Eight Intertwined

188 - Peace

Ophilia introduced Lianna to the travelers as the group took a formal tour through Flamesgrace. Along the way, Ophilia pointed out all sorts of locations from her years growing up in the town, and Lianna listened intently to the tales of everything the travelers had gotten up to in the last few months. Her eyes practically popped out of her skull at the mention of the gods' shrines, and she spent the next few minutes studying each godly weapon from afar. Lianna's shock was palpable when Ophilia mentioned what had happened in Quarrycrest, and that was barely at the halfway point of everything the group had to get through. By the time the explanation was over, Lianna looked thoroughly proud and awestruck. Ophilia couldn't help but feel the same way; if she had been in Lianna's position, she no doubt would have reacted identically. 

But even beyond that, Ophilia couldn't help but love thinking about how much she had changed over the course of her journey. Lianna was right; Ophilia wasn't the same person she had been whe she left Flamesgrace. The Kindling hadn't just been a journey for her faith. Instead, it was the guiding light that gave Ophilia hope for the future unlike anything she had ever felt before. The last time Ophilia had been in Flamesgrace had been before she set out on her journey. The Ophilia of all those months ago wouldn't have recognized herself now, and Ophilia was proud to be able to look her reflection in the eyes and say that she had changed. She couldn't have asked for anything sweeter. 

"I never would have imagined so much would happen when you first left Flamesgrace," Lianna admitted. "You've been through so much in the last few months, and... It's just astounding to hear about."

"It's certainly been an adventure," Ophilia admitted with a light laugh. "But I wouldn't trade it for the world." She paused at that, and the cold air of Flamesgrace seemed to rush in all around her at once. Would she have done things differently? If she had known that she would never see Josef again without moving quickly on the Kindling, would she have still chosen to go down the same path she had?

No... Ophilia couldn't think like that. No matter how much or how little she regretted her decision, the fact of the matter was what she couldn't change it now. She had made her choice, and she had to live with it. Ophilia had known there was a chance this would happen when she first left Flamesgrace, and she had agreed to it for her sister's sake. The circumstances behind her journey may have been tragic, but Ophilia was glad she had been given this chance. She loved the travelers more than words could ever hope to convey, and she would never regret the time she had spent with them. 

"I can tell," Lianna remarked with a soft smile. "I was worried you would struggle on the Kindling, but I'm glad to see I was concerned for nothing. You're doing great, Phili... And one day, when you and your friends don't have as many other things to do, you should come back here for a while longer. There's only so much Flamesgrace can show you in one afternoon."

"I would be honored to return here one day," Olberic chimed in with a smile. "Were it not for the threats people like Werner and Lucia pose, I would suggest that we stay here for a while longer."

"But you have other things to do. I know that," Lianna assured him. "And... I have other things to do too. I really do need to see the rest of the world for myself. If what happened in Wispermill has taught me anything... It's that there's a lot I don't understand about the world yet. But I'm going to get there one day. I just need to give it time." After a moment of silence, Lianna's face broke out in a smile. "When we have more time, I would love to hear about what it was like to face the gods in combat."

"It was incredible!" Tressa cried out. "The gods are really powerful fighters, as I'm sure you can imagine, but we were able to hold our own." After a momentary pause, she shrugged. "Well, most of them were holding back, but if we were able to take out Winnehild, I'm convinced we would be able to take out anyone."