Aina

[Talon: Glenn Hughes]
[Backing vox: Tobias Sammet]

[Talon:]
The mountains are calling
The heavens, they beckon her home
Our sadness is falling
We'll take back our fate on our own

So hear what I tell you
It's time we strengthen our land
It's true, He can smell you
But let them come, this time we'll stand
Up and fight!

[Chorus:]
We'll take back our land
Take all the fret they've made
Take back he Hand
Make them regret that they
Ever turned their sights on Aina!

It's time Oriana
Was restored her rightful place
It's now going on a
Long time we've been running the race

We've been lost without her
No more confusion will reign
Te future's about her
Out liberty we will reclaim
Once again!

[Chorus]

No more disparity
Out with insanity
Peace for eternity
We'll drive out the Demons
And make sure they never return!

So hear what I tell you
It's time we strengthen our land
It's true, He can smell you
But let them come, this time we'll stand
Up and fight!

[Chorus]

(Baktuk: Olaf Hayer)
(Sorvahr: Thomas Rettke)
(Talon: Glenn Hughes)
(Oria: Candice Night)

(Angelic Ainae Choir:)
Thnaton swrutaena jewria taemr
Nachae tin jewria, Aindahaj ribanewr!

(translation:)
(Darkness is coming your way
see it coming, Aina beware!)

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh!

(Baktuk:)
My Lord, everything is now in place
Our years of planning are bearing fruit
Long have we waited for this day
Now let us set out with our troops

Oh, yes, I long to pave their streets in blood
And ebb and flow with waves of gore
Long have we waited for this day
Now let them taste of pain of our lore!

(Sorvahr:)
Of course, your blades are thirsting for pain
But don't your loins hunger for pure flesh?
Rip through the maidens, slay the men
Let them know the meaning of wrath!

But this, listen to me when I say
Disturb me not when the battle dawns
Long have I waited now for this day
My eye lies upon other gains

Leave the Castle walls untouched
I forbid you to enter that scene
A score I must settle awaits me long
What lies beyond belongs to me!

Your doom is nigh
Though you see it not
Our forces ride
And your hope will rot

(Chorus (With Aina Choir*):)
Lying under all *you believe
Is a darkness to you all *but unseen
Skies will be torn and rain
On the siege of Aina
Terror comes!

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh!

(Sorvahr:)
Scream and run
Run and fall
Fall and burn
Burn and die
Die and rot
Rot in Hell! (2x)
Damn you all!

Ah, such familiar halls are these
Here did I waste so man lifetimes
Long have I waited for this day
This day is such a fine time

(Talon:)
Pray tell,
What do you want with all this war?
We live in peace and know you not!
Please take our surrender and no more lives
We relent and give you all we've got

(Sorvahr:)
What's this, so easily you're giving up?
Dear brother, I expect more from you
For know me well you surely do
But I've long shed my binding to you

Come now, I'm only taking what is mine
The score I must settle here for us all
Your land I leave to the will of my men
I care not if your house now falls!

Your doom is here
And now you can see
Your every fear
Belongs to me!

(Chorus)

(Oria:)
Please, take me if you must
But leave him , please spare him!
I'll do anything you want
Just take me, please spare him!

(Oria:)
Talon!

(Talon:)
Oria!

(Talon & Oria:)
You'll always have my heart!

(Storyteller: Sebastian Thomson)
(Maiden Voice: Amanda Somerville)
(Narrator: Michael Kiske)

(Storyteller:)
The streets were never more grateful
To be walked upon until she was born
And when she's finished bathing
How her absence water mourns
The sky would blush in the setting sun
underneath her lovely gaze
and that her eyes should come to rest
upon the moon, it stays

(Angelic Ainae Choir:)
Aurel Sorna trael
Shalae d'emteld aesrony daelan
Aurel Sorna

(translation:)
(The Silver Maiden walks
forever will her beauty shine
The Silver Maiden)

(Narrator:)
Oria Allyahan, her name the heavens sing
And to her all the wonders it can bear
The world will bring
Fair Silver Maiden of Aindahaj,
May you remain so pure
For joy itself was never so bright as you,
You may be sure

(Chorus:)
In the Eve of Evermore she walks
The Silver Maiden
Her beauty and her innocence
Perfume the air like sweet incense
In the Eve of Evermore she walks
The Silver Maiden

Oria Allyahan, her name rings out renown
And every soul is certain
She is destined for the crown
The sons of King Taetius
Have long held her in praise
And one will surely win her hand
To rule throughout the days

(Chorus)

[Narrator: Tobias Sammet]
[Talon: Glenn Hughes]
[Torek: Thomas Rettke]
[Backing Vocals: Robert Hunecke-Rizzo]

[Narrator:]
The King has ruled a reign of long
And good and fair he was to all
But alas, the sun sets on his time
Which renders him frail and small
The throne now calls the next in line
Where Torek stands, proud and strong
His destiny writ in the books of old
To rule as King in the House of Ainean

[Chorus:]
But pride can come to rule the ones
Whose hearts are faintly clouded
For love can blind and torture you
And in rage leave you shrouded
Destruction of a soul
Can be the aftermath of loss
Then fear the flight of Torek
For it will bring chaos!

The crown that lays upon his head
Is surely bright and shining
But won't compare to his shining love
For whom his heart is pining
A queen he needs to fill the place
Beside his throne now empty
And he's longed for his Lady Oria
For a thousand years and twenty

[Chorus]

Of his love he'd said to none
Whilst plans he'd had to make
And on the eve that he would profess
His plans he came to break
For Talon came, his brother dear
Shaking with delight
And with growing rage did Torek hear
His love was taken claim that night

[Talon:]
My brother, I have such news to share
My longing kept hidden in strife
My heart is overjoicing
For soon I shall have a wife
To Oria Allyahan
Did I profess my love
And fall into my arms did she
And say that she did love...
...me too

[Narrator:]
Fire coursing through his veins
To Oria he ran
To beg her if it all was true
To pray to understand

So hear did he her true heart said
Her love belonged to his brother
And curse did he their new found love

[Aina Choir:]
For cursed she should be
If she didn't love he!

[Narrator:]
And should be content with no other!

[Aina Choir:]
Yes, cursed she will be
If she doesn't love he!

[Narrator:]
Out he storms from Aina fair
A self-imposed exile
Far he'll go to escape the burn
Of rejection's bitter bile
Out he storms not looking back
And vows to never return
For now he hates the lovely land
And would rather see it burned

[Torek:]
For how I hate that lovely land
And will someday see it burn!!

(Torek & Sorvahr: Thomas Rettke)

(Torek & Sorvahr:)
Pulse and rage within my veins
Oh, Mother Night, fulfil me
Thick and black my will remains
Oh, Mother Night, come thrill me
The foulest deeds no man can think
Oh, Mother Night, you teach me
The darkness calls and breeds the stink
Oh, Mother Night, you reach me

(Chorus:)
Then heed the calling of the dark
And feed the Beast within
Your willingness will leave its mark
And then the Beast will win
Horrid beings worship me
Oh, Mother Night, I love them
They give me power that I need
Oh, Mother Night above them
My strength is growing here within
Oh, Mother Night, you read me
And Sorvahr brims beneath my skin
Oh, Mother Night, they need me

(Chorus)

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh! (2x)

(translation:)
(All bow down to Naschtok
hail to Sorvahr, to imminent destruction!)

(Torek & Sorvahr:)
I feel the change
It's taking place
No one shall dare
To challenge me!

Pulse and rage within my veins
Oh, Mother Night, fulfil me
Thick and black my will remains
Oh, Mother Night, come thrill me

(Chorus)

Our setting is the peaceful land of Aina, a wonderous and prospering country with beautiful people. All had lived in happiness and sunlight for as long as anyone could remember or learn in history from far, far back in the ages. There had been only an echo of a rumour of a legend of an evil deity, and black, desperatesouls living in a barren place of existence to far away to matter. Then suddenly one day, the Divinities sent down a warning to the Oracles. The three readers stood before their King, King Taetius Ainaen, aghast and ashen with the news of visions of violent and desolate scenes forthcoming in their lands. But the mighty King just laughed at their worries, reminded them they had never known anything but peace and prosperity. The Silver Maiden, Oria Allyahan, fairest in all of time and being was loved and adored by many, but namely in secret by Torek Ainaen, Prince and future King of Aindahaj. But Talon, brother of Torek, also pined for her affections unbeknownst to anyone in the land. On the very day that Torek was making arrangments and gathering up the corage to proclaim the fair Oria as his choice for future Queen, Talon happily announces that he Oria are deeply in love and are to wed ere the month's end. Torek goes to Oria, begging to know if it's true. She says that it is indeed, whereupon he professes his love, asking her to be his bride. She refuses, saying she loves Talon, not he, powerful though his position may be. Furious and heartbroken, Torek storms out of the Castle of Ainaen, never again to be seen. Filled with ever-blackening rage, Torek sets out and travels far beyond the known realms. He finally comes to rest in a forsaken land where a hideous breed of creature dwell: the Krakhon. They immediately name him their Lord, as they believed in and worshipped the evil god Sorvahr, and believed him to look as Torek did upon his arrival; mean and bloated with the menacing power of hatred burning in his eyes. There they bore him gifts and build him a towering fortress of cold metal that sucked away warmth or beauty out of its surroundings. This new home he chose to nurse the great hatred growing within him, destined as his empire, he named Naschtok. As time goes by, his hatred mounts, along with his desire for revenge. And as his harted grows, his body swells to accommodate it and he becomes a great and evil beast of profound strength and terrifying menace, becoming unrecognizable to any who once knew and loved him as Torek, Prince of Aina. He becoms Sorvahr, god of blackness and destruction. He nurtures the grotesque and horrific Krakhon, making of them a loyal army of deadly force. The day comes many years from when he dissapeared from Aina when he marches his armies there, destroying much and killing many, brutalizing and defiling his once beloved land and people. But his eye is on the Castle Ainaen, where his brother Talon now rules as King - and Oria. He storms the Castle, defeating Talon to a bloody heap on the floor and drags Oria out screaming, leaving their new-born daughter, Oriana, with her beloved and now lifeless King, Sorvahr leaves Aina, having his prize in his arms, and marches victoriously back to Naschtok. His army stays awhile longer to further torture and bring terror to those of the blessed land, but eventually withdraws back to the stench of Naschtok. Talon is tended to by the great healers and makes a full recovery, though his heart remains crushed and torn by his loss. He bids his kinsmen to take Oriana away into the foothills of the Mighty Mountains of Lucienne, as she is their last hope. She's given the name of Nali to disquise her true identity as the Princess of Aina, and proves over the years to possess an incredible power and beauty even beyond her mother's, the likes of which no one has ever seen before. Oria was taken back to Naschtom where she was raped by Toek again and again, and eventually bears him a son, given the name Syrius. He is raised to love destruction and war and hate the land and people of Aina, especially King Talon and the House of Ainaen. Oria is kept prisoner, barely able to keep her wits about her high above in the fortess of Naschtok. She is allowed out only to eat and to tutor Syrius, whom she loves despite the evil teachings of his father. She dreams of and longs for her land, her people, and her sweet Talon, mourning her loss of all of them. And on occasion, she is visited by Sorvahr, who whispers his cold desires in her ear and chills her to the bone. One day, Syrius is riding across the plains with a band of his sodiers when he comes to a lake at the foothills of Lucienne. There he sees a beautiful maiden bathing in the waters and bids her to come talk with him. The find much to say to one another, and make plans to meet the following day by the water. As their meetings continue, they grow fond of each other, each oblivious to the other's identity. Syrius finds a strange warmth growing in his chest where he only knows cold hardness, and the beautiful maiden feels confused by her feelings for this dark and mysterious taveler. Over time their meetings become more intense and the feel more and more of a connection between each other that neither fully comprehends, as though they were like souls destined for a like purpose. Finally, Syrius arrives late one evening, explaining that he's needed to make preperations for something monumental that is going to happen which will make him a powerful man indeed. A powerful man who needs a Queen to rule at his side. The maiden falls into his arms and they make love, and ever-darkening sky brooding above the,, and the tides of fate flowing their way. In the midst of this budding love, Sorvahr is planning another attack on Aina, as the Ainae are growing in strength and preperation for war against Naschtok. Messengers of the House of Ainaen are sent to the foothills of Lucienne, where it is announced that Nali is needed to aid her father and people of Aina's last efforts for freedom to overcome the evil Sorvahr. Days before the armies of Naschtok are to march over the plains of Aina, Syrius goes to seek comfort in his love onle last time before they shall rule together. He fines, however, that she is not there and can find her nowhere. He is torn between the evil preparations of his father and sweetness and light he has known with his lovely maiden by the water. His mind is preoccupied and cunfused as he speeds back to his dark homeland to lead his father's forces to war on the land of the hated Aina, this time to rule completely and indefinitely occupy the land. Its people are ready for them, however, and led with a new hope in their hearts by the return and wonder of their Pricess Oriana, whose powers have grown to unimaginable strengths. As the armies of the House of Ainaen come to the borders of their land, headed by King Talon and the Princess Oriana, they meet oncoming Syrius and the demons of Naschtok. A confused Syrius sees his precious Nali at the front of the defence of Aina and hals his company, holding up his hand in a token of parley. He suggests a meeting of leading commaders to perhaps come to a truce and seek some answers for his reeling mind. Sorvahr sees what is happening from afar and reaches his hand down out of the sky, crushing and killing his own son. His face appears in the swirling dark clouds, screaming to Oriana how dare she turn his own son away from him...and lover her own brother! Crouching down on the battlefield, cradling her dead love in her arms, who, she now realizes, was of her own blood, a sadness and wrath seals over her as she's never known before. A white light pours froth from her as she rises into the sky, singing a song of lament for all the people manipulated and attacked by the menace of Sorvahr. The purityof her own love and pity reached out across the distances to Naschtok, following the line of hate and dispair and destroying Sorvahr and all his evil. The Krakhon flee, abandoning their weapons, retreating back from whence they came. The company of Aina march on to Naschtom to destroy what's left of the fortress and behold their victory. And lo! There emerges from the rubble the fair Silver Maiden Oria Allyahan Ainaen. The family of the House of Ainaen is reunited and peace is restored. The people of Aina emerger better, stronger, and more beautiful and full of love then ever before. Oriana is forever haunted by the revelation of prosperity, becoming the greatest Queen in all time.

[Narrator: Michael Kiske]

[Narrator:]
Blessed land, the shining star
Once again in light you are
Broken lives are mended
Though minds never forget their scars

[Angelic Ainae Choir:]
Aindahaj, etinae shalae outhaed infinisme
Aindahaj, yathe jebri swrutaen caore shawrtoumisme

[translation:]
(Aina, your infinite beauty restored
Aina, perhaps this time it will remain always)

[Narrator:]
Blessed land, your Queen's returned
The fires purging Naschtok burn
Broken hearts are tended
Though lonely lovers will always yearn

[Angelic Ainae Choir:]
Detha ritou jaeneb Ainaen
Esswr xoujaen hemaldath
Lem shawretou d'elaewr enon
Valaewrth ritanwr lordath

[translation:]
(Light shines again
in the House of Ainaen
Forever is a long time
Better to be cautious)

[Narrator: ]
Years went by and Angels sighed
Young girls laughed and old men died
Lovers loved and people tried
To live amongst the shadows

Sunlight chased away the waste
But couldn't take away the taste
Of all that, taken in the haste
Of hatred's bite and swallows

[Chorus: ]
But love will bloom even in gloom
And serendipity visits soon
Two fated souls bound for doom
Whose time is all but borrowed:

Then the Sun came to the one
Who'd make him come all but undone
If not for her, He might have won
But lost in all that mattered

She cast his soul in liquid gold
But those who know would have it told
She, too, was touched by his soul
And hand in hand they wandered

[Chorus]

[Angelic Ainae Choir: ]
Shaena lithou tou risewr
Parotin lalae amer
Syrius oudeti ere
Kin Oriana vaetou

[Translation: ]
(All that's forbidden
Becomes a love song
Syrius about to fall
And Oriana waits)

[Narrator: ]
The made love and all was said
Forever they would share a bed
But little did they know that dread
Was creeping up behind them

Days grow long and silence spawns
The eagerness to right all wrongs
And even though the darkness dawns
Brighter days will follow

[Chorus]

[Ainae Angel: ]
Jewriaen amer
Yaetaen nouwr d'it amer

[Translation: ]
(Feel the love
Hold fast to the love)

(Narrator: Michael Kiske)
(Backing vox: Robert Hunecke- Rizzo)
(Ainae Angel: Nicholas Westerman)

(Narrator:)
Years went by and Angels sighed
Young girls laughed and old men died
Lovers loved and people tried
To live amongst the shadows

Sunlight chased away the waste
But couldn't take away the taste
Of all that, taken in the haste
Of hatred's bite and swallows

(Chorus:)
But love will bloom even in gloom
And serendipity visits soon
Two fated souls bound for doom
Whose time is all but borrowed:

Then the Sun came to the one
Who'd make him come all but undone
If not for her, He might have won
But lost in all that mattered

She cast his soul in liquid gold
But those who know would have it told
She, too, was touched by his soul
And hand in hand they wandered

(Chorus)

(Angelic Ainae Choir:)
Shaena lithou tou risewr
Parotin lalae amer
Syrius oudeti ere
Kin Oriana vaetou

(translation:)
(All that's forbidden
becomes a love song
Syrius about to fall
And Oriana waits)

(Narrator:)
The made love and all was said
Forever they would share a bed
But little did they know that dread
Was creeping up behind them

Days grow long and silence spawns
The eagerness to right all wrongs
And even though the darkness dawns
Brighter days will follow

(Chorus)

(Ainae Angel:)
Jewriaen amer
Yaetaen nouwr d'it amer

(translation:)
(Feel the love
Hold fast to the love)

(Sorvahr: Thomas Rettke)

(Krakhon Choir:)
Syrius! (3x)

(Sorvahr:)
All behold- my masterpiece shines
He'll take control and blur all the lines

All bow down - he plan is complete
He'll wear the crown and taste of the sweet
Our wondrous dawning is nigh
Now sing out his song to the sky!

(Chorus:)
Praise unto the Child of Darkness
Soon the Hand will strike out again
Praise unto the Son of Sorvahr
Destiny's spoken
We'll ride out to rule again

(Krakhon Choir:)
Syrius! (3x)

(Sorvahr:)
Hear me now, his name rings out proud
And Syrius will shake all the ground

Reign supreme, will our little Master
Lead the team to crush all the bastards
Our wondrous dawning is nigh
Now sing out his song to the sky!

(Chorus)

All behold- my masterpiece shines!

(Chorus)

[Oria: Candice Night]

[Oria:]
Rest your mind, Silver Maiden
Don't fear
The things that happen to you now can't be helped
Be strong and think of your love, your strength
Beauty and purity hold the spirit where it can never be tarnished

Sleep, sleep
Dream, dream
Don't fear, don't fear
Remember love
Remember love...

(Baktuk: Olaf Hayer)
(Sorvahr: Thomas Rettke)
(Talon: Glenn Hughes)
(Oria: Candice Night)

(Angelic Ainae Choir:)
Thnaton swrutaena jewria taemr
Nachae tin jewria, Aindahaj ribanewr!

(translation:)
(Darkness is coming your way
see it coming, Aina beware!)

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh!

(Baktuk:)
My Lord, everything is now in place
Our years of planning are bearing fruit
Long have we waited for this day
Now let us set out with our troops

Oh, yes, I long to pave their streets in blood
And ebb and flow with waves of gore
Long have we waited for this day
Now let them taste of pain of our lore!

(Sorvahr:)
Of course, your blades are thirsting for pain
But don't your loins hunger for pure flesh?
Rip through the maidens, slay the men
Let them know the meaning of wrath!

But this, listen to me when I say
Disturb me not when the battle dawns
Long have I waited now for this day
My eye lies upon other gains

Leave the Castle walls untouched
I forbid you to enter that scene
A score I must settle awaits me long
What lies beyond belongs to me!

Your doom is nigh
Though you see it not
Our forces ride
And your hope will rot

(Chorus (With Aina Choir*):)
Lying under all *you believe
Is a darkness to you all *but unseen
Skies will be torn and rain
On the siege of Aina
Terror comes!

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh!

(Sorvahr:)
Scream and run
Run and fall
Fall and burn
Burn and die
Die and rot
Rot in Hell! (2x)
Damn you all!

Ah, such familiar halls are these
Here did I waste so man lifetimes
Long have I waited for this day
This day is such a fine time

(Talon:)
Pray tell,
What do you want with all this war?
We live in peace and know you not!
Please take our surrender and no more lives
We relent and give you all we've got

(Sorvahr:)
What's this, so easily you're giving up?
Dear brother, I expect more from you
For know me well you surely do
But I've long shed my binding to you

Come now, I'm only taking what is mine
The score I must settle here for us all
Your land I leave to the will of my men
I care not if your house now falls!

Your doom is here
And now you can see
Your every fear
Belongs to me!

(Chorus)

(Oria:)
Please, take me if you must
But leave him , please spare him!
I'll do anything you want
Just take me, please spare him!

(Oria:)
Talon!

(Talon:)
Oria!

(Talon & Oria:)
You'll always have my heart!

(Torek & Sorvahr: Thomas Rettke)

(Torek & Sorvahr:)
Pulse and rage within my veins
Oh, Mother Night, fulfil me
Thick and black my will remains
Oh, Mother Night, come thrill me
The foulest deeds no man can think
Oh, Mother Night, you teach me
The darkness calls and breeds the stink
Oh, Mother Night, you reach me

(Chorus:)
Then heed the calling of the dark
And feed the Beast within
Your willingness will leave its mark
And then the Beast will win
Horrid beings worship me
Oh, Mother Night, I love them
They give me power that I need
Oh, Mother Night above them
My strength is growing here within
Oh, Mother Night, you read me
And Sorvahr brims beneath my skin
Oh, Mother Night, they need me

(Chorus)

(Krakhon Choir:)
Naschtok brutah'k goh sha turh
Trahol Sorvahr kop da furh! (2x)

(translation:)
(All bow down to Naschtok
hail to Sorvahr, to imminent destruction!)

(Torek & Sorvahr:)
I feel the change
It's taking place
No one shall dare
To challenge me!

Pulse and rage within my veins
Oh, Mother Night, fulfil me
Thick and black my will remains
Oh, Mother Night, come thrill me

(Chorus)