It is said that there once was an ancient teaching—now considered a forbidden myth. Hosts were human vessels for the Gods. But because humans are full of sin, they ultimately became greedy and unwise in wielding divine power, and so they were cursed.
Now, a new teaching has emerged, one deemed more balanced: the Gods lend their powers through crystals, which have become the new sacred vessels of the divine. These crystals are holy objects that fell from the sky, and only those chosen by the Gods can wield them—after completing the rituals at each of the Gods' temples.
The new teaching emphasizes the balance of six elements, while the old one believed in eight. As of now, five temples have been located and are wisely guarded by the people: Water, Wind, Fire, Earth, and Ice.
**
Caela closed her history book. Surrounded by piles of books and scrolls of spells, she turned to Rieva and asked:
"Aunt Rieva, you said I'm good enough at magic now, right?"
"Yes, that's true," Rieva replied.
"I… want to become a Host," Caela said in a flat tone.
Rieva paused at Caela's declaration and slowly closed her own book. She crossed her arms and looked at Caela with a serious gaze and a smile.
"Why the sudden decision? What do you know about the Hosts so far?"
"They can summon the power of the Gods."
"And?"
"They are respected and sacred people, responsible for guarding the Gods' powers."
Rieva nodded slightly.
"They are also… people who are close to the Gods."
Rieva nodded again and asked with a slight smile, "Do you long for that kind of luxury?"
"It's not that…"
"Then?"
"I… want to know more about the Gods."
"Why?" Rieva's tone grew more serious this time.
"This afternoon… When I touched Valia's God crystal… I saw the dream again. I heard that same voice again, and also… there was another voice this time…"
Rieva listened silently, paying close attention to Caela's words.
"They… the Gods… It felt like they were calling out to me…" Caela answered nervously under Rieva's intense gaze.
Rieva paused, raising her eyebrows slightly, as if surprised—but then smiled gently, leaning back in her chair. "Hmm… Is that so?" she asked with a curious tone.
Caela nodded, a bit scared to tell Rieva more.
"Hmm… Then maybe the time has come…" Rieva smiled again and leaned toward Caela. "Caela, are you ready for the truth I'm about to tell you?"
Caela nodded slowly, nervous but curious. "The truth? What kind of truth, Aunt Rieva?"
Rieva smiled once more, then took a deep breath, as if preparing her words carefully. "A true Host doesn't use the Gods as tools for war, or to gain status, or greater power, or any of that… A true Host… is simply a vessel for the Gods."
Caela nodded slowly, waiting for what Rieva would say next.
"…Letting the Gods live inside those crystals… is actually part of humanity's sin," Rieva said.
Caela raised her eyebrows in shock. "W-What do you mean?"
Rieva's gaze became more intense. She reached out and placed her hand over Caela's chest.
"If you want to be a Host, do not let the Gods live inside crystals. The Gods are meant to live within—in a 'vessel' shaped like a human… That is what a true Host is."
Caela's eyes widened, unable to believe what Rieva had just told her. A chill ran down her spine as the images from her dreams returned—now clearer and more intense than ever before.
***