This chapter opens with a soliloquy by Rinehart, in which he tells us that he has returned to the "old world" and that he is now in love with his fated companion, Chiron. He tells us, "I can really tell you how sensitive my body has gotten since I came back to the world . . I can feel everything very intensely now" . He then goes on to say that Chiron's body is even more sensitive today because he has come back from the "beast king" , and Chiron is so happy to be with him.