In the shadows deep where secrets dwell,

Amidst the ancient forest's spell,

Hera's witches gather, wise and wild,

With magic ancient, fierce, and mild.

They wear the darkness like a cloak,

Their power from old stories spoke,

With eyes that gleam with mystic fire,

They weave their spells, their hearts inspire.

Their laughter echoes through the night,

A symphony of ancient might,

Hera's disciples, strong and true,

Their purpose clear, their hearts imbued.

They dance with stars, they whisper to trees,

They harness storms and calm the seas,

In sacred circles, they invoke,

The power of the night, the spells bespoke.

With cauldron's brew and moonlit song,

They right the balance, right the wrong,

Their loyalty to Hera's creed,

Is unwavering, in thought and deed.

In whispered chants and moonlit prayers,

They shape the future, calm their cares,

Hera's witches, wise and bold,

In magic's embrace, their stories unfold.

So listen closely to the wind's soft call,

For Hera's witches stand tall,

Guardians of the hidden way,

Guiding seekers through night and day.

A few days turned into a week, and still, there was no sign of Taliesin. Harahel continued to search for clues, but her efforts seemed futile. 

She gathered her courage and set out to confront Antioch once again, this time determined to bring him to justice. Harahel made her way to Prophets Alley and approached a group of fellow bards who were sitting in a circle, strumming their lutes and swapping stories. She cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Excuse me, brothers and sister," she said. "Have any of you seen any of Antioch's disciples lately?"

The bards looked at each other, then back at Harahel. "No, we haven't," said one. “It's strange, they're usually making a scene somewhere around here."

Harahel frowned. " Any idea where they could have gone?"

Another bard chimed in, "Not a clue. They're a rowdy bunch, but they usually stick around this area. It's not like them to disappear for so long." 

Thanking her fellow brethren for their time, she walked away, frustrated. Antioch has closed shop and covered his tracks. No matter what she tried, he was always one step ahead. 

Off to the side, a priestess of Soter stood on a small platform, preaching to a crowd of people. She was dressed in flowing white robes, adorned with gold embroidery that glimmered in the light. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a simple braid, and her face was serene and composed, though her message was dire.

 "Do not be deceived by the wiles of Antioch disciples. They may seem charming and enticing, but their ways lead only to destruction and despair.” This caught Harahel’s attention, and she stopped in her tracks. "And beware of Antioch himself," the priestess warned. "For he is a deceiver, who seeks to lead us astray from the path of righteousness. As the priestess continued to speak, Harahel found herself drawn to her, stepping closer to the platform to hear more clearly.

The priestess paused for a moment, her expression turning somber. "But be warned, my brothers and sisters," she continued, "for in the end times, Antioch will reveal himself as the adversary. He will seek to lead you astray, to bring forth the apocalypse and plunge the world into eternal darkness.

The crowd nods solemnly, taking the priestess's words to heart. Harahel knows that the path of Antioch can be a dangerous one, but she has always been skeptical of this prophecy. But her curiosity is piqued by the priestess's words.

We must remain steadfast in our devotion to Soter, and not be swayed by the temptations of Antioch." Harahel's gaze was drawn to the woman's flowing white robes and her serene expression as she spoke passionately about the teachings of Soter. "Brothers and sisters, hear me! There is a Savior, a being of light and goodness who can lead us out of the darkness and into a new age of peace and prosperity. We can find hope beyond the chaos of the present, and a brighter future awaits those who follow the teachings of Soter."

Harahel was captivated by the priestess's words and found herself being pulled to her, as if by some unseen force. She listened intently, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort spreading through her body.

For a moment, all the chaos and turmoil of the world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of peace and clarity. 

"So, my brother and sisters," the priestess says, catching Harahel’s eye. “Stay true to the light of Soter and you will find peace and purpose in this world." She felt a strange stirring in her heart, a feeling that she couldn't quite put into words. It was as though something inside of her was awakening, something that had been dormant for a long time.

“Blasphemy!” screamed an old man as tried to storm the platform, only to be stopped by people in the crowd. “You speak of the heretic Antioch as the catalyst to this world's end. But my dark lord Valkas will rise again, and he will bring the darkness to this world!” 

The chaos broke Harahel out of her serene trance. She wasn’t quite sure what got into her, but she didn’t want to stick around to find out.

As she walked past the knights and squires praising the virtues of a life in service of Artur, Harahel's thoughts returned to Antioch. Even if she did find him, how could she stop him from escaping again? As she pondered this thought, she looked up she saw the abandoned lot where the witches of Hera would come and worship their mysterious Goddess. 

Since the great trials, no witch of Hera's order will step foot in a village or town. They live in the darkest realms of the forests and those brave enough to find them will be rewarded or cursed for eternity.

Harahel could think of no curse direr than the absence of her beloved God, Taliesin. For her to capture Antioch she needs the dark magic of Hera.

The forest was dense and filled with an eerie stillness as Harahel ventured deeper, her steps guided by an unshakable determination. Shadows danced among the trees, and the wind whispered secrets that seemed to elude her understanding. The air was thick with a sense of anticipation, as if the very woods held their breath in anticipation of her arrival.

The sun cast long shadows as it began its descent, painting the landscape in hues of gold and amber. Harahel's path was a winding one, leading her through a labyrinth of towering trees and hidden clearings. With every step, she could feel the ancient magic of the forest surrounding her, a palpable energy that seemed to hum beneath her skin.

As the day gave way to night, Harahel found herself setting up camp in a small clearing. The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light casting a gentle glow over the landscape. She kindled a small fire, its flames dancing and crackling in the quiet of the forest.

As she lay down on her bedroll, her thoughts were a whirlwind of uncertainty and hope. The prospect of seeking out Hera's witches was fraught with challenges, and the very nature of the dark magic she sought was both intriguing and unsettling.

 As sleep began to claim her, Harahel's mind drifted into a realm of dreams. It was in this dreamworld that she found herself standing in a vast, ethereal landscape, surrounded by the soft glow of moonlight.

And then, she saw her. A figure emerged from the mist, a woman of ethereal beauty and grace. Her hair flowed like liquid, and her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. Harahel's heart quickened as she realized who stood before her—Euterpe.

Euterpe regarded Harahel with a gentle smile, her presence exuding a sense of calm and understanding. "Harahel," she said, her voice like a melody carried on the wind. "You seek answers, and the path you tread is one of both danger and destiny."

Harahel's tone resonated with a blend of awe and reverence as she addressed the Muse. "Euterpe, I am humbled by your presence. I seek Hera's disciples to harness their dark magic and confront Antioch. But I fear the consequences of such power."

Euterpe's gaze held a depth of wisdom that seemed to encompass ages. "Dark magic is a double-edged sword," she replied, her voice a soothing cadence. "It can grant great power, but it also carries a weight that can corrupt the heart and soul. Before you tread this path, you must understand the true cost of your actions."

Harahel nodded, her determination unwavering. "I will do whatever it takes to save Taliesin," she said, her voice resolute. "But I also know that the darkness can consume even the noblest of intentions."

Euterpe's smile held a hint of sadness. "You possess a rare strength of spirit, Harahel," she said. "But remember that darkness can never fully extinguish the light within. Even in the bleakest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope."

As the dream seemed to shift and waver, Euterpe's form began to fade, her words lingering in the air. "Go forth, Harahel. Seek out the witches of Hera, but let not the darkness cloud your heart. Remember the light that guides you."

And then, with a final, ethereal smile, Euterpe was gone, and Harahel found herself awakening from the dream. The moonlight still bathed the clearing in its gentle glow, and the quiet of the night surrounded her.

As she sat up, Harahel's heart was a medley of emotions—determination, uncertainty, and a newfound sense of purpose. The Muse's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the delicate balance between darkness and light, and the choices that lay ahead.

With the weight of her dreams still lingering, Harahel extinguished the fire and prepared to continue her journey. 

As Harahel walked deeper into the forest, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig made her jump. She knew the risks of dealing with Hera's witches, but she was desperate. She approached the edge of the forest and called out, "Oh great and powerful witches of Hera, I come to you seeking your aid in capturing Antioch. He has taken something precious from me, and I need your dark magic to stop him."

There was a moment of silence before a voice echoed through the trees, "What do you offer in exchange for our help?"

Harahel knew she had to tread carefully. Hera's witches were notorious for their bargains, and one wrong move could mean a lifetime of curses. She thought for a moment before answering, “ I offer nothing, for what is precious to me is Hera’s other brother Taliesin”

“Hera has many brothers,” said the voice “Why should her witches be charitable to this brother?“ Harahel took a deep breath, trying to remain composed. “During the great trials, when most of her siblings wanted to condemn her, was it not Taliesin who wrote a song of compassion on her behalf?”

There was another pause before the voice spoke again, this time with a hint of amusement. "You are a bold one, Harahel. Very well, we shall help you. But be warned, our magic is not to be trifled with.”

Grateful for their assistance, Harahel nodded in agreement. "I understand the risks," she affirmed. 

"Very well," replied the voice. "Come deeper into the forest, and we shall discuss the details of our arrangement." 

Harahel followed the voice, venturing further into the woods until she reached a clearing. Here, a gathering of hooded figures awaited her. They huddled around a small fire, their eyes gleaming in the dancing flames. Stepping forward from among them was a haggard-looking woman, her hair wild and her expression fierce, clutching a gnarled staff. Harahel could feel the potent aura emanating from her and recognized her as a formidable witch of Hera.

 "I am the Arch-Mage of Hera's order," she said, her voice raspy and commanding. "We have heard your plea, and we have agreed to help you.” The Arch-Mage approached Harahel and studied her for a moment before continuing to speak, "To create the magic you seek, we will require several ingredients. The shaded flower, the ice crystal, and the venom of a laughing spider. You must gather them yourself," said the Arch-Mage. "Our magic requires that the one who seeks it also makes the sacrifice to obtain it. It is a test of your dedication and strength."

Harahel felt a shiver run down her spine, but she knew that she had no other choice. "Very well," she said. "I will gather these ingredients for you."