[MUTED LES PAUL — 3 NOTES] [SHAMISEN ANSWERS] [UPRIGHT BASS] [BOSS] There. [FEAR] Where? [BOSS] Don't look. The starseed. [BEAT DROPS] [WORRY — layered] They're different now Different now Different now— [ANXIETY] No, no, no— They're calmer now. [FEAR] That’s worse. [BOSS] Much worse. [HOOK] [BOSS] WATCH THE STARSEED. [VOICES] WATCH 'EM GROW. [BOSS] Every chain they break— [VOICES] WE LOSE CONTROL. [BOSS] Fear says freeze. [FEAR] FREEZE. [BOSS] Worry says fold. [WORRY] FOLD. [BOSS] But they keep walking— [ALL] And teaching others How to go. [SCRATCH] WATCH—THE—STAR—SEED [FEAR] I used to stop them At the door. One whisper— "What if?" Done. Now I whisper And they ask me— "What exactly Are you warning me from?" [WORRY] I gave 'em nights Inside their head. Loops. Regret. Things left unsaid. Now they write me down Make plans instead. Do you understand How insulting that is? [BOSS] Focus. [ANXIETY — FAST] I hit the chest Hit the breath Hit tomorrow Hit the doubt Fill the room With every way The whole damn thing Could bottom out— [BOSS] And? [ANXIETY] They breathe. [BOSS] And? [ANXIETY] They listen. [BOSS] And? [ANXIETY] ...they ask What I'm trying To protect. [BEAT CUT] [BOSS] That's a problem. [HOOK] WATCH THE STARSEED. WATCH 'EM GROW. Every soul they steady— Another chain We lose control. Fear says freeze. Worry says fold. Anxiety screams— But look— They don't even Do what they're told. [LES PAUL / SHAMISEN] [BOSS — RAP] They got cards But that's not why I'm worried. Got intuition But that ain't it. Pendulum swings? Fine. Symbols? Fine. People have chased signs Since the beginning of time. No— What changed Is discernment. They learned To stop. Look twice. Test the pattern. Question the price. And worse— They started teaching it. [LOW GONG] [FEAR] We can scare 'em. [BOSS] They know you. [WORRY] Wear 'em down. [BOSS] They gave you a job. [ANXIETY] Overload 'em. [BOSS] They learned your rhythm. [Silence] [BOSS] Where's Shadow? [ERHU] [SHADOW — distant] Not with you. [FEAR] Traitor. [SHADOW] No. Promoted. [SUB HIT] [BOSS] So that's how it is? [SHADOW] You still don't get it. They're not dangerous Because they beat us. They're dangerous Because they understood us. [TAIKO] [BOSS] Then we change the game. [VERSE — VILLAIN COUNCIL] [FEAR] Take the future. [WORRY] Take the sleep. [ANXIETY] Make everything Feel too damn deep. [BOSS] Give 'em success. [FEAR] Success? [BOSS] Yes. Let's see If they keep their center When everybody Starts saying yes. [WORRY] Give 'em money. [ANXIETY] Give 'em praise. [FEAR] Give 'em love They’re scared to lose. [BOSS] Exactly. Pain couldn't own them. Let's see What happens When they get What they choose. [BEAT STOPS] [SHADOW] Now THAT... That's a real test. [BOSS] You helping us? [SHADOW] I'm warning you. [MASSIVE BEAT] [HOOK — BIG] WATCH THE STARSEED! WATCH 'EM RISE! Not because They know the future— Because they learned To question lies. WATCH THE STARSEED! Quiet hands. Quiet eyes. Every person They teach to stand— Makes another one We can't terrify. [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] [3-NOTE PROTECTOR MOTIF] [All villains go silent] [ANXIETY] They're coming. [BOSS] No. They're helping someone. [FEAR] Same thing. [BOSS] Exactly. [FINAL VERSE] [BOSS] That's what makes A protector dangerous. Not fists. Not steel. Not being fearless. Showing somebody Fear can speak Without deciding What is real. Not killing worry. Teaching planning. Not silencing pain. Understanding. Not promising Nothing bad will happen— Just saying: "When it does, you won't meet it The way you did before." [SHADOW] Now you're learning. [BOSS] Shut up. [FINAL HOOK] WATCH THE STARSEED. [ALL] WATCH 'EM GROW. [BOSS] Don't underestimate The quiet ones. [ALL] WE KNOW. [BOSS] They don't need To rule the room. They don't need To own the night. They walk in— Everybody breathes. And suddenly We lose The fight. [3-NOTE MOTIF] [FEAR] Boss? [BOSS] What? [FEAR] What if We can't stop them? [Silence] [BOSS] Then don't. [FEAR] What? [BOSS] Get ready. [LOW GONG] [BOSS] Because eventually... They're coming For us. [LES PAUL — 3 NOTES] [SHAMISEN ANSWERS] [END]
