As the soft morning light filtered through the window, painting the room in hues of gold and amber, Harahel stirred from her slumber. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she cast a glance towards the figure lying sound asleep beside her.

Antioch lay sprawled across the bed, his features softened in the gentle embrace of sleep. Yet, despite his divine status, his snores echoed through the room with a resonance that rivaled the rumble of thunder.

With a faint chuckle, Harahel couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the contrast between Antioch's godly stature and his very mortal habit. She reached out to gently nudge him, hoping to rouse him from his slumber.

"Antioch," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wake up. The day awaits us."

Antioch stirred at her touch, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers with a sleepy gaze. "The day can mind its own business, let’s stay in." he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"My dear God of Mischief," she replied, her tone teasing yet affectionate. " I have been here for a week, and we have barely left this room."

Antioch's lips curved into a playful smile as he pulled her closer, his touch igniting a spark of desire within her. "I could think of no better place to be for the next three months than right here," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

Harahel's heart swelled with love for the passionate god lying beside her, his presence a source of comfort and joy in her life. With a tender smile, she leaned in to meet his kiss, savoring the sweet taste of their shared affection.

As Harahel pulled away from the kiss, a mischievous glint danced in her eyes. "You sly serpent," she teased. "Always tempting me to stay when duty calls."

"What duty are you referring to?" Antioch inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"I have a mission to undertake with the rogue," she explained, her tone serious yet resolute.

A smirk danced across Antioch's lips as he considered Harahel's mission. "Those rogues can be a bad influence, you know," he half-joked. "Perhaps you should consider working with the influencers instead. It will be less dangerous.

As Harahel began to rise from the bed, a knowing glint sparkled in her eyes. "I believe you're less concerned with my safety and more interested in seeing me dressed in an influencer's regal attire," she quipped..

Antioch feigned innocence; his expression exaggerated as he shrugged playfully. "Can you blame me?" he replied with a grin. "You would look positively radiant in the finest robes and jewels."

Harahel couldn't suppress a laugh. "Well, if you promise to behave yourself while I'm gone, I might just indulge your fashion whims," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Antioch's grin widened at her words. "Oh, you have my word," he declared, his tone filled with feigned sincerity. "I'll be the very picture of propriety until you return."

Harahel chuckled at his dramatic assurances. "We shall see about that," she replied with a playful wink.

She slipped out of bed and made her way to the wardrobe. She rummaged through the array of garments, her fingers trailing over fabrics of silk and velvet until she found just what she was looking for.

Harahel chose a sleek ensemble: a black leather bodysuit adorned with intricate stitching, a flowing midnight blue cloak with silver embroidery, and a polished belt holding tools of the trade. When she finished dressing, she looked every inch the daring rogue, prepared for intrigue and adventure.

As they prepared to leave the house, Harahel tucked a loaf of bread under her arm. Antioch raised an eyebrow as he noticed the loaf, his expression one of bemusement.

"What's with the bread?" he asked, a hint of annoyance coloring his tone.

Harahel shot him a glare, lightly swatting his arm. "If you must know, it's for our friend," she replied, her voice tinged with irritation.

Antioch rolled his eyes. "If you keep feeding it, it'll never leave," he teased.

"Oh, hush," she chided. "You should try being nice for once."

With Antioch properly chastised, Harahel stepped out into the open air, whistling a soft tune that echoed through the morning sky. In response to her call, a creature soared down from the heavens, its wings outstretched in a grand arc.

The Hermits' beast landed beside Harahel with a gentle thud, its large, luminous eyes fixed on her. With a tender smile, she offered the loaf of bread to the creature, which eagerly accepted the gesture, nibbling at the bread with gentle affection.

Harahel's fingers traced over the creature's fur as she offered it gentle reassurance. "Do you miss your master?" she asked softly.

The Hermits' beast nuzzled against her hand, its eyes conveying a sense of longing and loyalty. Harahel's heart ached at the creature's silent response, a pang of sympathy coursing through her.

"I'm sure your master misses you too," she murmured, her words a comforting embrace. “But we'll take good care of you while he’s away. Even when I am not here." She continued, giving Antioch a stern look, to which he sheepishly looked away.

The Hermits' beast, having received Harahel's assurance and comfort, lifted its wings and took off into the sky, disappearing into the distance. With a lingering sense of empathy, Harahel watched it depart before turning her attention back to Antioch.

"You shouldn't get its hopes up about its master returning," Antioch remarked, his tone matter of fact.

"I know," replied Harahel, annoyance evident in her voice, "but sometimes, hope is all we have to hold on to."

Antioch contemplated Harahel's words for a moment before responding. "It might not be wise to hope for the return of Valkas," he said.

Harahel, undeterred by Antioch's caution, met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "I'm not worried," she replied with a playful smile. "I know how to handle troublesome gods." As she spoke, Harahel leaned in and pressed a tender kiss on Antioch's cheek.

Together, they made their way through the quiet streets, the morning sunlight casting long shadows across the cobblestones.

As they walked, Harahel's curiosity bubbled to the surface, prompting her to turn to Antioch with a questioning gaze.

"Antioch," she began, "how did the Hermit become Valkas without the Anti-Magic?"

A puzzled expression crossed Antioch’s features. "That is a mystery," he admitted. "The absence of the Anti-Magic should have prevented such a transformation."

Harahel's eyes widened with realization as she considered Antioch's words. "You're right," she exclaimed, a spark of insight igniting within her. "It must have been that brief time when we were all exposed to the Anti-Magic in Malakar's lair."

Antioch shook his head decisively. "No," he replied, his voice carrying a note of certainty. "The charm consumed all of the Anti-Magic. If any residual effects lingered, I would have felt it."

Harahel's suspicion lingered, her gaze narrowing slightly as she voiced her concern. "The charm you lost," she said, the hint of accusation evident in her tone.

Feigning offense to the unsaid accusation, Antioch raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he responded, his tone mockingly indignant, "would I lie to you?"

"Yes," she replied with a teasing glint in her eyes, "but I love you anyways."

 As they approached the stables, the sound of horses' whinnies greeted them, signaling the presence of their companions.

Inside the stables, the rogues were already preparing for their journey, saddling their horses and checking their gear. Harahel's gaze swept over the bustling scene, taking in the sight of her fellow adventurers as they readied themselves for the road ahead.

Antioch stepped beside her, a small, ornate pin clasped between his fingers. "Here," he said, offering the pin to Harahel. "This once belonged to a great rogue."

Harahel's interest piqued, she examined the pin with curiosity. Its intricate design spoke of a bygone era, its edges worn smooth by time and adventure. "Tell me about this rogue?" Harahel inquired.

Antioch's lips curved into a knowing smile. "A lady of mystery and intrigue," he replied cryptically.

Harahel's ears perked up at the mention of a female rogue, curiosity mingling with a hint of jealousy. "Tell me more about her," she pressed, her gaze fixed on Antioch's face.

Antioch's smile widened, but he shook his head playfully. "A gentleman never tells," he quipped.

Harahel couldn't suppress a laugh at Antioch's evasive response, though a part of her longed to unravel the mystery of the female rogue. With a playful glint in her eyes, she tucked the pin into the folds of her cloak, a silent promise to uncover its secrets in due time.

"Behave yourself while I'm gone," Harahel said with a playful smirk, though she knew full well that Antioch's mischief would likely continue unabated.

Antioch feigned innocence, his expression exaggerated as he nodded in mock agreement. "Of course, my dear," he replied with exaggerated sincerity, though the mischievous twinkle in his eyes betrayed his true intentions.

With a fond smile, Harahel leaned and kissed Antioch, the warmth of their affection lingering in the air even as she pulled away.

As she gave Antioch a final glance, Harahel mounted her horse, a sense of anticipation coursing through her veins. The other rogues were already mounted and ready to depart, their steeds pawing at the ground in eager anticipation.

With a soft command, Harahel urged her horse forward, the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats echoing through the stable as they made their way out into the open air.

As they rode out into the morning sun, Harahel felt a surge of exhilaration wash over her, the thrill of adventure beckoning her forward. With her companions by her side, she spurred her horse onward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

In the comfort of his home, Reynard was in the process of putting on his fox mask, preparing for the day. From the other room, Gadriel's voice rang out.

"Where is that altar boy?" she called out.

Reynard chuckled at Gadriel's playful jab. Adjusting the mask on his face, he called back, "Right here, Sister!

Gadriel emerged from the other room, dressed in her nun's habit, her expression initially one of surprise, then mock horror, as she took in Reynard's attire.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in feigned shock as she saw Reynard in his trickster outfit. "What in the name of Soter are you wearing, altar boy?"

"Ah, Sister Gadriel," Reynard replied with a playful twinkle in his eyes, "I thought I'd change things up a bit today.”

Gadriel shook her head in disapproval, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Change things indeed," she retorted, her tone filled with playful admonishment. "But let's not forget the sanctity of our roles, my dear altar boy. You can't be prancing around in sinful trickster outfits!"

"Ah, but Sister Gadriel," he replied, "surely a little mischief now and then keeps things interesting, does it not?"

Gadriel's expression softened into a playful smirk as she approached Reynard. "Perhaps," she conceded, "but even tricksters must face consequences for their actions. And as a sister of the order, it is my duty to administer punishment."

Reynard's eyes widened as he played along. "Oh no," he exclaimed, "please have mercy, Sister Gadriel! I promise to behave myself from now on!"

Gadriel reached out and playfully swatted at him. "Very well, my dear altar boy," she said between giggles, "consider this your warning. Now, let us proceed with our day, shall we?"

Of course, Sister, Reynard agreed, I have a busy day ahead of me. As Gadriel began to remove her nun's habit, she remarked, "My day is quite busy as well, especially now that Harahel is here. Antioch will be pretty much useless for the next three months."

Reynard, with a playful twinkle in his eyes, jokingly replied, "Well, to be fair, Antioch is not very useful even when he's not distracted."

Gadriel laughed at Reynard's remark. "Indeed, we may have made a poor choice in the god we serve," she teased.

Reynard joined in her laughter. "Ah, but you know what they say about disciples of Antioch," he said.

Gadriel grinned, recognizing the familiar phrase. "Some are influencers, some are tricksters, some are rogue, but they all are fools," they recited in unison, their voices harmonizing with shared amusement.

After their playful banter, Reynard crossed the room to where Gadriel stood, a fond smile playing on his lips. Leaning in, he placed a tender kiss on her cheek.

With one last smile, Reynard left the house, his footsteps fading into the distance as he embarked on his day.

With Reynard gone, Gadriel entered a dimly lit room in their home, the air heavy with the scent of incense. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she closed her eyes, allowing her consciousness to transcend to another realm, where she transformed into the three muses she embodied: Calliope, Erato, and Clio.

In this ethereal form, the muses soared through the boundless expanse of the celestial realm, they journeyed until they arrived at the prison that held Melpomene captive.

As Erato, Clio, and Calliope stood before Melpomene's prison, a somber silence settled over them. Erato broke the silence with a gentle inquiry.

"Where are Terpsichore and Urania?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Melpomene remained silent, her expression unreadable as she gazed into the distance. Clio pressed further, her tone tinged with urgency.

"And where is the mortal that embodies Terpsichore, Urania, and you?" she inquired,

Still, Melpomene offered no response, her silence casting a shadow over their collective spirits. Calliope then spoke with a sense of resolve.

"We will find them," she declared, her voice steady yet tinged with sorrow. "But it would be better for you to tell us, Melpomene."

Yet, Melpomene remained silent. With heavy hearts, Erato, Clio, and Calliope exchanged a knowing glance before turning away from Melpomene's prison.

Their ethereal forms shimmered with celestial light as they prepared to depart. With a final glance at Melpomene, they soared into the boundless expanse of the celestial realm, leaving her alone in her prison of darkness and despair.