[Intro – low, almost whispered] They taught me honor before they taught me mercy. That’s how I knew it was a lie. [Verse 1 – restrained, cold rap] I watched the banners wave while the helpless bled Clean hands shook prayers over piles of dead They said “hold your ground, don’t dirty your name” But a spotless soul doesn’t stop the flame So I stepped past the line they wouldn’t cross Learned real fast what justice costs Every choice cut deeper than steel Every night reminds me what I couldn’t heal I don’t stand proud — I stand awake Counting the lives I couldn’t save If sin’s the weight I need to bear Then carve it in — I’ll stay right here [Chorus 1 – slow, heavy rock] I LAID DOWN HONOR TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT Let it rot with the lies they hide I’LL CARRY THIS — I WON’T DENY Somebody had to stain their hands CALL ME LOST — CALL ME DAMNED I never said I’d understand I CHOSE THE FIGHT When honor failed the night [Verse 2 – darker, sharper delivery] Chains in my grip, not for show or pride Just proof I won’t look away this time If there’s a god, he turned his face So I filled the gap with rage and faith They say restraint makes men divine But hesitation just buys time For monsters dressed in lawful skin I broke the code to break them in No songs will praise the things I’ve done No clean ending when the war is won But if tomorrow gets to breathe Then let today remember me [Chorus 2 – louder, defiant undercurrent] I LAID DOWN HONOR — I KEPT THE SCAR You don’t save the world from where you are LET ‘EM PRAY — I’LL STAND BELOW Where the blood runs thick and truths are cold IF I’M THE COST — THEN PAY IT IN FULL I won’t look away — I never could i CHOSE THE FIGHT And I’d do it twice [Bridge – broken, half-spoken] I don’t ask forgiveness. I don’t expect peace. I just refuse… To let the innocent bleed. [Verse 3 – quiet resolve] I don’t dream of redemption anymore Just fewer graves than the night before If this path ends alone in flame I’ll walk it without saying my name History can paint me wrong I won’t correct it — I’ll move on Because right and clean were never the same And I chose truth over a hollow name [Chorus 3 – final, tragic resolve] I LAID DOWN HONOR TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT Even if it costs me my life NO HALO — NO CROWN — NO GRACE Just a man who wouldn’t turn away REMEMBER ME OR LET ME FADE I don’t need saving — I made my way I CHOSE THE FIGHT So you wouldn’t have to. [Outro – quiet / fading] No banners follow where I’m going now. No oaths… no witnesses. Just footsteps fading into ash, A name I don’t answer anymore. If honor was light, I walked out of it willingly. Not because I hated it— But because it wouldn’t walk with me. So let the songs end here. Let the fire cool. I’ll carry what they couldn’t… And keep walking.

Shadow Without A Crest