10B. Serenity's Smothered Flame

[Intro – Whispered over ambient static and wind] She called to me... Not in fear. Not in anger. But in trust... And I came. [Verse I – Clean female vocals over slow, melodic tremolo riff] I woke beneath her breathless sky I saw her veil, and I drew nigh Her voice—a thread of solemn grace It pulled me toward that shattered place The lake was black. The air was still. The world grew cold Against my will. [Pre-Chorus I – Whispered and layered with ambient distortion] She stood beyond... but not in view And still I walked... because I knew If I did not… I’d never matter. [Chorus I – Clean vocals over blast beats and choral backing] I crossed the ice, alone and slow The cracks beneath began to show I couldn’t swim—she knew I’d fall But still she waited… Through it all. [Verse II – Clean with screamed underlines, pacing intensifies] The water drank my heat with ease It pierced my ash, it seized my knees I sank in silence, limbs unstrung Until I felt some fingers… clung She gripped my legs— Not to raise But to pull Me... !!!!!Dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn!!!!!! [Instrumental interlude] [Pause] [Bridge – Growled lines with whispered fragments underneath] A shape beneath. A gaze above. Not goddess' touch… Not mother's love. Her rage was cold— So calmly cast, She dragged me down To drown at last. [Chorus II – Full clean vocal with screamed overlays and instrumental crescendo] I crossed the veil not by mistake But through her hand beneath the lake She mourns for me in hollow light But took my breath In frostbite night [Breakdown – Growled interlude, drums stripped down] She pitied me... Because I bore his name She pulled me down… To smother my flame. [Final Chorus – Clean / Growled layering with cinematic outro swell] Let the world believe her cries Let her speak with downcast eyes But I was ash beneath her crown— And she… She pulled me down. [Outro – Whispered with distant strings and fading choir] The Chronicle ends... Not in flame. Not in bloom. But in the soul She stole from me.