They began to sing.

The section is characterized by its simple yet evocative 4/4 time signature and a predominantly F major or D minor tonality. Its structure typically includes:

The composer was listed as “Anonymous.” The date was penciled in as “+ 1945 +,” but the ink of the notes themselves looked fresh. Elara’s fingers traced the opening bars. It was a Kyrie, the first movement of a Mass. But this was no serene Renaissance polyphony or bombastic Romantic requiem. It was a conversation. A terrifying, beautiful, broken conversation.