Far to the north in, in the frosty town of Flamesgrace, we approach a church. Within a room there was a young woman dressed in white with long blond hair. Her name is Ophilia. A knock was heard on her door.

"Come in." She said.

A young girl in similar clothing with brown hair in a ponytail opened the door as she came in, this is Lianna. "May the Sacred Flame light your path on this fine day." She said to Ophilia as she prayed.

"And may it ever shine its warmth upon you." Ophilia said as she did the same before they happily laughed.

"How many times have we said those words? And yet, they seem to take on a whole new meaning now.." Ophilia said.

"Each day is one day closer to my departure. Perhaps I'm more nervous than I thought I was." Lianna said as she closed her eyes in deep thought.

"Lianna?" Ophilia asked.

"You needn't worry about me. I was born to make the Pilgrimage." Lianna assured as she walked up to the window. "My father did the same twenty years ago. As his daughter, I cannot let him down."

"You really are incredible, Lianna. I don't know how you do it." Ophilia said.

"What...?" Lianna asked as she turned to her.

"As the archbishop's only true born daughter, everyone always expects so much from you." Ophelia said. "And yet you never fail them. Each of your sermons is more inspiring than the last. And now, the pilgrimage… So much is placed on you alone."

"Don't be silly! I'm not alone. I have you, don't I? And everyone at the cathedral… Why, you're the one who helped me think of a topic for the last sermon, Ophilia. You even stayed up nights with me to draft it!" Lianna said.

"A willing set of years and a few pretty words, that's all I could offer you… I wish I could do something that would truly help you." Ophilia said.

"Oh, abandon such worries and come, my sister. Father is expecting us in the chapel." Lianna said.

The pilgrimage that Ophilia and Lianna were mentioning is a sacred rite. Lianna is to take a torch filled with the blue sacred flame across the realms of the land to different churches, so that the continent would be protected from the darkness. And the thirteenth god known as Galdera.

Galdera is a being of infernal magicks who fought against his twelve fellow gods and was eventually brought down by Aelfric, the Flamebringer, lord of all that is holy. Aelfric called astral fire down upon Galdera, sapping his strength...then sealed him away in the afterworld. A divine flame to chase the shadows… This is the Sacred Flame that shines down on Orsterra, bringing warmth and guidance to its people.

Ophilia followed Lianna as they saw a flame of light glow upon an alter. The Sacred Flame was as bright as it ever was, and soon, Lianna would begin her journey.

However, just as though Lianna was about to get her chance… something terrible happened.

"S-Sister Ophilia! You must come at once!" A priestess called catching her attention.

"What is it?" Ophilia said.

"It is Archbishop Josef, please come this way!" The Priestess said as Ophilia and Lianna followed her to a room where an elderly man laid in bed.

"Your excellency!/Father!" Ophilia and Lianna called out as they walked up to the bed.

"The Archbishop has sadly collapsed. But worry not, he is only resting. I feel it could possibly be an illness." A caretaker said.

"Father… why now of all times….?" Lianna asked. "Ophilia… this is too much. The Pilgrimage is soon, but I can't just leave fathers side. I may never see him again."

"Then...allow me to take the Pilgrimage." Ophilia said.

"What?! But, sister… you can't..!" Lianna said.

"But with His Excellency ill, you must stay by his side, sister." Ophilia said. "Please, allow me to carry on the Pilgrimage in your stead."

"Ophilia… I don't know what to say." Liana said.

"Say that you will stay by father's side while I carry on your duties. But first… I need to prove worthy in the Cave of Origin." Ophilia said heading out. While she headed there, she heard the most beautiful of songs.

"~Sing with me a song, of birthrights and love~" A voice sang.

"What's that sound? It's guiding me to the cave…" Ophilia said as she entered the cave as the song continued.

"~The Light scatters to the sky above. Dawn breaks through the day, white as stone, lost in thoughts, all alone~." The voice continued singing as Ophilia approached the flame inside. Then another voice came.

"I am the guardian of the first flame." It echoed. "If thou wouldst call thyself the flamebearer…. Thou must proven thyself worthy!"

The cave rumbled as a large being made of stone with a stone shield and sword rose from the ground.

"Ah!" Ophilia cried out. "I didn't come prepared for this… what should I do?!"

"Divine Streak!" A voice called out as a beam of light flew past her as it knocked the guardian back a bit as Ace ran up in Carnage Form: Urias. "Are you alright, Milady?"

"You… how did you manage to get in here? Only the followers can enter…." Ophilia stuttered.

"Me and one of my comrades guided you here." Ace said.

"That song… it was you?" Ophilia said.

"Ace! It's attacking again!" A voice called as the rest of Spirit Force ran up and readied themselves.

The guardian lumbered to the group and struck at Ophilia as she was protected by Ace.

"X, Go!" Zero said drawing his Z-Saber and charging. "Ryuenjin!" He called out executing a rising flame slash.

"Rising Fire!" X called out as he did a flame imbued uppercut.

"Ugh…" Ace said as he held his side in pain.

"Ace, hang back. Leave this hunk of rock to us." Spade said.

"Hold on. "Heal Wounds"." Ophilia said as a green light washed over him.

"Thank you." Ace said.

"Let's finish this!" X said. "Simon, finish it off with a demon after me." He said. "Melt Creeper!" He called launching a wave of flame on the ground at the guardian.

(Cue- Time for the Climax- Bayonetta)

"Here goes…!" Simon said. "AVAVAGO!"

A dark portal appeared on the wall of the cave as the massive head of Gomorrah, the devourer of the divine appeared before he chomped down on the guardian and successfully crushed it as he roared like an elephant before disappearing.

(Song end)

"Incredible…." Ophilia said.

"Are you alright?" Ace asked.

"I-I think so… thank you. I know my way around a battle, but I am still a cleric. Thank you for saving me." Ophilia said before walking up to the altar. "This...is the First Flame of Aelfric. The fire he brought down from the stars… It's so beautiful...As brilliant as the stars burning in the night sky.."

"Yes. The light it produces...it's incredible." Ace said.

"Ophilia. Thou hast been judged worthy to bearen The Sacred flame." The voice came again. "Reachen out thine hand, and taken in it Aelfric's Lanthorn."

Ophilia moved closely to the altar as she noticed a lantern next to the flame. "The Lanthorn… This must be it." She said as she picked it up and held it to the flame. The blue light was absorbed into the landthorn as it glowed brightly.

Back in Flamesgrace, after saying her parting words to her foster father, Ophilia met Lianna and Spirit Force outside the cathedral.

(Cue- Lightning's Theme- FF13)

"Ophilia…" Lianna said.

"I'm fine, Lianna. But if it wasn't for this group of individuals, I wouldn't have been deemed worthy." Ophilia said turning to Ace. "Thank you for protecting me so I could bear my sister's burden. But now I must begin the Pilgrimage."

"Wait, Milady. If you are to take this perilous journey, you may need guardians. Allow us to protect you on this trial." Ace said as he held his sword out and kneeled. "I swear by this blade that no harm shall come to you on this journey, Sister Ophilia."

Ophilia giggled. "There's no need to be so formal. I'm about as old as you." Ophilia said. "But wait… you haven't told me who you are. Can I ask for your name?"

"My name is Ace Neptune, Sister Ophilia and these are my comrades of Spirit Force." Ace said as he introduced himself and his teammates.

"It's a pleasure. Now, we must begin the journey. Our first stop is the town of Saintsbridge in the Riverlands." Ophilia said.

"Understood. We shall trek our way there." Ace said as the rest of the group followed after Ophilia while he was stopped by Lianna.

"May the Sacred Flame light your paths… and promise me no harm will come to my sister." Lianna said.

"You have my word. And may your heart be your guiding key." Ace said before he left.

And so the cleric set out on a journey never meant to be hers.

She must complete the Kindling, the holy rite carried out every 20 years to be able to return to the family she wishes to protect.

Where will this unexpected journey take her and her guardians? Only the gods may know…