Discipline

[Narrator]
Ever closer now the shores of vabaria
His thoughts drift to the prospect of reunion with his beloved
Though adoptive parents, boro and celestia
Shallow waters
As he drags the boat through the sand to the tree line
He notices commotion emanating from a beachside tavern
Having travelled for days, he sidles up
To the battered old gate and soon his memory awakes
To familiar sensations, seeking out the sweet remuneration
Of taking a deep swig of the belko brew
Singles out the inn’s keeper who replies
Only with a sneer and a “who the hell are you?”

[Shalim]
I’m Shalim from the lost tribe

[Narrator]
Hostile, eyes on the prize
Self-taught he’s the vessel whom the oracle chose
The story unfolds, his origins restored as a goal

[Shalim]
I’m the last of the Tan Suo

[Narrator]
Red hot, ready for the duel
He’s the prodigal son from the crown hill region
Even wanted by the king for desertion and treason

[Shalim]
I’m gonna find the beast, and when in front of him
Show him that the chosen one can throw a couple punches in
Slay a dozen of his bodyguards and keep him wishing
My sword swing wouldn’t force him into deep submission
But sweeter even, people listen!
I’m not here to leave imperial regimes imprisoned
I’m here to smash it into little shards
And to anyone in charge, heads are coming off!

[Narrator]
As the tirade fades and the rage settles
Hears a strange fellow to his right hand side that now engages
Begs pardon but he overhead the name as shalim
And whether he was of relation to a boro and celestia
Bereft of her precious since the war drums blazed
And the child took flight through the night
He hates to be the bearer of this caliber of news
But he’d rather that he knew the sad truth
Gut shot, unable to digest
Brain recoils and refuses to accept
The ones that raised him as their own were now dead and buried
Fallen to the kings blind fury in a flurry
Cause being his association with rebellion
And the general had made an example of them
Shalim now stands enraged and proclaims:

[Shalim]
Tomorrow night Rongon falls to my blade!
Please old man, this meeting’s over
What? You say you’re one of the Shin Toa?
I don’t believe ya’
I’m Shalim, the last of the Tan-Suo
Pleased to meet ya’
If it’s not too large of a demand
It would be a great honor if you’d like to be my teacher
Yes, Master Rishi, I’m ready to experience
Discipline, stillness of mind

[Narrator]
Hours on days on weeks on the grind
Wiser, stronger, slicker, faster
Apprentice forged in the image of the master

[Shalim]
Discipline, stillness of mind

[Narrator]
Hours on days on weeks on the grind
Wind sweeps over the pasture
Branches dance to the tune of the master

[Shalim]
I’m gonna find the beast and when I do it
I’ll think of all the people that I’ve lost to his blind pride
Keep the mind’s eye focused on my nemesis
Intelligent as he may seem and clearly venomous
I will defeat him! Revenge for the legions
And won’t rest until their left widows know freedom
I don’t wanna see him breathing for a second longer
General Rongon, I’m coming for ya!
I’m Shalim from the lost tribe

[Narrator]
Focused, eyes on the prize
Been taught by the best on the hillside
And in the deep forest were the wise reside

[Shalim]
And I’m the last of the Tan Suo

[Narrator]
Stays cool, ready for the duel
He’s the prodigal son, humble in his skill
Calm with a view to a kill