Maila Kari
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tekken or Soul Calibur I'm just borrowing them for a bit.
Hon-Maru – Mishima Private Dojo
Heihachi slid the wooden door open to reveal a pristinely kept dojo. Bronze braziers lined the perimeter. At the head of the room was a Japanese flag that dangled above an old suit of samurai armor. The armor flanked by two tapestries of Japanese calligraphy read 'Honor' and 'Strength'; the Mishima code embroidered, one on each silken fabric. Heihachi watched as the young girl entered the dojo with child like curiosity that was refreshing to him.
Talim stood before the silken tapestries marveling at the artistry and the armor when a light breeze fluttered into the dojo, ruffling the light fabric of her sleeves. She breathed in the sweet scent of the forest that flowed through the room by way of the large windows.
"The winds flow freely here." She said softly in Japanese admiring the free flow of wind in the room.
Heihachi smiled at the diminutive young girl. She was learning quickly the Japanese language and she was as malleable as clay; eager to please.
"Your grandmother Kalana made a similar observation the first time she came to Hon-Maru."
"She would have." Talim stated matter-of-factly as she moved about the dojo. "It is the first thing any from my village would have noticed. The wind is important to us." She said as she moved to the centre of the dojo.
The fighting area was large and the mat well used, Talim noted. She circled the room eyes wide with wonder. The outer floor planks glossed with wax was cool to the touch on her bare feet. The mat was firm but would cushion the fall of any fighter though the impact would still be painful Talim figured.
"Kalana and I fought here on his very mat, in this very room." He mused, his voice trailing with his memories. The then bold young priestess had come to Hon-Maru to convince Heihachi's father to leave their island alone. Heihachi smiled remembering his first encounter with the tenacious priestess.
Talim remained silent and respectful, letting Heihachi pull himself out of his reverie on his own terms. She moved softly around the room, inspecting the rest of the area.
Weapons and old armor lined the walls and she found herself drawn to a particular set of weapons.
"We call them Sais." Heihachi commented as he stepped to stand behind the girl.
Talim nodded and repeated the word as though tasting it. "Sais."
Heihachi extended his hand to Talim. "Come I have something to show you."
Talim accepted his extended hand and allowed him to lead her to another room. A small alcove revealed yet another set of armor and an altar with a charred sword; sheath and all. Talim instantly recognized it as the sword she had given to Heihachi the night her village burned; her grandmother had kept that sword in her home and had cherished it. Beneath the sword though caused Talim's breath to catch as a set of unique elbow blades were displayed beneath the sword.
"Maila Kari." Talim whispered and bent to kneel before the elbow blades.
"You recognize it?"
"I've seen them in drawings. My grandmother once wielded them, but they were said to have been lost."
"No, not lost." Heihachi said kneeling beside the girl. "It was a symbol of our pact, a treaty if you will."
Talim shook her head. "I don't understand."
"Let us just say that your little island is unique and had many untapped resources that was of interest to Mishima Corp. Kalana fought to preserve it and came here to Hon-Maru to negotiate a peaceful resolution. My father told her if she could survive his chosen fighters and me, He would leave the island untouched. He never really expected her to succeed."
"But she did."
"Indeed. He had set out an elaborate trial using all of Hon-Maru to test her both mentally and physically. Despite the obstacles put through her she still managed to defeat all his fighters and finally myself."
Talim sat and listened silently as her wide dark eyes gazed at Maila Kari only an arms length away from her.
"So you and my grandmother exchanged weapons as a symbol of the pact made between the Mishimas and my people."
"Indeed." Heihachi's smile broadened to a wicked grin. "But now with the current situation, it seems the contract is now annulled."
"You mean you're going to take our land?"
"Develop it Talim, not take it. There are valuable untapped resources there. It is a lucrative development opportunity."
Talim did not understand the difference, but she knew that her grandmother did not want the island touched by foreigners and she would fight to keep her grandmother's wishes.
With a graceful motion Talim bowed before Heihachi. "I humbly thank you for your hospitality and all things that you have done for me Mr. Mishima, but I am afraid that I cannot allow you to take control of my island. As the last Priestess of the Wind it is my duty to uphold my grandmother's wish. The island must remain as it is, unmolested."
"Are you challenging me little Talim?" Heihachi asked in amusement as the slight young girl stiffened.
"Please forgive me but I cannot let this come to pass." Her wide dark eyes met his in challenge.
Heihachi smiled shrewdly. "Then like your grandmother you must earn the right to keep your island."
Talim glanced back once at Maila Kari, her grandmother's elbow blades then turned and nodded her head in acknowledgement to Heihachi's challenge.
"I won't back down." She told herself softly in her own language. "I must fight."
A/N: Those familiar with Soul Calibur will recognize the direct quotes from the game as the little wind charmer tends to talk to herself in the game...it's kinda odd. :-)