Axes in the Shadows

[Verse, tense minor progression, low strings pulse, restrained male voice] Night gathers in the workshops lamplight thin on iron and wood a guard arrives for promised leather never knowing what he should Boots and coats laid out before him tools arranged upon the bench hidden hands behind the doorway waiting in the lantern’s stench [Chorus, cinematic metal surge, sudden percussion strikes, male ensemble] Axes waiting in the shadows steel beneath the worker’s coat one by one the guards fall silent every breath a cutting note No alarm yet breaks the darkness no cry reaches past the wall quiet thunder in the workshops as the watchers start to fall [Verse 2, building strings and guitar tension] Another guard walks through the doorway drawn by promises of gear steady voices greet his footsteps though the danger lingers near Across the yard the camp is sleeping no one sensing what has begun step by step the plan unfolding piece by piece the guards undone [Chorus, heavier orchestral metal drive] Axes waiting in the shadows silent blades beneath the light every strike a stolen moment every second buys the night Soon the gates must burst with fury soon the prisoners must run but the camp still breathes in silence unaware of what’s begun [Bridge, orchestral tension spike, chaotic percussion] But a shout cuts through the barracks boots begin to pound the ground sirens tear the quiet evening panic spreading through the sound Signals breaking through the darkness the disguise is torn away [Final Chorus, full aggressive cinematic metal] Axes flashing in the firelight no more silence left to keep now the storm must break the fences now the prisoners must leap Through the towers and the rifle fire through the chaos of the night there is no return to waiting only running toward the fight