[Verse 1]
Smoke still clings to shattered air,
But the war has turned away,
They cheer a line they think they won—
They don’t see what’s gone today.
The sky is quiet where it burned,
The cannons fade, the shouting dies—
And in the stillness something breaks
Behind my hands… behind my eyes.
[Chorus – Rising, bitter]
What did it cost? What did you take?
What was the line they couldn’t save?
Not the ships, not the ground—
Something deeper—lost, not found.
What did it cost? Tell me now—
I feel it but I don’t know how…
Hold the line, you say we won—
Then why does my world come undone?
[Verse – Discovery]
I searched the halls, I called their names,
My voice cut through the fading smoke,
No answer came, no running feet—
Just silence where their laughter spoke.
“Joseph…” (where are you?)
The word falls heavy, breaks apart—
“Cara…” (where are you?)
But nothing answers me…
Only echoes in the walls (little flames)
Where they were meant to be.
[Lullaby Echo – Shaken]
Hush now… little flames… don’t fade…
That’s what I sang… when they were safe…
Hush now… little hearts… be still…
Please tell me this is not the cost…
No… no… not still… not gone… (little flames)
Not taken from where they belong…
[Chorus – Breaking into rage]
What did it cost?! Tell me true!
What did you let them take from you?!
You held the sky, you held the fight—
Then why did darkness take the light?!
Joseph—! Cara—! Answer me!
Where are you?! Where are you?!
If this is what we had to pay—
Then what did we give away?!
[Bridge – Realization, quiet horror]
Not lost to fire, not lost to blade,
Not claimed by cannon, smoke, or war—
But stolen while we stood and bled…
For something else… I was fighting for.
Two small breaths… two quiet names…
Gone where none of us could see…
And every victory we claim
Is just a lie they gave to me…
[Final Chorus – Rage + Grief]
What did it cost?! I want the truth!
Not victory—just what you lose!
If you can win and still go blind—
Then what have you left behind?!
Joseph! Cara! Tell me why—
Why you left without goodbye— (why)
Hold the line… hold the lie…
While something in me just… dies inside…
[Outro – Broken, whispered]
Hush now… little flames… (little flames)
…
I sang it wrong… (Why)
And now… I understand the cost…
ElCeviche
