The Age Of Crimson

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THE AGE OF CRIMSON [INTRO — Wind through a broken gate. Distant Nordic horn. Heartbeat bass.] [Low female whisper] They built my statue by the gate. They taught their children I would stay. [Stone cracks] Tonight, they pull my statue down. [Whisper] Turn its face away. [MASSIVE BASS HIT] [VERSE 1 — Grinding guitars, pounding toms, sharp trap hi-hats] Crimson banners on the ridge, My shadow stretches down the bridge. Same road home, a different tread— Black scales bright where the moonlight bled. I wore their colors through the snow. I stood where frightened people go. Now Crimson Bloods ride at my side; I lift my hand— The ranks divide. Rai gives a nod. I face the wall. The watchman knows me by my call. He lowers his bow to say my name— The iron answers first in flame. [PRE-CHORUS — Rising strings. Bass pulls back.] Eri hears the northern bell. Xiami sees the first gate fail. They run toward the smoke I raise— I open up a new age. [CHORUS — Huge half-time impact. Soaring fierce belt.] THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON! HEAR THE WAR HORNS CRY! The wings that used to shelter you Are burning through the sky! Raise the fallen! Hold the crossing! Keep the children moving on! The one who swore to guard these walls Is why the walls are gone! CRIMSON BLOODS—MY BANNER HIGH! Let the old world hear my name! THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON— AND I CARRY IN THE FLAME! [VERSE 2 — Tight melodic rap. Sliding 808s beneath guitar chugs.] Eri lifts a splintered beam, Pulls a family through the steam. Turns his cloak against the sparks; Counts their footsteps in the dark. Xiami holds the eastern stair, White hair whipping through the air. Every time my fire comes down, She shields another patch of ground. I know the square beneath their feet. I used to bring the hungry wheat. That woman with the silver braid— I know. I know the promise made. Eri calls across the street: “They trusted you. They still believe.” [Close whisper] I turn the crimson on my sleeve. [PRE-CHORUS — War drums climb. Voice turns cold.] 守ると誓った、この街を。 I feel the oath beneath my tongue. [Whispered command] “Advance.” [Two crushing bass hits] I march to a different drum. [CHORUS — Full band. Layered female harmonies.] THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON! HEAR THE WAR HORNS CRY! The wings that used to shelter you Are burning through the sky! Raise the fallen! Hold the crossing! Keep the children moving on! The one who swore to guard these walls Is why the walls are gone! CRIMSON BLOODS—MY BANNER HIGH! Let the old world hear my name! THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON— AND I CARRY IN THE FLAME! [GUITAR SOLO — 20 seconds] [Begin with a mournful melody; climb into fierce bends, rapid runs and screaming sustained notes. Double-kick drums and deep bass impacts drive the final eight bars.] [BREAKDOWN — War horn blast. Slow, punishing guitar chugs.] ONE STEP— The bridge stones shake. ONE WORD— The ward lines break. Xiami stands. Eri stays. Two silhouettes against the blaze. [Shouted] MOVE! [Silence] They don’t. [Explosive bass impact] まだ私を、信じるの？ You see these eyes— And still say “home”? [BRIDGE — Bare piano. Soft, intimate vocal.] My sister calls me little storm. Eri holds his empty hand. Behind them, people cross the water; Neither leaves until they can. For half a breath, my fingers open. For half a breath, the fire thins. Then crimson standards crest the hillside— [Low, deliberate] I let the thunder in. [BUILD — Rising strings, rolling war drums.] Rai says, “Bring the kingdom low.” Xiami whispers, “Let them go.” [One beat of silence] I know them both. I make my choice. [BASS SLAM] The storm comes wearing my voice. [FINAL CHORUS — Maximum bass. Soaring lead and immense drums.] THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON! HEAR THE WAR HORNS CRY! My sister holds the river road; My love defies the sky! Through the fire! Past the crossing! One more life before the dawn! They keep the promise that I broke— THEY CARRY MY PEOPLE ON! CRIMSON BLOODS—MY BANNER HIGH! Black wings blot the morning flame! THIS IS THE AGE OF CRIMSON— THE KINGDOM KNOWS MY NAME! [OUTRO — Dying horn. Two slow heartbeat bass hits.] [Quietly] Once, those bells meant I had saved them. Now they ring— Because I’ve come.