Interlude -
Xiao Sees All

 

Xiao the Eternal, god-emperor of the Dream, gazed out from the palace harem’s large veranda at a mountain range he made. It was one of tens of thousands of palaces he kept scattered throughout his Dream. All unique, designed to reflect a different mood or nuance. This palace he named “Romantic Astonishment”. And it was. The winds sighed musically across the moon through trees with hollow branches, creating melodic chords with one another.

His lust recently slaked, he lazily contemplated the myriad of things that required his attention. With a thought, he issued orders and projected his will through his wired connections. With a mere whim, a kingdom of millions of his subjects could prosper or fall.

A humanoid came out on the veranda as Xiao enjoyed the view and the music of the twilight that passed for night in his domain. He was tall, impossibly slender, dressed in a long droopy robe of deep blue. The Imperial eye on his chest was bisected by the opening of his robe like the pages of a book laid open to read. He glided soundlessly to stand behind his emperor and bowed before speaking.

“The Eye of Xiao sees all,” the being said in prayerful reverence. In front of his face he pressed his palms together, fingers spread with thumbs pointing straight up and down in the imperial salute, “Hail Xiao.”

The Emperor did not turn to address his soft-footed servant. “Narrator, what have you for me?”

“A hero in the making, your imperial majesty,” the Narrator’s voice quivered with excitement.

Xiao’s eyebrows rose a little.

“A hero you say?” Xiao said with a faint smile.

“One who would greatly benefit from your mellifluous nature, oh Mighty One,” the Narrator said with barely restrained joy. “A man with the qualities you desire in a hero. Possibly a hero for your people. A sentient able to unite them in revolt against you. If properly cultivated he might provide a true challenge.” The Narrator’s voice trembled in bliss.

“This is pleasing news,” Xiao said and turned to face his servant, enjoying the man’s ecstatic state.

“Oh yes, your eminence,” the Narrator sighed.

“Then come!” Xiao said, “Sit by my fire and tell me the story of my new hero, and I will contemplate his future.”

The two sat down across from each other over a low firepit that gave off a warm hypnotic flicker and the Imperial Narrator began to tell Xiao the tale.

“Once again, my Lord, another hero is distinguishing himself from among the faceless billions of your subjects. Your prophets foretell the great deeds and tragedies he is about to endure…”

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