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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?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSC24ZiqPd
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMrK4jGHQF
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rYZ8hzXKl
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWuvz1bbLX
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCkTMmtoVV
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn7sPNc3xB
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxifIyIwUaS
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R9M0jGDC2
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqJL2dMUgX
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI5oRaplUj
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXpSz9eske
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVKLcU1sQz
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKRPBSyGhW
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWnHnVj6GA
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xozZlOclc
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr1vsL2xFK
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGWmN1UHAj
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3L1w08OfZ
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfysn6yWDf
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0FV1zilii
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nlXGbagjQ
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo7ni33oDd
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImm7UAj59Z
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K81wiUjlX
