"We built stronger walls."
"We built stronger weapons."
"But most importantly..."
He struck his own chest.
"We built stronger people."
The soldiers straightened.
Taai grinned.
"People laugh at us."
"They say all we know is muscles."
"They're right."
More laughter.
"But these muscles..."
He clenched his fist.
"...weren't built for showing off."
"They were built..."
"...to protect the people behind us."
He pointed toward the evacuation routes.
Women.
Children.
The elderly.
The injured.
"They're trusting us."
"They believe we'll stop this."
"So tell me."
His voice thundered.
"ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM DOWN?!"
"NO!"
The answer shook the walls.
"Louder!"
"NO!!"
"Louder!"
"NOOOOO!!!"
The city itself seemed to answer.
Taai smiled.
"There it is."
"The spirit of Muscle City."
He pointed toward the endless horde beyond the walls.
"I don't care if it's demons."
"I don't care if it's monsters."
"I don't care if Hell itself comes knocking."
He slammed a fist into the stone .
The wall cracked beneath the impact.
"They'll learn..."
"...our fists hit harder."
The defenders erupted.
Weapons slammed against shields.
Spears struck the ground.
Cheers echoed across the northern district.
Morale surged.
Taai raised one hand.