The Broken Game

The Broken Game [Instrumental Break] [Verse 1: Life & Death] (Life - melodic, soaring vocals) I deal the cards of morning light A billion souls, a desperate fight I build the towers, I sow the grain I am the hunger, I am the rain. (Death - low, guttural growl) And I’m the shadow at the end of the hall I catch the pieces when they finally fall You plant the seeds, but I own the soil A silent harvest for all your toil. [Pre-Chorus: Joy & Envy] (Joy - frantic, high-pitched energy) Spin the wheel! Make it bright! Keep them dancing through the night! (Envy - hissed, venomous tone) Why does she get the gold and the crown? I’ll burn the board just to watch it go down! [Chorus: All Four] We’re playing The Broken Game! Where every move is just a plea To stay within the memory We’re playing The Broken Game! The dice are loaded, the rules are lies Underneath these fractured skies! [Verse 2: The Sisters’ Conflict] (Envy) I saw the way they looked at you, Joy A hollow heart for a hollow toy I’ll poison the well, I’ll sharpen the knife I’ll steal the spark from the palm of Life! (Joy) But Envy, look! The colors are fading! The very air is masquerading As something solid, as something real Can’t you feel the chill of the Void’s appeal? [Bridge: The Arrival of Nothing] The board is warped. The players are tired. The clock has melted. The stars have expired. You call me "Oblivion," you call me "The End" But I am the silence on which you depend. I am the Great Forgetfulness. I am the hand that clears the mess. [Instrumental/solo] [Chorus: All Four - Desperate and Screaming] We’re playing The Broken Game! But the table’s turning into dust All our hate and all our trust— We’re playing The Broken Game! Life is bleeding, Death is cold The greatest story ever told... is gone! [Outro] (The music slows down to a heavy, sludge-like tempo) Life: I... I remember... light... Envy: I wanted... what you had... Death: Even I... am afraid... Joy: (Laughter that turns into a sob) (Nothing - Final Word) There is no game. (Sudden silence. No ringing out. Just total, immediate blackness.)