[Intro – whispered, worn] They still think I vanished… Nah. I just learned what silence sounds like. [Verse 1 – 30s] I used to fly where the sirens cried, Cape in the wind, city in my eyes, They cheered my name, said I was chosen, Now every mirror show something broken. I bled for streets that don’t say my name, Took every hit, still took the blame, When the sky fell, I hit the ground, Woke up buried where hope ain’t found. I watched from the shadows you now command, Saw the mayor shake your hand, You call it order, I call it chains— Different words for the same old pain. [Pre-Chorus – 12s] I ain’t gone, I just lost the light, Tried to save the world every night, If monsters rule ’cause I wasn’t there, Then that weight? Yeah, I wear it. [Chorus – 25s] I’m still here in the dark, breathing slow, City above me don’t even know, They sleep safe while I count my scars, Hero faded, not dead, just far. I need help, yeah, I’ll say it clear, Not to save my pride—just what’s still here, If I stand alone, the city falls, So I’m calling allies I never called. [Verse 2 – 30s] I trusted justice, trusted law, Trusted masks wouldn’t crack and fall, But power ain’t clean, it stains the hands, Turns good intentions into sand. I hear your name in every breath, They trade freedom for the absence of death, You rule with fear, I ruled with faith, Both leave bodies in their wake. I don’t want thrones, I don’t want praise, Just a city that don’t kneel to graves, If saving it means I bleed again— Then point me toward the fight, my friend. [Chorus – 25s] I’m still here in the dark, breathing slow, Broken halo, heavy soul, They think I ran when the lights went out, Truth is—I was screaming without a sound. I need help, not to wear a crown, But to tear the walls you put around, If hope’s a weapon, dull and bent, Then lend me yours… Or let this end. [Bridge – 20s, emotional] Statue of justice covered in ash, I tried to hold it, cut my hands, Maybe heroes aren’t meant to reign— Just to rise when it hurts the same. [Outro – spoken, quiet resolve] You took the city to keep it alive. I lost myself trying to do the same. So if I step out of the shadows now… It won’t be for glory. It’ll be for everyone who still believes This city can breathe without fear.

Echos from the shadows