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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?"171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lqfG1ibED
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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQwPELl2iW
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTe3mSK0se
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHVvZtLQcP
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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6G1bErnru
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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUiZJ1Wgha
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R865pi7pA
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."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbdJEqv9Mi
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0BJaOPjRX
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAwm2ewCZ1
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08nda3iSIi
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxNwaByGAd
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqKmF9tw59
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP1BOgXrkc
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDv56ZA1S0
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z5O3kUPX4
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORUBITF3cE
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P8vilGPXt
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHixqSKAuA
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtXWKJkXp6
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NV8q1bZwy
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnqxqy7zYk
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymDswY4Fwg
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.171Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrKjDdaMfn
