Operation Desert Storm <Void Quest — Gate in the Dunes>

[Enel]

Now this is a story all about how,
My life got face-fucked upside down,
And I’d like to take a minute
(Whatever that means here)
I’ll tell you how I became the Omniverse’s God Saviour Seer

On the island of Birka born and raised
On the sky cloud is where I spent most of my days,
Chillin’ out, traipsin’, runnin’ from school,
Dreaming of the day ahead when I would finally rule,
But then a couple little brats from my neighbourhood,
Thought they would mess with somethin' they barely understood,
So I found the devil fruit that unlocked my power,
It wasn’t long before Birka faced its final hour

I found some strong bros and I formed a crew
Their names were Ohm Satori Shura and Gedatsu,
If anything I could say these guys were weird,
But if I could make them work for me then I would be feared!

I went to see the old god and made him disappear,
It wasn’t long before I took over all of Skypiea,
I made an ark to fly me to Fairy Vearth,
But before I could I woke up in the Omniverse.

How long have I been here now? How long has passed since I entered this illusion? I don’t want to think about it. Time seems strange here. Though I feel as though I’ve been here for merely a few weeks, my servants tell me it has been over a year in the Omniverse calendar. How many souls are trapped here? Just how strong is my opponent?

All of these thoughts I cast aside. For a God knows better than to let himself be slowed down by doubt, waylaid by compromise. I am sure of my mind and that is enough.

The town is filled with dust. Like a ruin. Just how long have these people been here? I spit on the dusty ground as I dismount my dragon. The locals watch me from windows and swinging doors. Look upon me, then. Look upon glory and divinity. It may be the last chance you ever get.

The shack is marked with a sign – “Sheriff’s Office”. I push through the door and announce myself.

“God Enel is here to speak to the man who runs this place. Do not make me wait.”

The boy behind the desk looks little more than eighteen. He seems too scared to even say a word, and practically jumps out of his seat. After running out of the room and then back in, he looks like he’s about piss himself. “Th-the sheriff … can’t see you right now!”

“WHAAT?!” I storm forward slowly. “WHY!?”

The boy shrieks, hiding his face behind his hands. “He’s not here right now!”

I growl thunder. “That’s just too bad. And here I thought I would have a use for this place.”

And just then, a bell tinkles behind me. I turn to see who has interrupted me. It’s a man, tall and ropey, his mortal skin weathered and scarred by age and weakness. And yet he holds himself as though he were my equal. Who is he?

“Who are you?”

The man puts his hat on the desk. “Entitled question,” he states. “Considering you’re in my office.”

My irritation slowly gives way to vindication. “I see. You’re the sheriff of this place.” No wonder he held himself so arrogantly. Lording over this backwater must be his idea of accomplishment. I openly snicker. “Well then, let me introduce myself. I’m Enel. But you can call me God.”

“Well, Enel,” he said. “You can come through to my office.”

I frown and follow him.

His office is small, I would almost go so far as to say cramped. For the second time today I feel as though I’m being forced into inadequate holdings. The temptation to burn this whole place down and start fresh occurs again, more strongly.

“So,” he says. His voice is almost devoid of intonation. Is he trying not to offend me? “What is it you came for?”

I lean forward on the creaking chair, hands on my knees. “I came to speak to you about Omni.”

“Oh?”

I nod. “As you are a man of some … standing, in this town, I thought you might have a better idea than the rest of the mortals about how to find and reach Omni. Would that be accurate?”

The sheriff leans back in his chair. He seems to be thinking. “And what if I told you I did?”

I narrow my eyes. “Don’t play games with me. Answer the question.”

He leans forward and locks eyes with me. How can he be so brazen? I feel a shock of electricity run up my back at his impudence. “I think you owe this town a favour,” he says to me.

And I stand up. “Favour!? What the hell have I ever done to this town?”

“Exactly,” he says. “Nothing. This town owes you nothing and I owe you nothing.”

I can barely contain the sparks. I feel them running up and down my body. That’s it then. This place is going to be destroyed. But not before I get an answer out of this cur. “I am God,” I rumble. “I take what I please. Mortals bow before me!”

“And I’m Roland,” he burns, standing. “And we don’t give no help to outsiders unless they earn it.” Before I can continue, he interrupts. “Now I’ve heard about what you did up at Ganon’s Castle. I heard you killed him, took it over. And I want to tell you I’ve been waiting for you to come down here, stretching your muscles.” Suddenly he’s holding a revolver, and it’s aimed at my chest. “Don’t think that just ’cause you’re made of lightning you’re faster than me. I’m a prime, and I’ve been here longer than you, and I’ve put down more arrogant fools that you ever met in your life.

“So if you want to try and burn this town down, take a step.”

The electricity sparking up and down my body is the only sound for a moment. Then, slowly, it fades and all that’s left is the rattling of the windows in the wind.

I smile. “What do you want, Roland?”