I awoke with a scream.

Everyone in the camp stared at me as plumes of smoke rose from my body.

I also saw dark spots dotted across my skin and even though they itched a little, I ignored them and sent away the dark cloud.

“I guess that’s another reason they call him the black prince.”

Who’s they? I asked internally as the soldiers spoke among themselves.

I had only just recently heard this name and it pissed me off extremely, but I needed to behave.

The soldiers packed up their things before sending the survivors from the night before south.

We then returned our march northward.

I assumed that due to their heavy armor, the soldiers would be a bit more tired, but it seemed as though my concerns were unfounded.

They marched forward with a determination that honestly confused me.

We were all marching to our deaths, no?

I’d expected at least some of them to be nervous, but as we walked, they laughed and talked as though it was any other day for them.

This atmosphere was maintained as we walked across the desert.

Small settlements could be seen in the distance, but I couldn’t run off.

Not yet.

.

..

“My goodness.”

One of the soldiers gasped as we all gazed upon the plateau that marked the point where the border that separated Rendaya and Lanceberg was.

Lush green forests could be seen above the plateau while nothing but ruin and destruction could be seen at its foot.

No matter which direction one decided to look, you’d see kilometers upon kilometers of destroyed buildings and corpses that were clearly illuminated by the light of a sun that was rather hot even though it was quite early.

At the center of all the destruction was a tall mound of what looked like bodies and rubble.

All those Rendaro… dead.

I wasn’t sure but I could’ve sworn I saw a silver glint above the black mound.

“Alright, men. Check your gear.”

Dammit.

I hadn’t found a chance to escape and I could tell a big battle was coming.

I nervously bit my teeth as everyone marched down the hill that led to the place of ruin.

A single street led us toward the mound of corpses.

A street paved with what were once busy shops and lively homes.

“Just what in the world happened here?”

One soldier asked.

“Could’ve been anything. Silver knights, golden knights, who knows what else those monsters have on their side.”

We eventually got close enough to the mound that my fears were confirmed.

Standing atop the mound were six silver knights.

They all wore glorious silver amour, wielded long silver straight swords and sitting atop their helmets were long plumes made of blue feathers.

One of the knights seemingly disappeared before reappearing a few meters in front of us.

He was about a meter taller than most Rendaro and a few heads shorter than me.

His armor was embellished with engravings that depicted the slaughter of many dragons and the crest on his chest plate was of a full moon.

His fellow knights did the same prompting all of us to raise our weapons.

“Greetings, worms. My name is Romaléos, captain of the Wingfell legion of silver knights and I’d like to kindly ask that you peacefully offer your lives to the sun.”

We all stared at him silently as he raised his sword.

“I will not ask again.” The knight said.

“Die!”

One of the Rendaro soldiers yelled as he dashed towards the knight with his sword raised.

The knight sighed before raising his right hand and like that, the soldier stopped moving.

We all watched as the soldiers body floated to where the knights stood.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The soldier's body then drifted to the side and after sighing, looked back at us.

“Go ahead.” He said. He seemed more annoyed than anything.

Several Rendaro dashed towards him with raised swords, but just as Romaléos raised his hand to stop them, a ball of fire shot out of one of the soldiers mouth before striking the knight in the face sending his helmet flying off.

This revealed the knight beautiful face. He had fair features that were highlighted by his grey hair and white eyes.

Romaléos grabbed one of the incoming Rendaro and crushed his head with one hand alone.

I looked around to find that the guards who once so diligently watched over me were glaring at the battle up front and so I took slow and careful steps backwards.

The Battle grew even more fierce and just as more knights got involved, I dashed towards one of the many ruined alleyways before making way west.

I snuck through various broken buildings before eventually finding myself on the outskirts of the ruined town.

Several explosions tore the air apart, prompting me to look back and see a cloud of smoke rising from where I came.

I then caught a glimpse of Gold in the corner of my eye.

I looked forward before stopping in my tracks as my gaze fell upon a gigantic golden man.

Well, it was a man dressed in a suit of beautiful golden armor sitting on a fairly large rock with a golden lance in his hand, but that wasn’t what caused my knees to weaken.

Blaring outward from behind- from within his body was a blinding amount of light.

The man removed his ornate helmet revealing the perfect face.

His golden eyes looked at me with almost no feeling behind them.

His rather dry lips, high cheeks, solid jaw and sturdy brows made him look like the work of divine hands. Although I could see that half of his face was covered in what looked like they had yet to fully heal, but not even they could tarnish his beauty.

His white hair was cut short and even it had a blinding glow.

“Greetings, oh kindred.” He said prompting me to lower my head.

“Why does thou head fall, child of darkness?” He asked. His voice sounded like it came from everywhere and each word was mind numbingly sweet in the sense that he sounded as though he was singing.

“W-who are you?” I asked while biting my teeth.

“Caligo Corriandos, but thou mayst refer to me as Caligo.”

I nodded before painfully swallowing what little saliva was in my dry mouth.

“What do you want?”

“Mine wish is to converse with thee before asking that thou join me as I return to Medelona.” Caligo sang.

“Medelona… what happens if I refuse?”

Caligo placed his gold covered finger on his chin before looking down.

“I would have to convince thee somehow. Apart from father and I, thou art the third Host we have met, so taking thee to Medelona has become my highest priority.”

“Host?”

“Doest thou not knowest thine own nature?” Caligo asked with a pained expression and seemingly in response to his emotional state, the sky darkened.

“N-no.”

“Ah… then coming with me would be most beneficial for thee since thou would be granted access to the wealth of knowledge and wisdom my father possesses.” Caligo said.

I needed to run.

This man… this being spelt trouble and there was no way I was going anywhere with him.

“About that… I’m really needed back in my kingdom so I can’t come with you now.” I said while thinking of the best possible way to escape.

“Kingdom? Art thou of royal blood?” Caligo asked and since his light had died down somewhat, I could see that half of his face was covered in feint burn marks.

“Y-yes! And my people need me. You and you father live in Medelona, right? I could come over there once I finish sorting out everything back home.” I said with a nervous smile.

“But our nations are at war and this war will only end in thine defeat, so returning to thine home will only endanger thee and that I cannot permit.” Caligo said flatly.

“So what will you do?” I asked while slowly backing away.

Caligo stood up before placing his helmet on his head.

“I will ask thee once more. Come with me.” He said while extending his hand to me.

I big my teeth before taking a deep breath.

“Fine.” I said before taking Caligo’s hand. This made him smile joyfully and he led me towards the plateau.

He was about a head taller than me, so I head to look up a little to face him.

“Thou mentioned thou were of Royal blood. What position didst thee hold?” He asked as I glanced to my right.

The fight between the Rendaro soldiers and the Knights had probably long since ended with the knights as the victors meaning I wouldn’t be getting any help any time soon.

Was the old man counting on me running into Caligo?

And even if he was, just how much time did he think me and a small band of men would buy?

Did he know anything about what Caligo said?

What was a Host?

“Well? Oh- I forgot to ask for thine name.”

“It’s Kenos and I was the prince of the Rendaro.”

“Doest thee no longer hold the title?” Caligo asked.

“I do. It’s just… it’s a little complicated.”

“I see.”

Caligo led me to the plateau’s foot where several soldiers awaited. Behind them were ruined homes which once housed countless Rendaro and next to them were fall banners which had a crest of a sun rising behind a pale moon.

They all knelt as Caligo approach and none of them dared to speak as he and I made our way up the plateau.

We eventually arrived at a large encampment filled with soldiers.

They were all armed with steel swords and they wore variations of leather armor, but my concern was with the knights.

Or lack thereof.

Caligo led me further into the rather orderly camp without saying a word.

The silence allowed me to see that no one in the camp moved if they were in Caligo’s line of sight. They would all stand at attention while keeping their eyes raised to the sky.

Just how much respect did this man command?

We eventually arrived at a large and rather simple looking tent.

We entered it and I almost gasped upon seeing just how beautiful the interior was.

White light from an unknown source above bathed the tent which was covered in silky white curtains and blankets.

At the center of it all was a bed.

Caligo removed his helmet once more before dropping it carelessly where we stood. I looked down to find that this was the only spot not covered in white cloth.

“Should I also…?” I tried asking while Caligo removed the last piece of his armor, revealing his leathery under armor.

“Thine garbs are for thee to do with as thou please.” He said as he walked towards his bed.

I decided to keep my clothes and follow him to his bed where he sat with my sword still in hand.

Caligo tapped on the spot next to and there I sat, but it wasn’t long before the tent’s entry flap opened, revealing the head of a golden knight.

I was already deathly afraid, but this was the final straw.

My breaths grew frantic as the knight entered the tent with their Lance in hand.

“Your majesty, what is this and why have you brought it into your tent?” The knight asked as they removed their helmet, revealing themselves to be a woman.

She glared at me with eyes that looked like miniature suns.

“Canst thee not see it? The darkness within him?” Caligo asked prompting the knight to look at my chest.

“Mmm… could it really be… the Host of Darkness?” She asked.

“I am most positive. Father will be most delighted to meet-“

“But it is a mud crawler.” The knight said and I clenched my jaw slightly.

“Ah, but Hosts come in all forms, Astír.” Caligo said, but Astír’s eyes only narrowed in response.

“I see… do you think his highness will come out to meet him?” Astír asked and although I wanted to pay close attention to their conversation, I couldn’t help but stare at Astír.

Her beautiful face, white hair and golden eyes almost put me into a trance, but I needed to stay focused.

“I can only hope.” Caligo sighed.

Astír nodded before stepping backwards.

“Excuse me.” She said before leaving the tent.

I returned my attention to Caligo who stared at me blankly.

“W-what now? I thought you said you were taking me to Medelona.”

“I will. Astír will stay behind and ensure that thine people and land are conquered in the name of the moon.”