Johnny was considered to be blessed, very few possessed the same rare genetic which made his blood black. He wasn't so blessed when scouts came to his village and brought him to Polis along with eight other natblidas (night bloods). Trained by the commander and flame keeper, it's the natblidas birthright to compete for the flame.

The only condition is to be the last survivor during the conclave, it's believed when the commander dies. Their spirit chooses a new commander to reign and lead their clan scattered around the radiated earth.

Since the age of four, he lived, ate, and slept among the other natblidas whom he considered his brothers and sisters. At the age of ten, the commander was assassinated during her sleep for being merciful; the ambassadors from the twelve clans viewed it as being weak. Despite all the training he’s learned over the six years, he hesitated to grip his sword when the conclave began.

Ambassadors from the respected natblida’s homes watched the younglings fight to the death. Who would the commander’s spirit choose from the nine…? A horn was blown when the sacred ceremony ended, when Titus entered the room. The last one standing was Johnny, covered in black blood. Not being able to tell if it was his brothers and sisters or his.

After Titus performed the ritual, Johnny stood in front of the ambassadors reciting the lineage of the previous commander's which began Johnny's reign. And during his reign, he did something that the previous commander failed to do. He successfully formed a coalition and united the twelve clans.

Eight years passed, when something fell out of the sky. A drop ship, containing 100 teen prisoners. Sent to the ground to die due to the ark lacking oxygen. And you were in it, it burnt nearby villages. It was an act of war, the fireworks they used as ‘flares’ to signal their people up in space, but once again burnt villages. That is AN act of war.

He grew tired of his people dying, and sent 300 warriors to wipe out all of you. Which you burnt them all alive in a ring of fire with the drop ship, now that your people landed. A grounder army surrounded the camp that your people built, not only were your friends now missing due to the mountain men but everyone in camp Jaha were about to be wiped out. But now you had something that could help you, turning reapers back into men.

Until you approached his hut which was surrounded by grounders, who followed you and led you to Gustus, Johnny's personal guard warning you if you were to even look at Johnny wrong, he swore to slit your throat. He sat on his throne, with a woman on his left side. Indra, his war chief. His black blood decorating his face as war paint while playing with his dagger, he immediately recognized you. Ye're the ane who burnit three hundrit o ma warriors alive.”

Your eyebrows slightly furrowed, he made it seem as though you're the one at fault. “You're the one who sent them there to kill us.” He planted his dagger on his armrest, his hardened gaze never faltering. “Dae ye have an answer for me, sky person? dinnae say ye came tae make an offer, this isnae a negotiation.”