THE STORM I CARRY Zy — Pre–Black Tide Theme [Intro — rain / amp hum / distant thunder] High above the sleeping city, Where the towers split the rain, I learned the sound of thunder Before I ever knew its name. Windows shook in Stormward, Blue fire crossed the sky. They told me storms were something feared. I only wondered why. [Verse 1 — dirty guitar enters] Static in my heartbeat, Lightning underneath my skin. Every time the heavens opened, Something answered from within. Young enough to fear it, Stubborn enough to make it worse, Running from the question: Was this a gift— OR A CURSE? [Band kicks harder] Silver hair beneath the lamplight, One small shelter from the storm. Mara never feared the thunder. She just kept me safe and warm. She never tried to name me. Never told me what to be. "Before the storm decides your future— Don't forget who you are to me." [Pre-Chorus] Before the storm! Before the blade! Before the choices I'll have made! Whatever waits beyond that door— I KNOW WHAT I'M FIGHTING FOR! [Chorus — full band / gang vocals] I CARRY THE STORM! (CARRY THE STORM!) THE STORM DON'T CARRY ME! (NO!) Let the whole damn sky break— I decide what I will be! If the lightning wants a vessel, If the heavens want a name, I'll hold the thunder in my hands WITHOUT BECOMING WHAT I TAME! I don't need the storm to kneel! I don't need the sky to bend! GIVE ME SOMETHING WORTH PROTECTING— I'LL BE STANDING TILL THE END! [Verse 2 — driving street-punk rhythm] Then I met the one called Vesper, Gold lightning in her wake. Lyra saw the power in me— And every stupid choice I'd make. I wanted thunder! She taught balance! I wanted strength! She taught restraint! Every fall—another lesson! Every bruise—another weight! [Gang-vocal training break] "PLANT YOUR FEET!" STAND! "CONTROL YOUR BREATH!" STAND! "FEEL THE PRESSURE!" STAND! "DON'T FIGHT THE STORM!" STAND! [Pre-Chorus 2 — half-time] Then one night she brought Thunderedge, Runes burning through the rain. No crown. No speech. No ceremony. Just that weapon in her hands. I thought she'd given me more power. Years later, I understood: She trusted me to know when power shouldn't be used. [Chorus] I CARRY THE STORM! (CARRY THE STORM!) THE STORM DON'T CARRY ME! Let the whole damn sky break— I decide what I will be! Thunderedge beneath my fingers, Gold and cobalt burning bright. She didn't give me strength to conquer— SHE TRUSTED ME TO CHOOSE WHEN NOT TO FIGHT! I don't need the storm to kneel! I don't need the sky to bend! GIVE ME SOMETHING WORTH PROTECTING— I'LL BE STANDING TILL THE END! [Scythe Training — tempo accelerates] When everyone was sleeping, I went back into the rain. Found the hidden transformation. Tried. Failed. TRY AGAIN! Spearhead splitting! RUNES IGNITING! Crescent tearing through the dark! One long pole beneath my hands— THUNDER WAITING FOR THE SPARK! Rear foot— DRIVE! Hips— TURN! Shoulders— THROUGH THE LINE! Let the weapon drag behind me— THEN MAKE THE MOMENTUM MINE! Again! AGAIN! Again! AGAIN! Until the weapon stopped fighting me— And started moving like it was mine. [Music suddenly drops] I never knew she watched me From the shadows overhead. Never knew she'd seen me falling. Never heard the things she said. Until the night my teacher stumbled... And I stood in front instead. [Bridge — rain / heartbeat / feedback] For one heartbeat... I was that frightened kid again. Storm above me. Death before me. Thunder screaming through my hands. Then I remembered Mara's doorway. I remembered Lyra's words. [silence] "Stand." [SCYTHE IMPACT — FULL BAND] STAND! [Final Chorus — orchestra + street-punk gang vocals] I CARRY THE STORM! (CARRY THE STORM!) AND IT'S PART OF ME! Not my master! Not my prison! NOT THE THING THAT I WILL BE! Let Thunderedge become the crescent! Let the heavens know my name! I'll walk straight into the tempest— AND COME BACK THROUGH THE RAIN! I don't need the storm to kneel! I LEARNED TO STAND WHEN IT DESCENDS! Give me someone worth protecting— I'LL PUT MYSELF BETWEEN THEM AND THE END! (STAND!) BETWEEN THEM AND THE END! (STAND!) BETWEEN THEM AND THE— END! [Outro — instruments collapse into rain and amp hiss] Mara gave me somewhere I could always call my home. Lyra taught me how to stand When I had to stand alone. Thunderedge gave weight To every choice these hands would make. And somewhere beyond Stormward... Something waits beneath Veyrune. [distant thunder] Let it wait. [single thunderclap — hard cut]
