Host

A **Host** is a ninja that has been possessed or possesses a youkai inside of them. Having merged with the youkai, they gain exceptional speed, strength, durability, and other perks.

## Overview

Being the monstrous creatures they were, all youkais were subject to being captured by other ninjas and sealed for their power. A youkai's strength proved to be too formidable to be bound by techniques or kept in cages. This led to the idea of ninjas becoming the cage instead. Although effective for containing a youkai, the ninja would suffer spiritually, mentally, and psychologically. Others within their sect would also ostracize some of them out of fear that the youkai would be released. The Hosts themselves were seen as nothing more than equipment—a massive pool of energy to be used in times of war.

Controlling a youkai involved extensive supervision of the Host, ensuring that the Host first gained control over the youkai's power. However, not every sect is knowledgeable about how to attain that feat. This is shown when the Tree Sect allowed Neo to be raised without the knowledge of the Dire Wolf being inside of him. Because of the value of having a Host, the sect's interest leaned more toward protecting Neo as opposed to casting both him and the Dire Wolf out. While many Hosts succeed in taming their youkai after a time, some can and have failed. This is due to a Host experiencing a tremendous amount of depression, insomnia, and an isolated void that their youkai consistently expands upon to devour them from the inside out. With too weak of a heart, unlike Neo, a youkai will use every moment to escape and take control of their Host's body. Had it not been for the Dire Wolf needing over a decade to heal itself, it would have gladly taken over Neo's body ages ago.

Hosts typically experience a lot of hardships due to their youkai. Once they're able to control the creature, their rejection turns into honour. This is mainly because not every ninja is capable of being a Host. Whether they have impeccable energy control or are experienced, it takes a lot of heart and spirit to be one. Most ninjas are terrified of becoming a Host. Not just because of the high difficulty and stress that come along with it, but also because once all of their youkai's energy is released from them (either willingly or not), that Host dies.

## Abilities

Each Host gains a variety of abilities, depending on which youkai they have. In addition to an enormous boost in energy, they also gain a unique trait that corresponds to their youkai. Some youkais are capable of even providing incredible healing factors in the event their Host gets injured. This healing is strong enough to replace missing limbs. While Host can forcefully take their youkais energy, a lot first try and befriend their youkai so as to avoid being corrupted and possessed. Of the greatest gains a Host acquires once they gain their youkai's energy, there are a few transformations known as Twilight Mode, Eventide Mode, and Eclipse Mode.

## List of Known Hosts

1. Graham – Fossilized Rat
2. Hendrix – Komodo Crocodile (Former)
3. Jessie – Megalodon
4. Jonathan – White Rhino
5. Kieran – Cave Bear
6. Monty – White Rhino (Former)
7. Neo – Dire Wolf
8. Reegan – Four–Armed Panda
9. Ulrich  – Rocky-Tailed Deer
10. Unknown – Saber-Toothed Tiger
11. Unknown – Laughing Hyena