Tale of the Red Warrior

The Tale of the Red Warrior is a popular Nelhae story.

Tale
The Red Warrior was raised by kind parents and trained by wise masters, yet a seed of twisted pride lurked within him. If a man spilled his soup, the Red Warrior would demand a fight for his honor. If a woman bumped into him on the path, the Red Warrior would demand a fight for his honor. He responded to any slight against his honor by disgracing the honor of others. Yet in fighting, he grew strong.[1]

As the Red Warrior’s hands became covered in blood, he grew both strong and weak. His eyes could see beyond the horizon, yet he was unable to see himself. He proclaimed many creeds while following none, seeking only strength and riches for himself. And he found them, for true masters did not walk his lowly path.[2]

Everywhere the Red Warrior walked, he found only insults to his honor and reasons to kill. He built nothing and understood nothing, seeking only power. That desire took him to an old master on a mountaintop who it was said could unlock great strength. The Red Warrior demanded to receive this power, but the old master told him that he was not ready. Angered by the insult to his honor, the Red Warrior struck the old master until he relented. Yet when he seized the power for himself, he felt the strength leave his body.[3]

The old master explained to the Red Warrior that if he walked for one year without using sein, he would regain far greater power. He spoke the truth, yet the Red Warrior refused to believe it. Without anything to fill his soul except power, he became miserable and wretched. On his way down the mountain, the Red Warrior insulted the honor of another warrior and was immediately killed, as he had killed so many before him.[4]

So it was, so it is, and so it will be.[4]