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As Malacar, now basking in the aftermath of his victory over Drew, returns to the grandeur of the main castle, the atmosphere among his strong mages and the captive Astral Concord Delegation is thick with tension. His triumph has granted him an aura of invincibility, one that he wears like a cloak, dark and impenetrable.
Within the opulent halls, where the echoes of past conquests linger, Malacar's presence commands attention. His gaze falls upon the Astral Concord Delegation, their spirits undeterred despite their captivity. With a smirk that barely conceals his disdain, Malacar quips, "I suppose your elemental god was not so godly after all."
Nia, her resilience shining through her eyes, stands up to Malacar's mockery. Her voice, though laced with anger, does not waver. "Drew fought for us, for the universe! Your darkness will see an end, and you will pay for the chaos you've unleashed," she asserts, her stance unyielding, a stark contrast to the despair that surrounds her.
Malacar's response is a dismissive, "Oh yeah?" His amusement at Nia's defiance is evident, yet it does nothing to quell the fire in her heart or the determination that burns in the eyes of her companions.
Amidst this exchange, a shift in the atmosphere draws everyone's attention. One of the strong mages, known for her sensory abilities, suddenly pales, her composure crumbling as an unseen, menacing presence envelops her senses. "There are... two individuals," she stammers, her voice trembling with fear. "Their presence is overwhelming, filled with rage and power. I can't locate them, but they are coming... and they are not happy at all."
The declaration sends a ripple of unease through the gathered assembly. Even Malacar's facade of indifference flickers momentarily before he regains his composure. With a flick of his hand, he commands two of his strongest mages, "Investigate this disturbance. Bring them to me." His tone brooks no argument, the undercurrent of his command dark with anticipation.
The mages, though visibly apprehensive about the task set before them, dare not disobey. They depart, venturing into the unknown to confront the source of this mysterious and foreboding presence.
Meanwhile, within the castle, the members of the Astral Concord Delegation exchange glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Nia and Elara, in particular, feel a spark of hope amidst their despair. Could this menacing presence be allies coming to their aid? Or perhaps, could it be a sign of retribution against Malacar's reign of darkness?
Malacar unveils his grand scheme to the captive Astral Concord Delegation. His voice, smooth and chilling, reverberates off the ancient stone walls. "Your life energy will be a key component in my ascension," he begins, the coldness of his gaze sweeping over the delegation. "Each of you carries within you a spark from the Areala universe, a universe I intend to control."
In his hand, he casually twirls Drew's Elemental Jewel, its light dimmed but still pulsating with a faint, resilient glow. Nia, witnessing the token of Drew's defeat—and now realizing the grim truth of his fate—feels a sorrow so profound that tears begin to stream down her face. Malacar, noting her distress, smirks cruelly. "Yes, your 'Elemental God' was not only defeated; he was extinguished, his essence now fuels my ambition."
Malacar's revelation sends a wave of shock and despair through the delegation. "With the Elemental Jewel, and soon, all the Jewels of the Areala universe, I will forge a singular power capable of bending the fabric of all five universes to my will," he declares, his voice echoing with the fervor of madness.
As Malacar revels in his diabolical plan, the sensory mage, her face pale, interrupts with a voice quivering with fear. "My lord, the energy signatures of the mages you sent... they've vanished."
Before Malacar can respond, an ominous shift permeates the room. Suddenly, darkness envelops everything, a night so absolute that it feels as if the universe itself has been shrouded in shadow. Then, as quickly as it arrived, the darkness dissipates, revealing that the Astral Concord Delegation is no longer present.
The chamber, once filled with the tense air of captivity, now echoes with the absence of those who were just there. Malacar, caught off guard, turns in fury towards his remaining mages, but the truth is clear: the delegation has been spirited away right from under his nose.
The perspective shifts, finding the Astral Concord Delegation dazed but unharmed, standing on the surface of an unknown planet within the Malevolent Cosmos Universe. The landscape around them is alien, yet strangely serene, a stark contrast to the dark chamber they were just in.
A voice, warm and familiar, breaks the silence. "Are you all alright?" High Mage Lyn steps forward, his presence a comforting sight to the weary eyes of the delegation. Alongside him stands High Mage Mike, his stance protective and his gaze scanning the horizon for any signs of pursuit.
The delegation, still reeling from their abrupt rescue, finds solace in the presence of these two powerful allies. Lyn and Mike, with their intervention, have not only saved the delegation from Malacar's clutches but also reignited a spark of hope amidst the darkness of their situation.
As the chapter closes, the realization sets in that the battle against Malacar is far from over. With allies like Lyn and Mike, the fight for the future of the Areala universe and the safety of all five universes gains new momentum. The path ahead is fraught with danger and uncertainty, but together, they stand a chance against the darkness that seeks to consume everything. The story of resistance, of unity against a common foe, is just beginning.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwIZIYgQDa
