10A. Shiva's Frostbite

Title: The Bloom Betrayed Me Artist: [Shiva’s Voice – Tragic Ballad / Dark Ethereal Metal] [Verse 1 – Soft, delicate vocals with spacious piano] She used to bloom beside my throne Where frost was peace and ice was known But warmth, she said, was more divine And left me in the snow behind They crowned her light, they fed her flame And left me cold, and left me blamed So when he came, he spoke my name— And gave me cause to feel the same [Chorus 1 – Sorrowful rise with subtle strings and harmonies] So I folded So I faded I became the cold they hated And when the Soultaker came to me He did not flinch at what he’d see He said: “Let them fear the quiet things— The winter breath that never sings.” [Verse 2 – Vulnerable, breathy delivery over ambient cello] He whispered truths I couldn't see Of all the lies they told of me He said the gods had sold me blind— That even love had left me behind He showed me souls they threw away The ones too soft, too slow, too gray He said: "We’ll raise them all, we’ll make them whole— You’ll be the mother of the Soul." [Chorus 2 – Vocal lift with cracked sorrow and layered echo] So I listened So I yielded To the frost his fingers wielded He wrapped me deep in soulfire breath And kissed me cold with promised death He said: "They called you cruel, but I know why— They fear the goddess who won’t die." [Bridge – Whispered, ambient with echo effects] I wanted children of my own… He said the Soulwell had grown full… Ifrit killed her… To hide his guilt… My blood… My daughter… Serenity, still… [Final Chorus – Half-sung, broken and resolute] Let them curse the ice I keep They couldn't burn the snow I weep The bloom betrayed, the flame deceived— So now I raise what’s been bereaved He says I’m strong, he says I’m right He calls me mother in the night And though I ache for what won’t be— I breathe for those who died like me