Gadriel arrived at the Rock of Soter as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the rugged landscape. She marveled at the sight before her—a massive, weathered stone that stood as a sentinel amid the rolling hills. It was a place of ancient significance, steeped in both history and myth.

The Rock of Soter had its origins as a temple dedicated to the Muse Melpomene. In times long past, it had been a place where female oracles would gather, seeking inspiration and divine guidance from the Muse of Tragedy and Song. They believed that by communing with Melpomene, they could tap into the wellspring of creativity and wisdom, offering solace and understanding to those who sought their counsel.

Then, one fateful day, the Oracles of Melpomene had a profound vision. Accounts varied—some claimed it was a vision of Soter herself, while others insisted it was Melpomene shrouded in white, her head veiled, preaching the virtues of Soter. Regardless of interpretation, the vision had a profound impact on the Oracles.

In the wake of this vision, the temple was rededicated to Soter, the God of Salvation and Deliverance. The Oracles became the first Nuns of Soter, and under their guidance, the temple transformed into a sanctuary of devotion and healing. It was said that miracles occurred within these hallowed walls, and pilgrims came from far and wide to seek solace and protection from the darkness that plagued the world.

Over the centuries, the temple had fallen into disrepair, and all that remained was the massive rock, a silent witness to the profound transformations that had occurred here. Yet, the Rock of Soter still held an air of reverence and mystique, drawing those who sought answers, guidance, and perhaps even salvation.

Gadriel approached the ancient stone, her steps deliberate and filled with respect. The whispers of history and devotion seemed to echo around her as she contemplated the significance of this place, wondering what secrets it might hold.

As Gadriel stood before the ancient Rock of Soter, a soft, melodious voice drifted from behind the massive stone. She turned, and there, emerging from the shadows, was the Mother Superior herself.

The grand nun approached Gadriel with a warm but concerned smile. Her attire bore subtle embellishments that marked her elevated position within the order.

"Ah, my little sister," she began, her voice carrying the weight of authority that came with her rank. "I see you have come as requested."

Gadriel dipped her head in acknowledgment, her tone tinged with a touch of sarcasm. "Well, don't all good little sisters obey their elder sisters?"

The Mother Superior let out a soft chuckle. "Well, there is a first time for everything, I suppose." Her gaze lingered on Gadriel, her eyes filled with a combination of familiarity and a deeper understanding. It was a silent acknowledgment of their shared history, a history that was both profound and complex.

"Many disciples believe that it was Antioch who led to this once-great temple's ruin," the Mother Superior remarked.

Gadriel retorted, her voice firm, "Once the prophecy of the Adversary became known, many Disciples of Soter began rewriting history to blame Antioch for everything. It is a convenient scapegoat, but the truth is far more complex, as you well know."

“You were once one of those disciples” Mother Superior said, “A sister to me not just in the flesh, but in the spirit as well.”

“I didn’t come here for a lesson in ancient history and especially not in my history” Gadriel replied, “So why am I here?”

With a solemn expression, Mother Superior met Gadriel's gaze, her eyes unwavering. "Soter has given me the amulet," she began, "the very one bestowed upon Harahel by Hera's disciple. During my studies and meditations, a vision unfolded, connecting this object not only to this sacred site but also to Hera and Antioch."

Gadriel's eyes widened in surprise; her curiosity now fully awakened. "What kind of connection does it hold?" she inquired, eager to uncover the mysteries that surrounded the amulet.

"It is not a connection of the past," Mother Superior replied with an air of gravity, "but rather a glimpse into the time yet to come."

Mother Superior's voice carried a profound sense of urgency as she spoke. "The time is rapidly approaching, and if we do not take action, it will bring immeasurable suffering to our world. I have been entrusted with a critical task – the performance of an exorcism, a ritual of purification, to prevent this impending catastrophe."

Gadriel raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "So, what exactly do you need from me?"

"To conduct this exorcism," Mother Superior replied, "we require three crucial components. Firstly, the sacred ground upon which we stand. Secondly, we need a representation of Hera, which we have in the form of the amulet. And finally, we require a representation of Antioch, which is where you come into the equation, dear sister."

Gadriel let out a resigned sigh. "Well, isn't that just splendid?" she remarked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

A day had passed since they began their journey, and as they continued deeper into the ominous forest, Rosalind couldn't help but voice her growing concerns. She turned to Antioch, her tone filled with exasperation.

"I can't believe I left my tavern," she grumbled. "I'm certain that if my husband is left in charge for too long, there won't be a single wine bottle or plate left unbroken."

Antioch chuckled at her predicament, a moment of levity amidst the looming uncertainty. "Well, my dear Rosalind," he replied, "it seems that fate has other plans for you now."

Rosalind shook her head, her frustration evident. "I just wish I had a better idea of what those plans were," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I thought you mortals enjoyed the whole vagueness of your destiny, which we gods provide," Antioch remarked with a wry smile.

"We actually hate it," Rosalind replied with a hint of frustration.

Antioch chuckled and responded, "Hmm, I'll be sure to mention that at the next gathering of the gods."

Rosalind glanced around the forest, her apprehension growing. She turned to Antioch and asked, "Don't you think it would have been more helpful to have Skadi and Ariadne here instead of a tavern owner and a deer?"

Antioch raised an eyebrow. "Well, my dear Rosalind," he replied, "while having Skadi and Ariadne here might seem like a brilliant idea in theory, there's a small matter of the universe's delicate balance that we must consider. You see, when all three of them are in the same place, their powers tend to... how shall I put it? Ah, yes, amplify like an orchestra of chaos. And that's not something we want to contend with, especially when facing Hera in her own territory. We don't need her any more powerful than she already is."

He continued, sarcasm dripping from his words, "So, my dear, you and our deer companion here will serve as the humble conduits for Skadi and Ariadne's powers, allowing them to guide us from a safe distance. It's all part of our elaborate plan to maintain control and improve our odds against my least favorite sister Hera."

As they walked further, a raven descended upon Antioch's shoulder, its obsidian feathers shimmering in the dim forest light. It began to whisper cryptic secrets into his ear, causing Antioch's countenance to shift through a whirlwind of emotions.

"Is that so? Are you absolutely certain? Well, that does sound perilous," he muttered aloud, his voice laden with genuine concern.

Rosalind, catching wind of his disconcerting words, couldn't help but shudder involuntarily. Even the deer accompanying them pricked its ears forward, attuned to the whispered revelation, sensing the gravity of the situation.

With a final whisper, the raven took flight, disappearing into the shadowy depths of the forest. Rosalind turned to Antioch, her curiosity piqued.

"What did it say?" she inquired, her voice tinged with both concern and anticipation.

Antioch hesitated for a moment before responding, "Don't worry, dear Rosalind. Your God will reward you handsomely for this journey, either in this life or..." He paused, his words hanging in the air, unspoken.

Rosalind's worry deepened, and she finished his sentence with a distressed voice, "Or the afterlife?"

Antioch nodded with a mischievous smile and continued walking. Rosalind couldn't help but feel a chill creeping down her spine, wondering if the consequences of her journey into the unknown were more significant than she had fully considered.

Malakar stood just outside the lair where he held Taliesin prisoner, hidden in the shadows. His eyes were fixed on the unfolding spectacle before him, where the monstrous and nightmarish creatures of Erebus had gathered to face Artur, Igor, and the enigmatic Hermit.

Malakar observed the chaotic confrontation, shrouded in the darkness of the lair's entrance. As he watched, one of his warlocks approached him, a smug grin on his face.

"You see, my lord," the warlock boasted, "Artur, Igor, and that Hermit cannot possibly conquer these formidable foes. Our creatures of Erebus are too powerful, and victory is assured."

Malakar turned his gaze to the arrogant warlock, his expression a mix of annoyance and disdain. "You underestimate them," he admonished, his voice laced with a cold edge. "Now that the three brothers have reunited, their power has increased beyond measure. This battle you witness is but a diversion, a mere sideshow."

The warlock's confidence wavered as he processed Malakar's words. He had assumed that the brothers would be overwhelmed, but now doubt crept into his mind.

Malakar continued, his voice low and menacing, "Our true objective lies elsewhere, and it is there that we shall achieve our ultimate victory. Do not let your arrogance blind you to the grand design that is unfolding."

The warlock nodded, chastened by Malakar's words. Malakar retreated from the chaos unfolding outside the lair and made his way to his private quarters within the dark fortress. Once inside, he closed the door, creating a barrier between himself and the outside world.

With a sense of reverence, he closed his eyes and cleared his mind, reaching out to the mysterious presence that had guided him in his dreams.

Suddenly, the boundaries of his chamber seemed to dissolve, and Malakar found himself transported to a mysterious realm. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, and shadows danced around him. And there, before him, stood the woman in black, her presence as enigmatic and unsettling as ever.

In the surreal realm, Malakar bowed before the woman in black, his voice filled with revere "Mistress," he began, "everything is going as planned. The distraction outside proceeds just as you foresaw. Taliesin remains resilient, but your influence over his sibling has set the stage for our victory."

The woman in black regarded him with eyes that seemed to pierce through the shadows themselves. Her voice, when she spoke, carried a haunting elegance. "Excellent, Malakar," she whispered. “You have come a long since we first meet.”

Malakar's unwavering devotion to her and her cryptic designs was evident. With a humble tone, he expressed his gratitude, "I was once a broken man leading a broken order, Mistress. Until you came, our potential lay dormant. With your guidance, we have risen to heights we could never have imagined."

The woman in black regarded him with an inscrutable gaze. "Soon, Valkas will return, and all the realms will be yours to command," she assured him.

Malakar's loyalty was steadfast, but he couldn't help but inquire with humility, "My mistress, if I may be so bold to ask, I understand what I am gaining from this alliance, but what do you seek in return?"

"I seek only to inspire," she murmured, her ethereal form gliding closer to Malakar. Her fingers lightly caressed his face, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. "Now, my devoted servant, take that inspiration and use it to bring the gods to their knees," she urged in a soft, haunting whisper.

With those words, she leaned down and kissed him gently on the forehead. As her lips met his skin, a surge of dark energy coursed through him, filling him with a sense of purpose and power.

Then, as quickly as he had arrived in this mysterious realm, Malakar disappeared, leaving the woman in black to her enigmatic designs.

She unfurled her shadowy wings and took flight, soaring through the surreal landscape until she landed in a strange forest. The woman in black hid behind a towering tree, her form blending seamlessly with the shadows.

Moments later, Hera emerged from the darkness. The woman in black waited in silence for her to pass, her eyes never leaving the goddess.

When the moment was right, the woman in black moved with eerie grace, slipping behind Hera unnoticed. She leaned in close, her lips brushing against Hera's ear as she whispered her cryptic message, her voice a haunting melody in the goddess's ear.

"My sisters are too strong for you to defeat alone," she murmured. "Allow me to offer more than just inspiration. Let me... in."