//Edit 26/02/2021: Spelling mistakes fixed + text formatting + changed some dialogues

~Travis's POV~

Ophilia is so nice with me...

She had saved my life, protected me from the cold, healed me of my injuries, gently discussed with me, provided me a meal, and most importantly, she kept me warm...

Thanks to her kindness, all my body was kept warm, even my heart.

Yeah, there was such a heat maintained right in my heart, as it was strongly burning for this pretty girl.

"..."

We both continued to hug each other, by closing our eyes and with a smile on our faces. We were embracing tightly each other, my small arms tightened around her neck, and her long-gloved arms around my small body.

My head was pressed against her left shoulder, my cheek against her neck, and the left side of my mid long hair was pressed against her sweet cheek.

I could feel her blond straight hair, which were so soft and smooth as well, with my arms while I was tightening them around her neck, and some of them were softly matted with my dark brown hair. Her beautiful hair was so cleaned, so soft, just like mine now...

She continued to cuddle me tight, but not too tight, just tight enough to keep me warm, to make sure I couldn't leave her.

I was pretty sure she really enjoyed to hug me, that she wouldn't stop the hug, but I didn't want to break the hug as well.

During the hug, she brought a leather gloved hand on the back of my head, making me relaxed by the smooth caress.

"..."

'This is nice...'

Her hug was so reassuring: there was so much kindness and so much love in her embrace.

I smiled softly and I hugged her slightly tighter, making sure the cuddle could last longer again.

In reality, I deeply wanted that hug to last forever. So warm, so soft, so reassuring... so many things that I never felt before. Even if was much smaller than her, the hug was so warm because she just had crouched on her knees to be at my level and hug me easier.

My torso was pressed against her chest, her soft chest covered by her warm whited dress, making my small body kept warm.

During the hug, I could also hear the sound of my heart, beating like a drum.

Ba bum ! Ba bum !

My heart was beating fast not only because I loved the hug, but also because the girl I loved hugged me tight and was so close.

I still blushed slightly, but I was also happy to be with her. I didn't care if I was too young for her, I was deeply in love with her. And the more I stayed with her, the less I was shy.

I was only shy because I wasn't watching at her pretty face, but if I do, I could be really shy because she was so pretty and so cute that it's could be really difficult for me to watch her beautiful face during a long time.

She was so kind with me, so pretty as well... I wanted to stay with her.

I was so grateful for her kindness with me that I wanted to follow her everywhere: I didn't think she could do everything for me, so I wanted to help her as well, I wanted to do a lot of things for her, to be helpful and kind only to make her happy, with just her kindness and her love in return.

Seriously, she was such a true angel, because I wanted her to take me under her wing, and I also wanted to make her happy, because this is what we do with our lover.

'... Therion...'

'I wonder where he might be...'

However, I have to remember I made a promise with Therion: I couldn't stay here forever, but I wanted to. The problem is that I wanted also to find Therion, and I couldn't do both at the same time.

I wondered how he could react if he met Ophilia, maybe he will find her beautiful as well !

Me too, I was a thief, but I didn't want to steal something at her, something present in that cathedral, because she was so nice with me, and I didn't want to disappoint her after she lovely took care of me.

With her, I was as gentle as a lamb.

Anyway, I didn't know really where I landed, I wanted to understand where was located that's Flamegraces place.

After 2 minutes of cuddle, while it's just like I was cuddling her for a few hours, I whispered at her ear, without breaking the hug.

"Ophilia ? "

"Yes, Travis ?", she nicely whispered to me with her smooth voice, without stopping the warm embrace.

"I have never heard about that cathedral, and neither of that town... Can you tell me where it is ?"

"Of course", she calmly told me as she added. "I guess that you must be quite lost since you arrived here, right ?"

I nodded quietly.

She then slowly removed her arms wrapped around me, stopping calmly the cuddle we were making, as I also removed my arms from around her neck and backed away a little, waiting for an answer.

Still bending down at my level, she was facing me.

I blushed slowly, watching at her in the eyes when she questioned me.

"Did you know why it snows a lot outside ?"

"No, why ?""It's because we are actually in a region where it's snowing almost everytime, where a large white coat of snow covers gracefully plains, mountains and houses...", she was lost in her thoughts, while she imagined the picture in her mind, smiling. "You are in a region called Frostlands."

"Frostlands ? Does that means we get frozen here ?", I asked her innocently.

She just giggled a bit.

"We can say that ! It's right it is very cold here, but it's because it's located in the north of Orsterra. However, it's such a beautiful region with his snowy landscapes and even flowers grow on the snowy ground !", she explained to me.

She really enjoyed our conversation: every time I asked her a question, she had really taken a pleasure to answer it, and I didn't expect that I won't bother her at all with all those questions.

I wanted also to discover how beautiful were those landscapes she was talking about, and I was slightly surprised when I learned there were flowers despite it was the winter in that region.

However, I was still confused about all those places' names: Orsterra, Frostlands, Cliftlands... I didn't think I will remember all these places, as I started to forget the name of one or two.

But I was too interested by how the land looked like.

"Errr... I think I'm pretty lost about that all these places in that Orsterra... Could you explain them to me if that doesn't bother you ?", I asked her shyly, my face blushing and my arms behind my back.

"Of course ! I don't see any problem !", she answered me kindly.

"!!!..."

She was so positive, always with a smile on her face, that I continued to blush at her.

Really, I loved everything with her: her beauty, her kindness, her smile, her skills... I thought she was the nicest person in the world !

Indeed, I'm sure she also liked me, that I was curious and... adorable for her !

As I continued to blush, I was wondering how she could explain me how Orsterra looked like.

I watched at her, her gloved finger on her mouth, while her brown eyes were looking upside, just like she was thinking about something.

"Mmmhhhh... Where did I stow it ?", she asked herself, thinking about something when she had an idea. "I might know where it is !"

She suddenly stood up on her feet, as I noticed they were covered by a pair of black feminine leather boots.

She was fully standing up, as she looked twice taller than me, but it was normal that I was smaller than her because I was a 6 years old child. My height was still slightly smaller than her legs.

I could say she was slightly smaller than Therion, slightly smaller than the majority of women I met.

She walked towards the door, opening it wider, before telling me nicely.

"Wait for me, please. I won't be long."

She then slowly closed the door, and I could hear her footprints going in the left direction.

I was wondering where she was going, and what she wanted to do. Was it something related with that's Orsterra country ? I tried to imagine what she was looking for, but I don't have any idea at all about what she will bring to me.

I went to my bed and I sat down on the warm red blanket, on the side, as I seem pensive. The bed was tall enough that when I sit down on the side, my feet weren't touching the ground anymore.

I wanted to meditate about everything that's happened to me: first, I played that game called "Octopath Traveler", with this big gameboy.

What was his name again ? Oh yeah, a Nintendo Switch.

I just remembered I wanted to play that game, me who always desired this little machine just to pass the time when I was lonely.

I remembered his beautiful graphics, I remembered his beautiful music, but I mostly remembered those little cute characters walking in the screen, and... Therion was one of those characters.

Though, if I had met him in real, if I landed in one of those desertic landscapes... was I really in the game ? How did I enter in that game ?

There was no door... so how ?!

All I could remember is that I had the feeling to be electrocuted and I've found myself in a sort of vortex or something like that.

Indeed, when I've fallen in the precipice, how did I land in that snowy hill ?! Why I haven't died instead ?!

How could I be in a very hot place, and then in a very cold one in only a few minutes ?!

Also... if all places I visited, even that cathedral, were in the video game, if all people I met were video game's characters... does that means Ophilia was also a character from the game ?!

Does that mean I was in love with a videogame character ?!

And was that guy with the yellow helmet I saw in the desert one as well ?! If yes... why he wasn't dressed like everyone else ?!

Even Ophilia, who looked like a princess, and all those weird persons from that Church were dressed like people who lived during the Middle Age...

However, even if I was in a video game, it was still looking like the real world...

It wasn't pixelized at all, all was real: peoples, houses, birds, apples, water... all was real ! Furthermore, I could do everything: breathing, moving my body, walking, running, drinking, eating, closing my eyes, sleeping, and even talking with people !

It's just like I wasn't in a game at all, where finally, people like Ophilia or Therion were so nice with me !

Talking about Therion, I wanted to find him quickly...

The problem is that I didn't want to leave Ophilia, because I asked her if I could stay with her, and she totally agreed ! But Therion missed me so much as well, and I really wanted to join him !

To be honest... I didn't know what to do.

As I continued to think about it, I just heard again the door opening.

"I've found it !"

It was Ophilia. She was finally back, and I wasn't thinking about Therion anymore after I heard her soft-spoken voice.

I noticed she didn't come back empty-handed: she was carrying something with her both gloved arms.

I thought first it was a pipe, but in reality, it's looked like a roll.

Yeah, it was a long roll of paper: it looked old and fragile, and it was coloured in beige.

"What is that ?", I asked.

"It's a map."

"A map ?"

"Yes. I'll show you.", she said with her smooth voice.

Ophilia noticed I was sitting on the side of my bed, waiting wisely for her.

She approached me and she sat down on the bed right next to me, at my right, as I blushed when she was suddenly so close to me and my heart was beating faster.

Ba bum ! Ba bum !

I watched at her: her face seen from side view looked still pretty, her hair was perfectly flowing, and the skin of her face looked smooth, so smooth that I wanted to rub my cheek against hers.

I observed her dress which seemed so warm that I dreamed to lay my head against her hip... Though, that wouldn't be polite at, and I was more interested by the strange map she wanted to show me.

She rolled it out, as I started to watch its content.

It was a map of a large size, even bigger than me, which Ophilia was holding by the two edges.

She put it on her lap, allowing me to watch it as she nicely told me.

"What you see is the map of the land of Orsterra."

"Oooh..."

I was so amazed: even if it wasn't coloured, this map looked so beautiful, so well-drawn !

The land of Orsterra looked so vast, with so many places to go: mountains, forests, and even seas ! Me who wanted absolutely to travel around the world, now I was served !

There were mountains drawn like triangles in the right and bottom corner, I recognized a forest with the trees drawn in the middle. There were two oceans at the right and at the left thanks to the drawn waves and the drawings of boats and sea monsters.

Indeed, a few words were written on the map to show some places names.

Me, I found this map so beautiful and artistic ! What a masterpiece !

I've also noticed some areas were delimited by traits, and there was such a weird thing in the left and upper corner.

"What is that thing ?", I asked at Ophilia while pointing my index at the unknown object.

"This ? It's a compass, a small instrument which is useful to navigate and to orient ourselves in the world.", she explained me calmly when then pointed her leather gloved finger on each arrow. "This is the north, there the south, at the right the east, and finally the west."

I think I had already heard those words somewhere, but I had never really understood their meanings until now.

"And us ? Where are we in the map ?"

Ophilia smiled again before she put her gloved finger in the middle area of the map, where I spotted a few mountains drawn.

"Here, we are, at Flamegraces, in the Frostlands region."

'So, these are the Frostlands...'

Like outside, the region was drawn with a lot of snow everywhere.

I let Ophilia continuing.

"The land of Orsterra is divided in 8 regions, depending on their landscapes and their environment.", she made a circle with her finger surrounding the middle of the map, where an ocean was located.

'8 regions ?!'

I immediately became curious.

"Could you please tell me the names of the others ones?", I slowly asked her.

"Yes, of course !"

While she held the map again, she pointed her finger in the north area where I was actually.

"As you know already, this is the Frostlands region, a snowy area.", she explained to me.

Her voice was so smooth that I thought I was lulled to sleep and I could lean onto her.

However, I managed to keep listening to her as she put her finger on the left.

"At the west of the Frostlands, there are the Woodlands, a region situated in a large forest where the citizens live harmoniously with the nature."

I've already heard about that region: it was Therion who explained this to me.

But I was amazed there was such a region with only woods: I wanted to know how a forest looked like, and the only landscaped I've known before I went in that game was only a street.

"Amazing... Are they animals living her ?", I asked her, interested by this region.

She nodded to me

"We can find mall animals like squirrels or foxes live in the luxury forest... but this is also the home of many wild beasts who live mostly in the dark woods."

"!!!..."

The last part of her sentence made me shivering: scary monsters living in those woods creeped me out, even if she explained me with her soft-spoken voice.

Ophilia continued.

"At the south of the Woodlands, there is a rocky area set upon a high cliff. We called it the..."

"...Cliftlands ?", I interrupted her.

She smiled.

"Yes, exactly. How do you know the name of that region ?"

"Well...", I scratched the back of my head.

I knew that region: it must be here where I landed after trying to play the game, and it was the region where I met Therion.

He told me already the name of that area, and I knew there were landscapes of mountains and a cliff. But the most important thing that reassured me, is that Cliftlands weren't too far from the Frostlands region.

That could mean Therion wasn't so far and that I could join him !

"..."

However, Ophilia was concerned about why I knew that region. I observed even if the Cliftlands and the Frostlands weren't too far, there must be a very long march to do.

Indeed, if I told her that I came from that region, she might be very worried about me, that she thought I came all the way down here, even if the real reason why I landed in the Frostlands was mysterious.

"Err... I just know it..."

I didn't want to bother her, so I lied.

"I see. You must know a bit about some regions.", she smiled while watching at me peacefully.

"Y-yes !...", I blushed a bit.

Then, Ophilia looked at the map and moved her gloved finger on another area.

"Far south, there are the Riverlands: as the name implies, there are refreshing rivers passing through the area, with a few waterfalls, and the area is also covered by large areas of grass."

"Waterfalls ?"

"That's right: we say that this regions contains the most beautiful one, and one say that the highest waterfall could reach 500 meters."

"!!!..."

500 meters ?! That's unbelievable !

As I started to imagine in my mind how the region must look like, she showed me the remaining regions.

"The Sunlands, which is a vast desert of very hot sand, the Highlands, a region set on a high mountain range, there the Coastlands, situated at the coasts, right next to the sea."

This last region caught my eyes.

"Next to the sea ?! So awesome ! I want to see the sea one day !", I told her happily, as she seems to like my amazement.

I looked the part of the map where there was a vast ocean, but I noticed some sea monsters drawn on the map.

One of them was a black giant fish with a long mustache.

"Wait... Is there a giant fish right there ?", I asked Ophilia, pointing her with my finger the drawing.

"No, don't worry... It's just a drawing to make it prettier.", she reassured m

On the map, a particular area caught my eye.

"Oh... and what is that region, Ophilia ?", I asked her calmly, pointing my finger at the unknown region.

"This region ? There are the Flatlands."

I've found weird that name.

"What a weird name... Are people living in flat houses here ?"

She just laughed a bit, with a soft smile.

"Not at all ! We called it like this because it is an area with large plains of green grass."

"Ah, ok...", I said.

She then put her gloved finger on the called region, on a place where castle and houses were drawn.

"And this place, this is the beautiful town of Atlasdam, the city-state of the kingdom."

So, this is an important city ? In a kingdom ?

"Does the king lives there ?", I asked her again.

"Of course. The royal family settled here since a very long time. But this city also brings together the best scholars in the world."

"What's a scholar ?"

"A scholar is a very smart person who makes studies and many researches. They permitted us to get informed, as they transmit us their last knowledges, like in this map."

I watched again at the entire map: there were really beautiful and detailed drawings.

It's must be one of those scholars who had drawn them, and he really had good handwriting by seeing the words written in the map. It was such a precious thing that they had brought to us...

Anyway, I wanted to know more about all those cities, about all these regions. I wanted her to explain me, with her soft-spoken voice which makes me feeling good, more details about those landscapes.

Talking about cities, I remembered that place... What it was called, already ?...

Oh yeah, Noblecourt !

Me and Therion have to go at that place where that butler told us the red dragonstone must be there. It's could be useful to know its location on the map !

So, I asked Ophilia.

"I heard there was a city called Noblecourt... Where it is ?"

"Noblecourt ? It's just not so far from Atlasdam, at the north east, right there."

She pointed her finger one a place on the map where I spotted trees and small castles.

'So, that was the place I had to go with Therion...'

'The dragonstone must be kept there !...'

Anyway, it was so fun for me to learn more about these places ! I really enjoyed how Ophilia explained me about those regions. Now, I wasn't feeling lost anymore thanks to her.

Really, all these places look amazing ! I wanted to see those landscapes, I wanted to go in a forest, in a mountain, or even at the seaside !

I was feeling excited while Ophilia told me something.

"I see that you must really enjoy to learn much about the world, Travis."

"Y-yes !... That's true.", I answered calmly, feeling dreamy when I continued. "There so many wonderful places I want to go. My dream, you know, it's to explore the world. I've always dreamed to travel, discover new animals, and see beautiful landscapes. Really, I would like so bad to visit all the country !"

I smiled peacefully at her, showing her how much I wanted to fulfil my dream when she smiled back to me, watching me with her pretty brown eyes.

Once again, she nicely patted my hair, as I feel relaxed while my heart was singing for her.

Ba bum ! Ba bum !

"It's really fascinating that you love so much the world you live that you want to explore it.", she told me nicely as she continued. "But despite it's a beautiful and vast world, it is also a dangerous and perilous journey with all those menacing creatures, especially for a lonely child like you. However, always keep in mind that it's a good thing to have your own goal to do in your life."

I blushed harder when she was encouraging to pursue my dream.

Though, she was right that it was very risky to explore the world alone: the fact where me and Therion were attacked by wild eagles and that I almost died was such a good example...

I was imagining what kind of other monsters we could meet in Orsterra: big ? small ? with sharped claws and teeth ? with red menacing eyes ?

It's scared me a little, but I stopped to think about this creepy idea.

It was true the world was dangerous, as well ass the real one with those drunk dudes who destroyed my hut for fun. I guessed there must be evil people here too...

It must be sure, because I've heard that in every videogame, there was always bad guys who want to defeat the hero. And a video game without a bad guy, it's like an empty bottle of water.

I was also wondering what Ophilia was thinking about the world.

"And you Ophilia... do you want to explore the world ?", I asked her innocently.

"..."

She didn't answer me directly.

She was then looking upward, imagining something before she just took a small break before she spoke to me.

"I would like to... but I have always to many things to do here. I'm a member of the church, and I have unfortunately to stay faithful at my honour. So, I have to stay here..."

"..."

I felt bad for her: that's must be very complicated to be a cleric, to pray every day for gods or something like that. If only she could go to the place, I were with Therion, if only she could see the beautiful Rocky Mountains, I bet she will be really amazed.

I didn't understand why people preferred to work instead of travelling around the world, excepted where they're in vacation. Maybe Ophilia would need some vacation too...

She continued to speak, in a positive tone.

"However, I know someone at the church who will soon make a journey."

"Really ?! Who it is ?", I asked her happily.

"Her name is Lianna. She is a cleric, like me, and the daughter of the Archbishop Joseph himself. She will make a long journey to restore the light in the world."

So... if that "Lianna" was also the Archbithing's daughter, then she must also be Ophilia's sister, I guess...

But I didn't understand that part where she had to restore the light.

"What do you mean ?", I asked her.

She rolled up the map, before answering me.

"I'll explain to you. Come.", she then stood up, knowing that I was still confused.

I tried to get up of my bed too, but...

ACHOOO !

I sneezed, again, I was itching my nose.

Why was I still cold ? Does the soap and the bath weren't sufficient to keep me warm ?

Well, we are in a cold region after all...

I wrapped my arms around me, trying desperately to keep me warm... without any success.

"Oh, my poor boy... You still have a cold...", Ophilia seemed worried about me.

"Its... still... too.. col... ACHOOO !", I sneezed again, shivering from the cold.

"Don't worry. I'll find you more clothes to make you warmer. Just stay here for a moment."

Ophilia left the room again, with the map, leaving me alone.

I would like to know what kind of clothes she would bring me. I hoped they will be warm...

~A moment later~

"Just a small button to fix...", Ophilia told me.

She was trying to readjust a white button on my new clothes, crouching down a front of me while I stayed still.

I blushed again as she was so close.

"Here you go ! Well, Travis, what do you think about your new clothes ?", she asked me calmly.

Ophilia just brought me those clothes especially for me, and she told me that I have to pull over my white shirt to get warmer. She also helped me to put them on, especially to help me fixing the button, just like how a mother would do with her child.

"..."

I just looked at my new uniform: it was a black thick coat, made of wool. It was tightening me a bit, but it was really keeping me warm.

My arms were also covered by the suit, and there was a collar made of fur around my neck, to keep it more comfortable. The coat was going down, reaching my knees, just like a dress.

A small rope tightened by waist, where a small brown leather waist bag was hanging on the belt, so I could carry small things in there. I also wear large sockets with a pair of brown leathers boots at my size.

But the more surprising stays the hat: it wasn't really a hat, it looked like a bonnet. It was black woolly bonnet covering my head a little too big.

For me, wearing a hat was such a new thing: it really covered the top of my head, my hair exactly. While some of them were hidden by the bonnet, my brown hair could still descend to the sides, revealing my mid long haircut.

Despite it was very warm, I don't know why but... I just feel uncomfortable to wear those clothes.

All those things covering my small body... it's just weird.

"Ophilia... Are you sure these clothes look good on me ?!"

I was so embarrassed to wear them, as my face went red, feeling ashamed of that suit.

Ophilia just seemed fine with that as she told me calmly.

"Well, I think it suits you very well ! Indeed, I find you cute with that little bonnet !"

"!!!..."

I blushed harder that the girl I loved found me adorable with this uniform, as I quickly hid my face with both hands, while I was blushing red, really embarrassed.

'She... she called me cute !...'

Was Therion right about the fact I was too cute ?!

Though, if Ophilia was for me the prettiest girl in the world... perhaps I could be the cutest kid in the world for her!

Honestly, I felt so embarrassed when people found me adorable, as I wasn't used to be called like that. But if it was for Ophilia, I'm agree to be the cutest kid in the world !

She spoke kindly to me again.

"Unless if you want me to find another clo..."

"No, no ! Instead, they looks so good !", I blushed, as I looked positive, changing quickly my mind by wanting to wear those clothes to make her happy.

She cutely giggled at my behaviour.

"I'm glad you like them ! I'll visit you the cathedral, if you want to follow me...", she opened the door.

I nodded without regret, following her from behind, wanting to know more about that light she was talking about.

I left the room where I slept, watching again through the high glassy window, while Ophilia slowly closed the door behind me.

I looked around me, being the little curious I am: it was a corridor, rather a large corridor.

There was a width of around 3 meters, but its surprised me when I noticed its length.

I watched at my right and at my left: while at the right, at the end of the corridor, there was a wall at 10 meters, I was more surprised that the corridor seems longer, much longer at the left, that I couldn't see the end.

How many meters there was between me and there ? 15 meters ? 30 meters ? 50, maybe ?

I turned around me to view my surroundings: the tile was plate, with squares forms delimited by lines, and properly cleaned, as it shined. The walls were built with grey stones, and decorated with the same high purple banners I saw in my room.

I looked up at the celling, which was very high from the ground, at least 10 meters, I think. The glassy windows, 4 to be exact, were covering the large wall opposed to the side where my room was.

I observed a light coming from the flamepits outside which illuminated the corridor, alongside with a group of glassy chandeliers placed in line, suspending on the celling thanks to an iron chain, which their small fires burned to light the corridor.

I also spotted, at the left of my room, another wooden door, which must lead to an unknown room. The doors were both the same: they were as high as at least 2 meters, and were surrounded by an arch of stones with a form of the reversed letter U.

I watched at the other side of the corridor again: while me and Ophilia were the only ones to be present at the side of that corridor where my bedroom was, at the other side, on the contrary, I noticed from far a few persons with white dresses and hoodies, waiting or walking in the corridor.

There were also a pair of doors at the left, and 4 more high windows at the right. The two corridors looked the same, but I was mostly wondering why they were so large, why it wasn't necessary to build just a smaller corridor. For me, it looked much more a normal room than a simple corridor, as it was too large.

I watched then in the middle of the long corridor, as something has caught my eye: while at the right there was bend leading to another corridor, I was more curious about what was at the left: there was no walls, so I was sure it was leading at somewhere.

I saw Ophilia starting to walk in direction of the middle of the corridor, making footprints sounds on the tile with her elegant longs black leather boots, so I decided to follow her.

I walked faster, and passed carefully on her right, really curious about what was hidden there.

Then, I arrived in the middle of the corridor and I watched at my left.

"Wooooooow..."

I was amazed, but really, really amazed by what I saw.

It was a large room, but it was very very huge. Seriously, it was the biggest room inside a building I've ever seen of my life !

Usually, when I lived in the streets, before playing that game, the only building I entered inside where only my hut, a few shops like the bakery where I stole things, and also that white building where I've found the game.

But that room... it was gigantic: it must be 10 times bigger than the white building, 50 times bigger than the bakery, or even 1000 times bigger than my small hut. I had never never expected that a such place existed, how long this used to be build ? 10 years ? 100 years ? More, maybe ?

Anyway, the room was really big: in width, in length, but also in height: it reached at least 50 meters to the celling, where I saw wonderful paintings of diversified things: men, animals, trees, suns, light. Indeed, there was also a wonderful painting in the middles, where 12 persons at least were present, men and women, drawn with beautiful landscapes behind them.

It was so wonderful to see !

I couldn't stop to view the whole place: there was so many wooden long benches situated on each side of a long blue carpet decorating the ground and extended to reach the corridor behind me, that I noticed that must leads to the exit.

Many people were sitting on the benches, like an old woman, her mother with her daughter, and some of these persons were also wearing a black coat and a black bonnet, just like me. Did those people all came here to visit the place? To contemplate the beauty of the room ?

I started to slowly walk on the blue carpet, while I observed that all these peoples were closing their eyes, crossing their hands, and reciting something. Were they... praying ?

I continued to walk on the carpet, while looking around me, as I was completely amazed. There pillars, very high pillars that reached the celling, and they looked so spectacular, so gigantic, that I've found myself very small on that room.

These marble pillars were much taller than the ones I've seen in that manor, but also much prettier. Their design at the bottom looked so amazing, and I also spotted immense chandeliers suspending between each of them, where each of their numerous candles where slowly burning to illuminate the large room.

I continued to walk forwards, where some of those people sitting on the benches noticed me curiously, before they quickly get back at what they were doing.

While Ophilia was following me from behind, watching me discovering the new place, as I approached slowly to something that looked like a long table, covered by a large red layer, and where a yellow symbol which looked like a cross was present in the middle.

There was also a candle on each side of the table, but no one was present behind it to watch the place.

Then, I noticed something that distracted me too much, as it was really beautiful.

Behind the table, there was a beautiful fence with an entrance on the middle. Behind that entrance, there was something that looked like a pedestal, and something shined on it: it was a light, a blue shiny light, and I was so attracted by her by its beauty.

In reality, it was a flame.

But not normal fire, it was a blue flame.

I never knew it existed, but for me, I thought it was prettier than an orange fire. I heard that fire could means destruction and burns, but... this fire was different.

It was calm, very calm, and it didn't seem dangerous at all. This blue flame was just burning for illuminating the room with a soft light, nothing else.

I was dazzled by this beautiful light, much beautiful than the blue magic ball I tried to steal. Indeed, this flame has a light blue color, just like my eyes.

I stopped in my tracks, a front of the table, to contemplate this blue fire, when I heard Ophilia arriving next to me.

"It's... so beautiful.", I told her, completely amazed by the beauty of the fire as I asked. "What is that flame ?"

"Inside that chapel there, this is the sacred flame.", Ophilia spoke to me smoothly as she continued. "It's bathing in the heart of our cathedral and peoples pray every day for its light and the warmth it brings to us."

So, that's the sacred flame Ophilia told me about...

Right now, tons of questions came in my mind as I looked up at her.

"Ophilia... Why this flame is blue ?"

"I am asking the same question since a long time... There so many mysteries about this mystical fire; we tell a lot of legends about its origins. Do you want to hear the best-known one ?", she asked me softly, as she was also admiring the blue shining fire.

"Of course ! I would like to !", I told her happily.

"Ahem.

In the beginning, the thirteen gods created the land. They shaped the mountains, filled the seas, gave life to mighty trees and myriad beasts... and then they created men, who would become masters of the land.

Yet one god, Galdera, was too gready to part with his creations. And so the twelve deities of good were forced into a desperate struggle with the cruel Galdera, lord of the most infernal magicks.

In the end, the conflict was brought to a close 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 the land of Orsterra, bringing warmth and guidance to its people."

"..."

Ophilia was such a very good storyteller: she explained me very well the story with her soft-spoken voice, making me dreaming. Indeed, she seemed passionate to tell me this legend, as I saw her eyes watching the flame with passion.

However, I was so lulled by her smooth voice, that I didn't understand everything. I just understood that there were 13 gods who created the world, but one of them became a bad guy, so another god whose I already forgot the name burned him.

Seriously, even if they looked amazing, why did all gods' legends are so weird and complicated ?!

Anyway, I remembered the beautiful paintings I saw on the celling: there were 12 persons in the middle, but Ophilia explained me there were 13 gods... Where's the 13th one ?

So, I asked her.

"Tell me, Ophilia. I saw 12 paintings of people in the ceiling. Are they the 12 gods ?"

We both turned to watch at the celling.

"Of course, they are ! You can observe the representations of the 12 good gods who are watching over us since centuries. Only Galdera, the infernal god, is missing.", she explained to me as she pointed me the figure of the painting of an old man by extending her gloved arm. "There, you can spot Aelfric, recognizable with his rod and the holy light around him.",

This Aelfric must be the hero in that legend, where he beat that bad god, and he looked serious and wise. Its painting was pretty beautiful.

Ophilia continued to talk.

"To pay tribute to Aelfric, every 20 years, a member of the church starts a long journey called "pilgrimage" to restore the light of our world."

"Pil...grimage ?"

She nodded to me.

"Now, it's Lianna's turn to be the Flamebearer and to carry the sacred flame for kindling the torches from cities devoted to our beliefs."

"Why every 20 years ? Does someone put out the torch each times ?"

She laughed calmly.

"No!... It's just a ritual we made to repel the darkness from our land."

"The darkness ?"

"Yes, all what is linked to evil. Actually, they continue to spread, but the Church of the Sacred Flame sure to scan the shadows with the light of that blue flame."

Despite it must be a lot of work, I think it must be pretty fun to travel through the world with that magnificent blue fire. Even if I've found a little weird that people prayed for a fire, I've found her story of light and darkness interesting.

I watched at Ophilia again, as she seems dreamy with her arms behind her back.

"Since I was a child, I have always wondered how the world really looked like.", she looked at the celling again, admiring the paintings."One day, you know, I would like to discover the truth of the history of our world, to know the origins of those who had founded it. I wonder how different the gods were compared to our beliefs..."

I was glad she has also a dream to accomplish, and I was also curious about how those gods looked like.

"I've heard they lived in the sky...", I told her.

"Maybe... We also tell a lot of stories about each of them, but I can't stop myself to think who they're really, just by closing my eyes..."

She then slowly closed her eyes, with a smile on her lips. Then, she brought her hands her chest, I bet she was praying, while imagining in her head the gods.

She really looked pretty when she was peacefully praying, and so religious as well...

After 30 seconds of seeing her praying standing in the carpet, I told her calmly.

"That's sounds really great to discover the story. I'm sure you will realize your dream."

She stopped to pray, and she smiled at my compliment. She looked at me, and she reached her gloved hand to gently pat my hair.

"You are such a good boy.", she complimented me.

I smiled because I enjoyed when she was nicely patting my hair, and I blushed as she looked so pretty.

She was really so kind with me, and I'm happy she finds me as kind as her. Effectively, I was nice with her because she was nice with me.

Click ! Click ! Click !

At this moment, I heard some light footprints at my left.

From the sound, I recognized Ophilia's footprints, but it wasn't possible as she was just standing next to me, and she couldn't be everywhere.

So, who it was ? Who was that person with the same footprints than Ophilia ?

When I looked at my left, I really thought I saw Ophilia for a second.

However, that wasn't her, but I really thought it was her. I just thought I saw another Ophilia walking on the black and white tile, behind the high pillars. But there can't be 2 Ophilias, right ?!

'Who's that ?...'

I continued to observe this woman who was another person in the end.

Even if she had the same outfit than her, the same white dress like snow, the same white shawl, the same black long gloves, the same black boots, it was someone else. Unlike Ophilia, she had light brown hair, set in a pretty long ponytail, with a black headband tightening her head, making a fringe appearing on her forehead. She also has black eyes, and she looked pretty as well.

We saw her walking at the side of the room, her hands crossing each other, while she noticed both of us and smiled, at my misunderstanding.

While I was wondering why this girl was interested by us, Ophilia smiled at her sight, as she seems familiar to her.

"Oh, Lianna !"

"Ah, Ophilia !... I was looking for you !", said the other girl, who was also happy to see her.

Lianna ? It isn't Ophilia' sister ?

The brown-haired girl joined us as Ophilia asked her.

"How is His Excellency ?"

"Well, he is still resting his in Chambers... I hope his state will improve in a few days...", Lianna told her as she noticed me and looked delighted. "Oh, is the boy already awake ?"

Ophilia nodded to her.

"May I introduce you Travis.", she showed me to her while telling me. "Travis. This is Lianna."

Lianna slowly approached me and bent down at my level.

"Well hello, Travis ! I'm Ophilia's sister ! I'm really happy to meet you !", she told me nicely.

"..."

As Ophilia seemed quiet for a while, I felt a bit shy towards her sister in the first place but I managed to speak to her.

"...Hello...! It's nice to meet you, too !", I said with a small smile.

She reached her gloved hand and she nicely pinched my cheek.

"Well, aren't you so adorable...", she complimented me.

My cheeks went pink after her nice gest and that called me "adorable". I would have never expected that there were a lot of people who found me cute.

Though, I was glad to meet Lianna: like Ophilia, she was nice, cute and sympathetic. She was also a beautiful girl, even if I still think Ophilia was prettier. She seemed to have the same height than Ophilia, and also the same age than her. Maybe they were twins.

While Ophilia was smiling at us, I wanted to speak with Lianna

"Ophilia told me that you will travel through the world ! Is that right ?!", I asked happily

I liked the fact that Lianna was about to travel like how I always dreamed to do.

"...", Lianna looked slightly surprised when she told me calmly. "Of course... I was designed by the Church to carry out that mission and bring light to the world."

"So... will you kindle all those flames ? That's sounds pretty amusing to visit all these cities !", I told her happily.

She chuckled while she ruffled my hair.

"Well... thank you ! You know, it's... my duty to make this ritual, after all ! "

Strangely, she looked like a bit nervous to make that ritual: I guessed that's must be really important for her.

She then kindly asked me.

"And what about you little one ? Are you feeling good since you're here ?",

I nodded quickly.

"Yes , yes ! Ophilia was so nice with me: she has even brought me food !"

She giggled at me.

"My sister is really kind, she isn't ?!", she told me happily.

"Hu-hu ! And you too !"

Lianna smiled at my answer, as it was really fun to talk with her.

Considering to Ophilia, our conversation was adorable. She was really lucky to have a fun sister like her !

At a moment, the fact that Ophilia and Lianna were sisters reminded me about my brother Therion. Indeed, while Ophilia and Lianna were both cleric, me and Therion were two thieves.

Since a long while, I wanted to know how it's like to have a sibling, but I believe it's so fun to have a brother or sister. Indeed, we can play together, to tell our deepest secrets, and also laugh together...

When I lived in the streets, I remembered several times, when I was looking for coins, to see a brother and his sister happily playing in the park. Sadly, I never had a sibling... until the day I met Therion.

For me, he was like the brother I never had, and it's with him which I want to laugh with.

Ophilia walked next to us before speaking.

"Lianna is a very faithful member of the Church, and she is ready for anything to carry out her honour as the future Flamebearer."

"Thank you.", Lianna answered her, standing up as she added. "You know, I don't know anyone else as you who is so devoted to our dear Sacred Flame."

Ophilia chuckled.

"Oh, please Anna !... I'm not the one who wrote the most beautiful accounts about our great Church ! Indeed, I believe you already do an admirable work without my help."

"You know, if you weren't there, Phili... I wouldn't never have such inspiration to do such quality work.", said Lianna softly.

"Phili ?!", I said.

I got the two girls' attention, as I have been listening to their conversation for a while.

"Oh ! That's just an affectionate appellation I gave to Ophilia !", Lianna nicely told me.

"Well, that's a nice one...", I said while blushing a bit and watching Ophilia.

We all three laughed happily.

Seriously, Lianna gave her a nickname as sweet as Ophilia was. And just like I nicknamed Therion "Terry", I could now call her "Phili". I had also my nickname "Trav", but I preferred that she called me by my entire name with her smooth voice.

I also loked how Ophilia and Lianna also chatted like two close friends. These two were getting along so well like sisters !

After that moment, Lianna spoke to me.

"Anyway, it was really a pleasure to meet you, little one.", she then turned to her sister. "Now, I have to leave you, I'm going to check on Father's state."

"Alright. Don't forget to give him my blessings.", responded Ophilia.

Lianna left the room by passing through the way behind the pillars and went in direction of the other corridor.

Ophilia's sister was really nice, and I was sure they loved each other very much.

Me, I would like to encourage Lianna for her journey through the world, and to yell "Good luck" at her when she will go, even though I didn't know exactly when she will.

Indeed, I could see Ophilia being so proud of her sister who will be the next person who will carry the blue fire.

Once again, I had still a question in mind for her.

"Tell me Ophilia... If your sister is going to travel, why don't you travel with her too ?"

"...", Ophilia sighed when she answered. "Because... ?!..."

She suddenly cut herself, as I saw her concerned by something.

While I was a bit confused, Ophilia turned behind her, as I did the same, curious about what was drawing her attention.

"..."

We both looked someone walking on the carpet: it was a boy, a young boy who must be as old as me.

He was wearing the same uniform than me: the black coat, the boots, and even the bonnet, just like others children I saw praying on the benches.

His brown hair was lighter than mine and I spotted his eyes being brown.

"..."

He was watching around him, being silent as he seems confused.

"Oh my... What is a child doing here alone ?", Ophilia said, concerned for this young boy.

As he looked a bit worried and nervous Ophilia walked towards him, as I slowly followed her.

She got near to him, looking him down as she spoke kindly to him.

"What is the matter, child ?"

The child looked up at her, as he looked a bit stressed and scared by our company.

"It's... it's my mamma !", he finally spoke with a little voice. "She's gone and I can't find her anywhere !"

"!!!..."

'He lost his mom ?...'

He covered his eyes with his arm when he started to cry.

"Waaaaaah ! Come back, Mamma ! Don't leave me here all alone !"

The poor boy continued to hold on crying, as his tears flowed on his cheeks, and his voice echoed throughout the wide place.

"..."

Ophilia sadly watched, feeling bad for him like I was feeling bad for him.

She slowly bent down a front of him, and gently caressed his cheek, reassuring him while wiping slowly his tears.

"Now, now. Let's dry those tears. Why don't I help you look for your mother ?", she asked him nicely, as the boy slowly stopped to cry.

Ophilia was so nice with this kid ! She knew the words to comfort him and that he needed help.

"Sniffle... Can you really find her ?", the kid sniffed.

"Of course, my child.", she kindly answered him.

It's incredible that Ophilia managed to calm him down so quickly thanks to her great kindness, even if she wasn't his mom.

I slowly approached him, facing him, as I noticed he was slightly smaller than me, and maybe slightly younger than me.

Then, I told him.

"Don't worry ! We're gonna find her ! Did you know how she looks like ?"

"..."

Despite I spoke to him the kindliest possible, he seemed a bit shy towards me.

Ophilia smiled to my behaviour and gently spoke to me.

"That's really sweet of you, Travis. But sadly, I think you might be scaring him a little... So, maybe you should leave it to me."

"O-okay..."

Despite my attempt to help him as failed, Ophilia was so proud that I wanted to be as kind as she was and to help her finding the mother of the boy.

Though, I didn't have any idea where we could find his mom if he doesn't want to speak to me...

How are we gonna find her ?

Anyway, Ophilia stood up and spoke.

"The Sacred Flame will show us the way."

I saw her rising her arm above her, and then

FWIIIIIII !!!

"!!!..."

She was magically creating a yellow bright light with her hand !

As the lost boy and I were surprised, her magic light started to take the form of a long stick, with at the end, a particular symbol.

Then, the stick of light turned into a dark brown long rod, which was slightly taller than her. At the end, there was a golden disk, with a spike in the middle, and it was shining a bright light.

'Woooaaa !...'

The stick was magnificent, and she looked very proud to grab it with her gloved hand.

I watched her holding firmly the scepter with her right hand,using it like a support on the ground. Seriously, this girl was magical, so magical...

That rod suited her very well with her white uniform, and the other kid was amazed as well.

Did it was again one of her wizard's magic trick ?

Finally, Ophilia looked at the boy and spoke to him.

"Let the Flame guide your path..."

"Will... will you really help me find her ?!", the boy asked her curiously.

"As I said.", she nicely answered him while extending her left hand towards him.

The shy boy hesitated during a few seconds before he took her gloved hand with his smaller hand, finally trusting her.

Click ! Click ! Click !

She then starts to slowly walk towards the exit, while holding hand with the small boy, as I watched them walking from behind.

I just observed Ophilia from behind, staying in place in the middle of the carpet, surprised to see how nice she was with that boy, and also because she was very elegant while walking with her shiny stick.

Ba bum ! Ba bum !

My heart was beating faster, as I found her very magnificent and magic, dazzled by her beauty.

She was leading that boy at the exit, and she was such a good leader.

Me too, I wanted her to lead me, me too, I wanted to hold her hand...

While Ophilia was about to leave with the boy, she stopped in her tracks and called me nicely.

"Are you coming too, Travis ?"

"!!!...", I quickly get back from my thoughts as my face became red, before answering her. "Ah ! Errr... Y-yes ! I'm coming !!"

I walked fast to catch them up, and all three of us started to walk towards the exit, where Ophilia and the boy slowly walked by holding hands, as I just followed them closer from behind.

We all walked towards the exit: it was a corridor covered by the blue carpet, but it looked like a small tunnel. At the end of that tunnel, I could see the exit, which there were two opened doors.

I will finally leave the cathedral, and I was very curious about what was outside...

~

A/N: 700 reads ! In short, yes Ophilia can magically make her scepter appear.

I've found this chapter necessary where Travis could learn more about Orsterra, and also to remind you the origin of the world, because I think it will be an important plot if I open a book 2 a day.

Finally, I think there won't be always 3 chapters per traveller. I didn't expect that I needed one more chapter for Ophilia. It's because I wanted to add some fillers to make the story more original, and I don't want to make too long chapters.

I hope you enjoyed that chapter, which was pretty calm I know, but I promise you Travis will have to take a decision in the next chapter !