Caela still couldn't believe what Rieva had just told her. How could she say such a thing? The myth of the old teaching was something she had always heard from the Scholars and Elders—a forbidden myth that must not be believed, and was considered taboo and cursed. A true Host was said to be human, but to this day, all Scholars deemed that belief heretical. Hosts became vessels for the Gods only through crystals—rare, sacred objects that fell from the sky. And each Host could form a bond through a ritual with just one God, no more.
"Wasn't that always considered just a myth by the Elders and the Scholars? Why do you say it's a sin? Aunt Rieva… Please don't let anyone else hear this… Or you might…" Caela said, confused and growing uneasy, afraid that Rieva might be part of a heretical group.
Aunt Rieva chuckled softly. "I know. But I believe… It's time I tell the truth. In fact, the myth, the old teaching, is the truth."
Caela fell silent, swallowing hard. She looked around, afraid someone might overhear Rieva. If any villager heard her story, Rieva could be accused of blasphemy against the Gods and face execution. Then Rieva continued her tale.
"In truth, there once was a place of true Hosts lived, the human vessels of the Gods. Eight vessels in human form, they were protected in some place by guardians known as the Stargazers. These Stargazers were mages and scholars tasked with protecting the Hosts. But over time, some among them felt there was inequality, and they started questioning the teachings…"
Caela was stunned by this old teaching. Stargazers? She had never heard of them—not once. Where had Rieva learned of all this?
"Why did the Stargazers stop believing in the Hosts?" Caela asked.
"Because the Hosts believed they had to return the Gods to the universe," Rieva answered.
"Return the Gods to the universe…?" It was a phrase that sounded eerily familiar to Caela.
Rieva nodded and continued, "The Stargazers didn't agree with that. They believed returning the Gods to the universe was the same as erasing their powers and causing instability on Earth. Eventually, the Stargazers staged a revolution. They killed the true Hosts and created a new concept of Hosts, using crystals as the Gods' new vessels."
"They killed the true Hosts…?" Caela was still stunned, unable to believe Rieva's story.
"Yes. The original Hosts, the true vessels of the Gods have now vanished without a trace."
Caela repeated Rieva's words in a whisper, a tense, unfamiliar feeling growing inside her.
"I don't believe it…" Caela said, still uncertain.
Rieva nodded. "That's okay, it's only natural. But if you truly want to seek the truth by becoming a Host, I can help you… a little," Rieva said with a small smile.
Caela remained stunned. In the brief silence that followed, a villager arrived to inform them that there would be a farewell celebration that evening for Lord Valia, who would soon return to his homeland, Sunfall—the home of the Fire God's temple. After the villager left, Caela turned back to Rieva.
"I… still want to become a Host, Aunt Rieva," Caela said without hesitation.
Rieva smiled. "Very well. I'll help you. But you understand the consequences of becoming a Host, don't you?"
Caela nodded slowly. She knew that the consequence of becoming a Host could be death—through the Gods' curses or divine attacks. Many people had tried to become Hosts and died during the ritual. But Caela wasn't afraid. She wanted to uncover the truth behind it all.
***