“Stand Down, Soldier” — Glenn’s Perspective

[Verse I — Training Grounds] [(quiet snare rhythm, grounded tone)] You held the sword too carefully Like breaking it would matter Not fear — just calculation Watching every movement after They told me, “Teach him discipline.” Efficiency. Control. Command. But no one trains a child for silence The way they trained you to stand You never asked for comfort Never questioned what was right Just waited for the next instruction Like sleep was part of fight [Pre-Chorus] [(cello rises)] I should have seen it sooner Behind the perfect stance — A kid learning how to survive Without a second chance [Chorus — Regret] [(guitar enters, emotional restraint)] Sephiroth… I taught you how to win wars How to strike and never fall But no one taught you how to live And that’s the worst of all You followed every order Even when they broke your soul And I stood there saluting While they turned you into control [Verse II — Quiet Defiance] [(music softens)] You used to sit beside that kid White hair, humming off-key Thought I didn’t notice watching Like brothers were allowed to be Protocol said report it Attachment compromised command So I looked the other way instead And hoped you’d understand For a while you almost smiled Not soldier — just a boy And I told myself that maybe They hadn’t killed your joy [Pre-Chorus II] [(voice lowers)] Then reassignment orders came Clean ink, no explanation That’s when I learned Shinra feared Human connection. [Chorus — Disillusionment] [(stronger instrumentation)] Sephiroth… they called you perfect I called you far too young Every medal they pinned on you Weighed more than any gun I trained you to protect others Believed that made it right Never realized I helped build The loneliest man alive [Bridge — After Nibelheim] [(music drops, almost spoken)] When the reports came in… Fire. Civilian loss. Collapse. I didn’t see a monster. I saw a soldier left alone too long. [Bridge II — Present] [(warmer tone enters)] Now they say you’re different A father trying to stand Learning things no battlefield Could ever help you understand Maybe that means something survived All the things we couldn’t save… [Final Chorus — Acceptance] [(orchestra rises, grounded hope)] Sephiroth… if you remember nothing From drills or words I gave Remember this — a weapon obeys But a man can choose to change You don’t owe Shinra loyalty You never truly did You were never just my soldier… You were always someone’s kid [Outro] [(snare fades to heartbeat)] Stand down, soldier. You’ve fought enough.