ODE TO ARKHALLA I walked where no man walks, Beneath a sky of burning red. Through halls of broken souls, Among the living and the dead. I heard a thousand voices crying, I felt their sorrow in my bones. Somewhere in the endless darkness, You waited all alone. When the fires consumed my flesh, And fear brought me to my knees, I called your name into the darkness, And heard your voice answer me. ARKHALLA, can you hear me? Across the years, across the night? I have followed you here, Where men lose sight of the light. Let the heavens turn against me, Let the gods condemn my soul. I have come to find you in the darkness, And I won’t leave without you. There you stood amid the shadows, As beautiful as you had ever been. The years carved their wounds upon me, But your face remained untouched by sin. I saw the tears within your eyes, I heard you whisper my name. And for a moment Hell fell silent, And I was young for you again. He offered me a crown of shadows, A thousand kingdoms at my feet. He promised me you, Forever bound, forever mine. I wore the chains of ancient masters, And knew the bitter price of being owned. I would not make you my possession, Nor call your broken spirit home. I cried your name into the void, I begged the heavens to undo The cruelest gift that love could offer: To lose yourself to see me through. We fell into the deeper shadows, Where memories turn to dust. I felt the darkness rising, The evil born of grief and blood. And there I knew the truth of Hell: The deepest darkness was my own. It was my hatred, it was my sorrow, The seeds of all that I had sown. But somewhere in the endless night, I felt your hand reach out for mine. Fight with me, ARKHALLA. Rise with me, my love. Rise with me… And when the gods came down upon us, And all our strength had turned to pain, I laid my sword upon the ashes, And swore I would not lose again. Take all the years that remain, Take every breath, take all I own. But let her rest within my arms, And let her know she’s not alone. I’ll hold you in my arms, And carry you into the light. I’m here, my love… And I’m taking you home.
