Avalon was a vision of divine beauty, an ancient city illuminated with an ethereal light that seemed to emanate from everywhere. Gardens bursting with roses and exotic flowers gave way to crystal-clear ponds, their surfaces smooth as glass. A myriad of aromas filled the air, a scent as complex as it was exhilarating.

Each of the explorers was housed in a lavish chamber with ornate balconies that offered a breathtaking view. Beds crowned with lace curtains invited rest and dreams, a luxurious touch that made even the hardiest adventurer feel like royalty.

In the grand room designed for leisure, plush beds and cushions awaited them. The walls seemed to hum softly, as if echoing the wisdom of the ages. At the center of this idyllic setting was Abigail, her eyes filled with both maternal love and the solemn weight of her guardian role.

"Thank you for settling in," Abigail began, her voice a warm embrace. "I have much to tell you, and perhaps this setting of comfort and unity is the most fitting place to do so."

With a measured breath, Abigail began her revelation. "You've all been pondering the purpose of this place and by extension, your own place within it. Professor Challenger, you were right when you said the Plateau is a gathering point of sorts, but it is not just a collector of lost worlds and lost lives; it is the very source from which all life and existence springs."

Her eyes met those of each person in the room as she added, "The power that flows through the Plateau, is a force beyond our present capacity to grasp. Yet it is this enigmatic power that has brought us together and tied our destinies in more ways than you can imagine."

She continued, "The line of Protectors dwell in Avalon and here, we have honed our abilities to focus and control the Plateau's power. Think of it as guiding a river so it nurtures the lands through which it flows, rather than flooding them."

She leaned forward for emphasis. "When the Plateau reaches the end of one of its cycles of creation, as it is happening now, it is the duty of the Protector to guide it smoothly into the next. This ensures that the balance is maintained, and that the marvels and mysteries of past cycles are not lost but are preserved and carried forward."

Abigail's eyes took on a solemn hue. "While we aim to maintain this balance, the Line of Mordren seek to tip the scales in their favor. They want to take the Plateau's power for themselves and unleash its destructive side upon those who stand in their way."

She took a brief pause, her eyes filled with seriousness. "Now, you might wonder, if these two forces are balanced—good and evil, let's call them—how could one ever overpower the other? How could change occur? For either side to win, they need a third player. Someone of equal power and ability, yet who is not born to one side or the other... someone who must make a decision... someone who has the ability to choose."

Abigail looked at Marguerite intently. "Sometime, a long, long time ago, a Protector and someone from the line of Mordren had a child. That child gave rise to the third line which would be critical in deciding which side would win and that child was Morigghan."

As Abigail paused, a distinct silence filled the room, each person mulling over the enormity of her revelations. Marguerite seemed visibly overwhelmed, her eyes clouded with emotion and uncertainty.

Breaking the silence, Finn, looking at Marguerite, blurted out, "Morrighan… the druidic priestess and Marguerite's ancestor… that Morrighan?"

Abigail turned to Finn and then back to Marguerite. "Yes. Marguerite carries the essence of Morrighan within her. She is not merely a descendant but a reincarnation."

Finn raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Reincarnation? You're saying Marguerite was this Morrighan person in a past life?"

Abigail smiles gently, understanding the skepticism. "Sometimes, the strands of fate weave complex patterns we can't easily understand. Morrighan was a powerful figure, and her essence, her choices, have been reborn in Marguerite."

As Abigail's words settled over the room, a tension built up within Marguerite. The idea that everything in her life was predestined, aggravated her. She'd always been a master of her own fate—or so she'd believed. Now she was questioning the very nature of free will. Was she merely a pawn in some cosmic game she didn't sign up for? The thought was both overwhelming and infuriating.

"So, my life's a prewritten script in some cosmic drama. Just what I always wanted." Marguerite's voice dripped with sarcasm, her irritation clear to everyone in the room.

Finn nodded in agreement. "I feel you, Madge. This whole thing is nuts."

Abigail's eyes softened as she looked at Marguerite. "Many years ago, I left for England to find you. When I arrived, I was too late. The forces aligned against us had already taken you away from your family and put another girl in your place."

She reached into a drawer and pulled out a sealed document, handing it to Marguerite. "This is for you."

Marguerite opened the document cautiously, finding a copy of her birth certificate within. Her eyes scanned the names 'Robert and Cathrine Carnahan' listed as her parents. Her eyes teared up, the reality of her past and her family suddenly becoming tangibly real.

"You are the true daughter of Lord Robert and Lady Cathrine Carnahan, the earl and countess of Kenneth." Abigail clarified. "You have a younger sister Emily and the girl who took your place is named Claire. Their family estate is located in Wiltshire, right next to Avebury."

Roxton's eyes widened in realization. "I can't believe this… I briefly married Claire after my father passed away. I thought it was my duty; our families had arranged it since we were children. But we quickly realized we weren't a match, and the marriage was annulled. That's when I left for Tibet."

Finn quickly pieced things together, her voice filled with surprise. "Hold on... So Roxton and Marguerite were meant to be together right from the beginning? Now, I've got goosebumps."

Abigail nodded slowly, her gaze settled on the two.

As the gravity of the revelation set in, Marguerite could feel an uncontrollable quiver pass through her, emotions threatening to bubble to the surface. Feeling overwhelmed, she suddenly stood up from her seat and left the room without a word. Roxton made a move to follow her, but Veronica stepped in his path.

"Give her some space, John," she advised, her eyes meeting his. "She needs time to collect her thoughts." Roxton hesitated, then nodded, sitting back down but clearly preoccupied.

The room seemed to hold its collective breath as Abigail prepared for her next revelation.

"There's more you should all know. About a year ago, when you were captured by the Amazons, you, Malone, shared an intimate connection with one of their warriors. What you may not know is that this relationship led to the birth of a child. Through the years, that bloodline has endured, culminating in Finn, who is your great-great-great-granddaughter. Finn, your Amazonian destiny is to serve as a defender for 'Your Lady, the Protector."

Finn brushed it off with skeptical laughter. "Now, you're just making things up."

Abigail looked at Finn earnestly. "I assure you, I never make things up. Your destiny is woven into the fabric of this place."

Finn shifted her gaze and then shrugged. "Well, I don't mind, but you're making Ned uncomfortable."

Ned interjected, somewhat awkwardly, "I'm just confused. It's a lot to process."

Inside, Veronica felt a storm of emotions burning. The revelation that Ned had fathered a child with another woman, even unknowingly, unsettled her. Jealousy, hurt, and confusion flowed within her. Yet, she tried to understand, reminding herself that it was a different time, and they had been through so much since then. Also, it was Finn who was the result of all this and Veronica had always liked Finn. So, she decided to forgive him.

With a hint of humor, Finn raised an eyebrow and looked around the group. "Are there any more bizarre revelations that we should know of?"

Arthur Summerlee, having been silent for a long while, finally cleared his throat. "I suppose it falls on me to share the last revelation," he began, eyes somber. "There isn't much to say, and I will keep it brief. Abigail is my daughter." A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. "I met her mother during one of her rare excursions to explore the world beyond the Plateau. We were young, and we fell deeply in love. But just as abruptly as she had entered my life, she disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a letter." He paused, lost in the painful memory. "I was heartbroken. Worse still, I had no idea she carried our child."

Stunned expressions painted everyone's faces. The weight of the revelation hung thick in the room.

Without uttering a word, Veronica rose from her seat, her movements slow and deliberate. As she settled beside Arthur, she looked deep into his eyes, searching for confirmation. "Does this mean..."

"Yes," Arthur replied gently, his voice thick with emotion. "I am your grandfather."

As the two of them embraced, Abigail added. "It wasn't until years later that I found my father and told him everything—about the Plateau, the line of Protectors, and Challenger's impending expedition. I advised him to pose as a skeptic, baiting Challenger into inviting him on the expedition. His role was to guide you, watch over you, and eventually, when the time was right, join me here in Avalon."