Story and Lyrics by

ANNA OSOWSKA

CHILDHOOD LAND

[Arphato]: There was a kingdom – hidden behind high mountains and surrounded by dense forests… Forgotten land, that seemed to exist only in ancient legends, however many people wondered whether it ever truly existed… No-one has reached the land for ages. Many tried, everyone failed. The kingdom was called Arstonaroth.

[Violemi]: It was good time, it was good place  
Life was gorgeous in any case  
not such a long time ago  

[Arphato]: For almost five hundred years the kin of Ottarchs has ruled that land. Through their commitment, wisdom and fairness their ancestor's Beglurg's dream about bliss and safety came into fruition. These virtues were passed down and every son of the Ottarchs was worthy of wearing the crown. The reigning monarch, Ignecor, was also an admirable ruler. His beloved wife, queen Voliana, died a few years ago, but she gave him two children – Corren and his twin sister, Violemi.  

[Violemi]: Since I remember I’ve always known  
Our kin was chosen to guard The Code  
This set of rules was obeyed by everyone  
Council controlled observance of that law  

Every moment I close my eyes  
I see my childhood land again  
No wars, no hatred, blissful days  
I remember it all but in vain  

The land without pain and fear  
But now it’s gone, it’s disappeared  
not such a long time ago  

[Arphato]: Arstonaroth was like a promised land: no wars, no hatred, no power struggles… Five centuries ago, after years of domination of Dissonabia – a Southern land that aimed at hegemony – people chose isolation and accepted rules of The Code to avoid further bloodshed and suffering. Led by Beglurg, they ran away and hid behind high mountains, successfully fending off enemy attacks. According to plan open tracts between woods and mountains were forested.

DISCORDANCE AND TRAGEDY

[Arphato]: Years passed by… Power, hegemony and violence could only be found in old stories, as the next generations from Arstonaroth were not experiencing them. Since the whole world forgot about that land, nothing disturbed its development. The land flourished and soon there were no worries about safety… 

[Violemi]: But there was one matter 
That darkened Arstonaroth’s sky 
Discord between Corren and father 
No-one could deny 

Corren was young and passionate 
His heart was yearning for power 
Always insubordinate 
He wanted to build the empire 

Nobody believed in Corren’s dream 
Even his only bosom friend 
Who always supported him 
still tried to comprehend 

However Corren had to be 
Prepared for a wise reign 
Even if Council was displeased 
Blue blood was in his veins 

[Arphato]: Ignecor loved his son despite his restiveness and believed he would become wise someday… 

[Violemi]: So every evening they met together 
Corren and Ignecor – youth and wisdom 
Old king tried to teach his heir 
The priorities of ruling the kingdom 

But Corren had his own standpoint 
Though blood is thicker than water 
He pushed to implement his point 
And sacrificed our father 

Then all of a sudden came that day 
It seemed like time had stopped 

Who could ascend the empty throne?

THE CROWN OF ARSTONAROTH

[Arphato]: The Ignecor's body was found in the court garden. The Ignecor's body and Corren – all in blood. But why Corren murdered the king – no-one could answer. They must have had an argument and the impulsive son killed his father… It was the end of his dreams about the throne and power – Corren was captured and The Council sentenced him to death. The last male successor of Arstonaroth throne was about to lose his life. Locked in a dungeon, he feared the worst.  

It was a hard time for the kingdom. And then the Council proposed Violemi to take the throne. Poor thing! Corren's twin sister had never been interested in royal matters. That quiet, shy girl had no idea about ruling the land! But the crown came to her.

As it soon turned out the execution day never came. Corren broke out with the help of friends, who believed in his innocence. He chose life as an exile instead of death. However, he didn't come to terms with that. As soon as it was possible, he began preparing for his return. The people he met were impressed by Corren's story because they had heard about Arstonaroth only in ancient legends and they were sure it was imaginary. A lot of them willingly joined the army he was gathering as mercenaries.

CORREN'S BATTLE MARCH

[Arphato]: Corren had a plan and, since he was a member of the royal family, he knew about the defense system of Arstonaroth. He knew how to get inside and that the kingdom had no army or weapons. The reckless heir apparent – full of anger!  

[Corren]: My own  
Army is ready to execute my orders  
Thousands of warriors swords and shields  
This night I’ll cross safeguarded forest border  
I’ll seize the power and won’t ever yield  

I was to be the worthy lord!  
King, ruler, lord!  
I was to be the worthy lord!  
In my kingdom!  

I was to be king!  
But where is my crown?  
I was to be ruler!  
But I’m an exile now…  

It was more than I could stand  
They threw me out, me, the heir!  
I had to leave my homeland  
The Council’s judgment was unfair!  

I had to turn my fate and come  
To the throne!  
I wanted Arstonaroth!  
On my own!

FULL OF SORROW

[Arphato]: Soon the first battle in four hundred years took place in that land! Legnacherians, the guards of Arstonaroth, desperately and heroically tried to stop Corren's army in Onidros Canyon, but they failed. They were only a small border patrol and they had almost no weapons, just chemical mist that caused enemies to hallucinate. Corren, however, had prepared his army for that and Legnacherians were powerless. Very soon all of them were dead. And Corren, that impetuous man, looked on that scene of destruction! The cruel man with the heart of stone! But suddenly he noticed a familiar face… 

[Corren]: I recognized my bosom friend 
His lifeless body lay on the ground 
And I saw clearly – it was the end 
I was alone, nobody around 

What have I done? I’ve betrayed the kingdom! 
I brought bloodthirsty army in 
I almost ruined my ancestral heirdom 
I almost wasted my father’s dream 

But then I followed his sagacity 
Welfare and trust are the point 
Now I must take responsibility 
Now I must change my standpoint 

How could I be so blind? 
Things have to be the same again! 
I finally made up my mind 
and said to myself - come what may! 

[Arphato]: Corren understood his deed. He thought he could right a wrong but he didn't know it was too late… The changes had already been made. 

[Corren]: The land without pain and fear 
There will be peace again, it’s near 
like not such a long time ago