“GOLDEN ELLA, SERPENT’S OATH”

[Intro – Ritual Chant] (Low male chant, unison) Ra-em sekhem… Ra-em sekhem… Sun ascends, the night condemned [Verse 1] Beneath the dunes where the black wind sighs A cavern splits the desert’s eyes Through roots of stone and serpent-veins An oasis hides forgotten names There I found the walls of time Painted in blood and gold and signs [Pre-Chorus] Torchlight bends, the air turns tight The gods still war beyond our sight [Chorus – Chant-Backed (Egyptian Mode)] Female Lead: Sekhmet rise—lion of flame Crown of wrath, devourer’s name Male Chant (response): Sekhmet! Sekhmet! Fire and sun! Female Lead: Apophis coils in endless night Serpent sworn to steal the light Male Chant: Apep! Apep! Bound and done! [Verse 2] They carved the tale in temple stone Of serpent king and goddess throne Apophis loved beyond his role Ella—warmth within his coil When he rose to swallow Ra Sekhmet answered with claw and law [Chorus – Chant-Backed] Female Lead: Sekhmet struck with solar breath Judgment crowned in living death Male Chant: Sekhmet! Sekhmet! Blood and gold! Female Lead: Ella froze in molten gleam Love condemned to metal dream Male Chant: Ella! Ella! Turned to gold! [Verse 3] Golden tears on a silent face Statue bound in sacred place Not dead, not gone, not free to cry Caught between the earth and sky Apophis roared, the heavens shook But gods don’t spare what they overtake [Bridge – Doom Ritual] (Male chant, slow and heavy) Wrap the coils, seal the breath Bind the serpent beyond death (Female, spoken-sung) Mummify the endless one Let him sleep till stars realign Not slain—only postponed Love like his outlives the throne [Final Chorus – Full Ritual Ensemble] Female Lead: Sekhmet guards the burning gate Fate enforced, but time still waits Male Chant: Sekhmet! Sekhmet! Sun holds sway! Female Lead: Apophis dreams beneath the sand Bandaged oath in ancient hand Male Chant: Apep! Apep! He will wake! All (Chant): Gold will crack Stone will bend Night will rise For love’s revenge [Outro – Whispered Chant] (Male & Female, fading) When the sun grows old and thin The serpent stirs beneath the skin Ella waits in silent flame And love will break the gods’ decree