“Not the Story They Sold Me” — Reno’s Perspective

[Verse I — Assignment] [(cool guitar groove)] Got the file, got the orders “Keep an eye on the silver ghost” Corporate says you’re unstable Yeah, Shinra says that about most Saw your picture in the briefings Perfect soldier, perfect aim Funny thing about perfection — It’s usually hiding blame So I watched from the sidelines Didn’t step into the light Turks don’t ask too many questions We just make things look right [Pre-Chorus] [(bass deepens)] But the deeper you dig into secrets… The harder it is to pretend. [Chorus — Doubt] [(melody opens)] Sephiroth… you’re not the story they sold me Not the monster in the report You don’t move like someone hunting More like someone fighting court Yeah, you scare the hell outta people Yeah, you earned that reputation too But I’ve seen Shinra build villains before — So now I’m watching you [Verse II — Observation] [(rhythm steadier)] Caught you once outside the crowds Didn’t know I was around You looked like a guy who lost a war No victory to be found Then Deepground crossed my radar White hair, same cold stare And suddenly the pattern clicked — Hojo’s fingerprints everywhere That’s when the jokes stopped landing That’s when the drinks hit hard Because maybe the company hero Was just another marked card [Pre-Chorus II] [(quieter)] Funny thing about lies… They start falling apart up close. [Chorus — Recognition] [(stronger)] Sephiroth… you walk like a target Not like a man in control Like every step forward costs you A piece of whatever’s left of your soul I’m still doing my job, yeah Still playing Shinra’s game But every time I track your shadow I question who’s to blame [Bridge — Reno Honesty] [(music drops to soft guitar)] Look, I ain’t a hero. Never claimed to be. I clean up messes. Make problems disappear. But some messes… weren’t yours to start. [Bridge II — Choice] [(slow build)] Got information locked away Could change how things unfold Question is — do I sell it… Or finally stop being bought and sold? [Final Chorus — Uneasy Respect] [(full band returns)] Sephiroth… maybe you’re just surviving Same as the rest of us do Trying to outrun a past That keeps catching up to you I won’t call you friend — not yet — But I ain’t pulling the trigger blind ’Cause the truth about monsters Depends who wrote the file line [Outro] [(guitar fades, casual tone)] Yeah… Guess we’re both still working jobs we didn’t exactly choose.