"That.. is a beautiful city!" he exclaimed.
***
During the short amount of time Sheldon and Tenisha spent in the Solstice of Time and Space, Tenisha told him some important things.
Teni told him:
"During your first Time Rift, it is of paramount importance to get affiliated with the Song. To speak directly to the Song, earning its affiliation, say, 'Elder Ones, -' Fill the rest with your desires. It is important to speak to the Song with respect. Are you even listening?"
"Yeah," Sheldon answered, "in fact, that's pretty cool!"
He then gripped his vintage shotgun.
***
Sheldon sat on a makeshift stool made of a large stone and the forest's azure leaves. Thinking about Teni's words, Sheldon looked down on his right hand, holding his shotgun.
After coming up with a somehow respectful way to address his desires, he chanted:
"Elder Ones, tell me who I am."
His subtle words echoed through the azure forest. Chirps of birds ran across the forest's expanse.
Nothing happened at first. Sheldon started to get impatient.
After a few dozen seconds ever since his chant, large shadows covered him, dragging him to a different realm. His view was obstructed by the shadows dragging him.
The shadows dragged him with a speed that was beyond human comprehension.
Soon enough, the shadows slowed down and disappeared.
He found himself on a large piece of land -- too large to be classified as an island. Around him was withered grass. Accompanying the grass were large, tall trees. The trees burst up into the sky, making Sheldon's size comparable to that of an ant. The trees' barks were as black as charcoal, and on their branches were glowing magenta leaves. The sky was a large void devoid of neither light nor stars. The only source of light were the beautiful magenta leaves.
Sheldon walked along a black cobblestone path for quite a while.
'What... is this?'
Standing in front of Sheldon was a body, about the same height. He seemed to be wearing a French-themed outfit. He had frail-looking skin and had a scarred expression on his face. His hand, covered in blood, was cradling his wounded shoulder. On his chest was a large stab wound, crimson blood flowed out of it.
'Damn...'
Sheldon lifted his hand to reach out to the body, realizing that the body was an accurate replica of his own. With his hand near his mirrored body, the shadows made their assault, attempting to stop Sheldon.
Chains of shadows appeared from the ground beneath him, pulling his hand away from him. Soon, his vision crumbled. All he could see was the darkness.
"Ah! What is that irritating noise?!"
Loud screams and screeches filled Sheldon's ears. The constant, irritating noise of two rusty pieces of metal clanging each other, too, made Sheldon's teeth hurt. Adding to the pain were the sounds of rusty metal rubbing against each other with excessive force. His ears bled.
Suddenly, immense pain surged into Sheldon's body. His eyes felt an excruciating pain similar to that of being pierced by recently furnaced metal. His eyes were also feeling the pain of them being constantly gouged out.
Apart from his eyes, he felt sharp cuts all over his entire body. Over and over again, his cuts would be healed, just for another to cause pain.
Sheldon had never felt so much pain in his entire life.
After a few minutes, which felt like an eternity, the pain finally came to a halt. Still, Sheldon could only see the darkness. In the darkness he started to hear a whisper:
Name:[Sheldon Akashova]
Bestowed Name:[--]
Age:[14]
In need of more answers, Sheldon chanted:
"Elder Ones, how powerful am I?"
Power Level:[Grade 4]
Potential:[Grade 2]
Melody:[--]
Potential Melody:[Flamecharm]
Tempo:[27/120]
Tempo Abilities:[--]
'Damn, I'm weak.'
[Awaken thee, Sheldon Akashova.]
Right after he read those words, he found himself lying on his makeshift bench.
"Well, I'm back here again."
[You have gained unrestricted access to your Innate Domain.]