Elpis and Contour stand before the Quintessence, its grand stature intimidating Contour.
"Why are we here?" O Telefteos asks.
"Y-Yeah... Who are you...?" Contour also asks nervously.
"Calm yourself, I will answer all of your questions." The Quintessence answers, 'her' voice calm, mature sounding, and gentle.
"Okay, are you a woman?" Elpis asks.
"I am the source of absolute energy and power." The Quintessence answers, "For I am no woman, such mortal concepts do not apply to me." It continues, "I am not the pinnacle of metaphysical and spiritual energy as I am the source of such omnipotence."
"W-What does that mean...?" Alya asks, shivering a bit.
Elpis looks to her with a raised eyebrow, "You don't know?" He questions.
"Know what?" Alya asks O Telefteos.
"Damn, I thought your family would have taught you." Elpis says calmly, crouching on the ground.
"Me and my family have a... rocky, relationship..." Alya exclaims.
Elpis creates an energy ball in his palm, "This is Quintessence." He says and then continues, "An omnipotent, metaphysical, and spiritual energy that can allow you to do anything, but you have to train to use it and even then if you use too much of it it'll drain your stamina, hurt you if you keep pushing it, or just flat out kill you."
"H-How do you know this?" Alya questions.
"Remember that family member I was talking about?" O Telefteos Elpis asks.
"Yeah, I think so." Alya answers.
"They taught me everything I know about Quintessence, and gave me this cool eye." O Telefteos responds, his left hand points to his right eye, the white X like pupil instantly catching Contour's attention, "Anyway, why are we here?" Elpis asks the Quintessence.
"You almost died," the Quintessence responds, "usually one would be happy to be saved from death." It continues.
O Telefteos walks up to the Quintessence and is about to touch it, until...
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The Quintessence exclaims, "This seal only makes sure my absolute aura and presence do not destroy the Tree Of Life."
Contour's eyes widen, "The T-Tree Of Life...?" Alya asks.
"Rings a bell, Contour?" The Quintessence questions, "It should, when you were little your father expla-" The Quintessence is then cut off by Contour who shockingly yells, "How the hell do you know that?!"
O Telefteos pulls a dictionary and reading glasses out of thin air using Quintessence, putting the glasses on and opening a book to a specific page, "Omniscience is defined as, "The state of knowing everything."" He says.
Alya realizes, looking down and nervously saying, "Yes, he did explain to me, but, I forgot... It's been so long."
"That is why I am here, Contour." The Quintessence responds, its tone still calm and gentle, "I did say I'll answer all of your questions, and exterminate your confusion."
Contour nods and Elpis is spaced out, looking off in the distance and in his own world thinking about veggie eggrolls'.
"The grand hierarchy of realms is known as 'The Tree of Life' or 'The Tree' to not be confused with one of the structures!" The Quintessence says it's voice grand and echoes throughout creation, "Gaia, Aspen, Earth, whatever you want to call it, is apart of such a multiverse, it is the middle and start of it! This multiverse is where all possibilities and impossibilities exist as a universe! This multiverse is its own reality known ass the 'Material Reality' by ones above! But above that is the 'Tree Of Life'! Ten realities also known as "Sefirot" are in an ensemble of cosmic structure. Keter, Hokhmah, Binah, Hesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netsah, Hod, Yesod, and Malkuth – remember that."
"Sure," O Telefteos says, zoning in, "But, what is up with that 'Entropic-Fiend' or whatever?"
"In the world, there are 'Fiends'—entities of evil." The Quintessence says and then continues with, "If they're not evil they're at least neutral. They have supreme authority over what you call "Munts" and are above gods in power." The Quintessence then keeps going, "There are many types of Fiends, Dark-Fiend, Fallen Angelic-Fiend, Creativity-Fiend, and the one you two were dealing with—the Entropic-Fiend, also known as the Chaos-Fiend."
O Telefteos then nods, "Go on..." He says.
"Fiends are usually identified by their pale skin and some unique, inhuman like features." The Quintessence says.
"The Entropic-Fiend is split up into multiple archetypes, shadows of it's true form." Quintessence continues, "The Entropic-Fiend was a dangerous entity that has a fragile mental state and can snap at any moment. One day it went insane and broke itself up into many archetypes and pieces. It contains parts of its existence and power."
O Telefteos then sits on the ground, "So the one we just encountered was an archetype..." He says, "Cool, more bullshit to deal with..."
"If the pieces come together, The Tree might be at its end." Quintessence responds.
"Then why don't you handle it?" O Telefteos asks.
"Two reasons." The Quintessence responds, "1. It's not my responsibility," It continues, "And 2. My existence wouldn't work properly in The Tree, which is why as you can see, I am sealed."
"So you're just useless?" O Telefteos asks—a "You can't be serious right now" expression on his face.
"Not exactly," Quintessence responds, "I will be your guide—one that exists in your minds."
Contour then questions, "So what do we do?"
"That is the matter I also wanted to talk about, and why you're here." Quintessence says, "O Telefteos Elpis, you are someone... special. One of great authority and power."
O Telefteos raises his eyebrow, "Hm?"
"Remember when I said Fiends have supreme authority over Munts?" The Quintessence asks, "Well, Munts have been growing resentful of the actions of Fiends—so they decided to revolt against them as they faught the Fiends. Most lost but they got one that they really needed to get out of the way."
Alya and O Telefteos asks, "Who?"
"The Omni-Fiend, a name sacred and has never been seen unless one is in The Edge, a sacred reality above all even The Tree—a reality beyond even my reach." Quintessence exclaims, "With the help of one they has beat the Omni-Fiend, and other Fiends hid their existences and Munts then became independent." Quintessence continues, "The Omni-Fiend was hard to beat and only 2 was at its level and 1 able to beat it. That is you O Telefteos."
"I see..." Elpis says, "And why is that important?"
Quintessence says with Alya, ""How is that possible if the Omni-Fiend is dead?!" you ask, Alya?" Quintessence then goes on, "When a Fiend dies, no that's not the right word, has been gotten rid of in all ways. They will be reborn as one and that one must have an awakening to obtain their former glory." Quintessence continues, "I understand you don't care but the natural state of ALL is at steak. The Entropic-Fiend might come back at any moment, and Munts overwhelm any and every part of The Tree."
"Maybe I could meet your family member again, Alya." O Telefteos says.
"I will be your guide, you must become the Omni-Fiend again and rule!" Quintessence's voice booms and rings throughout the plane, "You will be taken back to Aspen, then you must go up pass the realm of the collector, pass the Tree of Life, pass the "other realms," pass my realm-"
"You're realm?" O Telefteos questions.
"My realm and my True Form are between The Tree and The Edge." Quintessence answers.
"Oooooooooooh!" Elpis says.
"Anyway, pass my realm and into The Edge, are you ready?"
"YEAH!" O Telefteos and Alya say and then they suddenly pass out and wake up back on Aspen, the dusty rocky plains filling their field of vision.
"You have been taken back to Aspen." Quintessence says in their minds—O Telefteos and Alya get up and dust themselves off, observing the landscape around them, "Now it is time for your..." Quintessence says "JOURNEY TO THE EDGE!"
Chapter End: A Message
Ah, yes, the tale unfolds so true,A chapter wrought with wonders new.Lo, what trials yet remain,And shall they glimpse my high domain?
Ha! Let time weave its winding thread,Through peril vast and battles dread.Far they wander, fate unknown,Ere they kneel before my throne.