The Hero of The Goddess
By: RawleyCoop
Thread: Iron Writer!
Posted: January 23, 2005
The Hero of The Goddess
The Prophesized Quest of
The Hero of the River Goddess Sallas
To Vanquish the Giant of Stone
That Held the Goddess Captive.
(1) In The Museum at Fort Celes in the Esper Union in an unbreakable case of glass
There is a magical Vest made of metal from the rock that fell from the sky.
The garments plaque names it The Vest of Justice.
(2) A long list of Heroes and Kings of Esper have worn The vest through the years
For they say it has magic if it was worn by a true heart on a noble quest.
And there is also a prophesy attached to the Vest.
(3) In the Valley of Vorn the River Sallas flows down from the Toratan mountains
And the prophesy concerns The Goddess Sallas who is also The River
It says one day The Goddess will be Captured.
(4) The Goddess and River will be enslaved by The terrible Giant of stone and metal
But she will be rescued by The Hero wearing The Vest of Justice
Shell give unto him The Strength of Thousands.
(5) It said The Hero would not be harmed by The Giant or the men who worship it.
The Hammer of Might, The Vest of Justice, and Faith in The Goddess
Is how The People will know The Hero.
The Prophesy says The People with sing
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(6) This is all that is said of The Vest by the plaque in The Museum at Fort Celes.
It doesnt say that the people of The Valley of Vorn no longer believed
In the Prophesy or its dire warnings.
(7) The Valley of Vorn is in the lush south of The Veldt, a remote region of Esper.
Only 10 thousand farms are nestled in The Valley, and in peace and joy
The farmers lived there for 10 thousand years.
(8) The farmers of The Valley of Vorn loved The Goddess who is The River Sallas.
But they feared her also since she feeds the deadly Korat Swamp
And because she floods in the winter rains.
(9) Dark and grim men with dark suits came from off-world from the Kuat Consortium
They promised to stop the winter floods and the summer droughts
By building a Dam on the River Sallas.
(10) The evil Korat Swamp would drained, and would be made into rich farm land,
And electric power would flow to the valley to light homes at night.
The Vorn Valley farmers cheered these new changes.
They sang Thanks to The Goddess for this gift:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(11) The Dark Men of Kuat build the Dam and everything they promised came true.
No winter flood, no summer drought, the evil Korat Swamp was farmland
And electricity flowed into the Valley.
(12) But The River now was contained and the simple farms became dry and barren
And the Korat Swamp became the Korat Farm owned by the Men from Kuat
And only the Kuat farms had electricity.
(13) For the Dark Men knew that farms needed workers as well as water to thrive
And starving farmers with dry farms would work for low pay at Kuat farms
This was part of The Dark Men of Kuats plan.
(14) The Farmers fought back, with lawyers wielding weapons called injunctions.
But The Dark Men from Kuat had lawyers also who won every battle
The Prophesy will save us, some whispered.
(15) Four orphans lived alone on a farm; the youngest was Will a boy of just 4 years.
Fair 7-year-old Kira next, she spoke only rarely and only in small whispers.
She had been that way since their parents death.
(16) Next was Justin, a boy of 10, small of stature but wiser than most grown men.
All three were raised by Ken, at 18 he was the strongest man of Vorn.
Ken was ideal for The Goddesss Hero.
Ken reassured the desperate farmers and sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(17) While Ken was a mighty man, larger and stronger then his age would suggest
He was a smart man who didnt act before he thought a problem through.
Rescuing the Goddess took much planning.
(18) Ken went to Noonan, who from the first hadnt trusted The Dark Men of Kuat.
Noonan was the Valleys blacksmith, learned in the art of metal work.
He smiled knowingly as Ken entered his forge.
(19) For a year, Noonan had labored in secret every night to make a metal Hammer.
A Hammer like none other, a Hammer dedicated to The Goddess Sallas.
He had christened it The Hammer of Might.
(20) Ken took The Hammer of Might and traveled alone to the far City of Fort Celes.
He went to The Museum of Celes where The Vest of Justice was kept.
And he asked them for the loan of The Vest.
(21) Ken told his tale to those that would hear, a story of good and evil and courage.
And the Scholars who worked in the basement of The Museum of Celes
Promised to help him with his noble cause.
(22) And soon The Vest of Justice, The Vest that had gone on a hundred holy quests
Was brought to the basement of The Museum of Celes for a yearly cleaning,
The Scholars smuggled it to Ken instead.
As Ken returned home he joyfully sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(23) Ken had the 3 signs: The Vest, The Hammer, and Faith in The Goddess Sallas.
But he needed the strength of thousands to defeat The Giant of stone.
And he knew where such great strength could be found.
(24) On the evil Korat Farm, The Dark Men of Kuat had a warehouse well guarded.
And within were boxes of explosives and barrels of flammable liquids.
And each had the strength of a hundred men.
(25) So one dark winter night without a moon, Ken kissed his three siblings goodnight.
But his brother Justin, wise Justin, knew Ken had dangerous plans.
Kira also sensed Justins worry and was awake.
(26) Beware my brother, for without you we cant work the farm and we will starve.
Said Justin in a calm voice. Trust The Goddess and avoid all danger.
With tears small Kira whispered Come home safe.
(27) Ken reassured his worried siblings The Goddess Sallas will not fail our family.
Tonight I will have the help of friends, and I will not confront the enemy.
With stealth, not strength will we win this cold night.
As he left his worried siblings Ken sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(28) The Korat Farm, owned by The Dark Men of Kuat, was guarded by a great army.
This army guarded the farm by eating donuts in a room of many screens,
But this night a sports event held their interest.
(29) So the watchers of many screens did not see Ken dressed in The Vest of Justice.
No did they see him carry The Hammer of Might while he cut three wires.
They didnt see as 3 of their screens went blank.
(30) Their blank screens didnt show them Ken as he stole The Truck of 18 Wheels
They didnt show him mounting The Hammer of Might on The Trucks hood
Or slowly driving The Truck of 18 Wheels.
(31) The guards watching their game didnt see as Ken broke into The Warehouse,
Nor did they see Kens friends load The Truck with boxes and barrels.
Boxes and barrels of explosive power.
(32) But the guards saw the flashing light when a young farmer set off a silent alarm.
So they saw as a large force of Kuat Security rushed to The Warehouse;
Quickly and quietly Security came.
(33) They came with guns and bulletproof vests, with urban-tanks and hovercrafts.
They surrounded The Warehouse to trap the thieves, for it is often said:
No one can steal from The Dark Men of Kuat.
(34) But Ken was smart and left a sharp-eyed sentry, who warned them of their plight.
So all the young farmers left in the shadows before they were trapped.
Ken stayed behind and sang to hide the escape.
Security could hear Ken sing without care:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(35) So as the bold Kuat Security moved in on The Warehouse with tanks and guns.
Ken got in The Truck of 18 Wheels with its large cargo of deadly explosives,
The Hammer of Might mounted on the hood.
(36) Ken crashed through The Warehouse door, in the speeding Truck of 18 Wheels
In a collision course to the tanks. Then he dodged them at the last moment
And he speed down the small road and was gone.
(37) He speed away at full speed, over the simple dirt roads of The Valley of Vorn
And close behind was The Kuat Security in hovercrafts and urban-tanks.
Gone was Kens careful plan and hope of stealth.
(38) But Ken trusted The Goddess Sallas, and drove The Truck of 18 Wheels all night,
Using every trick he had learned from the foxes running from wild hounds.
He had The Goddess to rescue this day.
(39) By noon the next day, the tanks and hovercrafts had not caught up with Ken.
He sped The Truck to The Dam, 10 minutes ahead of those that chased him.
But he had no more time, his fuel was low.
(40) So he crashed The Truck of 18 Wheels through the gates around the giant Dam.
And drove at full speed up a hill that overlooked the captive Sallas River
The hill was in front of the concrete Dam.
(41) Just before Ken was a very sharp turn, a turn he could not make at this speed.
He did not turn or slow down, but drove The Truck of 18 Wheels straight.
It flew off the road and straight at The Dam.
As it flew Ken was heard loudly singing
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(42) The fast speeding Truck with 18 Wheels and The Hammer of Might on its hood
Hit The Giant of stone and steel that held The Goddess Sallas captive
The Truck exploded when it hit The Dam.
(43) In every corner of The Valley of Vorn that deafening explosion could be heard
Even The Dark Men of Kuat, in their airtight offices overlooking The Dam
Heard the explosion and were deathly afraid.
(44) Even Ken heard it, for he had jumped from The Truck as it few high into the air.
And while he was sore, burnt, and deafened, by the fall, fire, and blast,
He still was whole and able to walk away.
(45) But as The Dark Men of Kuat looked at The Dam that made them such profit
And Ken looked at The Dam that held his Goddess and his life captive
They all marveled that The Dam was still whole.
(46) The collision and explosion had marked the wall, clear 100 feet above the base.
But Ken had failed, not a crack or hole could be seen on its solid face
And Ken fled from The Dam in black despair.
(47) Still wearing The Vest of Justice, Ken dodged Kuat Security and walked home.
He returned home at midnight, and was greeted by Justin, wise Justin.
You can not rest here sad wise Justin said.
(48) The Kuat Security was here today. They are seeking you; they know it was you.
If you stay they will find you and take you away. young Justin said
You must hide in the high country he said.
(49) So Ken, wounded and broken of spirit, changed clothes and packed provisions
And as Will cried and Kira whispered Goodbye, Ken left before dawn.
To hide till Kuat ended their search for him.
As he left they could hear him sing softly
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(50) As Kira did the chores; little Justin put on The Vest of Justice and left soon after.
He knew that The Dark Men of Kuat would never stop looking for Ken.
They had The Dam and profits to defend.
(51) Wise Justin knew that he and his family could not farm or survive without Ken.
They had nothing now, nothing but their Faith in The Goddess Sallas
Faith is powerful when its all you have.
(52) The Vest of Justice looked like a poor mans rag, dirty and black from the blast.
So no one noticed small Justin as he walked to The Dam of Stone,
Walked past the workers and Kuat Security.
(53) At The Dams base Justin found the twisted remains of The Truck of 18 Wheels,
Now just scrapes of metal. But one thing had blown free in the blast;
The Hammer of Might was whole and unharmed.
(54) And Justin, wise Justin, knew this was a sign that The Goddess helped them still.
Justin polished up The Vest and The Hammer so all could see their power,
For Justin had The Goddess to rescue.
(55) Justin walked to a high place beside The Dam, where all could see what he did.
And pulling up The Hammer of Might which little Justin could barely lift
Justin hit The Dam with his best blow.
As he swung The Hammer small Justin sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(56) Workers and Security turned at this unique sight, a small boy battling The Dam.
And The Dark Men of Kuat saw him from the windows of their cold offices,
Saw as he hit The Dam with no effect.
(57) But Justin paused not a moment, his Faith in Sallas was a solid thing unshakable.
Though the wall of the evil Dam was not even marked by his blows
He swung The Hammer again and again.
(58) The Dark Men of Kuat watched him from their airtight unnaturally lighted offices.
They were angry and called for Security. But one Man of Kuat called Hold.
For he was skilled in the strange art called PR.
(59) One small boy and hammer cant harm the dam if an exploding truck could not!
But if we arrest him the meddling reporters will be sure to write the story
Just ignore him and he will tire and leave.
(60) So all day long wise Justin attacked The Dam with much resolve and no effect.
The Dark Men of Kuat and their Security did naught but watch in disdain;
All day, into the night, and the next day.
And through all that time Justins voice rang out:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(61) The next day some farmers came to watch from the hills overlooking The Dam.
Sad men who had lost all faith and hope, but were here to find it again.
The audience made The Men of Kuat nervous.
(62) As The Dark Men of Kuat arrived on the third day, they were more than nervous.
For the few farmers watching from above was replaced by 10 thousand
Farmers come to watch The Prophesied Battle.
(63) The Dark Men of Kuat were very afraid; for it was clear they had lost all control.
They ignored the rules of PR and ordered Security to end this quickly,
Before the situation got even worse.
(64) So Kuat Security was called, forces with guns, bulletproof vests and full riot-gear.
But small wise Justin ignored them as they commanded him to surrender.
Justin just sang bravely and fought The Dam.
(65) Before Security could toss their teargas bombs, a small girl rushed to Justins side.
Kira stood between The Kuat Security and Justin, as if she was a shield.
Then the girl, who only whispered, loudly sang.
Her voice rang through The Valley as she sang
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(66) Then all 10 thousand farmers joined her in her song of praises to The Goddess.
Justin had the 3 signs, and he had undeignable Faith in The Goddess.
Justin was clearly The Prophecys Hero
(67) Their song was like a battle cry; it unnerved Kuat Security and they retreated.
They quickly returned to their headquarters to await more specific orders.
But no orders came from The Dark Men of Kuat.
(68) The Dark Men of Kuat also feared the loud song of the men they had exploited.
They escaped so they could protect their lives and personal possessions.
Blaming defeat on every one but themselves.
(69) And when Justin, wise Justin, saw the 10 thousand farmers move down the hill.
He smiled, for The Goddess Sallas had given him what he needed to win.
The Goddess had given him The Strength of Thousands.
(70) He quickly told the farmers how they could help him rescue The Goddess Sallas.
A great battering ram was made of steel girders and The Hammer of Might.
The farmers rammed The Dam again and again.
And as they worked they all sang together:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(71) All day they sang and worked, 10 thousand men strong, with wise Justin leading.
And just as the sun set, they saw the small crack appear on The Dams face.
They wounded The Giant that held their Goddess.
(72) Justin then ordered all 10 thousand farmers to flee and make for high country.
He knew it was time for the winter floods and he heard The River swelling.
They cut Sallas bonds, she could free herself now.
(73) Wise Justin in The Vest of Justice and dragging The Hammer of Might watched.
From a high place he saw The Dam break and a wall of water leap forward.
Sallas was free to destroy all in her path.
(74) Justin knew that The Dark Men of Kuat would leave, and Ken could return home.
The Korat Farm would be the Korat Swamp, a deadly place, once more.
And The Valley farms would flourish again.
For 10 thousand more years the farmers will sing:
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(75) In The Museum at Fort Celes in the Esper Union in an unbreakable case of glass
There is a magical Vest made of metal from the rock that fell from the sky.
The garments plaque names it The Vest of Justice.
(76) A long list of Heroes and Kings of Esper have worn The Vest through the years
For they say it has magic if it was worn by a true heart on a noble quest.
Justin the Wise is the long lists final name.
The Prophesized Quest of
The Hero of the River Goddess Sallas
To Vanquish the Giant of Stone
That Held the Goddess Captive.
(1) In The Museum at Fort Celes in the Esper Union in an unbreakable case of glass
There is a magical Vest made of metal from the rock that fell from the sky.
The garments plaque names it The Vest of Justice.
(2) A long list of Heroes and Kings of Esper have worn The vest through the years
For they say it has magic if it was worn by a true heart on a noble quest.
And there is also a prophesy attached to the Vest.
(3) In the Valley of Vorn the River Sallas flows down from the Toratan mountains
And the prophesy concerns The Goddess Sallas who is also The River
It says one day The Goddess will be Captured.
(4) The Goddess and River will be enslaved by The terrible Giant of stone and metal
But she will be rescued by The Hero wearing The Vest of Justice
Shell give unto him The Strength of Thousands.
(5) It said The Hero would not be harmed by The Giant or the men who worship it.
The Hammer of Might, The Vest of Justice, and Faith in The Goddess
Is how The People will know The Hero.
The Prophesy says The People with sing
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(6) This is all that is said of The Vest by the plaque in The Museum at Fort Celes.
It doesnt say that the people of The Valley of Vorn no longer believed
In the Prophesy or its dire warnings.
(7) The Valley of Vorn is in the lush south of The Veldt, a remote region of Esper.
Only 10 thousand farms are nestled in The Valley, and in peace and joy
The farmers lived there for 10 thousand years.
(8) The farmers of The Valley of Vorn loved The Goddess who is The River Sallas.
But they feared her also since she feeds the deadly Korat Swamp
And because she floods in the winter rains.
(9) Dark and grim men with dark suits came from off-world from the Kuat Consortium
They promised to stop the winter floods and the summer droughts
By building a Dam on the River Sallas.
(10) The evil Korat Swamp would drained, and would be made into rich farm land,
And electric power would flow to the valley to light homes at night.
The Vorn Valley farmers cheered these new changes.
They sang Thanks to The Goddess for this gift:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(11) The Dark Men of Kuat build the Dam and everything they promised came true.
No winter flood, no summer drought, the evil Korat Swamp was farmland
And electricity flowed into the Valley.
(12) But The River now was contained and the simple farms became dry and barren
And the Korat Swamp became the Korat Farm owned by the Men from Kuat
And only the Kuat farms had electricity.
(13) For the Dark Men knew that farms needed workers as well as water to thrive
And starving farmers with dry farms would work for low pay at Kuat farms
This was part of The Dark Men of Kuats plan.
(14) The Farmers fought back, with lawyers wielding weapons called injunctions.
But The Dark Men from Kuat had lawyers also who won every battle
The Prophesy will save us, some whispered.
(15) Four orphans lived alone on a farm; the youngest was Will a boy of just 4 years.
Fair 7-year-old Kira next, she spoke only rarely and only in small whispers.
She had been that way since their parents death.
(16) Next was Justin, a boy of 10, small of stature but wiser than most grown men.
All three were raised by Ken, at 18 he was the strongest man of Vorn.
Ken was ideal for The Goddesss Hero.
Ken reassured the desperate farmers and sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(17) While Ken was a mighty man, larger and stronger then his age would suggest
He was a smart man who didnt act before he thought a problem through.
Rescuing the Goddess took much planning.
(18) Ken went to Noonan, who from the first hadnt trusted The Dark Men of Kuat.
Noonan was the Valleys blacksmith, learned in the art of metal work.
He smiled knowingly as Ken entered his forge.
(19) For a year, Noonan had labored in secret every night to make a metal Hammer.
A Hammer like none other, a Hammer dedicated to The Goddess Sallas.
He had christened it The Hammer of Might.
(20) Ken took The Hammer of Might and traveled alone to the far City of Fort Celes.
He went to The Museum of Celes where The Vest of Justice was kept.
And he asked them for the loan of The Vest.
(21) Ken told his tale to those that would hear, a story of good and evil and courage.
And the Scholars who worked in the basement of The Museum of Celes
Promised to help him with his noble cause.
(22) And soon The Vest of Justice, The Vest that had gone on a hundred holy quests
Was brought to the basement of The Museum of Celes for a yearly cleaning,
The Scholars smuggled it to Ken instead.
As Ken returned home he joyfully sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(23) Ken had the 3 signs: The Vest, The Hammer, and Faith in The Goddess Sallas.
But he needed the strength of thousands to defeat The Giant of stone.
And he knew where such great strength could be found.
(24) On the evil Korat Farm, The Dark Men of Kuat had a warehouse well guarded.
And within were boxes of explosives and barrels of flammable liquids.
And each had the strength of a hundred men.
(25) So one dark winter night without a moon, Ken kissed his three siblings goodnight.
But his brother Justin, wise Justin, knew Ken had dangerous plans.
Kira also sensed Justins worry and was awake.
(26) Beware my brother, for without you we cant work the farm and we will starve.
Said Justin in a calm voice. Trust The Goddess and avoid all danger.
With tears small Kira whispered Come home safe.
(27) Ken reassured his worried siblings The Goddess Sallas will not fail our family.
Tonight I will have the help of friends, and I will not confront the enemy.
With stealth, not strength will we win this cold night.
As he left his worried siblings Ken sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(28) The Korat Farm, owned by The Dark Men of Kuat, was guarded by a great army.
This army guarded the farm by eating donuts in a room of many screens,
But this night a sports event held their interest.
(29) So the watchers of many screens did not see Ken dressed in The Vest of Justice.
No did they see him carry The Hammer of Might while he cut three wires.
They didnt see as 3 of their screens went blank.
(30) Their blank screens didnt show them Ken as he stole The Truck of 18 Wheels
They didnt show him mounting The Hammer of Might on The Trucks hood
Or slowly driving The Truck of 18 Wheels.
(31) The guards watching their game didnt see as Ken broke into The Warehouse,
Nor did they see Kens friends load The Truck with boxes and barrels.
Boxes and barrels of explosive power.
(32) But the guards saw the flashing light when a young farmer set off a silent alarm.
So they saw as a large force of Kuat Security rushed to The Warehouse;
Quickly and quietly Security came.
(33) They came with guns and bulletproof vests, with urban-tanks and hovercrafts.
They surrounded The Warehouse to trap the thieves, for it is often said:
No one can steal from The Dark Men of Kuat.
(34) But Ken was smart and left a sharp-eyed sentry, who warned them of their plight.
So all the young farmers left in the shadows before they were trapped.
Ken stayed behind and sang to hide the escape.
Security could hear Ken sing without care:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(35) So as the bold Kuat Security moved in on The Warehouse with tanks and guns.
Ken got in The Truck of 18 Wheels with its large cargo of deadly explosives,
The Hammer of Might mounted on the hood.
(36) Ken crashed through The Warehouse door, in the speeding Truck of 18 Wheels
In a collision course to the tanks. Then he dodged them at the last moment
And he speed down the small road and was gone.
(37) He speed away at full speed, over the simple dirt roads of The Valley of Vorn
And close behind was The Kuat Security in hovercrafts and urban-tanks.
Gone was Kens careful plan and hope of stealth.
(38) But Ken trusted The Goddess Sallas, and drove The Truck of 18 Wheels all night,
Using every trick he had learned from the foxes running from wild hounds.
He had The Goddess to rescue this day.
(39) By noon the next day, the tanks and hovercrafts had not caught up with Ken.
He sped The Truck to The Dam, 10 minutes ahead of those that chased him.
But he had no more time, his fuel was low.
(40) So he crashed The Truck of 18 Wheels through the gates around the giant Dam.
And drove at full speed up a hill that overlooked the captive Sallas River
The hill was in front of the concrete Dam.
(41) Just before Ken was a very sharp turn, a turn he could not make at this speed.
He did not turn or slow down, but drove The Truck of 18 Wheels straight.
It flew off the road and straight at The Dam.
As it flew Ken was heard loudly singing
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(42) The fast speeding Truck with 18 Wheels and The Hammer of Might on its hood
Hit The Giant of stone and steel that held The Goddess Sallas captive
The Truck exploded when it hit The Dam.
(43) In every corner of The Valley of Vorn that deafening explosion could be heard
Even The Dark Men of Kuat, in their airtight offices overlooking The Dam
Heard the explosion and were deathly afraid.
(44) Even Ken heard it, for he had jumped from The Truck as it few high into the air.
And while he was sore, burnt, and deafened, by the fall, fire, and blast,
He still was whole and able to walk away.
(45) But as The Dark Men of Kuat looked at The Dam that made them such profit
And Ken looked at The Dam that held his Goddess and his life captive
They all marveled that The Dam was still whole.
(46) The collision and explosion had marked the wall, clear 100 feet above the base.
But Ken had failed, not a crack or hole could be seen on its solid face
And Ken fled from The Dam in black despair.
(47) Still wearing The Vest of Justice, Ken dodged Kuat Security and walked home.
He returned home at midnight, and was greeted by Justin, wise Justin.
You can not rest here sad wise Justin said.
(48) The Kuat Security was here today. They are seeking you; they know it was you.
If you stay they will find you and take you away. young Justin said
You must hide in the high country he said.
(49) So Ken, wounded and broken of spirit, changed clothes and packed provisions
And as Will cried and Kira whispered Goodbye, Ken left before dawn.
To hide till Kuat ended their search for him.
As he left they could hear him sing softly
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(50) As Kira did the chores; little Justin put on The Vest of Justice and left soon after.
He knew that The Dark Men of Kuat would never stop looking for Ken.
They had The Dam and profits to defend.
(51) Wise Justin knew that he and his family could not farm or survive without Ken.
They had nothing now, nothing but their Faith in The Goddess Sallas
Faith is powerful when its all you have.
(52) The Vest of Justice looked like a poor mans rag, dirty and black from the blast.
So no one noticed small Justin as he walked to The Dam of Stone,
Walked past the workers and Kuat Security.
(53) At The Dams base Justin found the twisted remains of The Truck of 18 Wheels,
Now just scrapes of metal. But one thing had blown free in the blast;
The Hammer of Might was whole and unharmed.
(54) And Justin, wise Justin, knew this was a sign that The Goddess helped them still.
Justin polished up The Vest and The Hammer so all could see their power,
For Justin had The Goddess to rescue.
(55) Justin walked to a high place beside The Dam, where all could see what he did.
And pulling up The Hammer of Might which little Justin could barely lift
Justin hit The Dam with his best blow.
As he swung The Hammer small Justin sang:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(56) Workers and Security turned at this unique sight, a small boy battling The Dam.
And The Dark Men of Kuat saw him from the windows of their cold offices,
Saw as he hit The Dam with no effect.
(57) But Justin paused not a moment, his Faith in Sallas was a solid thing unshakable.
Though the wall of the evil Dam was not even marked by his blows
He swung The Hammer again and again.
(58) The Dark Men of Kuat watched him from their airtight unnaturally lighted offices.
They were angry and called for Security. But one Man of Kuat called Hold.
For he was skilled in the strange art called PR.
(59) One small boy and hammer cant harm the dam if an exploding truck could not!
But if we arrest him the meddling reporters will be sure to write the story
Just ignore him and he will tire and leave.
(60) So all day long wise Justin attacked The Dam with much resolve and no effect.
The Dark Men of Kuat and their Security did naught but watch in disdain;
All day, into the night, and the next day.
And through all that time Justins voice rang out:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(61) The next day some farmers came to watch from the hills overlooking The Dam.
Sad men who had lost all faith and hope, but were here to find it again.
The audience made The Men of Kuat nervous.
(62) As The Dark Men of Kuat arrived on the third day, they were more than nervous.
For the few farmers watching from above was replaced by 10 thousand
Farmers come to watch The Prophesied Battle.
(63) The Dark Men of Kuat were very afraid; for it was clear they had lost all control.
They ignored the rules of PR and ordered Security to end this quickly,
Before the situation got even worse.
(64) So Kuat Security was called, forces with guns, bulletproof vests and full riot-gear.
But small wise Justin ignored them as they commanded him to surrender.
Justin just sang bravely and fought The Dam.
(65) Before Security could toss their teargas bombs, a small girl rushed to Justins side.
Kira stood between The Kuat Security and Justin, as if she was a shield.
Then the girl, who only whispered, loudly sang.
Her voice rang through The Valley as she sang
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(66) Then all 10 thousand farmers joined her in her song of praises to The Goddess.
Justin had the 3 signs, and he had undeignable Faith in The Goddess.
Justin was clearly The Prophecys Hero
(67) Their song was like a battle cry; it unnerved Kuat Security and they retreated.
They quickly returned to their headquarters to await more specific orders.
But no orders came from The Dark Men of Kuat.
(68) The Dark Men of Kuat also feared the loud song of the men they had exploited.
They escaped so they could protect their lives and personal possessions.
Blaming defeat on every one but themselves.
(69) And when Justin, wise Justin, saw the 10 thousand farmers move down the hill.
He smiled, for The Goddess Sallas had given him what he needed to win.
The Goddess had given him The Strength of Thousands.
(70) He quickly told the farmers how they could help him rescue The Goddess Sallas.
A great battering ram was made of steel girders and The Hammer of Might.
The farmers rammed The Dam again and again.
And as they worked they all sang together:
High Praises To The Goddess Sallas.
(71) All day they sang and worked, 10 thousand men strong, with wise Justin leading.
And just as the sun set, they saw the small crack appear on The Dams face.
They wounded The Giant that held their Goddess.
(72) Justin then ordered all 10 thousand farmers to flee and make for high country.
He knew it was time for the winter floods and he heard The River swelling.
They cut Sallas bonds, she could free herself now.
(73) Wise Justin in The Vest of Justice and dragging The Hammer of Might watched.
From a high place he saw The Dam break and a wall of water leap forward.
Sallas was free to destroy all in her path.
(74) Justin knew that The Dark Men of Kuat would leave, and Ken could return home.
The Korat Farm would be the Korat Swamp, a deadly place, once more.
And The Valley farms would flourish again.
For 10 thousand more years the farmers will sing:
High praises to the Goddess Sallas.
(75) In The Museum at Fort Celes in the Esper Union in an unbreakable case of glass
There is a magical Vest made of metal from the rock that fell from the sky.
The garments plaque names it The Vest of Justice.
(76) A long list of Heroes and Kings of Esper have worn The Vest through the years
For they say it has magic if it was worn by a true heart on a noble quest.
Justin the Wise is the long lists final name.