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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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtqhWYQ2Z6
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qdeZXFMeK
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnQvHr7QeZ
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD5hEfzVkj
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8GHfch4VZ
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDHGdy4AFd
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSWc2F1Ze8
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3auZA2NoK
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwXVyR8Q9P
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0XgMaxNVM
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd9f4IBR45
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntyJYi1lHo
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XWW2yuBU2
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIPHMaL1dJ
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFA8BeglFN
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqWmecuKY0
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlANKS6WEj
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZiF365euP
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtznsS8Y4dW
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSkuPl3ANq
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzQz9QDcMA
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSy7jLnRFc
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiy1xsPox2
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyRXDD7Gu6
