The inside of the cathedral reminded Ophilia that she had to get back to the sermon that she had been told to start. She shut the door behind her carefully and began to plan out the words and how she was going to arrange them in her coming speech. Her mind was a blur, enough to make the world around her feel hazy. She was so distracted by her own thought process that she didn't even notice she wasn't alone until after a voice reached her ears.

"If I might have a moment, Sister..."

A young man with light brown hair that fell messily atop his head walked into view. His eyes were a dark brown color that shone with charisma regardless. He wore blue robes that Ophilia could only describe as being intricate and incredible. She turned to face him carefully, trying to figure out who he was. He certainly didn't dress the same way that most of the residents of Flamesgrace did, and if he was a man of the church, she would have seen him before. She would have remembered if she had seen clothing that elaborate in a place such as Flamesgrace, making the mystery behind the stranger all the more enticing to her.

Ophilia pushed her curiosity aside, and all thoughts of the sermon vanished from her mind as she took a step towards the newcomer. "Yes? Might I be of some service, my good sir?" she questioned. It seemed that her speech would have to wait until after she had settled matters with this man.

"Would you know where I might find His Excellency the Archbishop?" the man asked, his head tilting to the side gently in curiosity.

Ophilia felt her nerves stand on edge at the mention of Josef, and her concerned curiosity came back with a vengeance. "May I ask who is looking for him?" she inquired, taking her words slow and steady.

The man let out a gasp at the realization that he hadn't offered his name. "Ah! Pray forgive my lack of manners. My name is Mattias, and I'm a trader with the Leoniel Consortium," he explained.

Ophilia took a moment to comb through her memories and determine where she had heard that title before. Soon afterwards, she recognized it as a famous merchant business that spanned much of Orsterra. They were present in most corners of the land, or so Ophilia had heard, though they lacked a division in the snowy town of Flamsegrace. She chose to trust the world at large on the matter, knowing that she had more important things to focus on than asking Mattias for details about his trade.

Before Ophilia knew it, he had continued to explain, and she pushed her outside thoughts aside as soon as she could manage to focus on what he was saying. "The archbishop has generously deigned to engage in a transaction of sorts with us."

"I see. It's an honor to meet you, sir. I am Sister Ophilia," the blonde girl replied after she had gathered her bearings. She had to confess that Mattias' clothing was notably elaborate for a trader and employee, and she would have expected to see such splendid designs on those who ran such a large business rather than simply their workers. Still, Ophilia figured that such details were unimportant, and she didn't know enough about the Leoniel Consortium to question his appearance even if she wanted to.

Recognition bloomed across Mattias' face as he took a step towards her, and a carefully-crafted smile formed on his lips. "Oh, so you are Sister Ophilia! I've heard so much about you!" he cried out. "When the archbishop contacted me to request my services, he spoke much of his two daughters. I also heard that Sister Lianna will be the next Flamebearer. The realm and religion are both blessed to have such loyal servants as you and your sister. As a matter of fact, it is the reasoning to equip your sister for her forthcoming journey that the archbishop has summoned me here today."

As the pieces slid together, Ophilia nodded her understanding. "Is that so? We are much obliged for your support," she told Mattias, bowing her head to him carefully.

Mattias let out a laugh as he shook his head. "Think nothing of it, good sister! It is the duty of the faithful to serve the church as the church so tirelessly serves us," he told her. Ophilia could have sworn that she saw a flicker of upset flash through his gaze, but she chose to not ask about it. Somehow, that felt like crossing a line that she felt she had no business straying anywhere close to.

"Sister Ophilia! You must come at once!"

The overwhelming parade of footfall brought Ophilia away from her thoughts on Mattias, and he suddenly might as well have been invisible. She turned to face the opposite direction, specifically positioning her gaze towards the hallway where Josef's room could be found. That was where the voice had come from as far as she was aware, and suddenly, Ophilia's stomach was a firm knot at the core of her body. She remembered how desperately Josef had wheezed and coughed just a while before, and painful images of war appeared in her mind as she immediately jumped to the worst. Screaming always reminded her of what had taken place fifteen years prior, and even in the cathedral, safe and far from burning villages and bloody swords in the Riverlands, Ophilia still remembered too much.

A cleric with black hair stumbled into view, and Ophilia recognized the young girl as being a priestess in training by the name of Camille. Ophilia took a step closer as she watched Camille lean over, breathing heavily from exertion and panic. "Whatever is the matter?" Ophilia questioned, surprised at the sound of the words leaving her lips. It didn't feel as if she was the one speaking. As far as Ophilia was concerned, her body had started to run on its own, and she was simply along for the ride.

"Oh, Sister Ophilia, it's the archbishop... His Excellency has collapsed!" Camille cried out, the panic in her voice only becoming more evident with each passing word.

Images of fear and war flashed through Ophilia's mind once again. She forced them down along with the bile rising in her throat. "What?! I... I will come at once!" she exclaimed, once again shocked when she heard her own voice despite her direct lack of input.

Ophilia was already a few steps in the direction of the hallway when she remembered Mattias, and she turned around, her legs continuing to carry her towards Josef, albeit at a much more controlled pace. "Master Mattias, forgive me for abandoning you when you have journeyed so far, but..."

Mattias shook his head as his gaze became sharp with sympathy. "Do not spare a moment's thought for me, Sister-pray go to the archbishop's side at once!" he instructed.

Had Ophilia not been planning to leave already, his demand would have been enough to push her onwards. "I thank you for understanding, sir. Please excuse me!" Ophilia cried out. She turned on her heel and dashed after Camille, leaving Mattias alone in the entryway of the cathedral.

Mattias watched Ophilia and Camille disappear from view with an unreadable expression. He took a moment to ponder his next move before he walked towards the doors of the cathedral. Emotionless eyes were pushed out into the snow, and just a few moments later, Mattias was gone, nothing more than a memory to the clerics of Flamesgrace Cathedral.

Ophilia, meanwhile, slid to a stop in Josef's room. She could see Lianna and another cleric, one Ophilia remembered distantly was named Lyssa, were already present, both looking over the archbishop dutifully. His eyes were at half-mast, and all of a sudden, the patches of skin across his face seemed sunken and hollow. Ophilia felt as if she was going to be sick at the realization that there was a lot more wrong than she had originally anticipated. "Your Excellency!" Ophilia gasped as she made her way to his side with as much hasty grace as she could manage.

"Ophilia, please!" Lianna suddenly exclaimed, her voice hinging somewhere between desperate and sorrowful. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Please take a moment to breathe." Ophilia knew that her sister's words were directed more at Lianna herself rather than Ophilia, but this revelation did little to lessen the knot growing larger inside of her body.

Ophilia closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. When had her palms become so damp with nervous sweat? "Forgive me, Lianna. But His Excellency..."

"What His Excellency needs most now is rest. Please try not to excite him," Lyssa told the girls, her voice a calming rock for them to ground themselves against in comparison to the hurricane swirling inside and out.

Ophilia did her best to bite back her tears. "Of course. Forgive me." Water began to condense in her eyes despite her wishes, and she put all of her remaining energy into maintaining a front of relaxation.

Josef suddenly let out a small cough and looked up to the girls, his eyes unable to focus properly. "Lianna...?" he questioned.

Lianna's attention was on him immediately, and she reached out and took his hand between her own. Ophilia hated the way that she noticed how fragile Josef's fingers seemed all of a sudden. "Yes, Father?"

Josef was stumbling over his words constantly as he attempted to force out his next thought coherently. "The pilgrimage... The Sacred Flame..."

"Do not worry yourself, Father. I will perform the rite without fail just as you taught me," Lianna assured him, but Ophilia could hear the strain of anxiety beneath the surface of Lianna's words. She bit her lip to keep from showing that she was terrified.

"That is... Good to hear..." Josef said next. Somehow, his words were becoming even more distant, and Ophilia could hear little aside from the crackling of the nearby fireplace and the slamming of her own chest. She wondered if there was anything else that would ever be able to compare to such catastrophic noise.

Josef's eyes fell shut completely, and Lianna crouched by his side, one hand moving to his shoulder as she attempted to shake him back to consciousness. "Father...? Father!"

"Worry not, Sister Lianna. He is only resting," Lyssa assured the girl, allowing one hand to come down on the brown-haired cleric's shoulder carefully. Lyssa took extra cares to not frighten Lianna, but the soon-to-be Flamebearer jolted all the same.

Lianna rose to her feet carefully, nodding slowly as she attempted to process what she had heard. Ophilia reached out one hand towards the girl cautiously before forcing her fingers to retreat. "Lianna..." she whispered gently.

"Sister Lianna, are you not well?" Lyssa questioned a moment later. She moved to set her hand against Lianna's shoulder once again, and the girl grew tense under her grasp.

For a long moment, Lianna said nothing. When she finally did force herself to respond, she shook her head. "I'm fine," she declared, and Ophilia felt her heart break as soon as she realized just how much the girl's voice was trembling. Lianna took a few steps towards the door. "I think I just need some fresh air." Lianna's movements afterwards were quick and purposeful, and she vanished from the room a few moments later. The door shut behind her, and Ophilia watched as the final traces of Lianna's brown ponytail disappeared around the corner.

"Lianna..." Ophilia whispered, feeling an empty sensation in her chest that threatened to swallow her whole. She hadn't realized how suffocating the room felt until Lianna mentioned going outside, and all of a sudden, Ophilia felt as if the air itself was trying to prevent her from ever daring to draw another breath. She gave a brief glance over her shoulder toward Lyssa, and the older priestess nodded in response to show that she had given her blessing to depart. Ophilia took her leave moments later, opening and closing the door at a pace so agonizingly slow that she feared her heart was about to be torn in half.

As soon as Ophilia was free of the room's confines, she let out a sigh, feeling her tears threaten to spill onto her cheeks once again. "Oh, Lianna... I know she is trying to act strong for the others in the church... But I worry for her. I should be at her side at a time like this," she murmured to herself. Ophilia allowed her legs to carry her wordlessly out of the cathedral. She already had an idea as to where Lianna was going to be, and Ophilia wasn't about to allow her closest companion to suffer alone during such dismal times.

The outside of the cathedral brought with it a blast of cold air that grounded Ophilia back in reality. She couldn't be caught up with her thoughts of the past. She had to focus on her mission at present. Everyone at the church was counting on her. More importantly, Lianna was counting on her. Josef would want her and Lianna to support one another through such dark times. Snow fell overhead, but Ophilia barely noticed it in the tidal wave of her own emotions.

Ophilia's mind was cast back to the events of that morning as she walked silently through the streets of Flamesgrace. She recalled the way that Josef had acted so strangely nostalgic when it came to the idea of Lianna growing up and going on the Kindling. The same applied to the time that had passed since Ophilia was brought to Flamesgrace to live with him and Lianna. Could he have known this was coming? No. If he had known that he was going to collapse, he would have done something about it aside from simply reminiscing on the past. Ophilia chose to believe that Josef wouldn't simply give up on himself and grow resigned to his face when forced to confront such a dismal matter. He couldn't have known about it. She was exaggerating and allowing her fears to get the best of her. Everything was going to be fine. It had to be.

As Ophilia arrived in the square of Flamesgrace, she came to her senses and remembered her mission. She silenced her dismal thoughts and concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other above all else. The sun had retreated back behind the clouds, leaving the day shadowy and dark. Ophilia refused to think about how fitting it was that the weather had changed so suddenly, instead choosing to fix her eyes on the large hill that overlooked Flamesgrace and its companion cathedral. It could hardly be called a hill, in all honesty. Its side was covered in ruts that made it look more like a sharp cliff from the angle that she was staring at it from. The other side was an easy slope to climb with enough effort, and Ophilia let out a small sigh. Her breath created a cloud of fog in front of her face.

From her place on the ground, Ophilia could see the familiar outline of Lianna standing on top of the hill. She noticed the blowing motion of Lianna's ponytail, sealing her suspicions as true. Ophilia began to walk towards the familiar path up to the top of the hill, and the snow slid out from beneath her feet. She was careful to ensure that she didn't slip along the way, her shoes finding the firmest ground she could see at a first glance.

Ophilia found herself standing beside Lianna less than two minutes later. Her voice was shakier than expected when it left her lips, and Ophilia hated how weak she sounded to herself. "Lianna... How are you feeling?" she questioned softly.

Lianna snapped out of her daze as soon as she heard the voice behind her, and she turned with grief written all over her face. "Ophilia?" The blonde cleric could see tears in Lianna's eyes, and as soon as their gazes met, Lianna's legs gave out from beneath her, and she pressed her face into her hands as sobs choked their way free of her lungs. The wintry wind stole away the sounds from the rest of the world, but Ophilia could hear her in all too much detail.

"L-Lianna?!" Ophilia gasped. She eased herself down into the snow and curled an arm around Lianna's shoulders to make sure that the girl felt safe and comforted in her grasp. Lianna leaned against Ophilia's body, pressing her ear against Ophilia's shoulder soon afterwards. Her tears continued to flow, and all Ophilia could do was watch with hopelessness continuing to condense at her core.

"What am I to do, Ophilia?! Father... Our father is..." Lianna murmured. Before she could finish the sentence, she was cut off by another round of sobs, and she hid her face in her hands once again, almost as if she thought that this would lessen the terrible emotional pain that had come to overwhelm her so suddenly. Ophilia did her best to not make it obvious that she had noted the way that Liana said 'our father' when referring to Josef, and she forced the thought out of her mind as soon as she recognized that it was present.

"Thinking about what might happen makes me feel so scared, so angry that I... I feel like my heart might just burst!" Lianna continued to cry. She let out a gasp of a sob before forcing herself onwards. "But if I fall to pieces now, everyone will lose hope. I must be strong. And soon I must depart on the pilgrimage. The rite cannot be put off any longer-there are centuries of tradition we must obey. But... Leaving Father behind, without even knowing if I'll ever... Ever see him again..." Lianna fell silent, the thought too dreadful for her to put words to. Tears continued to streak down her face, discoloring the snow when they touched the ground below.

Ophilia wrapped her other arm around Lianna's shoulders and pulled the other girl in close. "Don't despair, Lianna. We are together in this. We will find a way," Ophilia assured her. She tried to force herself to believe the words as much as it seemed she did on the surface. Her stomach was still a tight knot that she didn't even know where to begin as far as untying it was concerned. She repeated the words of hope as many times as she could, noting them down as if they were penned in blood. She had to remember her strength and optimism for the sake of Lianna. If her sister was falling to pieces, then Ophilia had to act as her pillar. That was what Lianna, what everyone, needed, and Ophilia refused to let the church down after everything its people had done for her during her hour of desperate need fifteen years prior.

"Ophilia..." Lianna whispered, her voice cracking halfway through the word. She glanced up to her companion with something resembling bitter fear mixed with a wish for optimism. She tried to rub at her own tears, but the liquid had replaced itself only a few moments later.

Ophilia took Lianna's hands between her own, and the two girls watched one another carefully. "I'm going to be here for you no matter what. You did so much to help me when we were children. It's the least I can do to repay the favor," Ophilia told her. She wiped at Lianna's tears with an absentminded finger before taking her sister's hands once more.

Lianna fell silent, and Ophilia closed her eyes. A curtain of gentle reminiscence closed in around them, and the city of Flamesgrace disappeared. The snow overhead seemed to still in its gentle cascade, and for but a few moments, neither Ophilia nor Lianna was in the town or atop the hill at all. The flow of time took them elsewhere, and all they could do was allow it to influence them.

Fifteen years prior, Ophilia and Lianna had been five years old. It was on a day similar to the present one that they first met one another. The two had been standing together in the archbishop's room, and the fireplace's gentle crackle seemed to drown out the rest of the world. Ophilia could still remember the sensation of Josef's robes between her fingers as she gripped firmly at his clothing. It was the only thing keeping her from completely falling apart under the weight of everything that had happened.

It had only been a few weeks since the downfall of Creek and the death of Ophilia's parents. She could still remember the way that she screamed and cried amidst dreadful flames as her tiny palms shook her mother's body. The wound across her chest was grievous and had claimed her life. Ophilia had been picking blood out from beneath her nails for hours as she whimpered and sobbed in what was left of Creek. Nobody was around to save her, but Ophilia prayed to the Flame for help regardless.

That was when Josef appeared. He had heard whispers of the war, and he arrived to visit his old companions only to find that they were gone. Upon visiting the home of his deceased friends, Josef found Ophilia curled up in the corner of her room, crying noisily with blood staining her skin. Josef had reached out to her carefully and introduced himself. Ophilia, after some hesitation, allowed him to grow close. She couldn't remember the details, just that she found him trustworthy. Josef told her that he would do everything in his power to defend her from the rest of the world, and she allowed herself to be taken in by his promises. Josef began to take her back to Flamesgrace, and she followed him dutifully. The whole way back, she refused to say a word.

The journey itself was little more than a blur that Ophilia could barely remember after all that she had been through, but she could still recall her first encounter with Lianna clearly. She had been terrified even after hearing countless stories of Lianna from Josef during their quest back to Flamesgrace. Josef told Ophilia that Lianna had lost her mother as well, and their family had struggled but ultimately survived. His wife had perished of illness when Lianna was a mere two years old, he said, and Lianna was terribly lonely thanks to his duties. She and Ophilia would get along perfectly, Josef claimed, and they would be able to spend as much time together as they pleased.

"Do not despair, Ophilia," Josef had said. "From today, we are your family." He wrapped a hand gently around her body, placing his hand between her shoulder blades. She was instantly comforted by the gesture and could remember it even years later. He gestured to Lianna with his other hand. "This is Lianna, my daughter. Your new sister."

Lianna had taken a step forward, but Ophilia retreated out of fear. Lianna prattled on despite her nerves. "My name's Lianna. It's nice to meet you." Lianna reached out one hand, but Ophilia hid behind Josef even more. Lianna's eyes were overcome with sadness from the rejection. "What's the matter with her?"

"Lianna, I'm afraid that Ophilia has gone through something very sad," Josef replied. "So let us see her cheered once more. Together, in the light of the Sacred Flame, we will find happiness."

Lianna nodded with a bright smile. "Yes, Father! I'll be the best sister ever, Ophilia!" she exclaimed.

Ophilia's long record of silence lasted despite Lianna's vow. She hadn't spoken since before her parents passed away, and she was almost starting to forget how to talk. Lianna had kept trying though, and in the end, it was only by Lianna's hand that Ophilia learned how to believe again.

Lianna knocked on Ophilia's door a few days after the latter arrived at the cathedral. "Hey, Phili? Don't you want to go outside?" As usual, Ophilia responded with silence, but Lianna refused to be deterred. "Hm... Oh! I know!"

Lianna surged forward with all the determination in the world and intertwined her fingers with Ophilia's, not giving the other girl a glance when she responded with shock. "There's someplace I just have to take you!" Lianna exclaimed. Ophilia tilted her head to the side in confusion, but Lianna continued to pull her along anyways. Lianna boldly led Ophilia out of the cathedral and through the town towards the snowy hill. Ophilia remembered that the town had been notably empty that day, making it seem as if she and Lianna were the only people in the world.

After the two girls arrived at the base of the hill, Lianna grinned and pointed to the top of the peak. "This way! Up here!" She dashed towards the hill, and Ophilia was left with no other choice but to trail after her with silent confusion written across her face. Back then, the journey had felt much longer due to how small their legs were, only making the sense of adventure even greater.

They were almost to the top when Lianna reclaimed Ophilia's hand. "It's just a little farther! We're nearly there!" she exclaimed.

After a few more minutes of walking, Lianna stopped at the top of the hill. Snowflakes drifted gently all around them, and flowers native to the Frostlands bloomed beneath their feet. Both girls were careful to keep from toppling the petals upon arrival. "Here we are!" Lianna declared confidently.

Ophilia stepped near the edge of the hill, her blonde hair blowing every which way in the wind. She looked down at the cathedral with wonder reflected in her gentle blue eyes. "What is this place?" Ophilia questioned, surprised at the sound of her own voice after she had gone so long without speaking.

"It's my favorite place in all the world!" Lianna proclaimed. "Maybe it could become your favorite place too."

Ophilia took another step forward. "It's... It's beautiful..." she whispered, her voice hoarse after her lengthy silence.

Lianna's face had broken out into a radiant smile. "Isn't it? That's why I love it here!" she cried out. Her gaze drifted to the ground, and Lianna leaned down before looking at the flowers in detail. She picked the largest one that she could find before pressing it into Ophilia's hand. "Here, Phili! This is for you!"

Ophilia accepted the flower silently and looked down at it. She couldn't even begin to thank Lianna for how kind she had been, and words failed her when she needed them most. Before she knew it, a sob left her lips, and tears began to streak down her cheeks, stinging her skin in the frozen air.

"Phili... Are you crying?" Lianna asked softly, her voice showing that she feared she had done something wrong. She reached out to take the flower back, almost as if she thought it would fix the problem.

Instead, Ophilia threw her arms around Lianna. At first, Lianna was too shocked to respond, but she returned the gesture after a few moments of silence. She smiled and let out a laugh, her breath tickling Ophilia's ear. "We're going to be the best of sisters, Phili! I just know it!" she cried out confidently.

Ophilia sniffled and rubbed at her eyes with one small hand. "I... I'd like that too, Lianna..." For the first time in so long, Ophilia felt joy, and she realized that she was going to be alright. She had feared her fate was sorrow until the day that she joined her parents in the afterlife, but Lianna had shown her otherwise. She had been freed from the dark cloud of her own grief, and at long last, Ophilia had started living again.

It was on the same hill where Ophilia's lungs breathed with new life fifteen years prior that she sat with Lianna in present times. Lianna watched Ophilia for a long moment, clearly having been lost in the memory as well. Ophilia smiled gently in return, and Lianna reached up to her face, rubbing away her tears with the heel of her hand.

"I'm sorry for running off like that... I will return to Father's side and stay with him as long as I can," Lianna told Ophilia. "I may be leaving to start the pilgrimage soon, but... I want to make the most of the time that we have left together... Especially considering that... It might be..."

Ophilia shook her head to keep Lianna from saying that it would be the last time she saw Josef. "Focus on right now. Pray do that, Lianna. He will rest all the easier knowing you are with him," Ophilia told her. She got to her feet and helped Lianna to rise as well.

Lianna nodded wordlessly and let out a small sigh, trying to hide how shaky she was from her earlier explosion of tears. She started down the hill soon afterwards, leaving Ophilia alone at the apex of Flamesgrace. She closed her eyes and thought back on all that had happened so quickly. Lianna was being forced to shoulder so much for the sake of the church. Her responsibilities had deprived her of so much, and all Ophilia could do was stand by her side and watch.

The Kindling was counting on Lianna. Ophilia was next to nothing to the church in comparison to Lianna, an outsider rather than the blood child of the archbishop's bloodline. Lianna's family had completed the Kindling for centuries, and it wouldn't do for such a tradition to be shattered so suddenly. Still, Ophilia didn't think that Lianna would have been able to live with herself if she was forced to go on the Kindling while her father was in such a state.

"I wish there was more I could do for you," Ophilia whispered as she sat down on the snow once again. Tears appeared in her eyes, and her own fears overwhelmed her as she began to cry silently into her black gloves.

If only I could help you.

I didn't think I would be typing so much of this story today, but here we are.

Today, Triangle Strategy was announced. I've already played part of the demo, and I have to say that I'm in love with it already. Since it's the Octopath sequel that we've been waiting for all this time, I felt like it was only fitting that I updated this story to honor that. Here we are with the halfway mark of Ophilia's first chapter! Woohoo!

Writing Ophilia has been a lot of fun for me, let me tell you. Next chapter is going to break free of the canon dialogue a little bit so that I can do some building up for important stuff, but I'm hoping that it will still mesh well with everything else. Ophilia really is a sweetheart, and she deserves better than to have an inferiority complex like this. She deserves the world and more, no questions asked.

I'm going to leave this author's note off here since I'm going to sleep soon. It's, uh, two-thirty in the morning where I live. Oops? Time for me to crash. I'll see you all next time with the third part of Ophilia's chapter one! Until then, I hope you enjoyed!

-Digital