
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