I felt it the moment the humans began their incessant attempt at communication.
The resonance of their voice, modulated through ancient knowledge and architecture rebuilt using the old ones as the blueprint.
Originating from the landmass that was created long ago during the routine clash between Groudon, Kyoger and I, it is their third? fourth? Attempt.
But I don't plan on answering their call, even if they promise me that delicious, delicious alcohol.
Not anymore. Not after they betrayed me.
I taught their ancestors everything they knew. I gave them rain, I gave them power, I gave them civilization and wisdom. But what did they give me in the end? Nothing but betrayal.
If it were just because of one despot, I would have long since forgiven them. Because let's face it, the common people are rarely at fault for decisions made by the idiots in power.
But those guys? There were no innocents. They willingly joined their king in shunning me. They called me a monster, they called me a demon. They wanted me gone. The entire people, save for those priests who were changed due to drinking from the water laced with my radiation.
So, I gave them exactly what they wanted.
'You know, it is not like you to be this petty.'
'I am not being petty, Groudon. I am being cautious. I am also making sure that my presence does not impact their civilization more than it already has.'
'Fat load of good that did. Remember that fire?'
At my brother's words, my mind wandered back to that time.
The Great Fire of London.
I remember that event. Not the one from my old human life from millions of years ago. No. The one I speak of is the one that took place on this Earth.
I saw the fires when I was hunting down a particularly delicious asteroid that my senses told me was rich in minerals.
I saw the blaze, spreading slowly, like the fingers of a giant hand opening.
I still don't know why I decided to intervene back then, but intervene I did.
I used my speed and vibrational ability that acted similarly to the Pokémon ability of Deltra Stream to create a column upwards, heading straight out of the Earth's atmosphere.
I think I acted on instinct back then. Because I knew that if I did not get rid of the smoke and ash, there was a possibility of a localized volcanic winter to take place, which would have thrown off the whole climate balance, requiring me to work overtime to fix the damage.
And the one thing I hate the most is overtime, so there was no way I was going to let that happen. So maybe I acted on instinct to save myself from being overworked.
Although that event probably did expose me to the people at large, given that it is hard to miss a 900-foot-long glowing dragon in the middle of a night sky filled with ash and smoke.
'Tell us the truth, Rayquaza. Are you really avoiding the children of our land because you are looking out for them? Or, is it because of what happened all those centuries ago in the West?'
'.....I will not deny that it may have something to do with what happened back then.'
'Brother. That human is dead. He and his kin are long since gone. The humans are not as long-lived as a Titan, remember?'
'I know. I know that the children down there, trying to call out to me, are blameless for their ancestors' mistakes. Yet, I cannot shake off that betrayal, Kyogre.'
Anger flooded my mind as I remembered that day.
The day when I returned to the Maya people, hoping to see them gather the sap as I taught them and burn it so that I could charge up the smoke and initiate a downpour.
However, what I found that day truly enraged me beyond belief.
Human Sacrifice.
I had naively thought that I had taught them to be better than this. That I had given them enough knowledge and wisdom to steer them clear of this path.
Yet, here they were. Doing the very thing that I forbade them from ever doing.
I can forgive the foolish king's actions. I can forgive being called names. I can even forgive being called a demon. But that incident? That was the one thing I would never forgive.
So, I destroyed the spire that I helped their ancestors build and the acoustic chambers of their step-pyramids, the place that I called home for many centuries, and left them behind to their fate.
'I made the mistake of giving the humans too much knowledge back then. Too much wisdom gained too soon. It made them think that they were above the laws of the world. That they could do anything they wanted and get away with it. That thinking became their undoing. No more.'
'I will not make that mistake ever again. I will protect this world. I will protect those tiny, helpless beings, who are filled with both good and bad. Yet, I will not interact with them directly. Not anymore.'
'And how will you protect them from themselves? Brother? You have seen what they've done to themselves. Their messing around with things beyond them is what awakened the dormant Titans on the surface in the first place.'
I snorted Kyogre's words. But I did not refute him. Because he is right.
The nuclear age is already here.
Man split the atom, and in doing so, discovered a powerful weapon. One that can kill thousands of their kind easily.
To them, this is the pinnacle of weapons technology.
But to a Titan? That is a very, very attractive snack.
Granted, it might not taste as good as natural radiation, but what it lacks in taste more than makes up for in sheer power and the ability to boost a titan's physiology.
'What they do with their weapons and whether they wipe themselves out or not has nothing to do with me. I will only protect them from external threats targeting their species. Just like I have protected the various species of titans across the world in ancient times, before I chose Godzilla to take on that tiresome job for me. But if they are foolish enough to kill themselves? Then it has nothing to do with me.'
'Heh. I am still waiting for the day when that little brat realizes that you've saddled him with that burdensome job so that you can fly around without any responsibilities and spend your time without a care in the world.'
I immediately got a serious look at Groudon's words.
'Don't you dare tell him! I'll pummel you into the magma layer of the planet and imprison you there for the next million years. The same goes for you, too, Kyogre.'
'Hey, my lips are sealed.'
'Ditto. I am not suicidal enough to piss off my only source of interaction with the outside world like that.'
'But I must ask you this. What if you have no choice? What if you need to talk to the humans in the future because of something out of your hands?'
At Groudon's words, I could not help but feel like laughing. But I did no such thing.
Because I have long since learned throughout my long, long life as Rayquaza that there is no such thing as 'impossible'.
'If such a time does come, I will let go of my reservations and talk to them, answering their call. But until such a time does come, I will do no such thing.'
'...Very well, brother. Know that we are with you.'
'What the turtle said.'
'TURTLE!? YOU DAMNED LIZARD!'
'I'LL SHOW YOU A LIZARD-'
'Ah! here we go again.'
I chuckled at the familiar argument and continued flying around the Earth, looking for the next tasty snack headed my way from outer space.
If the situation does arise where I need the help of humans, I really will descend. But until that time, I will let them be.
I have learned my lesson about getting too involved with humanity. Not just with the Mayans, but through many other encounters throughout their history.
So, unless it has to do with the very survival of the planet, I will not do something as stupid as speaking with them.
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Author Notes: Read 5 chapters ahead on Patreon
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