Dilemma
A.S.M. Lyrics

His eyes burn like smoldering pieces of coal
The man is tired and hopeless; it shows in his eyes.

Quest had become desperately devoid of hope and the
The man is on a quest, but he has lost all hope and feels powerless.

Weariness it sits deep within his bare bones felt his
The man is tired to his very core, physically and mentally.

Soul was exposed. His robe hangs in tatters
The man is vulnerable and his clothes are worn out, reflecting his state of mind.

Every single last lead seemed to end at a closed door
The man has tried and failed many times, hitting a dead end every time.

His features and feet tell the tale of countless raw rugged
The man's physical appearance reflects his many hardships and struggles.

Nights in the wilderness, he wore the faded tincture of
The man has spent many nights alone in harsh environments, leaving him worn down.

One who had taken shelter beneath the great vastness of space
The man has found comfort in the vastness of nature, seeking shelter from the world.

Alone in my element again
The man is once again alone, in his own world.

Heard a bird chirp dirt and death through the wind, and then:
The man hears the bleakness of the world in the sound of a bird's chirp.

Adrenaline rushed through my fingertips
The man feels a sudden surge of energy and focus.

Skim through the script and can see our King did this
The man realizes that the current state of things is due to the actions of a king.

Typical invasion plan. Why's he trying to take this land?
The man questions the motives behind the king's actions.

What's he got to gain from another acre of hay and sand?
The man cannot see why the king would want more land, as it seems barren and unproductive.

Feeling unsafe, advance in to the village gates at last
The man moves forward cautiously, sensing danger.

Enter the market place and pass too many sad faces, that's
The man sees the sadness and despair in the faces of the people in the market.

Nothing but the trace of ash, and the bitter grapes of wrath.
The aftermath of something terrible has left a bitter taste in people's mouths.

Must've been Rongon and the mask in a flash – over!
The man realizes that the destruction was likely caused by someone known as Rongon and his group.

Down to the last soldier. How can the town overcome?
The town has been decimated and the man wonders how they can recover and fight back.

Interrupted by tugs on his shoulder
The man is interrupted by someone tugging on his shoulder.

Turns to a vagabond who cries
The man sees that the person tugging on his shoulder is a vagabond.

…searching up at him
The vagabond looks up at the man hopefully.

Pleading could he spare a little change for a broken soul
The vagabond asks for money to survive.

That he might live to fight another day through these hopeless cold
The vagabond hopes to survive another day in tough conditions.

Nights met by silence…
The man is alone at night with only silence for company.

The man remonstrates fiercely again little did he know
The man gets angry and argues with the vagabond, not realizing the person's true situation.

Stop asking me for a damn handout and see
The man tells the vagabond to stop asking for money and realize their own power.

That we all have the power to roam and be free
The man believes that everyone has the power to be free and follow their own path.

Now move along on your way, ‘cause the brave don't let the wolf bite
The man encourages the vagabond to be brave and move forward in life.

His patience it plummets like wings broken in full flight
The man's patience runs out like wings breaking in midair while flying.

He's looking at me like I'm heartless. Shalim is not the one to argue with
The man realizes that the vagabond thinks he is being heartless, and he is not someone to argue with.

Sun yields to darkness. He's seething. I'm leaving
The sun sets and the man is angry, so he decides to leave the situation.

But wait!
Suddenly, something happens to interrupt the man's departure.

Like shadows encroaching on light, enter Rongon and his entourage
Rongon and his group arrive, causing a sense of impending darkness and danger.

Whose in charge of this Melee in Midday under sun rays, I heard you at large
Rongon questions who is in charge of the situation in broad daylight.

Beggin my part but I start and discard what you see as life being hard
Rongon admits that he has faced hardships, but he is willing to discard them.

Conversation has no taste, disappear from my face now!
Rongon wants the conversation to end and for the man to leave.

The general continues to harass the old man
Rongon continues to intimidate and harass the man.

Government ground sound pounds for punishment, judgment,
Rongon represents the oppressive government, punishing those who do not agree with him.

From hell bent so decide who's running this shit
Rongon is confident in his power and authority over others.

Not you or this fool, weak duel, I unspool and re-school you
Rongon belittles the man and asserts his superiority and intelligence.

Both in the street breaking these rules!
Rongon and the man are both breaking social rules by arguing in the street.

Thou shalt not beg with both arms and legs useful.
Rongon views begging as shameful and considers it a waste of potential.

Scum, and you question I Gods looking down from the sky
Rongon denigrates the man and questions his right to question authority.

Cast out all demons, non factors here screaming
Rongon wants to get rid of those he deems undesirable and insignificant.

Could have lived by leaving, but thinking that you're dreaming
Rongon believes that those who do not agree with him are living in a fantasy world.

Guillotine strike, light for the flight, expose, confuse
Rongon threatens violence against those who oppose him.

I'll choose, metal chop your head you now lose!
Rongon intends to use violence to win and defeat his opponents.

Shalim stands stunned, stifled by the shock
The man, named Shalim, is shocked and speechless from Rongon's threats.

Subconscious snippets of malicious vicious laughter
Shalim hears Rongon's laughter in his mind, feeling intimidated and threatened.

Echo… through his empty shell
Shalim feels empty and helpless in the face of Rongon's aggression.

I feel as though I've crept through hell –
Shalim feels like he has gone through a terrible experience.

The belly of the beast and back
Shalim has gone through the worst and come back from it.

And lacking any orientation from the shock,
Shalim is disoriented and confused because of the shock he has experienced.

Seek shelter in a carved out rock, and fall asleep
Shalim needs a safe and restful place to recover and escape from the world.

So often they end up finding you
Shalim knows that eventually, the things he is searching for will find him.

Those things you seek
The things Shalim is searching for are the answers to his questions and the healing he needs.