[Intro — Radio distortion, low bass pulse] [Graves — Rumbling spoken voice] Ironjaw Radio. Movement at the outer posts. Stay behind the roots. [Vex — Quiet female voice] Graves. Look behind you, too. [Instrumental — Low-tuned riff, pounding toms] [Verse 1 — Graves, rhythmic harsh vocals] Three broad heads at the edge of the clearing, Heavy tails cutting lines through the fern. One voice calls, “This ground is ours now.” I give that roar a louder one in return. Every path has a place in the order, Every post has a line in the clay. I plant my feet where I planted the boundary— Nobody moves it. Nobody gives way. [Vex — Female harsh counterlead] Two little Dryos caught behind your heel, Too scared to cross the open space. You’re answering teeth at the edge of the treeline— I’m watching fear on a smaller face. [Pre-Chorus — Vex, clean voice rising] Is it the line that you’re defending? Or everybody standing here? If your answer leaves them in the open, Then your answer isn’t clear. [Chorus — Vex, huge clean female lead; group responses] YOU DON’T GET THIS GROUND! Not the shelter of these roots. Not the small feet in the shadows, Not the breath you’re trying to lose. Let the whole of Titans Maw hear— We are more than what we break. If we stand, we stand together. We are not your ground to take! [Post-Chorus — Group shouts over stop-start guitars] STAND TOGETHER! FEET DOWN! STAND TOGETHER! HOLD NOW! [Verse 2 — Vex, aggressive female lead] One rush breaks through the outer timber, Splinters jump where the first post stood. Graves turns out to meet the challenge; I call, “Back here—behind the roots!” Anvil looks from the gap to the young ones, Then leaves the broken boundary bare. Turns that weight across the narrow entrance— No big speech. Just standing there. Teeth catch Anvil high on the right side, Blood marks dust beneath the strain. The little Dryos slip behind my shoulder; Anvil holds. I call their names— [Vex — Sharp spoken correction] No. I don’t know their names. [Female harsh vocal] I just keep calling, “This way! Both of you! Stay!” [Pre-Chorus — Vex and Graves trade lines] [Vex] They’re through. We’ve got them further in. [Graves] I can drive those jaws beyond the bend. [Vex] And leave this gap for them to use? [Graves — Low, restrained] Then I stay. [Vex] Then help us hold it. [Chorus — Vex leads, Graves answers] YOU DON’T GET THIS GROUND! Not the shelter of these roots. Not the small feet in the shadows, Not the breath you’re trying to lose. Let the whole of Titans Maw hear— We are more than what we break. If we stand, we stand together. We are not your ground to take! [Breakdown — Half-time, bass and industrial percussion] [Graves] FORGET THE OUTER LINE. [Vex] WATCH THE OPEN SIDE. [Anvil — Quiet, close voice] They’re behind us now. [Group — Full impact] THEN THIS IS WHERE WE HOLD! [Instrumental — Dissonant riff, pounding toms, sudden silence] [Bridge — Vex, exposed clean female voice] I can turn a hundred angry calls Into something you can scream. But when I saw that red beneath you, I couldn’t find the melody. [Anvil — Soft-spoken] Don’t need a song right now. [Vex — Quiet] I know. I’m here. [Graves] I was watching for a step beyond my line. You were watching who was left behind. [Verse 3 — Vex, controlled rhythmic lead] Three shapes pull back beyond the splinters, No one follows through the trees. Graves comes in beside the wounded, Leaves the fallen posts where they’ve been. Two small bodies breathing in the hollow, Anvil’s right side bleeding still. We kept them out beyond the inner entrance— That doesn’t mean the night is still. [Final Chorus — Vex, soaring female lead; layered group shouts] YOU DON’T GET THIS GROUND! We are holding further in. You can take those broken fence posts— You don’t take another step. Let the whole of Titans Maw hear— We are more than what we break. Not a crown and not a conquest. We protect. We don’t give chase. YOU DON’T GET THIS GROUND! NOT THE ONES BEHIND OUR BACKS! Stand beside the one who held it— Don’t just cheer and turn away. [Outro — Feedback fades to the radio carrier] [Graves — Spoken] Ironjaw Radio. Outer boundary breached. Inner clearing held. No pursuit. [Vex] Anvil’s hurt. The two little ones are here. [Graves] Then the report can wait. [Anvil — Quiet] Somebody move that microphone. Before I lean on it. [One final low guitar chord]
