The corner of Clark's lips was twitching as he listened to the teenage boy's explanation about his amazing, fabulous, mysterious, one-of-a-kind, and incredible secret organization.
Vincent's eyes had glazed up, and no one could tell what he was thinking.
Char, on the other hand, was finding everything Ziuon said so silly, and yet, she wanted to join it for the sake of humoring him.
She didn't believe, not even for a mont, the young man's words as the truth.
I an, how could she believe that the teenage boy was best friends with a Majin Prince, two Majin Princesses, and a God-like being who could perform miracles in Solterra?
"And that is everything that I have to say," Thirteen said with a faint smile on his face. "With so many benefits, I'm sure that the three of you are very excited to join, right?"
The teenage boy then glanced at the three teenagers and observed their reactions.
But aside from Char, who looked amused, Clark and Vincent seed to have fallen into a daze.
As if finding the two young n's reaction funny, Thirteen clapped his hands once loudly, making the two regain their senses.
"Um, that organization does indeed sound amazing," Clark replied. "Where do I sign?"
Truth be told, he decided to just play along with Zion's farce for the sake of being given a second chance to join the tournant.
He was half-convinced that the teenage boy needed a psychiatrist because he seed to be suffering from delusions of grandeur, which was very common for people his age.
"Mmm, this sounds like a really amazing organization." Vincent nodded. "I'll join as well."
He had long wanted to be Zion's close friend because he kept on having a strange feeling that the teenage boy wouldn't betray him no matter what.
This sensation felt very strange, and yet, Vincent didn't mind it one bit.
'He's still young, so it's very normal for teenagers like him to feel this way,' Vincent thought. When he was Zion's age, he would also pretend to be so kind of superhero who fought secret organizations and saved damsels in distress.
He had that phase in the past, and frankly, rembering it was enough to make his body shudder.
Char, on the other hand, had a similar thought to Vincent.
She had always wanted to know more about Zion Leventis.
In her eyes, the teenage boy was very mysterious.
The stories that surrounded him, especially his fight against a Majin Prince and a Majin King, had been spread far and wide.
The authenticity of such reports was hard to believe since Zion was only a Rookie.
There was no way that a Rookie could achieve the things he did, and yet, there were eyewitnesses who swore that all of those stories surrounding Zion Leventis were the truth.
Frankly, Char also had her own suspicions, but eting Zion in the flesh made her feel sothing that she hadn't felt before.
She felt so kind of thrill as if she was about to do sothing bad.
Sothing veeeery bad.
"I'm also in," Char said. "So, what should we do to beco the mbers of this 'secret' organization of yours?"
"Well, it's rather easy," Thirteen replied and produced three contracts from his dinsional storage and handed them to the first three slaves—errr, mbers of his secret organization!
"All you need to do is put a drop of your blood in this contract, and all three of you will beco official mbers of my secret organization."
Vincent, Clark, and Char took a good look at the contract and began to read its contents.
*****
THE OFFICIAL AND UNBREAKABLE CONTRACT OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE APOCALYPSE
Herein lies the agreent that binds the undersigned (hereafter referred to as "The Recruit") to the illustrious, mysterious, and slightly ridiculous order known as the "Knights of the Apocalypse" (hereafter referred to as "The Organization").
ARTICLE I: PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
The Knights of the Apocalypse exist to:
Prepare for, cause mild chaos during, and, if necessary, survive the Apocalypse (no refunds if the world doesn't end).
Wear overly dramatic cloaks and practice our ominous laughter in secret chambers.
Exchange witty banter during perilous missions because what's an apocalypse without style?
ARTICLE II: INITIATION
The Recruit agrees to:
Recite the Oath of Doom in a theatrical tone while holding a rubber chicken (for tradition, not ridicule).
Consu the sacred snack of the Organization—flaming-hot nachos with extra cheese—without complaint.
Commit to practicing the secret handshake until mastered, even if it takes decades.
ARTICLE III: PERMANENCE OF MBERSHIP
Upon signing this contract, The Recruit's mbership in the Knights of the Apocalypse is eternal. Escape is impossible. Seriously, any attempts to leave the Organization will result in polite but relentless pursuit by the Order's Official Maple and Cinnamon Hug Patrol. P.S. The Hug Patrol is exceptionally persistent and oddly comforting.
mbership extends beyond mortal existence. Upon demise, The Recruit shall receive their own ghostly cloak and spectral sword.
ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF THE RECRUIT
Attend monthly secret etings held in obscure locations (think abandoned castles, underground lairs, or occasionally a Denny's).
Contribute to planning creative end-of-the-world scenarios, such as "teor Bowling Night" or "Zombie Flash Mob Fridays."
Answer the Official Call to Arms within three business days.
ARTICLE V: BENEFITS OF MBERSHIP
Access to the Organization's secret lairs, all equipped with state-of-the-art apocalypse survival kits and overly dramatic lighting.
A personalized title, such as "Duke/Duchess of Doom" or "Baron of Banishnt," which looks great on business cards.
Unlimited use of the Organization's stockpile of capes, all swishable for maximum flair.
ARTICLE VI: NON-DISCLOSURE AGREENT
All secrets of the Knights of the Apocalypse must remain within the Organization. Violations will result in an imdiate banishnt to the Eternal Chamber of Karaoke.
ARTICLE VII: MISCELLANEOUS CLAUSES
The Recruit acknowledges that the term "Apocalypse" is open to interpretation. Whether it's zombies, robots, or the Great Potato Uprising, we're ready.
No refunds, exchanges, or take-backs. The Organization is not liable for any emotional trauma caused by excessive overti without pay. SIGNATURE OF BINDING ETERNAL AGREENT
By signing below, The Recruit acknowledges their eternal mbership and agrees to abide by all rules, absurd as they may be. Failure to comply will result in tickling, awkward silences, or being sent on coffee runs for life.
SIGNED AND SEALED THIS DAY: _______________
THE RECRUIT: ___________________________ (Signature)
OFFICIAL KNIGHT OF THE APOCALYPSE REPRESENTATIVE: ___________________________ (Signature)
WITNESS TO THE DOOM: ___________________________ (Signature)
*****
The three teenagers looked at the contract, and couldn't help but read it not only once, not only twice, but thrice. After that, they looked at Thirteen, who had his hands clasped behind his back and was looking at them with a faint smile, as if they were already part of his secret organization.
The three then exchanged glances, as if asking each other the question "are we really going to do this?"
But, just as they were hesitating, Thirteen gave a light cough, catching their attention.
"Rember this, once you put your drop of blood on those contracts, there are no longer any takebacks," Thirteen said in a serious tone. "You can still refuse if you really don't want to join this organization. I don't want to force you guys. But, rember this, it's fun to be on the Dark Side."
With that, Thirteen gave the three encouraging looks, making them once again glance at each other.
Gritting his teeth, Vincent decided to throw caution to the wind and produced a small dagger to prick his thumb, drawing blood.
After that, he stamped his thumbprint on the contract.
Just as soon as he finished signing, he felt a jolt of electricity run down his spine as if he was suddenly connected to sothing or soone.
Clark and Char saw his reaction, but they only thought that Vincent was just over-exaggerating things.
After great consideration, the two of them also procured sharp weapons that would prick their thumbs so that they could sign the contract as well.
But just like what happened to Vincent, the two teenagers also felt the sa thing, making their eyes widen in shock.
The three contracts in their hands then flew to Thirteen's hand as if they had a life of their own.
A mont later, they turned into particles of light, vanishing out of existence.
"Congratulations!" Thirteen said. "You are now part of my secret organization. Now, please wear these eye masks, so I can take you to our headquarters."
Thirteen handed an eye mask to each of them and waited for them to put it on.
Clark, who wanted this farce to finish, was the first to put on his eye mask.
Vincent and Char followed next.
A few seconds later, they heard a clap, followed by Thirteen's voice.
"Okay, you can now take off your masks," Thirteen said. "We're now in our secret headquarters."
Clark, who thought that Thirteen was just ssing with him, irritatedly took off his mask.
He felt as if he was being made fun of by the teenage boy, so he planned to voice out his complaints.
However, whatever he was going to say froze in place as his gaze landed on a red bat-like creature, who was looking at him with a smile on his face. Beside the bat were two beautiful won, the sight of which made Clark's breathing grow ragged.
Vincent and Char, who had also taken off their masks, also saw these three beings, which made them shudder.
As Wanderers, they were given a special ability to detect the rank of Jinns and Majins within their field of vision.
"Are these your Knights, Thirteen?" Camazotz asked. "Aren't they a bit weak?"
"Well, it's not the first ti that Jinns and Majins recruited humans as part of their armies," Paimon comnted. "But you're right. These guys are pretty weak."
Kamrusepa didn't say anything and simply gazed at the three teenagers, who now had horrified looks on their faces.
At the start, they thought that Zion was just ssing up with them.
But now, they were starting to regret that they didn't take his warning seriously, and this feeling grew the more they stared at the three beings who would make the Monarchs of Pangea flee for their lives.
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