Essence has been around for almost the start of mankind itself, it's been waiting and watching - Aiding those who need it.
It is powerful, and useful; but dangerous when used incorrectly.

What Humans believed to be Heaven and Hell, were simply just the Ether and the Void - Respectively; and the connection of those two lands, is where Essence is formed, crafted, created.
The Essence was the balance between the two, and soon enough, humans were also able to harness and manipulate it for themselves.

So the Essence created a Protector; someone who gave the Gift out less freely than it was originally intended - As a counter measure to keep things balanced.
Humans, of course, didn't truly understand what they were dealing with; they came up with rituals to bring forth the protector to bargain and gain the gift in different ways.

But now the system is unbalanced - Humans have gotten too rash with the gift, they have taken it and twisted it to something almost unimaginable - There are Humans who fight against others, maybe the Essence would be able to help the side that is trying to [i]help[/i].
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Ophelia's dreams would slowly twist away from what she would normally have had, she found herself in a dusty, musty, underground area - Carved in dark grey stone with only candles to light the area.

There was a large circle carved into the ground, stained with the blood strewn to call forth the Beast of the Void.
A large man, cloaked in black robes with red trim, stepped up to the plinth on a raised platform, overlooking the large amount of Cultists.

Ophelia would find herself amongst those looking up to the man, she could feel the buzz of confusion, worry, and excitement.
[b][u]"Hail, Cultists of the Void!"[/u][/b] He called out, lifting his arms up as the crowd fell to silence. [b][u]"We are gathered here today for a glorious purpose! As you know, there has been a lull in pledging of Gifts - Our numbers have run low, we are running out of those who we can [i]offer[/i] for the Essence."[/b][/u]

The crowd erupted into whispers, it was true; they were running out of people to give up to the Void. In this town and several towns around them; They were getting despite.

[b][u]"However, we have been blessed!"[/u][/b] The man said, shifting as another Cultist brought out a small girl in a white dress - No only than the age of ten. [b][u]"We have someone to offer to the Mother Beast!"[/u][/b] At the name, the circle glimmered as the shadows slowly twisted around the room.
Ichor was here, and she was [i]watching[/i]. She wasn't too happy with what she was seeing, were they going to try and sacrifice such a young person to her?

As the cultist brought down the girl towards the circle, the shadows shifted more, grabbing the young ones hand and pulling her back slightly.
[u][b]"Oh Motherbeast!"[/b][/u] The leader called out, [u][b]"Please accept our humble offering and bless us with your presence, for we may bask in your glory!"[/b][/u]

The shadows started to condense in the circle as a large beast pulled from almost nowhere, stretching up towards the ceiling with a roar that had no sound.
[b][i][u]"You DARE offer a child?"[/u][/i][/b] Ichor roared, her voice shaking the walls. [b][i][u]"You think I will give you the gift of Essence by offering a CHILD?!"[/u][/i][/b] She pulled her head toward to loom over the leader with a snarl, [b][i][u]"You are disgusting, I am losing my patience; and you do not wish to anger me further!"[/u][/i][/b]

Ophelia's dream started to waver at this point; the shadows grew darker around her, as if she was being pulled away gently.