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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?"272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwMcf2wuGa
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."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlrJsp5Q3x
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrGX9prMc3
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt4yMDzpZ4
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."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO6WLq3sx6
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."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW0lS99EHR
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35RwWw4ni4
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."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pE2unt30K
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTOPYulGNL
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx86eq4t4bs
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKNtk5Lvwb
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx5nKNjhOd
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpBJ0Fz60Y
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZlJVns5WP
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGOVn4D8dn
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1yIITnEo2
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6klAgFfST
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgySPCCUvc9
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMqnSUUnlT
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.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dUrJgVzM0
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaaeaolUgI
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.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0vgN2a2ZB
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.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI2tC3YITo
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.272Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0keB935fG
