The Light Trail to Skystead Keep

I followed the light trail Dominion had placed on the ground with ease. It had been bogging my mind as to how peaceful my time in Dead Gardens had been so far. Well, save for that time the monsters ate the other soldiers and killed Gres... But it ended well, anyway! So who cares about them now, no? I wanted to work with them and create my first Dead Gardens settlement with them, but it clearly didn't fare well for that group. Instead, I met a god. And now here we have the quietest road trip ever.

I just expected Dead Gardens to be much, much more dangerous than this. But so far, it's just... a sad, empty place with a bunch of dead trees, barren soil, and thick dust. It looks rather pathetic, if I'm being honest. I expected it to be more... action-packed, I guess? Like, I was under the impression that I would be vanquishing thousands of foes already once I accepted Dominion inside of me (or rather, inside Gres' body. I'm still not used to this.) So none can blame me for being absolutely fucking bored.

Haa... I can't believe how calm I've been ever since Dominion came to my rescue. I had been meaning to extend my gratitude to him for saving my life and healing my mutilated foot to boot! There's no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a better partner for Dominion so that our union can stand firm with mutual understanding. It's just that... It gets really hard to talk to Dominion because of how unusual his temper can go. Holding a conversation with this guy feels like defusing a bomb. If I want our partnership to work, I need to show how sincere I am in wanting to win his friendship first.

Well, I'm planning all of these, but I'm sure Dominion is already listening. I don't even know how this "voice-in-my-mind" schtick works. Oh well. Might as well strike a conversation now that we're already here. Dominion had been awfully loud earlier, but now he's being silent. He's not even reacting to my inner-monologues anymore. Let's see... I wonder what topic is good enough to lure his attention? Maybe I can inquire about our destination.

'Where does this light trail lead to, Dominion?'

As usual, I was greeted by his awful temper. It had been irking me for quite some time now, but I guess I just had to accustom myself to what I have now. At best, I can at least learn how to deal with him. Why is he always so angry, anyway? What a pain.

'You're the one who told me to move quicker. I'm just trying to cut us some time. Wouldn't it be more efficient to talk about our destination while we're rushing towards it?'

How unusual. He's being very cooperative. I guess he's bored too.

'I already asked. Where are we going?'

'I have never heard of that place before.'

'I bet. They wanted me dead.'

'Wise words. Finally, you're acting more like a god!'

'Well, we're getting a bit off track already. Tell me more about Skystead Keep.'

'...Okay? And?'

'I mean, tell me more about the place. What does it look like? Do you live with anyone else there?'

'I... I can't believe it! You're not lying to me, are you?'

'You and your people? This is all too great of a revelation to me! I always thought the ocean is just an old myth from before the creation of Firmament! And now you're telling me that there's a city where other folks live?'

'Why?'

I asked with just a single word since I still remembered the last time Dominion gave a snide comment at how much I ask different versions of the same question. However, once I dropped the "why," Dominion paused for a few moments before finally letting out a defeated sigh.

'Hey, it's cool, man! It's just as you said; we have a lifetime to talk about this.'

'Don't you think it's a bit unfair that you get to see my past, but I have to work hard to know yours?'

'Alright, alright. Chill. I'm just trying to joke around with you.'

'Clearly. Haa... Man, I'm hungry, though. Do you think there would be a meal ready for us in your place?'

'Wow. You do not hold any punches, don't you?'

'Then, we'll just have to prove them wrong, no? Making fun of your current state means making fun of me too. Not even the gods have the right to look down on me. And they most certainly have no right to treat my friends like trash. It just so happens that you're the only friend I have left. The rest are either dead or sucking the king's dick instead.'

'They're very welcome to try!'

I wanted to look cool, but my stomach suddenly let out an ungodly loud gurgling sound.

'Crops? Are you saying there's somewhere in Dead Gardens that's not...'

'I never expected you to be the cooking type, Dominion.'

'I didn't know gods get hungry.'

'I bet it's crazy. Your mind must have exploded when you saw the ocean then!'

'I'm looking forward to it! ...Well, how are we supposed to cook our lunch, though?'