The guardians regrouped, assessing the damage.
Mère Jalouse's sacred grounds lay in ruins.
Sophia's anger boiled. "We can't let The Archon win."
Bastien's eyes narrowed. "We need a new strategy."
Adèle's gaze turned inward. "I think I know how to stop The Archon."
"What is it, Adèle?" Sophia asked.
Adèle hesitated. "A secret from my past...could hold the key."
Julian and Luca exchanged skeptical glances.
"What secret?" Julian pressed.
Adèle's voice barely above a whisper. "I was once bound to The Archon."
Gasps echoed through the gathering.
Bastien's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Adèle's eyes locked onto Bastien's. "I was The Archon's apprentice...before I broke free."
The room fell silent.
Sophia's mind reeled. "What does this mean for us?"
Adèle's determination hardened. "I know The Archon's weaknesses."
The guardians listened intently.
As Adèle revealed her plan.
A daring infiltration.
Into The Archon's stronghold.
To sabotage their operations.
And shatter The Archon's confidence.
But risks lurked.
In the shadows.
Within themselves.
---