The morning sun had barely risen over the hills when the cousins arrived at their next destination—Delphi, the sacred home of the Oracle. The crisp air carried a hint of the sea, and the sky above was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds. The cousins had traveled all night, their bodies tired but their spirits high after retrieving the Chalice of Hera.
The landscape around them was breathtaking. Towering mountains surrounded the valley of Delphi, their rugged peaks reaching up to the heavens. Cypress trees dotted the hillsides, their dark green needles contrasting with the pale stone of the contrasting with the pale stone of the ancient ruins. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, a mixture of rocky paths and grassy patches where wildflowers bloomed in bursts of color.
Freya pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders as she looked up at the towering columns of the Temple of Apollo. The temple had once been magnificent, with gleaming white marble and gold accents, but now it was a ruin—a shadow of its former glory. Still, the power of the place was undeniable. The air thrummed with ancient magic, and Freya could feel it humming beneath her skin.
"Delphi," Peyton whispered in awe as they approached the entrance to the temple. "The center of the world, according to the Greeks."
Tobias snorted. "You mean the center of their world. If you ask me, it's just a bunch of rocks and ruins."
Oaklynn shot him a look. "Don't be so dismissive, Tobias. This place is sacred. The Oracle here was known to speak the words of the gods themselves. We're not dealing with just any ruins."
Marley, who had been trailing behind the group, stepped forward with a thoughtful expression. "Grandmother told us that the Oracle's prophecies were always vague—open to interpretation. We should be careful how we ask our questions."
Freya nodded. "Right. We can't afford to be careless. The Oracle might be able to help us, but we have to be smart about it."
They walked up the worn stone steps that led to the inner sanctum of the temple. Inside, the space was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the ceiling. The air was thick with incense, and the scent of burning herbs filled their lungs.
At the far end of the chamber, seated on a low platform, was the Oracle. She was an elderly woman, her face lined with age, her eyes clouded and distant. She wore a simple robe of white linen, and around her neck hung a necklace of polished stones that caught the light as she shifted.
The cousins approached cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the quiet chamber. The Oracle's gaze didn't seem to focus on any of them directly, but there was an intensity to her presence that made Freya feel as if the old woman could see straight through her.
"Seekers of truth," the Oracle intoned in a voice that was surprisingly strong for her frail appearance. "You come seeking answers… but beware. The truth you seek may not be the truth you desire."
Peyton stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her. "We seek guidance, wise Oracle. We are on a quest to prevent a great evil from befalling our world. We've already retrieved the Chalice of Hera, but we don't know how to use it."
The Oracle's lips curled into a faint smile. "Ah, the Chalice… a vessel of power, forged in the fires of divine will. But power is a dangerous thing, young witch. It does not bend to your will so easily."
Freya felt a knot of unease form in her stomach. "What do we need to do? How do we use the Chalice to protect our world?"
The Oracle's smile faded, replaced by a look of sorrow. "The path you walk is fraught with peril. The Chalice will help you, yes… but it is only one piece of the puzzle. You must seek the other artifacts—gifts of the gods themselves. Only when they are united will you have the strength to face what is to come."
Tobias frowned. "Other artifacts? What do you mean? We've got the Chalice, but how many more things do we need to collect?"
The Oracle's eyes seemed to flicker with a strange light as she spoke her next words. "Three more. The Helmet of Athena, the Shield of Ares, and the Spear of Artemis. Each one is hidden, protected by those who would see it remain lost forever. You must be clever, brave, and strong… for the gods do not give up their treasures easily."
Marley shifted uncomfortably. "And where do we find these artifacts? Can you tell us where to start?"
The Oracle's gaze turned distant again, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Athens… Sparta… Crete… each holds a piece of the puzzle. But beware, children of magic. The gods are watching, and not all of them wish you well."
With that, the Oracle fell silent, her head bowing as if in prayer. The cousins exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of her words settling heavily upon them.
Freya swallowed hard, trying to push Athens, Sparta, and Crete… three more artifacts. We'll have to split up to cover more ground."
Peyton nodded in agreement. "But we'll have to be careful. If the gods don't want us to find these artifacts, then they'll do everything in their power to stop us."
Oaklynn sighed. "Well, that's comforting."
Tobias grinned, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least we've got a clue now. And besides, what's the worst that could happen? We're witches, right? We can handle whatever they throw at us."
Marley wasn't as optimistic. "Let's hope so, Tobias. Let's hope so."
With their next steps decided, the cousins left the temple, their minds racing with possibilities. The morning light was brighter now, casting long shadows across the ancient ruins as they made their way back down the mountain path. The air felt heavy with the weight of their new mission, but there was also a flicker of hope in the distance—a sense that, perhaps, they were finally on the right track.
But none of them could shake the feeling that the Oracle's warning would come to pass sooner than they expected. And as they walked away from Delphi, the cousins couldn't help but wonder which gods were watching… and which of them would try to stop them.