Raise That Blade - Kiri-Jolith

(Intro - acoustic strumming, fiddle, stomping beat, wind over Kalaman, distant war drums) (Spoken intro, campfire story tone) “Some folks think the gods walked away… but I reckon they’ve been here all along. Just needed somebody to remind ‘em.” (Verse 1 - warm acoustic, steady drums, light fiddle in background) I rode into town with a book in my hand Steel on my hip, boots in the sand Folks said the gods done packed and gone But I knew better—faith ain’t gone that long So I told ‘em ’bout a name they forgot to call A god who stands when the mighty fall Kiri-Jolith, strong and true Said, “Son, I got a fight for you” (Pre-Chorus - drum build, fiddle picks up, proud & anthemic) Now the town stands tall, the fire burns bright Faith ain’t lost, it’s just gotta fight (Chorus - big country-rock kick, full band, foot-stomping anthem) Raise that blade, hold it high Kiri-Jolith, hear our cry For the ones who came before, for the ones who’ll come again We ain’t bowin’ down, we ain’t givin’ in Red wings burn, black flags fall Takhisis won’t take us all So light that torch, sound that bell Time to send ‘em straight to hell! (Verse 2 - electric twang, bass groove, Waxley & Kalaman ready for war, gritty tone) They told me “boy, you best stay low” Said, “Ain’t no one ever stopped a dragon’s flow” But I seen fear turn into fire And fire burn ‘til it lifts ya higher Now the Red Army’s comin’ fast Takhisis thinks this town won’t last But steel don’t break when faith stands tall And Lord Soth don’t scare me at all (Pre-Chorus - more drive, crowd stomping in rhythm) Now the town stands tall, the fire burns bright Faith ain’t lost, it’s just gotta fight (Chorus - full force, big gang vocals, meant for a crowd to chant along) Raise that blade, hold it high Kiri-Jolith, hear our cry For the ones who came before, for the ones who’ll come again We ain’t bowin’ down, we ain’t givin’ in Red wings burn, black flags fall Takhisis won’t take us all So light that torch, sound that bell Time to send ‘em straight to hell! (Bridge - acoustic drop, heartfelt, Waxley’s final words before battle, slow build-up) Ain’t about gold, ain’t about fame Ain’t about glory, just a good man’s name So when the sun sets, when dust clears Hope they remember—we stood right here (Drums kick back in—BIG FINAL CHORUS!) (Final Chorus - full band, soaring guitars, crowd in Kalaman singing with Waxley!) Raise that blade, hold it high Kiri-Jolith, hear our cry For the ones who came before, for the ones who’ll come again We ain’t bowin’ down, we ain’t givin’ in Red wings burn, black flags fall Takhisis won’t take us all So light that torch, sound that bell Time to send ‘em straight to hell! (Outro - acoustic guitar & fiddle fade, soft warhorns in the distance, Waxley’s final words, solemn yet strong, wind over Kalaman, battle drums fading…) (Spoken, whispered like a prayer) “By the horn and by the blade, Kiri-Jolith, guide my hand…” (Final sound: a warhorn echoing in the distance)