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// chapter 1: escape 
// Story: The rise 
// by lubu343 
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We were betrayed... by those who we believed had our best interest’s at heart. The enemy came in their thousands... they died just as they did before. As the battle raged we knew victory was at hand until it happened or did not happen. They promised us reinforcements... they promised us salvation. The walls and our gallant and brave warriors fell under overwhelming odds. 
The enemy pillaged and killed with lustful abandon for nothing was sacred to them. Only our own paranoia saved us. MY paranoia saved us. The tunnels were created during the dark times for a last resort... never to be used unless we wished to court death. I am the leader of our small band of survivors... a mixed group of nobles, peasants, fools and mages. 
The Hammerhai has fallen and will forever shamed until it is reclaimed for the son’s and daughters of the smith. 

This is the first entry in the dairy of Luke Hammer-Son
Luke lifted his head and observed the motley crew that had survived the fall. Luke counted three hundred and fifty adults and fifty seven children most of whom were to young to take the trails of adulthood. Many of the survivors were injured from the fighting and Luke could tell that unless they escaped the tunnels they would die and all the death and sacrifices would be meaningless. Luke stood and all eyes turned to him, waiting to see how their leader would save them. Fear was evident in their eyes, the children more so than the adults... those who had eyes at least. “ Breaks over people we need to continue moving.” grumbling filled the chamber as the group rose and followed Luke to survival and salvation.

The tunnels were designed to confuse and stall large forces while the citizens of the Hammerhai found the rooms hidden between stones and where they could rearm and set up resistance. Luke knew the tunnels better than anyone in Hammerhai, a boast that had earned little before and less now. The group regretted their various teasing and small bullying as Luke found his third room. The supplies proved to be a god-send as bags were filled with food and medicine. Arms and armor were donned and equipped by those who could fight and Luke let himself sigh in relief as his group’s chances of surviving skyrocketed. 

A voice that dripped with religion and sensuality broke the silence  “ Gather around my children and be ready to give thanks to the smith for his gifts.” Luke silently groaned and observed as a women dressed in what was supposed to be a humble and conservative dress that showed nether bust nor leg. Yet on her all it did was hug the body and tease all who gazed upon it. As she began her sermon Luke turned and continued to fill the packs with supplies, trying his hardest to ignore the stare that was doing a commendable job burning a hole in his back. 
“... I believe that our fearless leader should say the final rights as I am feeling a sudden bout of fatigue.” Luke let a small growl as he felt more eyes on him and with a sigh turned and walked towards the group of adults who were kneeling around a tall woman who was being held up by two men and fanned by two small girls. The woman’s aqua green eyes danced with mischievous glee and hidden lust as she watched Luke march towards her. How she enjoyed placing him in awkward situations, he always looked so cute and never disappointed her when he raised to the occasion.  

Luke could not believe her, why did she do this to him. As he stood in the circle he turned gazing and memorizing each face and name. “ The lord smith who has guided us and held us in is loving gaze...” Luke began not noticing how the group drank in his words “ we ask you oh lord smith to guid us in our time of peril, to show us the path that we must tread oh lord smith by the fires of the holy forge we proclaim our loyalty and re-enlist our services in the war against your enemies hail Hammerhai!” the resounding shouts of “ Hail Hammerhai!” reverberated in the room giving of the illusion that the dead were shouting their defiance and loyalty along with the living. The sound of gears moving after many years of disuse pierced the air and the ears of the group. Luke whirled to see a large segment of rock split down the middle. Before their eyes the group watched as the door open letting blinding light and fresh air enter the room. 

Above the cacophony a fatherly voice could be heard “ My children, I have heard your pryers and have found you worthy...” Luke never knew who the smith was before this moment but now all his fears and doubts about the lord smith were dashed as he gazed upon the lush forrest, clear blue sky and hovering great hammer before him. The smith was real and gave them a chance to rebuild. The voice rang out again “ Luke I entrust you with the safe keeping of my children, hence this mighty hammer is your’s, signifying your place as leader and blessed disciple with all responsibilities and privileges attached.”  The great hammer flew into Luke's hands and Luke felt something slip into place inside him. “ Holy mother Selecia bless my disciple.” Selecia rose and shaking with fear began the rights of blessing. Luke reached out and took Selecia’s face in his hands and turning her head gazed into her eyes and gave her the best reassuring smile he could. Selecia let out the breath that she had been holding and nodding to herself began the rights. The voice gave a small laugh and proclaimed “ Here is Equestria home to the sister goddesses Luna and Celestia, here is where you will rebuild and where you will take back your home from the enemy... know this my children you will always be in my heart and in my mind fare thee well.” everyone in the room could feel the voice of their god leave and they turned to regard their new home each thinking the same thing. Equestria...salvation...hope

end of chapter 1