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The dimly lit throne room of the Kingdom of Ruins stood silent as High Mage Zack stepped forward, the weight of his betrayal cloaking him like a shadow. Malumnox, the enigmatic ruler of this forsaken place, eyed him with a mix of curiosity and caution.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jEbVwrbLU
"Welcome... Rogue High Mage," Malumnox intoned, his voice echoing slightly off the ancient stone walls.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayJwYO05cO
"Thank you for hearing me out," Zack replied, his tone respectful yet firm. He paced slowly, absorbing the gravity of his own decisions. "I often wondered where you disappeared to after the Siege of Areala. Never imagined you'd choose the Land of Spade."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2YirkcAX4
Malumnox leaned back, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Now, tell me, why seek an alliance with an enemy of your universe?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAzSt2DURE
Zack’s expression hardened. "Because, Malumnox, I'm no longer part of the Areala Universe. Not anymore."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XUNcCnWgX
The revelation seemed to take Malumnox aback. "Really? I thought 'Rogue High Mage' was just a title others branded you with. Didn’t realize you’d embraced it fully."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIzxv2RCMx
Zack nodded solemnly. "It's more than a title. It's my new reality. I’m here because I need to ensure my survival—and perhaps yours. Can you feel that?" He paused, letting the ominous energy permeate the space between them.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk70R1Gtnjk
Malumnox frowned, sensing the disturbance. "That’s Kaipo’s aura, isn't it? He's here, in the Land of Spade, and he’s not pleased."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtQXG32Tp7
"Exactly," Zack confirmed, his gaze steely. "Sooner or later, he'll discover this place. We need to be ready, or the Kingdom of Ruins will live up to its name once again."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nBbNHRR0w
"But why turn against the High Mages? Against Kaipo?" Malumnox questioned, genuinely puzzled by Zack's drastic shift in allegiance.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVYDDBX3Bh
Zack sighed, a trace of bitterness creeping into his voice. "I was never truly with them. I played along, biding my time, waiting for the right moment to break free."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF4wJao27X
"And the StarGuard Squads? The ease with which I found them...?" Malumnox inquired, piecing together the depth of Zack's deception.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkchuxJynd8
"I enhanced their auras without their knowledge," Zack confessed. "Made them shine like beacons for you to find and extract those with Jewels. It was all part of my plan."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbJC6npq3k
Malumnox whistled softly, impressed despite himself. "So what do you really want, Zack?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DXTGUgcuh
"The destruction of the Areala Universe," Zack stated flatly. "They claim to uphold balance and protect realms, but in truth, they manipulate and control, bending the cosmos to their will under the guise of guardianship. Their hypocrisy must end."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB5TkLKI3n
Malumnox leaned forward, intrigued. "And you think by tearing it down, we can build something better?"206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOflTn6A6A
"Exactly," Zack replied. "We'll create a new order from the ashes, one where true freedom and balance prevail. No more hidden manipulations, no more guardians who become dictators."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ERIDEjQph
Malumnox considered this for a long moment, then slowly nodded. "You have a radical vision, Zack. It’s risky, dangerous even. But there’s a certain... purity in your conviction. If we can manage the chaos that follows, perhaps the cosmos really can be reshaped for the better."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzIjYvDHhi
Zack extended his hand, a pact forming in the shadows of their conversation. "Together, Malumnox, we can forge a new future."206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLELWx0pwtJ
Malumnox grasped his hand firmly. "Then let’s begin the end of the Areala Universe. And let no one stand in our way."
As they sealed their alliance, the air around them seemed to thrum with the power of impending change, the quiet before a storm that could reshape the very fabric of the universe.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAWvK5L6RF
