For better or for worse, Alex doesn't have to explain much about what's going on. Death Mom is Aware, and she seems kind of exasperated about it — not at him, but sort of in general. People and their moralities. The laws of this world would fall apart if they weren't enforced. Empathy should not give way to anarchy.

She doesn't say any of this, it's just sort of palpable in the connection. What she says is this:

"The boy and the Tree and Wonderland, they're all the same now. He's been plugged into the Tree for so long he's functionally immortal. Other things are thrown out of alignment as a result, and it will get worse if you leave it be. Whatever you kill first, Niel or Wonderland, the other will follow.

"Alex. Bring him to me. . . . We need to set this right."