**Scene 52 – "Nodia Kingdom – The Castle"**
Ray Ra'd entered the chamber where his master was sitting.
He took the warriors' salute stance, blood dripping from his mouth, bruises covering his face and his entire body.
He said:
**"With honor and respect, Master."**
Then he stood straight and continued:
**"Forgive me, Master Noodbark… did I do something that angered you?"**
Noodbark replied:
**"I never want you to smile again…
A smile makes others drop their guard around you…
The moment they see your smile, they rebel… they underestimate you because of it.
Inside you is a weak heart…
And I fear that the love you hold for those around you—no matter who they are—
I fear it will one day cost you your life."**
He continued:
**"I will no longer interfere in what you do.
But hear my advice:
Let life take its course.
Let the beast eat the fawn—because it is its food.
Remove compassion from your heart.
And removing compassion does *not* mean becoming a monster…
Nor does it mean becoming evil, oppressive, or someone who refuses to defend the innocent or stand for good or your homeland—no.
You will still protect, defend, and offer help…
But you will do it because it is your *principle*,
your *values*,
your *good character*—
not because of love and tender feelings.
Because if these feelings are ever betrayed one day…
they will destroy your heart."**
He added:
**"If you protect others out of principle and morals,
then if they betray you or turn against you, you will not be shocked—you will feel no pain.
But if you do it out of love…
then that will be your end."**
Noodbark pointed to Ray's chest and said:
**"Do not let compassion rot the arteries of your heart.
You will not understand my words until life repeats them for you in its own perfect way.
Go. Leave Nodia.
Return only when you are stronger… with a stronger heart."**
Ray Ra'd:
**"Yes, Master."**
As Ray turned to leave, responding to his master's command, he collapsed unconscious.
Noodbark caught him, looked at his beautiful face with eyes full of a mother's tenderness, carried him to his chamber, and gently laid him on his bed.
Noodbark then stepped outside the castle.
The full moon lit the place, and in his eyes stirred the memory of his **first meeting with Ray Ra'd**.
---
**In the distant past…**
Noodbark had been walking when he saw a man trying to sell a baby.
Around the infant's neck hung a pendant.
Noodbark passed by without showing the man any attention.
As the man insisted and begged him to buy the child,
the infant's tiny hand touched **the Mist Blade (Sīf al-Ḍabāb)** in Noodbark's grasp.
The sword *pulsed*, beating like a living heart.
Noodbark froze—shocked.
He instantly understood:
the baby was one of the Earth's warriors…
and the true wielder of the Mist Blade.
He lifted the infant and continued walking without paying the man a single coin.
The man shouted after him:
**"Aren't you going to pay?! … Never mind—you freed me from him anyway!
What a strange child…
I found him by chance on the road…
He never grew… not even a little…
Forty years passed—forty years!—and he remained a baby.
I finally got rid of him."**
That was the first encounter between Master Noodbark and his disciple Ray.
And no one knows how many years have passed since then—
it is the **Gateway of the Unknown**, after all…
so nothing should surprise you.