
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?"293Please respect copyright.PENANAYiLLQSb3qO
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."293Please respect copyright.PENANAyinpulEhea
Kaipo's eyes narrowed. "We were already headed here. There was no need for such senseless destruction."293Please respect copyright.PENANAw8WoNvOoRM
Novachro chuckled darkly. "I guess I just felt like doing it then, if I already had your attention."293Please respect copyright.PENANAtnLD6zmcSl
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."293Please respect copyright.PENANAVG3T6uWqLl
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."293Please respect copyright.PENANA6f9xy71qFD
Kaipo's eyes remained locked on Novachro's. "Tell me about these leaders."293Please respect copyright.PENANAiS9GnUBrLK
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."293Please respect copyright.PENANArQW8gPqMhu
He began to list them:
Level 6 - Lyra, Mistress of Shadows (The Eclipsing Realm)293Please respect copyright.PENANA2szwNnLTnQ
Powers: Manipulation of shadows, creation of illusions, and shadow teleportation.293Please respect copyright.PENANALPCqVbVdyn
Level 7 - Thalor, Lord of the Abyss (The Abyssal Nexus)293Please respect copyright.PENANAZLRdf1ef1z
Powers: Control over dark water, summoning of abyssal creatures, and drowning illusions.293Please respect copyright.PENANARe2iQGm4OM
Level 8 - Pyrrhus, Flame Sovereign (The Infernal Dominion)293Please respect copyright.PENANAIcAnSx6cyz
Powers: Mastery over fire, creation of infernos, and flame-based regeneration.293Please respect copyright.PENANARDx0B8YRaI
Level 9 - Zephyra, Wind Empress (The Celestial Zephyr)293Please respect copyright.PENANAybY6JufiVR
Powers: Control over wind, creation of powerful gusts and storms, and flight.293Please respect copyright.PENANAgOYT50Tfhv
Level 10 - Orion, Starbound Sage (The Astral Enclave)293Please respect copyright.PENANAuYHU353GkC
Powers: Manipulation of starlight, summoning of celestial entities, and control over gravity.293Please respect copyright.PENANAcMpWS92cVW
Kaipo looked back at the High Mages and nodded. "Follow the plan. Head down and retrieve the Jewels."293Please respect copyright.PENANAp9vLzIw68x
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.293Please respect copyright.PENANAATxDW0iTyd
"Do you really think these walls can hold us?" Kaipo asked, his voice dripping with defiance.293Please respect copyright.PENANAEwv4xofcsS
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.293Please respect copyright.PENANA9sHrW83P64
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.293Please respect copyright.PENANAUzGTiJHVwX
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.293Please respect copyright.PENANAMdNiW4vJqd