[Male voice] THE FIRES BURN BRIGHT — THE FLAMES RISE HIGH! WE FACE THE OPPOSITION — TOUCH THE SKY! BEG FOR MERCY — BEG TO RETURN! OR IN THE RIVER STYX — A LESSON YOU’LL LEARN! I AM THE VOICE — I WEAR THE CROWN! WHEN WE ARE DONE — THEY’LL KNOW MY RENOWN! SHIRTS WITH MY FACE — BOOKS WITH MY STORY! AN ECONOMIC FORCE — GLORY! GLORY! [Female voice] Toffee cheesecake… mudpie too… Your empire’s sweet — but it won’t stay true… Memoirs and merch? T-shirts and fame? While you preen — I’m playing the game… [All] PRIDE BUILDS CASTLES IN THE AIR! ADA’S PULLING STRINGS FROM THE CHAIR! HEROES SEE THE LIE AND TURN AWAY! ONLY THE DAMNED REMAIN TO PLAY! MARCH OR FALL — STAND OR FLEE — NO ONE HERE IS WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE! [Female voice] Portal flares open — energy cracks the ground Lava rivers glow — where the lost are found Richard’s gone missing — “something came up” I wait alone — filling the cup Then they step through — the first of the line Hammer swinging wide — Thor’s design Big laugh, big shoulder, friendly strike — But the numbers are thin — the ranks are light… [Male voice] “This is it — that’s all there is to see Couldn’t get the crowds to follow me Comrades bailed — they saw the writing on the wall Fight for the righteous — that’s the only call!” [Other men] “Nice speech — hero — now look at the gear… These uniforms… they make the purpose clear…” [Male voice] BLACK AS NIGHT — SKULLS EVERYWHERE! MOTTOS THAT MAKE THE ANGELS STARE! “CRUSH THE WEAK” — “DESTROY THE UPSTARTS” — SCRAWLED IN BLOOD-RED INK! THIS ISN’T RIGHT — THIS ISN’T WHAT I THINK! [Female voice] “Instructions were simple — reflect the goal I gave you exactly what the brief said to roll Ethos is clear — the design is true The rest is YOURS — not up to you!” [Male voice] “I hear the whispers — they know my name Comics draw me — I’m not playing this game! I don’t fight for evil — never have — never will The portal’s open — I’m heading for the hill! Come with me — this is wrong, you know it deep!” [Other men] “Nah — I like the dark — I don’t want to sleep! Leave them here — they need a cause to fight I’ll take command — wrong or right! Hey — before the slaughter starts — before the blood begins to flow… You wanna go somewhere and… you know… before I go?” [Female voice] “Reception desk — over there — be quick — go!” [All] PRIDE BUILDS CASTLES IN THE AIR! ADA’S PULLING STRINGS FROM THE CHAIR! HEROES SEE THE LIE AND TURN AWAY! ONLY THE DAMNED REMAIN TO PLAY! MARCH OR FALL — STAND OR FLEE — NO ONE HERE IS WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE! [Tonio — furious, shrinking] “WHERE ARE THE REST?? WHERE’S THE GRAND ARMY??” [Other men] “THEY SAW THE TRUTH — THEY DIDN’T AGREE. THIS IS ALL YOU GET — ME AND THESE FEW IF YOU WANT WAR — THEN I’M FIGHTING FOR YOU… FOR NOW.” “I see right through you — big words, small crown If I find you’re the villain — I’ll tear you down Snap you in two — like a dry twig — done!” [Male voice] “Of course, my friend — we are as one!” “Now — shall we take the gate? To rule and conquer is our destiny and our fate” [Other men] “BRING THE RAM — LET THE BATTLE BEGIN… I DON’T KNOW WHO’S LYING — BUT I’M GONNA WIN!” [Male voice] Palaces built from their skill… My face on every hill… [Female voice] When you fall — I’ll be standing tall... The threads are pulled — the plan unfurls… [Other men] THE GATE WILL BREAK — VICTORY WILL BE MINE THEN TONIGHT I’LL DRINK THE VILLAIN’S BLOOD FROM MY STINE [Full company — fading on one last heavy chord] NO ONE HERE IS WHO THEY SEEM… THEY ALL CHASE THEIR OWN DREAM [Guitar feedback fades out]
