This letter was received by Naoko on her 25th birthday.

Dear Alexis

The tangible world is known to us by five senses. However, without the presence of the sixth sense, the world as we know it will not come to being. It will be stagnant, with each element being completely alone, in its own essence, without evolution. Evolution is not desired, nor is it required, but once evolution is begun, it cannot be stopped. One needs to evolve completely to the reach the end that is most suitable for that thing.

So it is with Jiat.

We are outsiders. But we are also Xi’an. Whenever we enter Jiat, we become that is which is most useful to it. We do not sacrifice our sanity, our senses, nor even our reason. It is a mutual contract. In Jiat, we are governed by the powers of the planet. This power does not leave with us when we leave Jiat. It is present only when we are in contact with the planet.

But we are chosen because we have our own powers. By ourselves, in our own bodies, we too, hold the Keys to the Universe. There are many XI’an who have gone insane because they stayed too long on Jiat and confused their desires with those of the planet. We have refused to. By disengaging from the planet after taking that oath, we have delayed, at least the curse that kills our bloodlines.

The direct transfer of Jiat’s power from parent to child is well-known. You know too, my daughter, that we transfer memories, skills and individual powers in this manner as well. And by the time you read this, you would be aware that not all the powers that are your birthright will be activated. The potential to use those powers will be there, but they will be locked. Your body and your genes can only activate so much at any given period of time.

But the burdens you will bear…

Forgive this letter, my daughter. Forgive your mother for placing such a restriction on you. Forgive me for bonding you into the same slavery I bonded myself.

We are the darkness to our sisters’ lights. That is our burden, as others will see. Never forget that we are the light to those moments in darkness. Smile, my lovely phoenix. We are the coal to the phoenix’s fire.

Your mother
Naoya Kensaku
Scion of House Rourke