[Chorus 1 — lead voice; rhythmic, enchanted, faintly bewildered] Wait… how have I been here so long? Wait… am I singing another song? Feelin’ the fire—it’s keeping time… Maybe I’ll stay just one more night? [Verse 1 — a distinct second voice; close whispered chant. Lead voice silent.] Coil around them, slow and deliberit— Look at them tremble, oh how they wait for it. Heat in the silence, breth on their skin, Every word spoken, they let me in. Every fear, every plea, curled up in flame— They don’t know the rules, just whisper my name. No chains, no threat, just sacred control— I don’t break their body… I unravel the soul. [Chorus 2 — original lead returns; the march gathers weight] Wait… how have I been here so long? Wait… am I singing another song? Feelin’ the fire—it’s keeping time… Is it the air or the tail that feels so tight? [Verse 2 — lead voice; intimate, as though remembering aloud] The fire was lit before I knew— It whispered first. I whispered too. The hours fell like ash to stone, And now I call this place my own. I thought I’d leave, I meant to run, But something said, “You’ve just begun.” And now I breathe like I belong Inside a flame that hums a song. [Wordless vocal interlude — roughly 16 bars] [One close, low hum begins. Other voices gradually join while the steady march continues underneath. The sound slowly changes and gathers weight; no sung words. Satisfied hum] [Final chorus — full march, inviting and haunting] Wait… how have I been here so long? Wait… am I singing another song? Feelin’ the fire—it’s keeping time… I can’t shake how this feels just right. [Instruments recede; the march continues beneath the voice] Some things change, they don’t stay the same And I don’t remember why I came [One final swell, then let the rhythm carry the ending] Feelin’ the fire—it’s keeping time… I can’t shake how this feels just right.
