Skypiea, Apis.
Sakazuki and Kulik followed the Shandian guard towards the temple, surrounded by towering ancient trees.
"It's incredible," Kulik exclaimed, following Sakazuki, "Sky Islands have land, and such colossal trees too."
The guard, hearing this, turned back with reverence. "Sky Islands did not always have land. This soil is a gift from the gods."
"Four hundred years ago," Sakazuki's voice chimed in. Kulik, startled, turned to look at him, while the guard continued, "Do you in the Blue Sea know of this?"
"No, we only heard about it when we arrived."
Kulik, listening to their exchange, gazed at the scenery with wide-eyed astonishment, as if trying to etch every detail into his memory.
After a short while, a palace of pure white came into view. Unlike the castle-like structures of Angel Island, this grand hall was built in a retro style, exuding an air of solemnity and grandeur.
A man with a long beard, clad in a flowing robe, appeared at the entrance of the hall. Just as the guard was about to speak, the man raised his hand. The guard paused, bowed his head, and retreated.
The white-robed man approached them and extended his right hand.
"Welcome, mighty adventurers from the Blue Sea."
"I am Gan Fall."
Sakazuki looked at the lean man before him and extended his own hand, his deep voice resonating.
"Sakazuki."
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Inside the hall, after they had both taken their seats.
Gan Fall looked at them and spoke, "Adventurers from the Blue Sea, I know you have many questions, but would you permit me to tell you a story first?"
Sakazuki nodded slightly, indicating Gan Fall to proceed, having already guessed the subject matter.
Gan Fall gazed at the map on the table, his hoarse voice beginning.
"It was about 400 years ago."
"The land of the gods was once a very peaceful place."
"Occasionally, salvaged provisions, the only resources washed ashore by the Rising Currents, would appear."
"These were cherished as treasures by the sky dwellers."
"All the Bu's found on the Sky Islands came to the heavens in such a manner."
"For a Bu as immense as Apis to reach the sky was deemed impossible."
"Yet, a miracle occurred."
"The sky dwellers naturally rejoiced, believing it to be a sacred land bestowed by the heavens."
"However... the Bu brought with it its original inhabitants."
"Those people were the Shandians."
"The gods and the sky dwellers of that time saw this as a divine gift."
"A sacred land meant for the gods alone."
"Thus, a battle erupted over the Bu."
"For 400 years since then, the war between the Shandians and the sky dwellers has continued without end."
"At some point, a legend began to circulate among the sky dwellers."
"It spoke of an ancient time, when the day the sacred land of the God's Island was born, its melodious song echoed throughout the land."
"The war between the Shandians and the sky people commenced then, as if it were a signal for war."
".........."
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Shandian Village, Cloud Hidden Village.
On a giant vine leaf, Klon, a descendant of the great warrior Calgara, stood and addressed his two children behind him, gazing in the direction of Apis.
"Baro, Goss, do you know?"
"Our ancestors, the Shandians, originally lived in the Blue Sea."
"In the sacred city of Shandora."
"The great warrior Calgara always defended our homeland."
"But, 400 years ago."
"Due to the Rising Currents, Shandora was swept up to this Sky Island."
"And could never return to the Blue Sea."
"This in itself was a profound sorrow."
"But..."
"Those Sky Island dwellers, they called it a gift, a sacred land, and invaded our territory."
"Our ancestors were driven from their homeland."
"And could not return to the sacred city."
"They were not even allowed to touch the soil of their homeland."
His voice, filled with hatred, echoed through the sky.
"For a full 400 years!"
"We Shandians have suffered untold humiliation."
"That Apis belongs to us. We must reclaim it."
"Our homeland..."
"Our honor..."
"Everything..."
"We must... reignite... the Lantern of Shandora!"
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Skypiea, Apis.
"Regarding the actions of our ancestors in seizing the homeland of the Shandians."
"I have long sought an answer on how to apologize, but have found none, and can only let time pass in helplessness."
"I am truly too incompetent."
"If possible, I wish I could bow to everyone and confess, to atone for the Shandians who lost their lives in pursuit of their homeland over the past 400 years."
"But the hatred between the sky dwellers and the Shandians is too deep. Despite my efforts to ease it over the years, the results have been minimal, with no possibility of communication."
"Therefore, I implore you, a powerful adventurer."
"To enter the Shandian settlement."
"And convey my wish for peaceful coexistence."
Gan Fall rose and bowed deeply to Sakazuki.
"Please."
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Extra - Original Timeline
1100 years ago, the golden city of "Shandora" still prospered.
1000 years ago, the ancient ritual of "Living Sacrifice" was already in practice in the golden city of "Shandora."
800 years ago, the prosperous golden city of "Shandora" perished for unknown reasons. The surviving Shandians regressed to a tribal era, adhering to strict rules prohibiting outsiders, guarding the ruins of the golden city and historical texts they could not decipher.