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In the dimly lit confines of the laboratory nestled deep within the stronghold of the Malevolent Cosmos Universe, Malacar and Astralith oversaw the initiation of a crucial phase in their grand scheme. The room hummed with the energy of advanced scientific apparatuses, all centered around the containment units holding Cairo, Elara, and Nia. These devices were set to meticulously extract the coveted jewels embedded within their captives over the next two months.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdfRAeJgH0
Astralith watched intently as the scientists adjusted the settings on the extraction machines, her eyes reflecting the glow of the monitors. "Ensure the integrity of the jewels is maintained throughout the process," she instructed, her voice resonant in the sterile air of the lab.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IE21I2ljM
Malacar, standing beside her, nodded in approval. His gaze fixed on the prisoners, calculating the immense power soon to be at their disposal. "Once we have the jewels, our next phase can commence. The cosmos itself will kneel before us," he said with a dark anticipation.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqsldgtC3b
As the machines whirred to life, initiating the extraction, a sudden and explosive boom shook the laboratory. The shockwave rattled the equipment, causing a momentary flicker in the lights.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac9iCML5Oa
Malacar's head snapped towards the direction of the disturbance, his expression turning from surprise to annoyance. "Eclara, Phantomus, Soulminder," he called out sharply, summoning the members of The Celestial Covenant. "Investigate the source immediately. Ensure that our security has not been compromised."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdUUIyXQbb
The three members of The Celestial Covenant, each formidable in their own right, quickly assembled and moved towards the source of the disruption. Eclara, her body shimmering with stellar energies, formed a shield of condensed starlight around them as they advanced. Phantomus, his eyes scanning the dimensions around them, prepared to open a rift should they need a swift retreat. Soulminder's hands glowed with a pale light, ready to bind any intruder's essence.
Outside the lab, the night was eerily calm after the initial disturbance. The group cautiously approached the site of the explosion, their senses heightened for any sign of an intruder or further threats.
Standing amid the settling dust, illuminated by the residual celestial energy that clung to his form like a mantle, was High Mage Zack. His presence radiated with intense power, his eyes burning with a resolute fire.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToV0wQwghT
Eclara stiffened, her constructs pulsing with readied energy. Phantomus subtly shifted, opening a sliver between dimensions, ready to act. Soulminder whispered an incantation, her wards flaring up in preparation.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFRZehiAAa
However, before any of them could engage, Zack acted. With a fluid motion, he tore open a "Dimensional Rift" right beside The Celestial Covenant. The air tore with the sound of ripping fabric, and Zack stepped through the rift, bypassing them with impossible speed and entering the lab before they could react.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcNnuaH1CM
Inside the lab, Astralith and Malacar turned just in time to see Zack reappear through the rift, his swords drawn and his eyes alight with determination. "End this now, Astralith, Malacar! Release them, or face the consequences," Zack demanded, his voice echoing through the lab.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M5rjlJhqk
Malacar stepped forward, his own power rising in response to the challenge. "You dare intrude on our domain," he growled, preparing to summon his cosmic powers.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9bBXzyxuc
Astralith raised a hand, signaling Malacar to pause. Her eyes never leaving Zack, she assessed the situation with a tactical precision. "Zack, you are outmatched and alone. Consider your position carefully."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJfK2sTeQD
As soon as Astralith finished her warning, an abrupt, chilling breeze swept through the lab. Before anyone could react, Astralith's arm was severed cleanly, falling to the floor with a thud. Standing right beside her, with an expression of grim resolve, was Zack. His blade, still resonating with the energy of his recent attack, dripped with a spectral light.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJvAQalvPn
"I'm done talking," Zack stated coldly, his gaze locked on Astralith's shocked face.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGE71OVqqK
Astralith, her usual composure shattered by the sudden assault, laughed—a harsh, rattling sound. "Reversal," she hissed, expecting her limb to reattach magically as it had done countless times before. But nothing happened. Her arm remained on the floor, lifeless.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByQ6SgEiZH
Zack stared into her eyes, a dark triumph in his. "Nullifying Touch," he declared, explaining the failure of her powers. His new ability, a mystical enhancement of his combat skills, allowed him to neutralize an opponent’s ability with the touch of his blade. This time, fate had chosen her 'Reversal' ability.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUROnKPxjM0
Astralith, reeling from the shock and now vulnerable, swung at Zack in a desperate attempt to regain control. But Zack dodged smoothly, stepping back to avoid her clumsy attack with ease.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzIOAnivQy
He then turned toward the containment units holding Elara, Cairo, and Nia. His expression softened, eyes filling with tears as he faced the grim reality of his friends' plight. They were trapped, part of a process that, if interrupted, could end their lives.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC9UFdUqrj
Malacar, seizing the moment of Zack's hesitation, spoke with a cold authority. "It's too late, Zack. The extraction process has begun. Any interference now and they die."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4205rFQQlE
The weight of Malacar's words hung heavy in the air. Zack, overcome with emotion, his shoulders shaking with sobs, was torn between his impulse to rescue his friends and the risk of harming them. After a long, torturous moment, he wiped the tears from his eyes and looked back at Malacar and Astralith with a fierce resolve.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Io2qky0Lb
"I will be back," he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. "In exactly two months, I will return and wreak havoc upon the Malevolent Cosmos Universe. You have not seen the last of me."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsQw9L6629
With that, Zack disappeared from the lab, his departure as swift and mysterious as his arrival. The threat hung in the air, a promise of future chaos.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg866g9zzA4
