Ira Tenax

***Ira Tenax*** is the first track on Rhapsody of Fire's Legendary Tales album.

## Lyrics

Male sit tibi tenebrarum rex

ab initio ad finem sacra ultio

cruenta pugna et epicus furor

contra mali discipulos

Ad perpetuam gloriam lucis

furor ira tenax

contra iniuriam et ruinam

rabies ira tenax

Male sit tibi tenebrarum rex

cruentus rex

## Lore

Throughout all the enchanted lands there re-echoes the mighty "cry of war" against the evil forces of abyss, returning once again from the darklands to conquer Algalord and its surrounding lands. The threat of a terrible war is again present, this time worse than before, but the brave brothers of the holy lands are ready to give their life to stop the madness and the thirst for blood of the hellish hordes, led by the cruel king Akron.

The army of abyss is attacking the holy lands from two strategic points. One part, under the command of the "black prince", successfully crossed the middle mountains and the people of Ancelot are already bewailing thousands of fallen innocents, while another part is marching through the lands of chaos, although fortunately still far enough from the dusty villages of the middle plains.

In the meantime the Algalord's "council of the kings" decides the best strategies to face this dramatic situation...

Harold III of Algalord, Argon IV of Elgard and Eric, king of Elnor, decide to reconstitute the "alliance of enchanted lands", as their fathers had done an age ago, to succeed in stopping the "black king's" offensive.

The council takes another fundamental decision: the time has finally come to call upon the ancient secret of "emerald sword". The prophetic pages of the legendary "holy book" is quite clear: a brave warrior should search for the three "keys of wisdom" and open the magic "ivory gates" located somewhere in the lands of chaos. Only by doing so would be be able to enter the "holy kingdom" where the emerald sword is hidden. The fate of other valorous heroes who tried to reach the "ivory gates" in the past is unknown - they never returned. But now the situation is deperate and the council decides to make the attempt once again. But who would have a chance to complete this terrible search?

The choice is simple because the old, wise Harold has no doubts: the mighty warrior of nordic blood is one of the most valorous fighters of the enchanted lands, the only one capable of being successful where others failed.

His destiny is so decided. A messenger rides to distant Loregard: the "son of ice" is called immediately by the council and, proud to have been chosen by his wise kings, he soon leaves his green valleys. On the way the warrior will have also the second task of leading some troops of Irengard to Algalord to reinforce the alliance. And so the legend begins...

1. ↑ Calamity to you, king of Darkness,

Sacred revenge from the beginning until the end;

Bloody battle and epic fury

Against the disciples of Evil.

FOR THE PERPETUAL GLORY OF LIGHT

FURY, TENACIOUS WRATH!

AGAINST INJUSTICE AND RUINATION

RABIES, TENACIOUS WRATH!

Calamity to you, king of Darkness,

Bloodstained king!
2. ↑ https://drive.google.com/file/d/10yZquNJ-VU0rZJTKPI5UNj25vUsEwjK0/view