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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?"269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrhfdyPoot
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."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CukzxXbdv
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP58JfvfRXb
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6nqBoQ4sY
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."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsGHmrOQNX
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."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZorM7BcCx
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFNVV4XiES
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."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmfbPYOVPn
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnntyEOT6Un
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTKyY9SxFO
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsS7k9ErsZ
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDXouucKFi
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztGOOeNvkC
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpRZDpLwea
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbhyd789uj
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdePPR8lce
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStNRETZK7Y
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw542kdZxW
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtY7H7skH1
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8RjhBkpCP
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItVdL07pGv
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7LBuK1Uio
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmMjOV26rd
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.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjsz4ODyx9
