The Ballad Of Vanta

[Intro — whispered, over piano and distant bells] Come closer, stranger… The music has begun. The candles have been burning Since before the night was young. There’s a name the old ones whisper, When the moon turns violet-blue… They say the Hollow Gate still opens For the ones who dare pass through. [Verse 1] Once upon a midnight hour, When the world had gone to sleep, A shadow crossed the ballroom floor, Where no living soul would keep. Dressed in black beneath the candlelight, With eyes like dying stars, He carried all the weight of night And every wound of ours. The violin began to tremble, The old clock struck the three, And every empty chair in that room Turned to face him silently. He raised his hand toward the darkness, And the chandeliers burned blue… Then every ghost within the hall Turned around to dance with VANTA too. [Pre-Chorus] So take my hand, If you dare to stay… But once we start, There is no walking away. [Chorus] One, two, three… Round we go, Through the fire and the falling snow. Step by step, Where shadows bloom, Dance with VANTA in the Hollow Room. One, two, three… Hear them call, As the midnight curtains fall. When the last bell rings tonight, VANTA owns the ballroom light. [Verse 2] They say he wasn’t always darkness, There was something human there. A heart that once knew tenderness, A soul that once knew care. But the world kept taking pieces, Till there was nothing left to break. So he walked beyond the edge of night And gave his soul to fate. Beyond the Gate he found a kingdom, Built from memories and pain, Where every tear became a river And every scream became a refrain. Now the Hollow Gate stands open, And the violet shadows grow… For every broken heart that enters Becomes a ghost before they go. [Pre-Chorus] So take my hand, Don’t look behind… The dead are dancing And they’re keeping time. [Chorus] One, two, three… Round we go, Through the fire and the falling snow. Step by step, Where shadows bloom, Dance with VANTA in the Hollow Room. One, two, three… Hear them call, As the midnight curtains fall. When the last bell rings tonight, VANTA owns the ballroom light. [Bridge — music strips down to piano and cello] They called him monster… They called him king… They never knew What broke his wings. They feared the darkness Behind his eyes… But darkness itself Was his disguise. [Whispered] And if you hear your name… Don’t turn around. [Instrumental Waltz — violin solo] [Final Chorus — full orchestra and choir] ONE, TWO, THREE… ROUND WE GO! Let the crimson roses grow! Step by step, Through endless gloom, Dance with VANTA in the Hollow Room! ONE, TWO, THREE… HEAR THEM CALL! VANTA’S SHADOW COVERS ALL! When the final bell rings tonight, When the stars surrender light… Take his hand… And join the dance… For VANTA never dances alone. [Outro — whispered, piano fading] The candles die… The music slows… But somewhere beyond the Gate… The waltz still goes. One… Two… Three… [Final bell] VANTA.