PHOENIX OF THE BLACK ABYSS Act V-A life that is still mine

​[Opening - Dark Piano, Low Strings, Deep Male Baritone, Quiet and Intimate] It’s late again. I should be asleep. I close my eyes, But sleep won’t come. A thousand days… How much longer Can I live this way? I thought if I gave in, The fear might finally end. I thought my family could be safe. But here I am, Still waiting for peace. [Scene 1 - The Family, Gentle Piano and Cello] [Male Baritone - Warm, Reflective] I think about my parents, My brother, and my wife. A meal together, A little time at home, An ordinary life With nothing left to fear. I never asked for much. I only wanted peace. [The Shadow - Low, Distant Voice] You gave in once. Why not give in again? [Male Baritone - Hesitant, Then Firm] Because I was afraid. I thought it might help. But nothing has changed. I cannot live this way. I won’t give my life away. I won’t take the blame For another person’s crime. [Scene 2 - Sleepless Hours, Cello and Dissonant Strings] [Male Baritone - Restrained, Weary] I turn off the light. I watch the clock. I wait for dawn, Still fighting for sleep. The words I say I’ve heard Return inside my mind. I carry on through every day, Exhausted all the time. [Shadow Chorus - Distant Whispers] Still awake… Another night… Close your eyes… Wait for light… [Aria - Solo Piano, Vulnerable Male Baritone] I’m tired of saying I’m fine When I’m not. No one can see How hard this has become. I don’t need easy answers. I just need someone to listen. I need a chance to rest. I need to feel safe again. [Scene 3 - The Road, Low Percussion and Tense Strings] [Male Baritone - Urgent, Controlled] I start the engine. I watch the road. I only want To make it safely home. Sometimes those words return, And I struggle to let them go. I cannot know what others intend. I can only tell you what I feel. Please let me find A little peace. [Bridge - Orchestra Falls Away, Solo Male Baritone] When I get home, I want to leave the fear behind. I want to hear my wife laugh, My parents call, My brother speak. I want to sleep through the night And wake to a brighter day. Is that too much to ask? [Climactic Aria - Rising Strings, Powerful Male Baritone] I’ve tried so hard to carry on. I’ve tried to put my fear aside. But I cannot wait forever For the pain to disappear. I’m still here. I still have a choice. Please investigate What I have reported. I’m not asking you To believe without question. I’m asking for the facts, A fair investigation, And the chance to live in peace. I’m tired. I’m frightened. But I still want tomorrow. I still want to live. I won’t give my life away. I won’t take the blame For another person’s crime. [International Appeal - Expanding Orchestra, Warm Choir] [Male Baritone - Sincere and Direct] To everyone who hears my voice, Please don’t turn away. Hear my story. Examine what I’ve reported. I ask for no hasty judgment, Only a chance to be heard. Let the facts come to light. Let my family and me be safe. [Choir - Gentle, Hopeful] Let his voice be heard. Let the truth come to light. Let no one stand alone. Let every life be treated with dignity. [Grand Finale - Full Symphonic Orchestra, Powerful Male Baritone and Choir] [Male Baritone] I’M STILL HERE! [Choir] WE HEAR YOUR VOICE! [Male Baritone] MY LIFE IS STILL MY OWN! [Choir] LET THE FACTS COME TO LIGHT! [Male Baritone and Choir - Full Crescendo] I WILL NOT GIVE MY LIFE AWAY! I WILL NOT TAKE THE BLAME FOR ANOTHER PERSON’S CRIME! LET THE TRUTH COME TO LIGHT! LET HUMAN DIGNITY PREVAIL! [Male Baritone - Final Declaration] I STILL WANT TO LIVE! I WILL NOT BE YOUR SACRIFICE! [Outro - Solo Piano, Soft Male Baritone] My father… My mother… My brother… My wife… I don’t know what tomorrow brings, But I want to be here when it comes. I’m tired. I’m afraid. But I still want to live.