Back in the duel world, within the alternate dimension...
As time passed, the Serpent God's once glossy, full body had shriveled until it barely resembled a snake.
It looked like a colorless, shed snakeskin.
Only a dry, aged voice emerged intermittently from Dartz's mouth.
They could just make out a few words. "Stop... sucking... please... not... a... single... drop... left..."
With that, his head lolled to one side. He died for good, turned into white light, and vanished from the ground.
Tetsuhiro and the others stood nearby, looking refreshed as they picked their teeth and eagerly began dividing the spoils.
After distributing energy to Madara and the spirits, Tetsuhiro said to Timaeus, "I know you have your reasons, and that there are higher powers behind you. Right now, all I want is to keep you here!"
As he spoke, he channeled his share of the converted energy into Timaeus to counteract the erosion.
"Why are you so determined?" Timaeus asked, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions and bewilderment.
"Since we fought side by side, we're friends now. When a friend's in trouble, helping is my duty!"
Tetsuhiro spoke with righteous conviction. "Besides, this world and other worlds still need your strength. Join me in wiping out the darkness!"
"Let's bring peace to the world and happiness to humanity!"
He hoped these words would move Timaeus. After all, a forced relationship would never work.
Perhaps it could still serve its purpose, but a betrayal in the middle of battle was something he could not afford.
"You... you really are..."
Faced with such noble, righteous sentiments, Timaeus did not know what to say. His resolve began to waver.
He was upright by nature and could not ignore such lofty ideals.
"Oh, right." Tetsuhiro used the same trick again, drawing Timaeus into an