The Four Chambers of Xiao-tep -- The Third Chamber

"The Sorrows of Young Stavros"

Xiao-tep and Stavros will become intimate friends in the forthcoming novel as they struggle with similar moral implications. Xiao-tep will have killed once more by the time Stavros and he are together and renounced battle altogether.

"I would help you if I could," says Xiao-tep, "but I fear my aiding you will lead me into battle and that is a country I no longer wish to reside in."

Stavros will bow his head, somewhat shamefully but ever thoughtfully.

"The battle will come and the blood to be let loose I fear shall drown the world," Stavros will say. "I am with you, friend Xiao-tep, in your lamentation for what is to come. I fear the sorrows filling the world, drowning out the cries of love and devotion. I fear the world will choke on its own fluids and the hatred that has been released by our old ally, Zom Loa. I feel your concern in taking life. I've thought on the matter at length, perhaps not as you have, but I have given it thought all the same. And the conclusion I come to is always the same: If our enemy is not put down the world will continue to suffer until all is destroyed the the very walls of Heaven shake with fear. In this I have made my decision to fight. I must fight. I must. I can do nothing else. I am no god that can bring light and love to the world. I am a mere rat."

At this Stavros will look to Xiao-tep and ask, "What say you of me?"

And Xiao-tep will take great care to shape his thoughts into words. "Though I am a god, I know not the destinies laid out before others by The Cosmos more than I know my own. If I am to judge you or any other, I would do so based upon your actions and the will of your heart. And though I may never again raise a blade or my voice against another, perhaps The Cosmos would have you do otherwise.

"I ask you, should you go to fight, would you think it the most righteous thing for you to do?"

Stavros will nod and promptly answer, "It would."

"Then it is what you must do, for it is likely your destiny to be the meter of justice in the world. I cannot tell you.

"But as for me, worry not, Stavros the Red. For you have proven yourself a creature of decency and truly a fine friend. It has been my honor to know you in my lifetime."

And Stavros will smile.