A Letter to No One

“Thirteen years ago, I went blind. Well, not exactly. In truth, my sight is perfect. I can see things no one else can. So, I’m not blind. Rather, my vision is confined to a world far different from my own. The people in this world dress and speak differently. They travel in fast-moving, horseless chariots. They fly into the sky and further beyond. They can send each other letters at a moment's notice, through square devices of varying sizes. They call this world of theirs “Earth.” Alas, whilst I can see Earth, I cannot communicate with its inhabitants…

Except for one little boy.

Twelve years ago, I started hearing meaningless babbling in my head. It took me six years to locate the source. At first, the boy was too young to reply or form coherent thoughts. Last year, I asked him where he was from. He told me “Japan,” though he was too scared to tell me more. I spent the following year searching all over this unique country, far, far to the East of Earth.

Yesterday, I found him. I ask a question, and he answers. For the first time in six years, I am able to see the person I’m talking to! His name is Sato Kugo.

Except, it’s not a coincidence that I can communicate with this specific boy. I know exactly who he once was. In fact, I can sense the great power inside him. I’m conflicted. He has started to feel like my child, but I know this can only end one way. I must bring him over to this world, so I may complete my goal.

Fortunately, there is a way to do just that.

The bark and sap from the Tree of Everything can be processed into a paper-like substance. On this paper, one can write contracts, using ink harvested from one of the squids that swim in the tree’s moat. You can find this tree in the Hidden Kingdom at the center of the Earth.

After over a decade of searching for, creating and experimenting with these contracts, I have managed to establish 8 core rules:

1. Contracts must fall within the abilities of both parties, or else they are null and void.

2. If a contract is voided, it will immediately burn up.

3. Two contracts cannot outline the same conditions.

4. The hand that signs is more important than what it has signed.

5. You cannot sign a contract on someone else’s behalf.

6. If a contract has taken effect, whether through completion or breaking, all hope is not lost. If all parties wish, they can counter said contract.

7. If a contract is written, and a piece of it is torn off, whoever signs on that piece has signed the contract.

8. Should a party fail to fulfil the contract, they will disappear.

I’ve made people sign contracts that I then prevented them from completing. Every time they disappeared, I was able to communicate directly into their minds, the same way I can with Kugo. Eventually, I found one of them.

They were on Earth.

Earth does not have a Tree of Everything. Curious, I wanted to see what would happen if someone on Earth failed to carry out the conditions detailed on this special paper.

I transported a little girl to Earth with a contract. It said she had to kill someone within precisely 48 hours. I told her not to fulfil the stipulation and kept a constant watch. Two days later, she vanished. I could no longer see or communicate with her. Frustratingly, I also couldn’t find her. However, the following evening, two city guards showed up at my doorstep. They claimed a previously missing young girl had turned up yesterday and accused me of transporting her to another world.

That was six months ago. Yesterday, I made a man disappear, with some unwritten contract papers in his hands and pockets. His name is Khurael Walkur. We entered a mutual agreement: he wanted to experience Earth, and I wanted him to get there. Now, his mission is to assume a new identity and incrust himself into Kugo’s life. The goal is to have Kugo sign a contract, to bring him back to me.”