One fresh-faced soldier slammed his silver spear against the rampart. “Brothers, the demons butcher our kin and burn our homes. Better to fall today than crawl tomorrow! We can’t surrender! We have to fight back!”

“Fight!” voices roared in unison, weapons raised, resolve blazing bright as dawn.

Below the wall, citizens heard the decree and answered with a tidal howl, fury drowning fear.

“We will not surrender! Even if it means death, we will stand with Celestia City!” someone screeched from the crowd.

“leuan Chapman is a traitor! Kill him and fight the demons!”

“Children of the celestials, arm yourselves and defend Celestia City!”

Within seconds, citizens of Celestial City surged forward. Side by side with the Guardian Army, they forged a living bulwark of shields, staves, and raw determination. They might be citizens of Celestial City, but they were also cultivators in their own right. From a young age, they carried the pride of being celestials, and that meant no bowing to any other forces.