[Intro] [low-frequency drone, shimmering synth pads] [Spoken Word] [mature female voice, heavy hall reverb] To bear witness to the never-ending spectacle that is life... Evolution... It brings tears of joy to my eyes. Tis not only my kind that I deem my children, but also those that strive to live, to grow, to create. [pad modulation increases] That is my one pleasure in my duty. To observe, cherish and nurture from my throne, and to preserve and protect it. And yet, those beyond the veil of our dominion still fight one another for material wealth, for trivial status. I only wish that they will all one day love another as I do them. [Intro] I have watched the spiral arms unfold, Gold on violet, dust on flame, Ten thousand banners rise and fall, Yet grief keeps wearing different names. From Panasu’s jeweled horizon, Where the dawn is soft and blue, I hear the earthbound praying war songs, And I am still in love with you. [Verse 1] I was ancient before your first bright cities Learned to sing in glass and stone, Before your children named the comets, Before your kings built empty thrones. I held the treaties in my fingers, I wore the crown through ash and rain, I saw the noble turn to tyrants, I saw the wounded worship pain. But every species has a heartbeat, Every language has a cry, Every soldier hides a childhood Somewhere far behind their eyes. So I call across the starfields, Not as empress, not as queen, But as one who loves the living More than conquest, more than dreams. [Pre-Chorus] Must the heavens always tremble? Must the children learn to burn? Must we trade our souls for borders Drawn on maps the void will turn? [Chorus] Lay down the fire, let the starlight breathe, Open your hands, let the wounded leave. No throne is worth the worlds we lose, No god should ask what war demands from you. I am Nafire, and I have seen The end of every empire’s dream. Still I believe, beyond the scars, Love can outlive the death of stars. [Verse 2] In the halls of the Aryesai, Silver vines around the sun, My advisors speak of vengeance Like a debt that must be done. They say, “Majesty, the borders fracture, Rival fleets ignite the dark. Answer thunder with a greater thunder, Brand your mercy with a mark.” But I have knelt beside the dying, I have heard their final breath, And no anthem, crown, or scripture Ever justifies that death. For the enemy is not a monster When the helmet breaks away; It is someone taught by sorrow To make tomorrow bleed today. [Pre-Chorus] How many moons must crack in silence? How many suns must choke on smoke? How many mothers lose their children For some ancient oath we spoke? [Chorus] Lay down the fire, let the starlight breathe, Open your hands, let the wounded leave. No throne is worth the worlds we lose, No god should ask what war demands from you. I am Nafire, and I have seen The end of every empire’s dream. Still I believe, beyond the scars, Love can outlive the death of stars. [Post-Chorus] And I love you, I love you, Every fragile, furious race. I would trade a thousand crowns To see peace upon your face. [Bridge] I do not dream of kneeling kingdoms, I do not dream of endless rule, I dream of strangers sharing water, I dream of enemies made new. I dream of fleets with open hangars, I dream of swords returned to clay, I dream of Panasu at morning Lighting every pilgrim’s way. And if the future will not listen, If the old wounds still demand, I will stand between the star-fire With my heart inside my hands. [Instrumental Break] Odd stars turning, Soft time burning, Broken signals in the deep. Bright hearts learning, Old worlds yearning, All creation wants to sleep. [Final Chorus] Lay down the fire, let the starlight breathe, Open your hands, let the wounded leave. No throne is worth the worlds we lose, No god should ask what war demands from you. I am Nafire, and I have seen The end of every empire’s dream. Still I believe, beyond the scars, Love can outlive the death of stars. [Outro] So come to Panasu when you are weary, Come unarmed beneath her skies. I will meet you at the sunrise, With forgiveness in my eyes. Not as conqueror, not as savior, Not as legend carved in flame, But as one old soul still hoping Love will change the final game.
