The Golden Glow
Author's note: Since y'all liked a more serious take on this page, consider this a seriously unfunny take on the backstory to the Lands of Shadow.
To the tune of "The Plagues" from "Prince of Egypt" (We open as MESSMER burns his way through the Shadowlands, with MARIKA watching. His SOLDIERS chant as they work, their voices rising in a chorus) SOLDIERS With Messmer's flame, with Messmer's flame With Messmer's flame, with Messmer's flame With Messmer's flame, with Messmer's flame With Messmer's flame, with Messmer's flame MARIKA Since you have murdered all my people SOLDIERS All through the Lands of Shadow We bring a war unfit for song Into your house, into your bed We hear you rail, we hear you wail, We take your heart, we take your head We sack your tower, and your churches and your field And you will break upon our keep where the base serpent is concealed We send the blame We send the shame With Messmer's flame (As they fight, MARIKA stands in her village, gazing at a portrait of MESSMER) MARIKA Once I was your mother Once I thought the chance to save your life Was all I ever wanted SOLDIERS We will impale your sculpted men, we will send fire raining down MARIKA And even now, I wish that I could choose another Leaving you to endless unknown strife Is a choice that leaves me haunted SOLDIERS Impaling all who live again, in every village, every town (MARIKA casts her Minor Erdtree) MARIKA This was my home They brought pain and denigration Now they're on the losing side All the innocent who suffer Are avenged with genocide SOLDIERS From all who live and yet are safe, you will be veiled by a screen And all your screams will then be silent all across the Lands Between Face mother's wrath In mother's name Through Messmer's flame MESSMER You who I call mother, Who to spare, now say, how can I know? SOLDIERS Face mother's wrath in mother's name! MARIKA Seek the golden glow SOLDIER In Messmer's flame! In Messmer's flame! (We cut to MESSMER as he has just been knocked into his second phase by the TARNISHED) MESSMER You who I called mother How could you have come to hate me so? Is this what you wanted? (The echo of the SOLDIERS' chanting echoes throughout the chamber) SOLDIERS We send the blame We send the shame MESSMER Then watch the serpent loosened For if my role's to strike a killing blow This will still be so I'll spare none without the golden glow SOLDIERS Of Messmer's flame! Of Messmer's flame! (The memory of MARIKA sings along with MESSMER) MESSMER (MARIKA) I will defend your (my) golden glow!
