We Shall Overcome

The Story "I can still remember the day I could see the sun rising for the last time. I can still remember the lower northern sun of moon and the grazing southern sun of midnight. Then they shut the dome to shelter us, to unite us. Then everything faded into a shadow world and our free life flew away on silent wings of solitude. The words "All members of the solar federation, we have assumed control" still reverberates in my mind as a reminder of what could have been and what happened. You begin to hate what you don't understand. Why did they abandon our vision of a free world filled with people with a free mind? As the elder race left, the terror returned. Now we are here, the last "insanes" united in quiet optimism. The sound of the charging feldman coil broke the silence with the sound of a thousand open graves from which the hellish ghosts of the past emerged. A swan song from a dying society sent right into the gulf between the stars. Nothing would be needed now except courage, nothing was left except courage..." The destroyer of worlds has no shape or form, we have lost all hope for a transformed world. In this universe of pain we seek shelter and salvation. We move like shadows in the night, we disappear like waves in the ocean. This is our last transmission, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the universe.

Submitted by Lake of Tears — Apr 26, 2025

The Story "After the devastating results of the last effort to contact the elder race, Xedos feels a deep need for a distraction from all the weight he put on his shoulders. Lose yourself in the neon-lighted black abyssal zone. If there is such a place left on this planet that could give you at least a déjà-vu of what life-to-the-max could be, you can find it straight at the heart of eternal night. "Forget about your life for a while! Visit the heart of eternal night!" As if there is such a thing as forgetting... Life outside the domes is embossed by your daily struggle to survive while inside the domes, downtown, it feels like a never ending feverish dream of astral nights and galactic days. A journey to an utopian time in another galaxy pre-revolution, pre-war, pre-everything. The only reminder of what reality really is like, is the never ending night under a steely sky. Just like steel replaced the deep blue sky, the dictation of pleasure replaced the dictation of the great computers, a place of vast extremes. Sometimes your fate waits in the most obscured places..." "Do not go gentle into that good night! Though wise men at their end know dark is right, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Rage, rage against the dying of the light!" Escaping the world of destruction today, leaving what makes me insane and at night I keep dreaming of wings to fly away. Born out of fire so deep from inside, so the ultimate will will remain and the signs of change will appear on a glory day. And with burning worries I look at the sky, endless emotions but the sky is still blind. Emotions from a ghost, only a ghost! Black sea is rising, a gravitation tide, like an event horizon that swallows all light. A universe in motion, time and space collides, straight to the heart of eternal night. Like in poetry and legends from so long ago I flee from this never ending pain and I can't relate to a world of a despair domain. I shall not be unfaithful but I still can't believe, is anybody out there still sane? Delusion unclouded by conscience, I will not blame. With burning worries I look at the sky A steely ocean so that tomorrow never dies. Emotions from a ghost, only a ghost! Black sea is rising, a gravitation tide, like an event horizon that swallows all light. A universe in motion, time and space collides, straight to the heart of eternal night.

Submitted by Infernal Flame — Apr 26, 2025

The Story "I have been waiting for you, where have you been?" "Well things are not always going the way I want them to". It is the usual time and the usual place where Xedos and Nasrahl meet. She is a dancer and has arranged herself with the situation here since the revolution. She is too young to remember how life was before the revolution and this became her natural habitat. Eternal night and eternal pleasure. She always tells Xedos about the people from the new group meeting she participates in pretty regularly. They meet at a hall downtown. In the early years this was a forum of free-thinkers but now it is just a place you don't want to go, well normally I would say at night, but that would not be appropriate. Let's say you just don't want to be there longer than necessary. "Come on Xedos, come with me to the meeting. It will open your eyes. Don't be a shapeless nothingface! Here, read this". "Well maybe, let me think about it..." Across the border into another time, the death of hope feels so wrong to me to see, to feel, to hear when the darkness seals my eyes from what the sands of time may hide. When the night begins to unfold, it's my natural habitat. And my dreams burn like fire buried in lonely soil. When the night begins to unfold, it's my natural habitat. A sacrifice of undying love buried in lonely soil. I have swallowed all lies like a shapeless nothingface, feels like losing myself to somebody else without a dignity. Suicide of your mind, a disguise like nameless heads on nameless walls. You hate the traitor but love the lie! When the night begins to unfold, it's my natural habitat. And my dreams burn like fire buried in lonely soil. When the night begins to unfold, it's my natural habitat. A sacrifice of undying love buried in lonely soil.

Submitted by NecroGod — Apr 26, 2025

The streets are empty, the closer you get to the outer rim of the dome the more poisoned gets the air. It seems the more poisoned are the people to one another. Outside the dome you can't even breathe without an oxygen cylinder, not to mention the radiation. Falloutzone, dangerzone just to mention a few names for nameless no man's land. Some even got cast out from that unlivable habitat. In the distance I can see the pulsing lights of the pleasure domes, The Heart Of Eternal Night. If you want to change something, it can only be done there. What is that group of people she told me about? You can't hide till things take their course, sometimes you have to set sail, even if there is no safe port in view. The only barrier between the thought and the deed is your own fear, fear of the unknown. It could press you down with the mass of a thousand suns. All you need is courage, right? Easily said. I simply can't hide any longer behind the clouds from everlasting to everlasting. I don't want to die in agony so let's set sail into the unknown or disappear like shadows into the light... ------- 1. Starborn savior talk to us We need your advice now All your legends have been told From oh, so long ago The mysteries and the secrets Inside us, divides us Show us the back of beyond With all the valleys and The deep blue sky R. Since the sun was young I keep chasing clouds at night To cover all my fears inside Since the sun was young Oh please, wave a last goodbye Wake me up, I'm dead inside 2. The propaganda makes us All steam lined and keeps The masses entertained Hypnotized from elder stars Light-years far away They made us build this giant dome To shelter us, unite us It's wind still and we are sailing blind No more tears, we have got no time R. Since the sun was young I keep chasing clouds at night To cover all my fears inside Since the sun was young Oh please, wave a last goodbye Wake me up, I'm dead inside Solo:Tony X. It's all we know It's all we know Solo:Tony X. It's all we know It's all we know Solo:Volguus R. Since the sun was young I keep chasing clouds at night To cover all my fears inside A holocaust of an eternal night Since the sun was young Oh please, wave a last goodbye Wake me up, I'm dead inside Since the sun was young

Submitted by Sexy Gargoyle — Apr 26, 2025

"Follow me, and I will show you how to die", it was that last sentence of the pamphlet that got stuck in my head. Do we really have to go to such extremes? The end is maybe always a beginning, guess it's just a matter of the perspective, but does an end really automatically starts a new and better beginning? "It sometimes needs an act of self-destruction" as the priests of Syrinx used to defend their, at least unorthodox, practices of "curing the insane" but this goes even one step further in its uncompromising simplicity. Just kill this reality and form a better one. End your existence because you have never really existed. In our vacuum of wisdom, respect, responsibility and creativity area longing and a loss. And those who a are yearning for a ledger to hold them sometimes drown with it. "When you shut your mouth you can't swallow their slogans". A motto so current as 25 years ago, when the great computers filled the hallowed halls. Let me see how it is when curiosity is bigger than fear... ---------- X. The end was always contained in the beginning Breuve our hope's rager ranted in reality Salvation can only be found in the death of reality We are the pale, we are the faceless, we are the dead Follow me and I will show you how to die 1. I tried to forget time till time forgets me Like a ravening angel I will set us all free Last Night I was dreaming I was dreaming of my own course Because these dreams I have Are only dreams of deathlove R. Just follow me 'cause we are Wilting under the sky It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise Just follow me and I will Show you how to die It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise It's far too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise Solo: both 2. Incomprehension is the price of sanity We are the dead, we are eternity A new society, obliteration for the self Just countless different names For empty books and empty shelves R. Just follow me 'cause we are Wilting under the sky It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise Just follow me and I will Show you how to die It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise It's far too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise R. Just follow me 'cause we are Wilting under the sky It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise Just follow me and I will Show you how to die It's too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise It's far too complex to put in words From our ashes we will rise Solo: both

Submitted by NecroLord — Apr 26, 2025

When time and space collide The dream and day unite The dancer and the dreamer The fierce and the believer We are bound by a tragedy A journey to eternity The dancer and the dreamer The fierce and the believer We are bound by a tragedy A journey to eternality I am wondering what my dreams might be worth? Those minutes of ideas, emotions and sensations at night. What generates those dreams? Do they have a meaning or are they just the result of our interpreter trying to create a story out of random neural signaling? Or is someone or something tyring to contact me?

Submitted by BloodShrine — Apr 26, 2025

After the master of ceremonies ended his speech something made Xedos to stand up at the meeting and to raise his voice. "We shall overcome, we shall overcome" His words echoed through the room, amplified by all people surrounding him. But that did not go unnoticed by those who claim the right of information and individuality for themselves... ---------- X. I don't know the end, but the end sure knows me My knowledge is like a drop of water into the ocean of the unknown Dying idols... Acoustic guitar: Nunzio Scoleri 1. Where the unification ends B. It's just a nightmare itself, to be here is to die Or to live like a shadow fading into the light Do you see the light or do you see the end? We must keep going till darkness ends Starts the individuality It's not how fast you can go Let it go, let it go, let it go R. A mighty force, taken by storm The chain of contact B. Staring into darkness where all streets end Or will you drift aimlessly into the void? Straight into the void until you see the end Touch the spirit, touch the faith, take my hand We shall overcome My destiny, an odyssey The past and future We shall overcome R. A mighty force, taken by storm The chain of contact We shall overcome My destiny, an odyssey The past and future We shall overcome Solo: Tony (with Volguus picking), both Y. We shall overcome We shall overcome Solo: both Solo: both R. Amighty force, taken by storm The chain of contact We shall overcome My destiny, an odyssey The past and future 2. Do you remember the day that the sun would shine no more and steel would replace the deep blue sky I can still hear his voice we have assumed control No control, no control We shall overcome

Submitted by MetalElf — Apr 26, 2025

"Doesn't the world look cold to you, young Xedos?" "It is a dark place with no hope left for the less fortunate ones. Who are you and why am I here? "Questions, only questions. You are here to answer. We heard some interesting things about you. You know how to win the masses for you! Some would follow you on a crusade. Or let me call it a revolution". "I ain't talking about a revolution, I ain't talking about a dejavul I might be talking about evolution, I might be talking about experience! Nothing to worry about" "It's just a gathering of clouds! There is no need for a revolution, there is no need for evolution, there is no need for individuality* In the eyes of the high priest Xedos belongs to the intolerables, yet intelligent enough to win the hearts of those in doubt. The place to which they brought him must be one oft the places you only heard of in rumors. One of the last existing hallowed halls, protected by the remaining priests who still believe and follow in the pure codex of Syrinx. "You are talking about an imaginary world beyond reality that doesn't exist" replied the priest after a short period of silence. "It exists! In memory. I remember, you remember!" do not remember" "You can't stop anybody from doing anything, you have no power anymore! You are a relict from the past" "Young Xedos, you will soon realize how powerful we still are" "Why have you brought me here? To receive the greatest gift of life! We will cure you" ---------- 1. I'm irresistibly lost inside my soul A weird world known as the unknown I'm cast out from the fallout How about identity, about humanity So irresistibly a lack of fantasy R. I ain't talking about a revolution I ain't talking about a déjà-vu Nothing to worry about It's all a gathering of clouds I may be talking about evolution I may be talking about experience Nothing to worry about It's all a gathering of clouds 2. I must forget about our lives for a while Just to feel hope again trade tears for fears again But there's just darkness, an empty nothingness This is reality, a futile unity A perfect symmetry of grey absurdity R. I ain't talking about a revolution I ain't talking about a déjà-vu Nothing to worry about It's all a gathering of clouds I may be talking about evolution I may be talking about experience Nothing to worry about It's all a gathering of clouds Solo:Tony R. I may be talking about a revolution I may be talking about a déjà-vu Nothing to worry about It's all a gathering of clouds

Submitted by johnmansley — Apr 26, 2025

Xedos wakes up tied to a chair in a room labeled 101. Room 101 is a torture chamber in which the priests attempts to subject a prisoner to their own worst nightmare, fear or phobia, with the objective of breaking down their resistance. To cure them, as the priest's would describe it. After several electric shocks a hologram appears in the room, showing himself as an older version of himself in a uniform speaking the words "Attention all planets of the solar federation! We have assumed control". Shocked by the revelation the priest would let him free. After Xedos has left the prison he is wandering aimlessly through the silent streets and falls into a fitful sleep. In his dream he is confronted with another vision, a route description to a secret cave, outside the dome.... ---------- 1. We are the priests of power And the cult of Syrinx will remain In the changes of time we are like A stark titan tower We exist to resist you can't blame ⁵ Solo: Tony, bass-solo (Tony), both B. We do a necessary evil Never taken in vain We are an idol to the average To the less fortunate men R. Try not to run, try not to hide From the dangers inherent in the machine Resistance is useless, disbelief is futile Look at our plan, our world is doing fine In a world full of madness only chaos would reign And the intolerable would inherit the earth Overwhelmed by desire for never ending pain Let the sane chant and praise our name 2. Don't desecrate our hallowed halls Your conspiracy will come to an end Our wisdom is pure and profound To guide you all through the night B. We cure all individuality Just look what we have found It's a formula to end all pain To make you all sane again R. Try not to run, try not to hide From the dangers inherent in the machine Resistance is useless, disbelief is futile Look at our plan, our world is doing fine In a world full of madness only chaos would reign And the intolerable would inherit the earth Overwhelmed by desire for never ending pain Let the sane chant and praise our name B. We do a necessary evil Never taken in vain To less fortunate men We are an idol to the average R. Try not to run, try not to hide From the dangers inherent in the machine Resistance is useless, disbelief is futile Look at our plan, our world is doing fine In a world full of madness only chaos would reign And the Intolerable would Inherit the earth Overwhelmed by desire for never ending pain Let the sane chant and praise our name

Submitted by VladTheImpaler666 — Apr 26, 2025

It is not easy to get outside the dome, you have to be prepared to visit this wasteland but Xedos is determined to find the cave. He is willing to put his destiny into the quiding hands of fate. And the hands did guide him well. He finds a way into the cave. He suddenly begins to hear voices echoing from wall to wall: My spirits are low. In the depths of despair. My lifeblood spills over.". After a few steps he finds an entrance to a small room beneath the cave. There he finds the remains of a human body, it seems as if this body has been there for well over 20 years. A few meters away from the body he discovers a stone monolith. He touches it... Since I have touched the monolith I feel like being in a feverish dream. I can't say how long I have been standing here touching it. Time has lost its continuity, I can see the present, the future and the past at the same time. They do not speak with me in a verbalized way, it feels like they are injecting the information right into my brain. They could even feel my devastation after I realized that it was me who was speaking the words "Attention all members of the solar federation, we have assumed control" after they send my future self back in time to change my world for a better and now it feels like they want to give me the opportunity to save the people of a different planet from the same fate that we had to endure. But look what I have done to my planet. Sure, we ended the dictation of the great computers but it was no liberation. We all just became chaosmongers. Am I the destroyer of worlds? They want to send me to a planet with the same monolith to become the person I have always hoped to be. Pictures of their planet filled my visions... The story is now fully revealed to Xedos. In a different future the elder race will send him back in time to end the solar federation and to pacify Katain. He should have been the leader in a fight for freedom, liberty and the right for individuality The plan failed and one distopla got replaced by another. As he touches the monolith in the cave an alternative fate is presented to him. He could save the planet earth, which hides the second monolith, from a nuclear war wich would make the planet uninhabitable. A decision has to be made...

Submitted by Morgoth — Apr 26, 2025

A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission! I owe it to this world and I owe it to the universe. I have helped to form this dark universe in a future past and now I have the chance to change the things for a better on the other planet. When the guiding hand of fate reaches out for you, you have to grab it. I have made my decision, I will leave this dark world. This could by my sanctuary, this could be our sanctuary! It was hidden in the sands of time and now it is revealed. I can't wait to share my discovery with her. Our vision finally comes true, we can leave this strange and wondrous land. I must find her... "We are only immortal for a limited time" In acknowledgment of the genius of Lee-Lifeson-Peart ---------- X. Island in the sky, faith is gone Fading as time goes by, praised the wrong 1. I am eternal I am a future past, a time outcast I see a spiral stair and me standing there Reach me the guiding hands of fate Could this be the sanctuary Of what the sands of time may hide? Nevermore shall I return I will leave this strange and wondrous land B. Through galactic days and astral nights With a paradise lost and a paradise found Would you please flee with me from the deadly light R. Into a new dark age a legacy is born Into a new dark age, into a new dark age And praying for the dawn, into a new dark age 2. I owe this world this story It's a sonic seduce to tell the truth I see a familiar face but it's in disguise Oh, it went all so terribly wrong There is this ghastly stillness Which haunted me If you battle with time you're born to lose Wonders will never cease B. Through galactic days and astral nights With a paradise lost and a paradise found Would you please flee with me from the deadly light R. Into a new dark age a legacy is born Into a new dark age, into a new dark age And praying for the dawn, into a new dark age -------- Is this freedom? Is this liberation? The solar federation merged into chaos after the elder race liberated us and the following war scattered our people across the galaxy. The less fortunate still live here. We used to discuss with other freethinkers at the freedom dome back in the days when you could see the stars at night. Now we live beneath a steel sky, a massive relict of the liberation war and a free mind is just as rare as a sunbeam coming from the sky. Is this a shelter or a prison? This is not life. This is just existence. There are only a few believers left who are still waiting for the elder race to fulfill the prophecy Some people say they murdered our identity and then abandoned us and left us for good. Our generation lost our dreams before we even knew what our dreams were. Most of our pitiful people just live from day to day without having the luxury of thinking about bigger questions, than-what they will eat tomorrow." But I want answers. The truth must be out there. What dark chain of events turned our dreams of an utopia into this nightmare? I am Xedos. I am a believer. You ask me why I keep calling the elder race? I ask you why did you stop?" 25 years after the events of 2112 the solar federation is just a memory and has long vanished. The elder race liberated the people but failed to form a community that would guarantee a peacefull and democratic life for all. The resulting civil war destroyed much of the planet and its infrastructure outside the domes. The people of the mega cities are now forced to live under a giant steel dome which was built as a shelter to save the residents from bombs and attacks in the civil war. After years of radio silence the last working radioscope gets reactivated to send a last message out into space to the elder race. But they did not answer they never did since they left. Only Xedos is still in search for-answers. His role in this is way more important than he has yet realized and it is way more different than he could have ever imagined...

Submitted by BloodShrine — Apr 26, 2025