Inner Flame (DarthLobster x madcat)

[Verse 1] The darkness knocks upon my door at night, I'm terrified it steals my inner light. Will I still know who I am when it's done? When all the battles blur into just one? Am I worthy of the skin I wear? Do my choices show that I still care? The path unfolds, but is it truly mine, Or am I just pretending that I'm fine? [Pre-Chorus] I can't make everyone believe the same, There's always those who'll burn me with their blame. But I won't let them have what's deep inside, My burning core - that's where I come alive. [Chorus] I guard the fire, hold it close and tight, If it goes out, I lose myself to night. The flame is all that keeps me truly whole, The only thing that's honest in my soul. [Verse 2] They stack their expectations on my chest, And question if I'm good enough, the rest. I'm trying hard to honor who I am, While drowning in the weight of their demands. The line between surrender and compromise, Gets blurrier each time I close my eyes. How do I bend without becoming less? How do I live while carrying this mess? [Verse 3] But there's a truth that echoes in the dark - I am the guardian of my own spark. No hand can touch what burns inside my core, That's the one thing worth fighting for. So let them question, let them doubt it all, I'll stand here while the walls around me fall. I keep the flame alive, it's burning still, The only proof that I possess free will. [Chorus] I guard the fire, hold it close and tight, If it goes out, I lose myself to night. The flame is all that keeps me truly whole, The only thing that's honest in my soul. [Bridge] There's a difference—and it matters now, Between breaking and learning how To stay yourself while everything around Is trying hard to bring you to the ground. The fire whispers: you are still alive, This burning is the reason you survive. [Final Chorus] I guard the fire - God, I guard it well, If it dies, then I descend to hell. The flame, the flame - it's all I have that's true, Without it there's no me, no me, no you. So burn, burn bright, burn through the night, Be the only thing that feels right. I'll hold you close, I'll never let you fade - You're the only promise that won't break.