The horde remained frozen, empty eyes watching us from below, too far for us to attack but close enough to attack if we lowered our guards. I grabbed the stone wall with enough strength and poked holes inside.
With a hoarse voice from the sudden dryness, I called out:
"Tang Wei, Li ya... prepare for battle."
"Understood!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The pair didn't joke. No teasing, no smug remarks. They just moved quickly, grabbing rifles, spare mags, and support gear before bolting up the inner stairwell to the elevated sniper platform.
Boots thundered behind me.
Hundreds of men and women lined the inner and outer walkways, clutching weapons too tightly, breathing too hard. Most were Stage Two. A few had the composure of warriors, but the rest were merely recruits, labourers, volunteers, and each held their positions only by force of will.
Beneath us, at the central defence tower, maybe a hundred soldiers total. Most of them younger than me.
