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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?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5OM5PJMVk
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."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamW6u9QpNu
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7jdL6WaON
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCetUKeTIQ
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."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxQvlEVGh0
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."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l44mOidxN
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBjFcTadoZ
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."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmzfHYuEeX
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUE4tYMXbq
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKuyy3e1QD
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3khsIURrSI
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY60WPpktdb
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvzsF44Is7
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyrSK7ybwe
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxKWc96sTY
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEHlPF2zNI
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpurEx1ZmN
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBwjUIuTyH
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BUU7kA0e3
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.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA06Ayhx9i
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4aLGks04e
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.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6SBKIbFme
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.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ1MxQ9ZRL
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.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7wuO2BwaG
