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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?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKxjyETWjk
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO7NaXURfA
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsz7lARi1U
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxcgZhu0VU
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWynI6s7mPs
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBbqIwaRWA
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mPQSA4GMF
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."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nFIxNz29P
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZncsXhMQ1
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTKljCEtXh
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVTg5SkbaT
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2PgIWVqvx
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNw2u7KPPO
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2kriVHEhJ
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUiIsR8oyP
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfs4noj0Cv
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQav92JKupx
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxBEOxDJ8p
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTNtyHxWPq
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuczbmaik2
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbl8vrb3mC
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid3tNIVoIK
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWzKUVEsek
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.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRm2y20IxQ
