The following is part of the creation story from the Mayan sacred book called the Popol Vuh:. . \"Then came the word, like a lightning bolt it ripped through the sky, penetrated the waters, and fertilized the minds of the Earth-Water Deities, Tepeu and Gucumatz.\"—Popol Vuh, Part I. Public Domain. . Based on this excerpt, what strongly influenced the formation of the earth and water gods?. . the sky. . the water. . the word. . the lightning.