[Instrumental Intro: Distorted electric guitar riff, driving drum groove, arena rock feel]
[Verse 1 - male]
Rubble crunches under boots, the city bleeds in steel and soot
Smoke stacks claw a dying sky, a truth I can't refute
This armored shell can take the hits, but can't keep out the rust
A man left standing in the grit, just ashes and just dust
[Pre-Chorus]
Every shattered window pane reflects a face I couldn't save
No cowl can hide the wear and strain, just the promise that I gave
[Chorus]
Past the burning towers, with the bat mark on my belt
This tired face, the only mask the war has ever dealt
Through the ash and crumbling stone, I keep moving, I keep on
Till the last light of this dark night is gone
[Verse 2]
The skyline’s jagged teeth bite down on everything we built
A golden buckle gleams like guilt beneath a blood-red quilt
They scream for shadows, legends deep, but see the graying hair
A hero’s burden, slow and steep, I climb with empty air
[Pre-Chorus]
Every broken pane reflects a future I must earn
No mask to hide the grit and burn, just the fire where I turn
[Chorus]
Past the burning towers, with the bat mark on my belt
This tired face, the only truth the hunted hand was dealt
Through the ash and crumbling stone, I keep moving, I keep on
Till the last light of this dark night is gone
[Bridge]
This cape hangs heavy like a curse, a shroud of memory
But somewhere in the broken streets, a child waits for me
No easy peace, no quiet end, just inches left to crawl
So I clench my fist and make my stand, spine against the wall
[Guitar Solo: Melodic, soaring, with overdriven emotion, drums pounding]
[Final Chorus]
Past the burning towers, with the bat mark on my chest
This weary heart, the only drum that’s pounding in my breast
Through the ash and crumbling stone, I keep moving, I keep on
Till the last light of this dark night
Till the last fight of this dark life
Is gone
[Outro: Distorted chords, fading drums, spoken word weary]
Just a man in the grey... still walking.
[End]