Kaipo stood face-to-face with Novachro, his anger barely contained. "Why?" he demanded. "The inhabitants of the Areala Universe did nothing to you. Why decide to erase them all?"43Please respect copyright.PENANAhQmowS2WcE
Novachro's smile remained fixed, a cold, malevolent grin. "I needed a way to get your attention, Kaipo. So that's what I decided to do."43Please respect copyright.PENANARTQLxlhIrY
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."43Please respect copyright.PENANAQKBjiRB3m0
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."43Please respect copyright.PENANAZMG0fmJo60
Kaipo's fury simmered beneath the surface, but he kept his composure. "We've come for the eight Jewels. I can sense them below us, very far down."43Please respect copyright.PENANAjUv25uUevd
Novachro's smile widened. "You're right about the Jewels. They're stored ten levels below us, each heavily guarded by the strongest mages of Solara, and the five universes on our side."43Please respect copyright.PENANA7lyzpNcjdY
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."43Please respect copyright.PENANAXdBp0NUCdM
Novachro leaned back in his throne, enjoying the moment. "The bottom five levels are guarded by the leaders of each of the five universes. They're the strongest mages of their respective universes."43Please respect copyright.PENANAlo5CpPb06f
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)43Please respect copyright.PENANAlZCAccxcu1
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.43Please respect copyright.PENANAzqgTCCS1XT
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)43Please respect copyright.PENANA9UvRp8vpZJ
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.43Please respect copyright.PENANAMP7RHObfhb
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)43Please respect copyright.PENANAgSo5UV2F6u
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.43Please respect copyright.PENANA3soKjlyrP9
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)43Please respect copyright.PENANAmwko937H3f
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.43Please respect copyright.PENANA85tnbQVxOa
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)43Please respect copyright.PENANAcyEz55tE0p
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.43Please respect copyright.PENANAQQViBVFdHY
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."43Please respect copyright.PENANALHjXQZjRzi
The High Mages began to move towards the first level, but suddenly, walls closed in around them, locking them in the room. Kaipo turned back to Novachro, his eyes blazing with determination.43Please respect copyright.PENANA3uleNYnwGs
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.43Please respect copyright.PENANAYaQBjaQ2w7
Novachro's smile faltered for a moment as Kaipo activated Essence Manifest: Phantom Escape. This Essence Manifest granted Kaipo unparalleled abilities to escape from any confinement or restraint, breaking out of the most secure prisons and traps. His form shimmered with an ethereal aura, his eyes glowing with a ghostly light.43Please respect copyright.PENANAt3aUWseO0X
Kaipo used the Specialty Technique, "Portal Creation," to create portals that transported the High Mages to the first level instantly. The shimmering portals opened before them, providing an immediate escape route.43Please respect copyright.PENANAZGIYORK6zp
Kaipo remained in the room alone with Novachro and the ten elders. Novachro's eyes glinted with interest. "How intriguing. Your ability... Essence Manifest, was it? I've seen nothing like it."
Kaipo's resolve hardened as he prepared for what was to come. The chapter ended with the tension thick in the air, the High Mages now on their quest to retrieve the Jewels, and Kaipo standing alone against Novachro and the ten elders.43Please respect copyright.PENANAcGK4Pt5Yr5