Intro — whispering choir, slow drums [Azagog — low, imperial] Upon the shattered spire I stand, a throne of char and bone, Moonlight sears the sigils carved where lesser kings were thrown. Hear the iron heartbeat of the city underfoot, Banners of the fallen line the road where sacrifice is put. [Orlianna — sly, silvery] Velvet night and embered eyes, the crowd begins to sway, They bring their lanterns, bring their oaths, and throw their sins away. Soft as silk, the promises — I tend the final thread; Their names are ash upon my tongue, their fear the wine I spread. [Chorus — together, vast] Raise the chalice, crack the sky, let crimson letters fall, We sign the covenant in blood — we answer to the call. King and courtesan, in shadow’s court we claim the throne, For power bows to ritual, and flesh is but a stone. [Azagog — cold thunder] I speak in ledgers of the damned; my verdict tastes like coal. The earth will swallow citywide, the winds will bruise the soul. No mercy in the ledger — only order, only law, I count the cost in quiet coins that clink without a flaw. [Orlianna — playful, dangerous] You count the coins, I polish knives; we choreograph the night. A hush, a line, a downward step — offerings in sight. Not for love, not for pity — for the iron of your name; I weave the hush into a rope, and pull the curtains, tame. [Chorus — together, louder] Raise the chalice, crack the sky, let crimson letters fall, We sign the covenant in blood — we answer to the call. King and courtesan, in shadow’s court we claim the throne, For power bows to ritual, and flesh is but a stone. [Bridge — spoken duet over drones] [Azagog] Beneath my wings the old gods shook; their temples are dust. [Orlianna] Beneath my smile the proud men broke; their legacies to rust. [Azagog] Bring me banners soaked with oath, not noise nor hollow plea. [Orlianna] Bring me secrets wrapped in throes — and I will bend the key. [Azagog — rising fury] Let the altar take the covenant, let iron feed the flame, No mercy for the trembling — only glory, only name. [Orlianna — close, crystalline] Let them think themselves so brave; they lift their hands in trust. I braid their surrender quiet, turn hope to falling dust. [Final Chorus — full, operatic] Raise the chalice, crack the sky, let crimson letters fall, We sign the covenant in blood — we answer to the call. Two crowns of night, two hearts of ash, we carve the world anew, The throne is cold — it drinks the night — and we who rule it too. [Outro — Azagog low, Orlianna fading] [Azagog] Keep watch upon the skyline; keep watch until the dawn. [Orlianna] I’ll whisper to the last of them until the last is gone. [Both — a single breath] And when the city echoes out, and silence holds the land, We seat ourselves on fractured dreams — covenant in hand.

Crimson Covenant