That other relates back to SP's Glass Houses. The red plain. He must be doing something there. I suppose he's trying to not starve to death or get killed. He's not human. Anymore. But what is he? Must imagine the worst possible things. Giant spiders and so on. He was willing to do things to survive that most wouldn't do. Most wouldn't because there are worse things than death.

But for some reason, he feels he must continue no matter what. He imagines(?) a god that wants him dead.

Is this tied into the ghost that is trying to return?