Antioch and Skadi, divine siblings paired,

One, mischief's master, the other, wild and dared,

In their realm, they ruled, a domain so wide,

With unique powers, fierce and gentle by their side.

Antioch's cunning, sly words spun like gold,

Pranks and jests left many in stories told,

But Skadi, with bow, her arrow's swift flight,

Queen of the forest, in shadows and light.

Antioch, the jester, a trickster with glee,

Teasing and taunting, for all to see,

Yet Skadi, steadfast, her spirit unbowed,

In his tricks, she found her own shroud.

One day, Antioch pushed too far the jest,

Skadi, unamused, resolved to her quest,

With snare and net, her plan well prepared,

To catch her brother, whose tricks she'd declared.

But Antioch, cunning, escaped her grasp,

Leaving her entangled, a trickster's clasp,

Into the woods, with laughter and grace,

He vanished, leaving behind but a trace.

Antioch and Skadi, this dance they'd play,

Sibling games, as night turned into day,

Through quarrels, tricks, in bonds of love's prime,

Together they endured, through every trick and time.

The night passed uneventfully, and the two companions woke up to a beautiful morning. Antioch was already up and about, preparing breakfast over the fire. Harahel yawned and stretched, feeling rejuvenated after a good night's sleep.

As they ate breakfast, Antioch discussed their plan for the day. They had to cross a dense forest, which was known to be inhabited by dangerous creatures.

As they set off on their journey, Harahel couldn't help but admire the beautiful scenery around her. The forest was dense, and the sunlight filtered through the trees, creating beautiful patterns on the forest floor. The air was fresh, and the birds continued to sing sweetly.

However, their peaceful journey was soon interrupted by a loud growling sound. Harahel and Antioch froze, both knowing that it was the sound of a hungry predator. Suddenly, a huge bear appeared from behind a tree, its eyes locked onto Harahel.

Antioch stepped in front of Harahel, facing the bear. He whispered a few words, and suddenly, his appearance changed. He now looked like a large, imposing wolf, snarling and baring his teeth. The bear hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the sudden change, but soon regained its composure and charged toward them.

Antioch and the bear clashed, each trying to overpower the other. Harahel watched in horror, unsure of what to do. She closed her eyes and prayed to Antioch's sister. 

Oh, Skadi Goddess of Nature,

Protector of the wild and free,

I beseech you to hear my prayer,

And lend your aid to my plea.

Your brother, Antioch, he wanders alone,

In a battle against a mighty bear,

His wits and tricks may not be enough,

To keep him from harm and despair.

As the goddess of the hunt and protector of nature,

I ask that you watch over him with care,

Grant him your strength, your cunning, your speed,

So that he may emerge from this battle unscathed and fair.

May your arrows guide him true,

And your spirit shields him from harm,

And in your name, I offer this prayer,

Hoping that it reaches your heart and your arm.

Oh, Skadi Goddess of Nature,

Grant your blessings to your brother Antioch,

And may he always honor you in his heart,

As he walks this wild and wondrous world forever.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, blowing fiercely around the bear. The bear roared in fury, but the wind was too strong, and it stumbled back.

Taking advantage of the moment, Antioch lunged forward and sank his teeth into the bear's neck. The bear thrashed around for a few moments but soon lay still. Antioch turned back into his human form, panting heavily.

Harahel rushed forward, A part of her wanted to hug him tightly, but she resisted. Antioch grinned at her, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Well, that was exciting," he said. "I needed to get some exercise today."

Harahel couldn’t help but laugh, but her laughter stopped when she saw Antioch rip off a piece of the bear’s flesh and eat it. “It’s to honor Skadi.” Antioch said to a disgusted Harahel “I am assuming she is the one to thank for the wind?” Harahel nods “You have always been my favorite sis!” shouts Antioch out into the wilderness. “Don’t ever tell Igor that I said that” he whispers to Harahel.

As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, the once lush and beautiful forest began to transform, cloaking itself in an aura of darkness and foreboding. Harahel couldn't help but notice the change in their surroundings.

"You know, I never quite get used to seeing you transform," she remarked to Antioch.

Antioch chuckled, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Ah, do you remember the times I would take the form of a dog just to sneak into the theater and see you?" he inquired.

Harahel couldn't help but smile at the memory. "How could I forget?" she replied.

Antioch's smirk grew wider. "And you, my dear, would say, 'How dare you! This is a house of worship! Be gone, you sinful god!'"

Harahel shot him an annoyed look. "I don't think I was ever that dramatic or pious."

Antioch leaned in closer, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Well, you certainly weren't pious that time in the theater when we..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Harahel swiftly placed her hand over his mouth. Her expression turned stern as she warned, "Not one more word."

They trod the path in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them like a shroud. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of a stream were the only sounds that accompanied their journey.

Then, as if breaking through a barrier of hesitation, Harahel's voice emerged once more, soft but burdened with emotion. "For what it is worth," Harahel began, the words escaping like a fragile secret, "Taliesin never told me to end it with you."

"Did he really have to?" Antioch inquired, his gaze fixed on the winding path before them.

Harahel, as if carrying the weight of the world in her words, sighed deeply. "No," she admitted, her voice a mere whisper, "I suppose not."

The air around them seemed to hold its breath as if the very forest they walked through was awaiting the outcome of this silent conversation. The beauty of the natural world around them stood in stark contrast to the complexity of their emotions, leaving an unspoken tension that lingered unresolved.

They stayed silent until they reached the edge of the forest. "Oh, great and powerful witches of Hera,” Harahel called out,  “I come to you seeking your aid once again”. “I see you brought a friend” this time the voice did not come from the air, but from behind them. They turned and saw the haggard-looking Arch Mage. 

"So, Antioch was not the villain of this particular story after all," the Arch Mage remarked, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Harahel reluctantly nodded in agreement, and Antioch chimed in, his voice tinged with a hint of mischief, "But, my dear Arch Mage, the story is still in its infancy."

"Taliesin is being held prisoner in Erebus," Harahel explained, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. "We need to find a portal that can take us there and rescue him."

The Arch Mage nodded sagely and approached them, her robes rustling softly with each step. From the folds of her cloak, she retrieved a small amulet with a radiant crystal at its center. Holding it out to Harahel, she said, "Take this amulet. It will guide you to the portal and ultimately to Taliesin. And when your quest is over, it can serve as your path back home."

As they prepared to leave, Antioch couldn't resist a moment of caution. He leaned in closer to the Arch Mage and spoke in hushed tones, his eyes sharp with curiosity. "My sister, Hera, does not typically bestow spells and amulets out of the kindness of her heart. What plans does she have for Harahel?"

The Arch Mage met his gaze evenly and replied, "I am but a humble servant of the goddess. How would I know the depths of Hera's divine plans?"

Antioch drew even closer, his voice barely a whisper. "When you pray to her tonight, give her a message from me," he urged, his tone filled with a sense of urgency. "Tell her to leave this one alone."

The Arch Mage nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes betraying a hint of curiosity. 

As they turned to leave, the Arch Mage watched them for a moment, her eyes inscrutable. Then, with a soft rustle of her tattered cloak, she disappeared into the depths of the dark woods. Antioch and Harahel ventured forth, guided by the amulet's glow, leaving behind a sense of mystery and uncertainty, like a mist fading into the unknown.