by these people.
The idea was comical to me, but I had started to feel more at home in this dingy little cave and the broken, hastily built shack, more than my actual home back on Earth. I rubbed my eyes, starting to grow annoyed. This is why I hated being left alone with my own thoughts, I always ended up drifting into tangents like this.
What is it I even hope to gain from learning all of this, self-acknowledgment? Or for someone else to tell me I did a good job?
Now I really thought about it, I don't think I had ever been acknowledged for my own achievements before. Maybe that's why I felt so desperate and wanted this change.
On Earth, the idea it was ok to be different was widely regarded as reasonable and encouraged, however, if you were actually different, people didn't like it. An immense amount of bullying, taunting, undermining and backstabbing followed if you showed you even had the slightest chance of success.
That's why I chose to keep my head down and just go with the flow. I wasn't particularly the nicest person, I'm smart enough to recognise my shortcomings in that department. But did I really wish to be this way?
I was forced into a new line of thinking where I had to decide what it was I wanted from my life. It was something I hadn't really thought about before, considering I was planning to just jump into an office job as soon as I left school.
I looked down at my hand and twitched my fingers, "But with this power … I've unlocked a new door, where an endless number of possibilities lie", I murmured under my breath, trying not to wake Erebus.
A sound caught my attention from the entrance of the cave, I flicked my gaze and leapt to my feet, conjuring my lightning sword. A soaked monkey looking creature waltzed aimlessly inside. It's two tails spinning like a propeller, and four giant fangs stabbing his own lips.
It bounced toward me, opening its terrifying maw. A single slash was enough to sever its head, "I guess I won't have time to rest, even in this cave".
I slumped back down, biting my bottom lip, "What a pain".