That was a lot of information for Sheldon. To think that he, a weak, aspiring teenager, could actually become a Zodiac is crazy. In fact, it left him with more questions than answers.
"What's the deal about?"
Ophiuchus answered:
"The deal is mainly a Unification Contract."
Sheldon was deep in thought. What could Ophiuchus, the 13th Zodiac foretold by a prophecy, a literal vertex among Celestials, possibly obtain from merging with an unknown, weak, aspiring teenager.
With his brain yearning for more answers, he asked:
"How long will we be one?"
The 13th answered:
"Long enough to conquer the Time Rift."
Sheldon asked:
"What is so special about this Time Rift that we have to merge?"
The dazzling Celestial answered:
"You had entered a C.T.R, Corrupted Time Rift. Such Time Rifts have the ability to suppress its own power, hence, a false Power Measure. The Time Rift you entered, the azure-leaf forest, was mistaken for a Grade 1 Time Rift by Tenisha. But really, its Power is of the Elite Grade."
Sheldon was amazed.
'E... E-elite?!'
How did he survive so long in an Elite Grade Time Rift? The weakest of the ones who achieved Elite could wipe Maryland off the world map with relative ease!
"What'll happen to Teni?"
Ophiuchus said:
"She'll be killed if we do something other than the Unification Contract."
Worry burdened Sheldon's heart; however, it was not stemming from the fact that Tenisha could possibly perish. Instead, he was worried of what would happen to his body if he ever agreed to the merger. So, he planned not to agree with Ophiuchus.
And now, he was being pursued to agree -- in a good way, too.
Ophiuchus deceit was simply flawless!
'Damn you!' Sheldon thought to himself.
He never wanted to come to the conclusion of sharing his body with a Celestial. His body will always remain to be his.
But, a part of Sheldon wanted to agree -- a large part.
If what Ophiuchus said was true, Tenisha should be exhausted from eight months of constant combat. The prospect of her surviving was low, but the prospect of her emerging victorious was practically zero.
Sheldon resentfully made eye contact with the dazzling Celestial.
In his iris, Sheldon saw the abyss... and the abyss stared back. Ophiuchus' black eyes were nothing short of striking.
He, although looking at him with resentment, felt peace in the sight of his eyes.
However, a dark force rose from his soul. Uncontrolled, Sheldon finally answered:
"Okay. I will accept the contract."
Ophiuchus grinned darkly.
"My gratitude is yours. You will certainly appreciate that decision."
Sheldon tried to open his mouth, but it remained shut. He could no longer utter a word. Ophiuchus used the same damn spell that caused Sheldon's death -- only through eye contact!
'Deceiver! Deceiver!'
Sheldon tried and tried again but failed.
Ophiuchus mixture of charisma and deceit was a powerful weapon, probably causing chaos everywhere he went...
...including the minds of others.
***
The hue of dark grey replaced the usual blue sky of the azure-leaf forest. Quickly, darkness surged. Flashes of lightning and thunderstorm took control. The sound rose to a high crescendo by every tick of the clock. Suddenly, everything went silent -- including the cacophony of battle.
Then, the tar-black sky began to let out drops of water. Gradually increasing in volume, the strong rains showed no signs of abating. The rains called out violently with its raging tempest.
As if answering the sky's call, the winged silhouette of a human figure ascended from the darkness of a well-furnished building. The armor of the silhouette had engravings all over its stone vambrace. The engravings shined in a bright magenta hue. A large insignia could be seen on its breastplate, 13 stars shining bright. Its wings seemed to be a mixture of its magenta aura and dark stone.
The figure had broad shoulders and a muscular physique. Its gauntlets had sharp claws, specifically used for scratching. Its helmet radiated a menacing aura.
Suddenly, the figure's helmet started to crack where its mouth would've been. A deafening screech alerted everyone of its presence. As if the figure was yawning, the screech endured. Securing everyone's attention, the crack closed, and the screech came to a halt.
The figure held a shotgun in its hand, frightening anyone who would shift their gaze towards it.
Not only did Ophiuchus rise in Sheldon's body, he also brought a raging tempest with it!
Ophiuchus had his gaze set on the ruined building situated at the middle of the city. Before, these ruins turned out to be a large Town Hall, but ever since the commencement of Teni's battle with the Time Dweller of the Time Rift, the gigantic building got destroyed.
His wings flapped violently, making him dive straight into the harrowing battle with deadly speed. Practically teleporting, the 13th Zodiac landed in the middle of the cacophony of battle.
Dashing back, the two fighters made a reasonable distance away Ophiuchus. The two kept their cool. Even in the face of such terror, some have the willpower to keep calm -- not that it was an easy task; nothing is ever easy.
The fighters, except Ophiuchus, retained a battle stance -- one bearing a grimoire and the other bearing sharp fangs and claws.
Sweat fell off Tenisha's disfigured face, upon the bead of sweat's impact with the ground, both Teni and the 13th disappeared.