#* {michael; oc}

When I think about the future, my mind is filled with dread A screaming conscience I cannot silence And I cannot outmaneuver these visions in my head Of the deaths to come, the realms drowned in crushing violence I tried to buy us time, but could I have done more To quell the drums of war? And I try to still my heartbeat For the breaking of the dawn And pray the coming day's not our last one

Is it innocence or guile? Or nothing but a childish act of will?

I don't know what to do Thought I was righteously leading our people, but Now I'm faced with the truth What kind of leader can't tell good from evil? All those poor souls, how many could have been saved? How could I trust in a justice so cruel and depraved?

I feel no wiser than when I commanded the slaughter of those sons and daughters How can I be sure I don't repeat more massacre based on mistaken conceit? If I stand down and leave us exposed, would that be blind to the threat Khaeri'ah may pose?

Always a paradise Masses pray for and dream of Rising, I'll fall from high Burning up into freedom

Think birds are meant to fly You trust that they'd reach the sky ‘cause you've never seen them crash down, down, down, down, no

No one's sane, everyone changes around you Their pain reshapes your heart