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?"287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsxEtJGV3g
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."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4VdkcUG3h
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtZSW7uUP
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2HG21rwlX
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."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1WWOLDmIv
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."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhA4D68JKM
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIakKA6yi7
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."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaLEsIYWea
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAD17mORul
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvhM8VzgR9
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6mLMT7J5g
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuHRcBODKh
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImghB9gG7Z
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oA4xFSK5B
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtPiIcMcpi
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOCr8YLTcx
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzLeEXPVJN
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqszh9HC7ws
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslinCDh0dc
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.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnGXG4Q1k9
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG68TS6EIHz
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.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBHJwInW9f
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.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX2ufnRXyY
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.287Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDgetSa24s
