ch 30 Seven Rings, Three Roads

[INTRO — heavy foot-stomp, chunky guitar riff, claps kick in] Yeah — gather 'round! Grab a stool, grab a drink, let the story BEGIN! *🎸 *   [VERSE 1 — Tonio in Roy’s body, confused & dramatic] [TONIO — bold, posh, over-the-top] I came looking for soldiers, for monsters, for might I came to recruit and prepare for the fight! Possessed old Roy — I'm not being unkind When I say No backbone, no spark, limited mind! But when I opened my eyes in this borrowed old frame I saw something that put me right out of the game! Odin tending the bar — Thor throwing riff raff out! Aphrodite dusting glasses, Ra in thecorner hanging about! [GANG — choral, mocking] He saw real might in the taproom! He’s lost all his senses! Old Roy’s had one too many — and had no defences!   [VERSE 2 — Odin drags him back, deadpan & dry] [ODIN — gruff, folksy, guitar shuffles] Son, you’ve had enough — let’s step out the back! The locals don’t see what you see you old quack! Old belief doesn't live here — All they do is they blink and they stare If they can’t believe it, it just isn’t there! So you’re not Roy, are ya? You’re something much grander? Well spill it then lad — tell me, don’t leave me in wonder! [THOR — bright, earnest] And Father? You asked THREE questions, not two! [ODIN — thumps table] Don’t you correct me! I’ve got my ONE EYE on you!   [VERSE 3 — Tonio lays it out, proud & loud] [TONIO — swelling, dramatic] I am PRIDE! I am POWER! I’m the one in command! Soon Hell’s golden sceptre shall rest in my hand! But upstarts have risen — with ideals and dreams! They’ve turned heads and hearts and they’ve broken the seams! I came seeking soldiers to crush their revolt — And I found GENERALS right here in this vault! [GANG — intrigued murmur builds] Generals? Us? What’s the lad on about?   [VERSE 4 — Amun tells the tale, noble then rueful] [AMUN — smooth, dignified] Once we were the stars — we held power and grace! We were part of the Team in that far-off high place! But humanity loved us — they bowed and they praised! And we drank in the worship for endless long days! We didn’t correct them — we revelled in fame! So the true highest stripped us of titles and sent us down lame! No powers, no rank, just these faces and names — Forgotten by all but the flickering flames! [HELIOS — sharp, suspicious] So you come with fine words — but what is the TRUTH? Why should we march to your war, against those uncouth We’ve built lives here, Pride — we’ve got homes and we’re known! Why trade peace and comfort for battles unknown?!   [CHORUS — LOUD, everybody shouting, guitars blazing] [ALL] HE SAID CRUSH THE INFERIORS! CLAIM WHAT YOU’RE OWED! SEVEN RINGS IN THE MIDDLE — AND THREE ON THE ROAD! HELL’S DECLARED FREE — AND THE PRIZE IS THE RINGS! RUN YOUR OWN REALMS — BE THE KINGS OFWHATEVERS YOUR THINGS! Profits shared fairly, the funds paid each term — March through the portal and watch the stars burn! What d’you say lads?!   [VERSE 5 — Tonio’s pitch — smooth, tempting, clever] [TONIO — persuasive, building] Look around you — they drift through the days! No purpose, no fire, just a weary old haze! They don’t SEE you! They don’t KNOW what you are! Blind to the glory that shines from afar! Give them a CAUSE! Give them a FIGHT! Even if they stay blind — they’ll shine with new light! And YOU — you’ll have realms to command as you please! Where you’re worshipped again — on your knees if you sneeze! Three realms are rebellious — and ripe for the fall — Take them and rule them — ANSWER THE CALL!   [BRIDGE — Odin returns with ale, perfect timing] [ODIN — cheerful, oblivious] Right then lads! Got the GOOD ALE at last! Oh — still here Roy? Did the talk finish fast? [THOR — grinning, leaning in] Father — we’re IN! It sounds like great sport! A week from now — by the wood, at the portal court! [TONIO — triumphant, fading] Supplies and uniforms — weapons and might! I claim my own — and you claim what’s right! [Roy slumps — body drops]   [OUTRO — all laugh, clink mugs, warm & rowdy] [ODIN — staring at unconscious Roy] Well look at that — he’s done in again! Drank the whole tavern and then some, it seems! [THOR — stroking beard, smirking] Aye Father… for now… let’s see what this brings… [GANG — final roar, guitars crash] FOR NOW! FOR THE FIGHT! FOR THE KINGS OF THE RINGS! [last chord rings out — then a whisper] …And Pride thinks he’s using us