The Last Farewell
Noah woke up at a time when the whole world was still asleep.
Do you really not know Noah?
Noah is a young boy, only 16 years old. This might be the first time he had to step out and rely on himself after his father died in the war between the Kingdom of Clouds and the Kingdom of the River.
Noah lived like any child born during wartime in the Kingdom of Clouds. He saw his father, mother, or brother die, but the events in his life changed the moment he saw Marwa.
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The Kingdom of Clouds Without Rain
Like any kingdom built on an army and military readiness, Clouds also relied on water.
No water meant no rain.
This had been the state of the Kingdom of Clouds recently: internal conflict, theft, and looting.
Many young people had migrated to other kingdoms like the Kingdom of Winds and the Kingdom of Wood.
During this period, Noah was trying to find a goal that would give his life meaning—a sense of joy, laughter, and happiness after doing something he truly desired.
Unfortunately, the situation was unforgiving, leaving him no choice but to enter the kingdom's camp to defend his land, just like his father did.
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Marwa and the Ladder
Marwa was the daughter of the man who ran the library. She always helped her father document the history of the kingdom. Her father was also the chief scribe in the king's council.
After the tyrant king was killed by his cousin, the Sea Prince, who then took the throne, he decided to dismiss everyone working in the palace.
One day, Marwa was helping her father organize the books on the library shelves, while Noah entered to get a book to understand more about the conflict between the kingdoms (Clouds and River).
He happened to see Marwa, and at that moment, it was the first time Noah felt his heart race—a feeling he had never experienced before in his life.
Unfortunately, because Noah's life was unstable and nothing lasted, a butterfly flew into Marwa's eyes and fell.
Noah ran to help her.
Noah: Are you okay?
Marwa: No! Help me!!
For the first time, Noah touched someone's hand. Their eyes met, filled with countless questions—but one answer:
Yes. It was the feeling of love and admiration.
Noah: Should I help you with anything else?
Marwa: With all my shyness… thank you. How can I help you?
Noah: I needed the book The Struggle of the Kingdoms.
Marwa: Okay, just a moment.
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The Camp and the Rain
After years without rain, without goodness, without rest, without hope,
Noah stood in front of the camp, lost in thought, saying:
"Could the beginning here have an end? Or is this the end?"
Then, the first drop of water fell from the sky onto Noah's head, as if to say:
"You are hope. You are the son of Clouds."
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Noah and Injured Ezz
After Noah entered and got familiar with his tasks and training inside the camp, he went to see his bed and locker to get to know the place he would sleep in.
Suddenly, he heard a strange sound, like crying, coming from a corner of the room.
Noah: Who's there?
Ezz: I'm a newcomer. Come closer.
Noah: Okay, I'm coming.
Noah walked slowly, filled with fear, after leaving the book on the bed.
Noah: So… who are you?
Ezz: I'm Ezz, a senior soldier here.
Noah: Welcome, Ezz. Why are you crying?
Ezz: Not all rain is good, son of Clouds. You can go check your bed and continue your day.
Noah stared in silence, confused.
"Alright… alright."
He changed out of his civilian clothes and put on his sleep uniform.
But this sleep was unlike any other—it felt like the last farewell.
The Last Farewell
After Noah couldn't sleep on his first night at the camp,
the clock hand raced as if in a competition. He heard the first call:
"Wake up! Wake up!"
Noah got up, his eyes filled with fatigue and confusion. He glanced at his locker, opened it, put on his military uniform, and got ready for the formation.
A tall, massive officer entered, his voice as if a mountain were speaking, not a man.
Officer: I am your officer, in charge of the first squad of the Knights of the Kingdom of Clouds.
"My name is Al-Munqidh, and I don't like long speeches," he shouted loudly, calling: "Ezz! Soldier Ezz!"
Ezz: Yes, sir!
Al-Munqidh: Take all the soldiers out to the training field.
Ezz: Yes, sir! (He turns his back, tired, and calls out) You and him—form two straight lines in perfect order.
The officer, Al-Munqidh, then gave them their instructions.
While giving instructions, Noah's eyes were fixed on the sky, staring at the clouds.
Al-Munqidh: Looks like you wished you were a bird?
Noah: I wish, sir. At least then I would have known myself better than being lost in this confusion.
Al-Munqidh: Move with me so I don't let your days be dark before your eyes.
Noah: (with a broken voice, sadly) Yes, sir.
Al-Munqidh: You know we don't have much time to train you, but orders have come that the Kingdom of the River will attack us, specifically at the Great Flood Zone.
We must prevent this attack. Our squad's goal is to secure the supply lines and support the main cavalry, the royal guard, and the sorcerers.
Noah: Do we have sorcerers, sir?
Al-Munqidh: Mount your horses! And anyone who can't find a horse to cover the distance doesn't count.
Noah felt upset by the neglect, but he decided to walk so as not to let words upset him further.
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The Road to the Great Flood Zone
As they moved, Noah kept thinking about one thing:
Would he see Marwa again?
Would he talk to her again?
What was her name, anyway?
He didn't even know her name, nor any information about her except one thing:
the first beat of his heart that made him feel safe was because of her.
Here, Noah decided to open the book that told the story of the struggle between the kingdoms.
But Ezz, behind Noah, said:
"We will camp here. Go get the wood to light the fire, and tie the horses to the trees properly."
Noah: (leaving the bag and book, taking the sword and firewood to see)
He quietly and silently went to carry out the instructions.
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The Struggle of the Kingdoms
Originally, all the kingdoms were one: the Kingdom of the River, the Kingdom of Clouds, the Kingdom of Wood, and the Kingdom of Winds.
The ruler was The Dagger Leader, the last member of the royal family line that ruled the four kingdoms before the war and division.
The separation came from the four children.
Each one ruled one of the four kingdoms.
The reason for the conflict was the Jewel. Whoever possessed it would be free like the wind, full of wisdom like the clouds, resilient like wood, and capable of paving paths to success like the river.
The first kingdom to possess the jewel was the Kingdom of Clouds during the time of the tyrant king.
But as everything has an end, his cousin, the Sea Prince, who lived in the Kingdom of the River, killed him, staged a coup, and took the throne.
But the story didn't end there.
The jewel ended up with a child in the royal council, who now possessed it but didn't know its value or true nature.
No one knew this, and only the council members knew who the child's parent was. Half of them had died or were exiled to the Lands of Darkness—a region full of shadow, corruption, and chaos, with no ruler, leader, or army.
To this day, no one has revealed the identity of the one carrying the jewel, nor can they guide him. This is why he is called the Key of the Kingdoms in the four kingdoms.
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Marwa and the Royal Guard
The Sea King received information that Marwa's father possessed books about the kingdoms' history, which constantly reminded him of his failures and weaknesses.
He decided to send the royal guard to close the library and arrest Marwa's father.
Marwa was in the office, preparing breakfast with warm milk, cheese, honey, and cream for her father on a morning full of gloom.
Marwa: Come, Dad, breakfast is ready.
Father: I'm coming, my daughter.
Marwa: Is that all, Dad? We have no relatives at all.
Father: We do, my daughter, in the Kingdom of Wood.
Marwa: I just wished I had a brother or sister to comfort me, Dad.
Father: Take this, my daughter—pass me the warm milk and honey.
Marwa: Here you go, my love. But who was the person Mom used to write to?
Father: Who?
Marwa took an old paper, written by her mother, and gave it to her father.
It read:
"To my beloved, whom I never fully enjoyed nor was happy with, my first love, I hope you use the tool of life you possess with courage and pride. I love you. —Mom"
Her father cried, saying: "I will explain everything to you."
The small library door broke as knights and soldiers entered.
Soldier: What's going on?!
Officer: Come, arrest him, soldiers!
Marwa: Dad! Please, no, no!
Father: Take care of yourself, Marwa. Take care of Ezz. The land is dangerous, stay strong.
The soldiers destroyed everything in the library.
Marwa ran, unsure where to go. She kept running.
Knights chased her, shooting arrows, until she suddenly found herself in front of a place filled with light and horses.
She saw a figure, someone whose features she recognized, whose eyes she knew.
But she couldn't speak, approach him, or ask him for help because of his military uniform—he might be one of them.
But if that person had seen her, would he have felt the same?
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To be continued…
The story is not finished yet.