**Scene 68 – "Nodia Castle"**
*Joser slowly opened the special door of the main chamber in the castle (the Throne Room). And when it opened, the outside light passed through into the inside, making the features of the person entering unclear — appearing like a shadow.*
Nodbarak was sitting with his eyes closed, roaming through his memories. He became aware, opened his eyes, and slowly the features of the one entering his castle became clear to him — from the feet upward to the head.
He said: **"I don't recall summoning you, Joser… The Purple Dragon — did you deal with it?"**
*(He means the beast guarding the castle gate.)*
**Joser:** "I know… it is strong and rare and precious… Don't worry, I only put it to sleep."
**Nodbarak:** "In addition to the Unknown Warrior's fighters, the Seven Dragons, and the beasts attached to them…
There are other pure beasts…
Beasts unaffected by decay, free to serve good and the Earth's warriors if tamed…
And the Purple Dragons are among them… but not many remain because of their precious hide and down…
Yet hunting and taming them is no easy task…
They are pure beasts — powerful — just like the Black Eagle of Wauzin and your horse Aasif… but…
Joser, I don't think you came to speak about these matters?"
**Joser:** "Curiosity is what brought me."
**Nodbarak:** "Curiosity means interest… I am not used to seeing you curious, Joser…
Listen… Nodbarak feels his path is nearing its last steps."
**Joser** *(astonished):* "Nodbarak — one of the strongest warriors ever — says such a thing??"
**Nodbarak:** "There are warriors Nodbarak barely counts if compared to them."
**Joser:** "You feel loneliness and sadness because you have become alone… Why don't I see that boy?"
**Nodbarak:** "Joser… leave, or I will banish you."
**Joser:** "You never paid for him to the man who wanted to sell him to you."
**Nodbarak:** "Because I did not buy him… *'A human being is neither bought nor sold.'*"
**Joser:** "And the soul is free, enslaved to none but its *Creator*."
**Nodbarak:** "Correct."
**Joser:** "And you are correct."
**Nodbarak:** "The soul has no chains… the only thing that must be restrained is the *nafs* — the inner self, Joser."
**Joser:** "With the restraints of principles and values."
**Nodbarak:** "The twins, Ra'd, are identical in nearly everything… but different in one aspect."
**Joser:** "The heart… one of them has a weak heart."
**Nodbarak:** "And the weak heart is the one that is affected, and cares, and loves, and breaks from betrayal and separation — in my view."
**Joser:** "As for the other… his heart beats for one mission only…
To protect, to judge, and for one love flowing with his blood…
The love of Earth, and the pulse that keeps it alive."
**Nodbarak:** "Aghzeres' heart holds no tenderness that could sway him from performing his mission."
**Joser:** "What did you command him with?… Rai Ra'd."
**Nodbarak:** "Everyone you do not know is your enemy… trust no creature…
And beware of beautiful things that appear innocent, for behind their beauty may hide the filthiest things in existence."
**Joser:** "But he cannot live if he does not trust."
**Nodbarak:** "And he will not live if he *does* trust… He must trust within limits that allow him to survive…
So that if he is betrayed, it does not lead to his death."
**Joser:** "You mean: limited trust, not blind trust… trust hidden behind a wall of constant and great caution."
**Nodbarak:** "His heart is very weak… I hope he understands what I meant — as you did, Joser."
**Joser:** "What about the Mist Sword?"
**Nodbarak:** "He is not worthy of wielding it yet — not until he gains a stronger heart…
A sword in its wielder's hand unleashes all its power… and as the wielder's heart grows stronger…
The beast sealed within the scabbard grows in power and size…
Aren't you leaving?"
**Joser:** "All warriors know your sixth sense…
As if you smell the scent of monsters coming for revenge…
Remember, I match you in many things… even in the number of enemies…
You are not the only one visited by monsters seeking revenge."
**Nodbarak:** "So you too can smell what I smell, correct?"
**Joser:** "Certainly — do not doubt it."
**Nodbarak:** "I banished him to the core of pain… he overcame pain itself…
That is why he broke the gate I used for him."
*Joser and Nodbarak spoke at the same moment,* saying: **"White Sard."**
**Joser:** "He wishes to become the strongest warrior ever…
That is why he targets the Mist Sword — because it is far from its true wielder…
And while it is in your possession, it is like any ordinary sword… so taking it would be the beginning of controlling the rest of the swords…
If he merges the Lightning Sword with the Mist Sword through the Fusion Sword…
That alone is enough to create a lethal beast."
**Nodbarak:** "White Sard knows that facing *one of the Seven Sword Warriors* is no simple matter…
He is aware of the danger…
All I wanted in the past, when I was under the mercy of the Lightning Dragon back then…
Was for him to taste the pain I felt when I was about to perish at the hands of the one I once saved."
**Narrator:**
The story of the two warriors…
A story of sincere love and blind trust… and an innocent view of others…
Met with… betrayal and deep pain…
The hero, the warrior — the Unknown Fighter…
Within each of us… difference takes its shape…
And our past is the maker of our present…
And between our ribs… lies a piece hardly noticed…
It is the axis of the tale…
Farewell.