r/ToBeHero_X

Basically, I will dissect the entirety of Twilight's lyrics with the mindset that it is exclusively OG E-Soul's song. Twilight have been suggested to be the song of OG, of YC, of both of them, or even Xia Qing in the past, but for this post, I'll focus entirely on OG, given that I am of the camp that this song is mainly for him.

(This post is inspired by several other lyrics analysis posts within the sub, mainly about Twilight and Neon Rain)

"It's just I see my visions are like twilight"

Twilight here can mean two things, a more literal meaning is that his eyes is clouded by his helmet for so long that it became a mundane thing to him, calling it simply as "my visions". Another, sadder interpretation is that he is literally watching the sun set on his life/career.

A friend of mine also suggest that Twilight could go with OG E-Soul PV, which while definitely isn't intentional, some part of it does fit, with this part in particular happening during the transition of OG E-Soul and him while fighting Zero, with Zero here can be seen as the 'twilight' he see. If you ignore the instrumental at the start, both interpretation would also fit as E-Soul is looking over the memorial of Dawnfall while sun set are literally happening in the background.

"Telling myself to think everything is alright"

OG have spend the entire arc apathetic to what Yang Cheng does, mostly because he didn't care for popularity and reputation, only wanting to save people.

"Do I look scared?"

It's curious whether or not he is talking to himself or talking to others, and what the answer for this question is. Also it's notable that even if he does look scared, no one could see it through his mask.

"No, I'm so ready for those chances"

This can be interpret as him either reaffirming himself or psyching himself up, trying to convince that he is ready for this.

"Holding back tears because I swore I'll never cry"

E-Soul is supposed to be an unshakable symbol, so OG couldn't afford to let anyone see him weak or crying, or even showing emotions in general, so he kept that helmet on so the images wouldn't be tainted. If taken literally... atleast we know the answer to the question now.

"It's been so tough but I'm sure I'll make it through"

Another pretty straightforward one, between having an impersonator, then having his fans slowly drawn away, then now having to fight said person who was also once his fan, things being tough for OG is an understatement.

"To my revelation, let's go, roll the dice"

While this is one of my favorite line in the song, I admit I'm drawing a little blank on what the 'revelation' here could be, is referring to the results of the fight ? Who have the right to be E-Soul ? The state of the world ? If anyone have any idea, please do tell. The second half is easier however, it correlate directly to the earlier sentence about him being ready for the chances.

"Things are out of the blue"

From his perspective, everything did happen out of the blue, with him having done nothing to deserve or prompted any of this. A more out there interpretation is that things are literally beyond them, the E-Souls (blue), referring to the malicious hands of Rock and the agency's battle behind the scene. Going back to the PV interpretation, this entire section could be taken as him talking to Zero, or even Yang Cheng himself, putting into words in the lyrics because ultimately, he never got the chance to talk them down.

"The choices are mine"

Pretty straightforward, very much like the man himself, he believes that regardless of anything that happen, the choices are still his, whether that's true or not is another conversation however. And again, this could be him telling Zero or Yang Cheng that even if misfortune may happen without warning, 'out of the blue', they still have the right to choose.

"Don't be trapped in this loop"

"There are always answers"

Ultimately, despite not wanting to, he was trapped inside the loop of the political games that these agency have, or the loop of modern day heroism that lies solely on entertainment value. Similarly, this could also be him advising the young heroes.

"Forget those fake rules"

This is probably how he see the Trust system and the modern day standard of heroic conventions. He have always showed that his view on heroism are very old-school, valuing results and saving lives above all else, so it's very in character. Again, could be him talking to Zero and Yang Cheng.

"Yours truly, I know the best right now"

This is another one I'm a bit stuck on, but I interpret this as his final, confident declaration of himself and his goodbye to the world.

"Can't leave my own trace"

E-Soul is a case where the hero overtook the man, something that he tragically choose for himself, accepting the erasure of him as a person and his legacy so that E-Soul would live on, which make his fight against Yang Cheng all that more tragic.

" 'Cause I'll never escape from the fate I had faced"

From this part, or rather the previous part onward, it feel like he have come to accept that he probably won't survive this battle, and begun to resign to his fate, knowing that he'll never escape.

"I do have my manners"

Another part I'm a bit stuck on, I choose to think this is him bowing out, that despite everything he will still stick to who he is and his ideal to the very end.

"Don't let yourself drown in the darkness"

"Let's keep on finding out"

These lines are pretty on the nose, but they're essentially the most obvious proof that he was trying to convey these to Yang Cheng/Zero during some of the song, with him telling them to not be drown in darkness and that there's still much more to this world, and much good that they could do, so keep running and looking.

"I have nothing to lose"

Literally, aside from himself and probably the title of E-Soul, he have nothing else to lose that matter to him, hell that's arguably extended to his life aswell. I wouldn't say he's suicidal, but moreso that he view there are alot of things that are more important than his life, especially to someone who have survived the hell on earth that is Dawnfall, he probably doesn't have alot to live for aside from his hero's work.

"No need to prove"

Like it is said, he feels that he have nothing to prove, he doesn't care for trust or popularity and doesn't feel the need to prove himself, that's also why he never acted until the very end. He ironically have too much trust on the people that it backfire. This could also be seen as him being arrogant, but that's a bit ooc so I will go with the first interpretation.

"I want something that's true"

"There must be a clue"

Again, he doesn't care for the theatrics of modern day superheroism in TBHX world, he only wants something true and meaningful, genuine peace and actual accomplishment.

" "I'll keep on trying to seize my days" "

"Are the words you said"

Remembering someone else's words about "seizing the day" acts as a final source of motivation, giving him the ultimate push he needs. I take this as another proof of him talking to the young heroes that were facing him, though these are more likely to be Zero given he wasn't that close to Yang Cheng personally.

"Did I find what I lost on my own"

"Will I risk my life to look for something that I believe?"

Given that this is the end of the song, it's reasonable to believe these are probably his last thoughts before the final clash. Everyone final moment is different, and his seemed to have been full of doubt and uncertainty. Is he doing the right thing ? Will he risk it all for his belief and legacy ?

"My will is already strong enough"

Still, it seems he does manage to find those answers at the end, or perhaps he have choose to believe that he have done enough, and there's no need for anything else. Another interpretation is that this is him confirming his will is "strong enough", which ties directly into how resolve dictates strength within the verse, allowing him to execute the final blow. Toward Zero, his resolve was clear, he have a world to protect and an evil to defeat, but when it come to Yang Cheng...

"I deserve to say, "It's time to leave" "

This is his resignation, the battle is over, his time on the stage have concluded, the original E-Soul end here. Again, it's quite sad that in spite of the lyrics, he never did get a say in how he leaves, forced to confront the child he saved in the past without knowing in a battle to the death over something that he didn't want to be controlled by, which is Trust, dying not on his own term as a nameless and faceless man.