
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?"133Please respect copyright.PENANAi6JLV2PhA5
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."133Please respect copyright.PENANA3GpUjtMPv5
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."133Please respect copyright.PENANAn3u5XLLEI8
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."133Please respect copyright.PENANAr81HP4VGbE
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."133Please respect copyright.PENANA91HBB7rwX5
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."133Please respect copyright.PENANAqpKYRPYTnD
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."133Please respect copyright.PENANAfloSz8ziN0
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."133Please respect copyright.PENANA3PbbG6Bi2f
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)133Please respect copyright.PENANA0iry5yzfHr
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.133Please respect copyright.PENANAThE8CFeRkv
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)133Please respect copyright.PENANAIh3xJzVJ5G
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.133Please respect copyright.PENANAC8fHsx7mRH
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)133Please respect copyright.PENANA7TyXTztgBg
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.133Please respect copyright.PENANAYRVUWxq2EN
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)133Please respect copyright.PENANAGowu4EqwyU
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.133Please respect copyright.PENANAIQcaiQJSaM
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)133Please respect copyright.PENANAFfCiDD65pP
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.133Please respect copyright.PENANA7092XKvQqF
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."133Please respect copyright.PENANAqs1kdULzpR
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.133Please respect copyright.PENANAPd1ydKVgr6
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.133Please respect copyright.PENANA4caryRGQys
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.133Please respect copyright.PENANAHrQ0gMI1kd
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.133Please respect copyright.PENANAgH483KTQ59
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.133Please respect copyright.PENANAEzPKjFl0v2