The Earth and Illusion Sigil pair once again worked their magic, their forms disappearing amidst the lush forest floor.
Finally, she turned to her shield cadets.
"The ten of you," she began, her voice a hushed whisper, "will be our bait."
Their eyes widened at her words, but they didn't hesitate.
With a unified nod, they stepped forward, their shields withdrawn.
They stood vulnerable yet resolute in the clearing, their faces masked with determination.
Taiwo then proceeded to issue a series of commands and she herself blended into a hollow tree.
Chronos watched the scene unfold, his fingers drumming a soft rhythm on the console.
His gaze never wavered from the screens, his mind busy evaluating the strategies unfurling before him.
As the tension mounted in the simulated jungle, Chronos couldn't help but let a soft chuckle escape his lips.
"This," he mused, "is getting interesting."
