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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?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtATolPAGz
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."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0honzjj6r
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AcAVWzg3c
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUlAxpHZH9
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."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupNnu1cZ17
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."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWxwAJGmGI
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBS2LA8Plx
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."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHnKM5iUab
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDnjGBVw5B
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DEhiqalxB
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbbowKoFhy
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NApO8b3V4
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXohT5neNVH
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR2kKoyT87
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEehTf7f0Ys
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBypzADsaM3
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmHqi8E5O
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7wo4mjNjd
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhoJw2k0Ft
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.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3RnHAD126
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1IYuVPnB3
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.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm4yMGVwSc
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.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnxgL1MLQA
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.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK1bPb8lqu
