Ballad of the Old Dragon (Dark Carnival Trance)

[Verse 1] Beneath the mountain where the cold winds sigh, there slept an old dragon with ember-bright eyes. He counted no riches, let all treasures pass, he guarded the daydreams the world filled with glass. When night pulled a curtain over hills of stone, his wings wrapped the valley like a living throne. No thunder of fire burned across the land, his power was mercy held soft in his hand. [Chorus] Oh, sleep, ancient dragon, let dream-rivers flow, back to the ages before fear would grow. Let lullabies circle like symbols above, for hearts behind armor still tremble with love. [Verse 2] One pale, quiet morning came a fearless youth, with rust on his weapon and hard-learned half-truth. But when he saw sorrow in deep glowing eyes, he lowered his iron and silence replied. The dragon breathed heavy like storms grown to rest, then whispered, "Not every dark shape is a threat." Since then, when the carnival shadows unroll, a guardian dances on night’s ragged soul. [Chorus] Oh, sleep, ancient dragon, let dream-rivers flow, back to the ages before fear would grow. Let lullabies circle like symbols above, for hearts behind armor still tremble with love. [Bridge] And only this ballad haunts the streets at night, that terror’s a mirror, not always our blight. For deep in the madness where wild echoes drift, a monster may cradle hope’s forgotten gift.