“I see. You guys want to hear about the old snake that made the gorge, huh? You know the gorge you had to cross to even get here,” Kigiba said when he was met with confusion. “Don't let the air get to your heads too much there. I know this place has that effect on you new folk. You gotta be able to find your way back when I'm through with this story.”
Kigiba sank back on his paws in a more relaxed manner. The hint of mischief in his expression remained but his voice was inviting, welcoming those nearby to listen. “I mentioned it before. We have always adapted before gods started to take roots around here. Humans like to say the old Ho-oh and old Lugia were responsible for lowering the sea and splitting the earth to make Johto here.
He waved his paw dismissively. “I'm sure they probably did make something but not the ground we're standing on. They are all powerful. If the old snake was able to split the land in two, I'm sure they can do the same. You have to ask our sensei about it. It's not something I care to know about.
“But the snake was here before the lot of them began to show up. Grands used to tell me this land of ours was a whole lot smaller. There weren’t many of us around. Just the few Pokémon who lived on a small island and a snake. And she did plenty good to them. She gave a place to live, protection. What more could they really ask for, huh.
“Well… it was getting pretty cramped on this island. They were flourishing but everyone wanted their piece of land. Fights broke out, some of it was pretty nasty. They wanted more space, they wanted the island across from them but it was so far away. The snake didn't know about it, she was sleeping away half of the time, not needing to do anything. Until someone got their paws on one of her scales. It was stuff of legends, like platinum it shone without the need of light. But best of all, it made stuff grow.
“Our snake was a Nature god. So they pleaded with her. Beg her up and down for the island. She was firm, denying their pleas. She had separated them from the island for good reason, to prevent greed from spreading. But she had seen her people. Malnourished, starving, riddled with scars from all the fighting. It wounded her.
“So she did the impossible, she extended her body and formed the bridge to cross over, closed the gap to allow them to leave. But she warned them should they leave, they would not receive her protection. “Some turned tail and never looked back. Some stayed. The worst ones…”
“They turned on her, piercing through her scales, causing our god to bleed out, ensuring we would be trapped here. That gorge was always been stained red with her blood ever since.”
Kigiba paused with a grin. “Cool story, eh? Now getting on back.” A look towards the sun. “When the sun starts to set, the fun really begins.”
