>>766404>>766405"Well frankly at this point, I'd like Cerulean's approach," Splendid says. "I've been waiting to get some powers like you lot have. It's been bothering me forever that I can't fight like you guys do. Feels like I'm dead weight. So until we can find a suitable Master to teach me, maybe you can just… bonk me with Aura time to time?"
>>766401"Those overgrown thieves in the suits of metal and cloth, yes, those monsters," the Fish says.
He then looks up at the sky. "That's how it works. Not my power, but yes."
>>766403"Oh that was me in the story," the Fish says. "I told it in third-person for the dramatic flair."
His tone of voice might suggest he's enhancing the truth a little… but only a little.
>>766401>>766402>>766403>>766404Willow Wisp relays the legend of the Fish Who Devoured the Sky as Kukulcan told it.
As you recall, the legend held that a mighty sea-monster – the Fish – rampaged all about Cuauhtemoc, swimming in the waters about the island, up the rivers, into the lakes, wreaking havoc all the way. The people of the island tried to appease the Fish with offerings, but the Fish's appetite eclipsed these. A warrior had to rise from among the people of the island to defeat the Fish. The warrior sought the help of the Sun Serpent, and lured the Fish out by pretending that he was going to feed the Sun Serpent to the Fish… only it was a trap that they used to get the drop on the Fish. When they defeated the Fish, the Sun Serpent got to eat the Fish as his payment. This started a bitter rivalry between the Sun Serpent and the Fish – and over the years, one would devour the other in an endless battle.
"Hmmmmmmm…!" the Fish says, hearing this story about himself. "Well… definitely sounds like something I'd do."
Then, as Alder introduces Kukulcan, the Thunder Serpent, he steps forward, and nods to the Fish. Behind him, Two Reeds, the Smoke-and-Mirrors, follows. Lightning flashes about Kukulcan, and Two Reeds is illuminated by luminescent smoke, potent with powerful magic. Their demeanor takes on the current of regal divinity you've seen them wear when they first told you of their past – as gods of this island.
Thunder Serpent Kukulcan speaks. "Greetings, brother Fish. I, the Thunder Serpent, have returned. I have regained the divine spirit I lost when I fled… so long ago. Cuauhtemoc needs all the help it can get, brother Fish. From the gods of the island, to the mighty warriors who are on the surface of the seas above. This is only a small fraction of the number I have brought here for us to finally shake off the Vault! If you can help us summon the Sun Serpent– we'll finally have everything we need to attack the Vault one last time… and set our home free."
The Fish nods repeatedly. "Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm… yeah that all sounds about right…"
He looks up, at all of you. "Just got one question though…"
The Fish Who Devoured the Sky points at Kukulcan and Two Reeds. "Do you really believe what these two impostor gods have been telling you?"